Toronto Tails: Moose’s Pawspective in the Big City
Introduction
Hello, fantastic people! I want to thank my incredible support system, all 300 friends on @Disneydugandem and whoever else has followed along the way. Whether I know you from Niagara, Orlando, or Toronto, your presence has been a source of joy since May 15, 2023, and I can't thank you enough. Back in May, I never imagined sitting in my little studio apartment, embracing independence, enjoying my studies, making time for cherished connections, and indulging in the things I love, such as creating my blog, Toronto Tails. Honestly, I wouldn't be here without every one of you, so this post is dedicated to you! You've mentioned that you can't go without my content, so why not take you through a full day in Moose's pawspective! Many of you have requested it, and a vlog will accompany this blog on @Disneydugandem. I hope you enjoy joining us for a regular Wednesday in Toronto for me and my sidekick. Let's begin with a little context of my life! Life took an unexpected turn after the sudden passing of my dog, Dug, in August. In my pursuit of adopting a puppy, expecting a lengthy wait, luck was upon me, or could I say it was Dug. A breeder, moved by my story about Dug, invited me to meet her pups. She believes in the power of pets as emotional support, helping us grow. A fun fact about Moose is that he delights in everything involving mom and pink. Although not born that way, he's been raised into it! A friend even remarked that my walls reflect pink due to my place's abundance of pink tones. Surprisingly, Moose has never complained once! So, let's dive into Moose's pretty-in-pink life.
Morning Routine
The morning starts with myself groaning as I discover I’m overheating, moose nestled on my head. Personal space isn't a concept Moose grasps, making him a second pillow for me at night, a win-win situation. While one might expect a puppy to be an early riser, this puppy sleeps in! I arose at 10:00 am and even had 30 minutes of chores around my place before Moose grunted, signalling his awakening from slumber. My favourite part of Moose's morning ritual is witnessing his squinty eyes and scruffy fur as he resentfully starts his day. He's decidedly not a morning person, and I wouldn't have it any other way! Once Moose gracefully springs from the bed, using his personalized steps, he heads straight to his litter box. Yes, Moose is even litter box trained! The irony of a dog named Moose being litter box trained is something else. After completing his morning business, it's time for breakfast, a feast that must include his beloved plain whole-grain Cheerios as a garnish. Before the day, Moose and I engage in some trick practice. He's mastered sit and down, and we're making significant progress with the concept of paw. One of Moose's unique talents is his dance moves, especially when charming me for treats. After playtime, Moose patiently endures Mom's morning routine, complete with loud singing, dancing, and a fair amount of time-wasting. Once I finally pull myself together, it's time to dress Moose up for the day. Today, we experienced a twinning moment with Moose wearing his hot pink jacket, perfectly complemented by a scarf I found on sale in the same colour. With Moose snugly placed in his pink bag, we're out the door, ready to face the day.
Exploring Toronto
Moose and I pick a new place to explore every day, a routine that ensures we get our steps in and usually ends with a sweet treat for our efforts. For me, the highlight of our daily adventures is the journey from leaving my apartment unit to exiting the building. A cheerful person or a delighted dog is always eager to say hello. We've even encountered another Chihuahua puppy within the building! I value the sense of community and consider myself fortunate to be part of such a positive one. As we navigate the city streets, the gazes keep coming. It warms my heart when people glance up from their phones or nudge their friends to glimpse the cute dog in the pink jacket. Moose has this magical ability to pull people into the moment, offering a brief escape from the hustle and bustle of their busy days. Today was market day for Moose and me, and our destination was our beloved St. Lawrence Market. We visited our go-to vendors, including the cheese shop, Montreal bagel shop, Latin food shop, and bakery. I particularly enjoy hitting the markets on weekday mornings, when the atmosphere is less hectic and regular shoppers do their routines. Lately, I've come to appreciate the value of food and, while budgeting, noticed that I have better shopping success at local stores compared to franchise grocery stores. Engaging with the people at the market, hearing their stories, and seeing how Moose brightens their day adds an extra layer of joy to our visits. I'll share some memorable interactions from today in a few sections below!
Moose's Fashion Choices
If you followed my summer adventure in Florida, you'd be familiar with Dug's fabulous try-on hauls. Since Moose is still too small to fit into anything, restarting the hauls has been challenging. However, whenever I come across something small enough, I can't resist picking it up. Fortunately, luck was on my side when my grandma found a hot pink coat, ideally one of my favourite colours. But if you don’t like the colour pink, don't worry. Moose has more than one outfit in his wardrobe! He even has his section in my closet. While our collection slowly expands, the pink coat remains a favourite. It's the ideal combination of joyous style, comfortable fit, and non-waddling chic. Funny enough, during our daily adventure yesterday, I stumbled upon the perfect scarf, living out my Elle Woods and Bruiser dreams inspired by the movie "Legally Blonde," a film that shaped my upbringing. After getting dressed and snapping a few selfies, our daily ritual, I attached Moose's pink leash, picked up his matching travel bag, and hit the streets in style.
