The Elusive Moose

“When’s the best time to see a moose?”  That’s probably the hardest question to answer any time of the year.  The best time, unfortunately, is when the moose doesn’t know you’re there.  And that’s almost impossible.

See, moose have these huge, hairy ears that pick up the slightest noise.  They hear everything. Ask any hunter and you’ll get stories about a twig breaking, chewing gum snapping, a metal grommet clinking or even the infamous muffled sneeze.  And yes, in that brief second, that moose is gone.

I’m one lucky Vermonter.  I’ve seen “our” moose five times between 2006 and 2010.  The first time was Spring 2006 along route 7 in the Mt. Tabor area of the Green Mountain National Forest.  Brian and I were driving along and he said “Did you see the moose?”  Of course, I had missed it, being the driver and having to concentrate on the road, so we turned around and went back and there he was, a young bull moose, wallowing in the water, happily munching down all sorts of plants.  We pulled into the parking area, got out, and leaned on the car just watching him eat.  Within about 20 minutes the parking lot was filled up and the moose, instead of walking away, turned around and faced all of us in the parking lot.  This was when I first decided that “our” moose was a camera hound and had a sense of humor.   He stayed there eating, watching the people, “posing” for pictures, for a good 45 minutes.  When he left, he just sauntered deeper into the woods, taking his time, never even looking back to see if he was followed.

We felt very lucky to have seen him.  Other people were commenting that they had never seen a live moose before.  One fellow had lived in Vermont all his 75 years and this was his first moose sighting.  He had taken lots of photos and was going home to get them up on his Facebook page and send to his family.  I had seen tracks before, but never seen a moose in the wild.  Little did I know that the moose and I would have an interesting relationship in the future.

Apparently, the Silas Griffith Inn is right on the Moose Highway from Danby Mountain to the Green Mountain National Forest.  I would find moose tracks in muddy areas, moose scat on the trails, and occasionally strands of hair caught in the berries after the moose was helping himself to the newly ripened blackberries.  But one morning in May, around 4:30 AM, I was awakened by the dogs.  All three of them were barking at the window.  Then they stopped and I heard this unearthly noise and looked out the window.  There, in the field beyond the gazebo, was the moose, bellowing.  He stopped, and the dogs started barking again.  He shook his head, and wandered off.  Eventually the dogs calmed down, but I wasn’t able to fall back asleep.  I got up and started getting ready for the day.

All our guests wanted to know what that “awful noise” was in the middle of the night when they came down to breakfast.  I explained, and we went up to the field, where I showed them the tracks and fresh scat.  Everybody was excited, and some guests even set their alarms so they could see the moose.  But he didn’t bellow the next morning, and no one saw him in the moonless pre-dawn light, although he did visit, as evidenced by his fresh tracks.

A year later I saw him in my garden eating the baby peas.  I was not amused as I watched him munch down one whole section after another.  But I wasn’t going to argue – he was taller than I was and I could plant more peas.  That’s actually the only time I ever caught him in the garden, although he does eat from the apple trees all the time.  He’s a very picky eater and will sample apples, taking only a bite to see if he likes it, leaving the apple if it doesn’t meet his standards, and finishing it if he does.  I’ve found a lot of half eaten apples still hanging on the trees with huge, moose toothmarks.

Over the next few years he only woke me up twice more.  I think the dogs got used to him and just didn’t bother to bark anymore.  But he bellowed, and I looked out and saw him, a beautiful moose, king of the area, telling the world that this was his land and we were just temporary interlopers.  And when you’re 6 feet tall at the shoulder and weigh over 1,500 lbs, well, I’m not going to argue.

So, c’mon up to Vermont, where moose tracks abound.  Maybe you’ll be one of the lucky few allowed to see our camera happy moose.  But even if you never see him, just remember, he’s watching your every move.

Traveling with older pets

(This is the third in a series of articles about traveling with pets based upon my experiences as an Innkeeper here at the Silas Griffith Inn and my almost 30 years in the Hospitality business.)

