The Moose And The Fireman

The moose in the neighbor's yard this morning was a bit exciting and entertaining, I have to admit. I oohed and gasped and watched his every move...for TWO hours. I know. Get. A. Life. But, this IS my life, people.

I contemplated writing a lengthy story about the moose, chronicling every riveting detail of his arrival, the police surveillance, the gathering of neighbors, children and strangers in a kind woman's master bedroom and bathroom so we could all get a closer look, and the eventual tranquilization and removal of the large animal. But, after viewing the STUPID number of photographs I took and the nearly FIFTY minutes of Flip video, it's just not that riveting anymore.

Here's a quick photo recap...The moose! [I was outside on the sidewalk for this picture.]

 

The moose stared at us staring at him through the window. We all looked at each other for a very long time.  It was like being at the zoo. Like I said, riveting.

[Photo taken while in my neighbor's bedroom with several other people.]

 

Once the moose was tranquilized [a shooter hit him and the drug took effect exceptionally fast], they had to slide him onto a tarp so he could be transported across the snow to a trailer. 

 

Notice the cameraman from a local news station walking backwards as he films.

 

The sedated moose resting in the trailer. He was feeling no pain.

 

I wasn't going to blog about this, because...you know...boring. But in the final five minutes of the moose ordeal, a young fireman made my day with two surprisingly witty comments.

Witty Number One

As the curious, worried and adrenalin-fueled neighbor children gathered around the moose while it lay in the trailer, the helpful, young fireman cleared his throat and spoke to them...Now remember, kids. THIS is why we DON'T play with matches.

Witty Number Two

I took some final photos and noticed the moose was trembling. Oh, poor thing. He's shaking. The helpful, young fireman looked at me and said, "That's a goood shake. It's morphine."

Comments

[Captain Dumbass]

Good thing it wasn't September or October, then the moose would have tried to kill everyone. (moose are nasty that time of year)

[Mary]

We would never see a moose of course - spiders, snakes and one time an echidna - but never a moose.

[Mrs. D/ 3 men and a lady]

I can't say that playing with matches makes moose appear, but I guess you have to work in fire safety speeches whenever you have a captive audience. Was this a volunteer fireman? We have mostly volunteer firemen here and they are exceptionally enthusiastic about what they do so I can totally see one of ours working in a fire safety comment.

And I would have watched and taken pictures, too, don't feel bad :-)

[anna see]

your day certainly seemed more exciting than mine! that fireman was a hoot, too.

[Chris]

I have video of the moose trying to kill a guy. The moose had been struck by the sedative so it was pathetic, like a drunk guy taking a swing, but still!

[Chris]

Now I have to Google "echidna"... I imagine you see all sorts of wonderful creatures Down Under. :-)

[Chris]

The fireman was totally being silly. He knew he was playing "dorky fire safety" dude when he said what he said. I liked him!

[Chris]

The fireman put everything in perspective. He also confessed to "pretending" to help when I asked him if it was difficult dragging that moose across the yard.

[CarlaDelvex]

LOL the fireman comments made me laugh out loud! But now down to serious business... was he cute? :)

[Chris]

He was adorable!

To: chrisyross@msn.com

[Mrs. D/ 3 men and a lady]

Oh, that's good! I thought he was serious, lol!

[Ellie Belen]

I would be there too for hours. Don't get to see that kind of nature around here, sometimes a rat or a mouse, and oh yes, an occasional possum.

[Kelly]

Too funny - although moose always come back to two spots: i) mating sites; and ii) morphine bender sites. He will be back for some more juice I am afraid.

[Rachel Cotterill]

He's quite some beast! We have deer in our garden frequently, but only tiny ones. I've never seen a moose up close.

PS Personally, this is exactly the kind of story I'd tell, witty fireman or no ;)

[Middle Aged Woman]

I'd have been riveted the whole time. When do you get to see such a huge creature up close like that? Picture me, sitting next to you and oojing and aahing over the Flip video for the WHOLE time!

Love,Claire

[Kate Coveny Hood]

Considering the fact that large dogs make me nervous - this would have given me a heart attack. Very cool though.

[christy]

That fireman sounds really funny! I would have loved to have been there - I love moose. As I told you on Facebook, I've gone moose-looking in Maine a couple of times, to no avail! Ah well. I'd love to see a clip of that video! Am I a dork or what?!

[Connie @ Young and Relentless]

How exciting!! Which TV channel showed up?



I wish you'd have gotten a picture of the front of that fireman.....

[Pam]

Love the fireman! And I saw your moose on the news!

[Chris]

You and the fireman would get along great! Funny! I was AMAZED at how fast that moose dropped after getting hit. I figured he'd run around the neighborhood for a while. He got some goooood juice!

[Chris]

Thank you, Claire. I like that you're the kinda gal who'll be my partner in crime as well as my dork-soul-sister. Love, Chris

[Chris]

You might get to join Claire [Middle Aged Woman] and me in the dork-soul-sister club!

[Chris]

Darn! You missed it. It was on the 10:00 pm news last night -- KSL. I wonder if I can find the clip on line...

I purposely didn't show the face of the fireman. You nevah know who will be uncomfortable being identified.

[Chris]

I saw him too! I also saw Redmondo on the clips. :-)

[Chris]

I just didn't want to miss anything. It really is rare to see such a large animal so close.

[Corbie]

A man in uniform who is witty, too? Be still my beating heart. Hilarious.

[jessica]

personally, I think it's pretty cool. I was wondering if perhaps he was up for adoption? My kid would love him. A moose doesn't poop right?

[Chris]

I know you're searching for an animal that doesn't go number two, but I personally saw the moose poop.  Like a large milk dud -- lots of 'em.  Sorry. :-(

To: chrisyross@msn.com

[Lady Fi]

Great pics of the moose - or elk as we call them over here in Europe.

They are plentiful here in Sweden but you still can't help being blown away by their sheer size and majesty. They are known as King of the Woods over here.

[Jannie Funningstress]

NOT boring!!!

Love the photos, so much beautiful snow. Do you get out in the snow much? I bet the boys love playing in it. And having great moose adventures.

And spring just around a corner or 3.

xo

[Chris]

We get out in the snow ALL the time, Jannie.  It's wonderful!  I have oodles more moose photos and video.  The older boys loved it. xo to you too!

To: chrisyross@msn.com

[Bobbi Olson]

How cool! I would've been with y'all watching out the window, so sign me up for the dork club!

If you see that fireman again, give him my info!

[Chris]

You are hereby declared an official Dork Club member!  I actually thought of you, Bobbi, but I think [like many of the young men in these parts] he was married.

To: chrisyross@msn.com

[Deidre]

aw moose...they're just so cute! We had a momma and two babies in our yard once at home. We just let them walk into our woods and called it a day.



Great photos.

Plus the fireman is hilarious.

[Anastasia]

WOW, that is not boring at all! You took some great pictures of the whole thing too.

[Alix]

Wow, Chris... I think that's pretty amazing. I'd probably have taken a hundred and fifty photos. But that's just me and my life {apparently} ain't more exciting than yours. Thanks for sharing those amazing photos. I really enjoyed them and your story.

[the mama bird diaries]

Those pictures are insane. That is quite a day!

[michael.offworld]

If you give a moose a muffin, he's going to want a glass of milk... Have you read this story to your boys? There's a moose and a mouse version. I may be confusing my moose and mice though...

[Chris]

I have read that story to my boys, as well as the "give a mouse a pancake" story.  You've got your stories about as straight as I do!