As we age, although we don't like to admit it, we start feeling more aches and pains that weren't there when we were younger. The same holds true for out pets, no matter how good out care is of them, no matter how wonderful our vet care of them is. Arthritis, joint pain, stiff muscles, and love handles are all aging problems for cats and dogs, as well as us humans. But do these issues mean that Fluffy and Fido can no longer go with you on your traveling adventures.

No. It just means you have to prepare a little mores for their comfort and be prepared to make certain allowances for age.

Fluffy and Fido might not be able to take that 10 mile hike with you, but a 5 mile hike would be fine. Their stomach might be sensitive to new water or food, or even too many snacks. And, if they are tired, they may show it a little more a be a little crotchety. Here's a few tips to make your traveling experience more fun for everyone.

• First of all, call the Inn or hotel where you will be staying. Explain that you are traveling with an older pet and see if anything can be done to accommodate Fido or Fluffy. Here at the Silas Griffith Inn we have 4 rooms that open onto a wrap-around deck that allow easy same-level access to the meadow and fields for ease of walking. In the Winter we shovel a path to the deck, and in the Spring, Summer and Fall you walk across nice, soft, pesticide-free grass.
• Talk to your vet about traveling with Fido and Fluffy. He or She might have some insights and suggestions such as pet-safe pain killers or even mobility exercises and stretches to reduce stiffness.
• Bring your pet's regular food. A change of diet in an older pet is the commonest cause of upset tummies and intestinal issues. Keeping them on the same food also reduces stress and gives them something familiar every day. The stress of traveling can also cause tummy issues, so the more you can reduce stress for all of you the more you will enjoy your vacation. Write the feeding directions on the food container so that housekeepers or pet sitters know when Fido and Fluffy expect to eat.
  
• Bring water from home or use bottled water. As for humans, a change of water can cause digestive nightmares.
• If you are traveling to an area with different weather than your pet is accustomed to, plan accordingly. Older pets get cold faster, as do smaller pets. And in the summer, your pet's may overheat faster. Sweaters and blankets for your pet (although I have yet to see a cat keep a sweater on) are a blessing when traveling to snowy areas. And make sure your room has air-conditioning if you are traveling in the warmer months or to warmer areas.
• DO NOT leave your pet in your car for extended periods of time. Extreme heat and extreme cold are very dangerous to your pet. Many Inns (including us) and hotels have pet-sitting services available and either the housekeepers or Innkeepers would be glad to check on Fido and Fluffy while you are away and even take Fido for a walk if needed. But it is up to you, the Innkeeper to ask for this, as the pet sitter will need to schedule times and meet your pet and have written permission from you to care for your pets.
• If your pet is on medications bring enough to last your whole trip plus 2 days. This gives you extra just in case Fluffy decides to spit the pill down the heat vent one morning. Make sure the medications are clearly labeled to prevent any problems.
• Bring copies of all rabies vaccinations and other vaccines and inoculations with you. This is extremely important. If you are traveling most vets also recommend Kennel Cough vaccines just to be on the safe side.
• Spend time with Fido and Fluffy when you travel. From their point of view, they are going with the family to a new and exciting place, and then left alone in a room without mommy and daddy. Take time to play with them and explore the grounds with them safely on their leashes. Find out which channel has animal shows on and leave the TV on low for your pet. The Discovery channel and Animal Planet channels are perfect choices. Move a chair with a pillow beside a closed window so Fluffy can look out and watch birds and people, or just sleep in the sun.
  

Above all, traveling should be fun for all involved, and not a stressful hassle. Fluffy and Fido deserve a good vacation as well as you. Remember that in calendar years they may only be 10, but in dog and cat life-years that's equivalent to early 70's in human life-years. Fluffy and Fido might be a little slower, and more apt to watch the kids play ball than join in the fun. This is to be expected.

Happy Traveling!