Afternoon Activities
Upon our leisurely return from the market, a slow journey, you can envision the comical scenario of attempting to carry all my groceries in Moose's pink bag while navigating Moose walking in the city streets during rush hour. I wasn't exactly a picture of joy then, but the reward was well worth it. As soon as I arrived home, the absolute delight began as I unpacked and savoured my market finds. Meanwhile, Moose curled up for a nap, providing the perfect opportunity for me to attempt to dive into my study session. Balancing my studies with the distraction of Moose's adorable face proved to be an impossible task. I know I have him as my Emotional Support Animal to support me through school, but sometimes he can be a distraction, but at least he is cute! I eventually succumbed to the temptation, taking a well-deserved break. We indulged in the macarons we bought at the market, facetimed with Mom (or as Moose fondly calls her, 'Go Go'), and basked in the high-energy vibes that only my mom, Hilary, could have. For those who know me well, picture my usual excitement multiplied by ten. That's my mom. She's a non-stop machine, and the nickname 'Go Go' suits her perfectly. Mom is also quite excited that Kate Hudson’s mom, Goldie Hawn’s nickname, is ‘Go Go.’ As the hours swiftly passed, we dedicated time to practicing our tricks, inching closer to mastering the paw. Amidst playful moments, we delved into my blog.
Moose's Emotional Support Role
Reflecting on our day and every day before this, I can't help but marvel at Moose's profound impact on my mental health, genuinely serving as my companion in navigating the challenges and joys of daily life. It all begins with the gentle nudge of his fur against my face in the morning, a simple gesture that sets the tone for a productive day with a genuine smile on my face. During our walks to the market, Moose becomes my reassuring presence, taking up space where negative thoughts usually are in my mind. His calming influence allows me to embrace my true personality, characterized by smiles, compassion, and giggles. It's surreal to think that I lived in this city just last year yet never explored the places Moose and I now often go to. With him, I find stepping out and taking on adventures easier. In public spaces where I often struggle with overstimulation, Moose becomes both a comforting distraction and an exceptional icebreaker, facilitating connections with new people. Already, Moose has played a role in forging new friendships and creating connections during our adventures. Upon returning home at night, Moose continues to be a source of distraction and focus. His consistent snuggles and spontaneous bursts of energy, including delightful zoomies, take up my evenings with happiness and a sense of security within myself. Moose has helped improve my grounding and mindfulness, offering a lesson in staying present. Reflecting on our shared experiences, I am inspired to delve deeper into Moose's emotional support in future blog posts, exploring the dynamics of his role in enhancing my overall well-being.
Memorable Encounters and Reactions of the Day
My adventures with Moose are filled with heartwarming interactions, including today. One moment unfolded at the market when I encountered an older woman, alone but filled with stories to share. She shared a touching one about her husband in palliative care, emphasizing his sole wish for a canine companion. Her eyes sparkled with excitement as she proudly displayed a picture of her beloved pup. It was a profoundly moving exchange, allowing her to speak up about her husband in memory. Another delightful encounter occurred at the bakery, faced with a cash-only situation and no money on me. The kind-hearted lady at the counter insisted on paying. In return, she received extra cuddles from Moose, and tonight, on our evening walk, we even stopped at the ATM for our next market visit. I'm fascinated by the countless smiles from others during our walks. It's something that never fails to uplift my spirits. Someone even rolled down their car window today to admire Moose's cuteness. I think I saw a few people snap “secret” pictures to send to friends. It's fascinating to witness people momentarily set aside their phones and the busyness of life, their faces lighting up at the sight of the tiny fluffy creature moving with the everyday pedestrian traffic. Moose isn't just my emotional support animal, but he has become a source of joy and connection for everyone he encounters. Our shared experiences continue to demonstrate the profound impact Moose has on both my life and the lives of those around us.
Evening Rituals
Tonight brought an unexpected delight as my friend from the floor below had a visitor, her sister's dog, Todd! Since Moose has yet to have many interactions with other dogs, it was a joy to observe his reactions, especially when facing a larger canine companion. Attempting to jump and lunge, Moose showed his playful side, though he couldn't match Todd's strength. Throughout the walk, Moose tried to keep up, living up to the energy associated with his name. It was funny to see the two boys, one in a blue collar and the other proudly sporting pink, which was heartwarming. I take pride in nurturing Moose with a confident and comfortable masculinity, as I tell everyone who asks why he’s in a pink jacket! Post-walk, I attempted to serve Moose dinner, but he surprised me by sitting by my shoes, one of his new favourite resting spots. When I began whipping up my dinner, Moose finally enjoyed his meal while also trying to snag a bit of mine. he even pulled out the dance moves. I continued stressing over finals the rest of the evening while Moose sat and looked pretty. After I finally decided to close my laptop, we cozied up and enjoyed TV time, wrapped in blankets amid pillows and stuffed animals. Most nights, I wake up frantically searching for Moose but worry not, he appears out of no with a burst of energy once I'm settled into bed. This lively performance includes an obstacle course of leaps and sprints around the apartment, accompanied by many kisses and friendly bites. Eventually, Moose finds a snug position nestled against me, bringing warmth and comfort to our night.
Reflections on the Day
As I finish writing about Moose’s pawspective of the city, I’m grateful for the joy and companionship he brings to my life here in Toronto. Whether it's the heartwarming exchanges with pedestrians or our cozy cuddles every night, Moose is an irreplaceable form of support and connection. His presence guides me through the daily hurdles and serves as a reminder of the journey of growth and self-love that we're navigating hand in paw. The vibrant pink accessories, shared smiles with strangers, and the lively nights filled with Moose's bursts of energy all contribute to the happiness he effortlessly brings into my life. Amidst the stress of finals and the city's hustle, Moose stands still as this presence of joy that transforms simple moments into cherished memories. Embracing his pawsitive energy and unconditional love, I truly appreciate our adventures and the simple beauty of each passing day, something I took for granted in these past years trying to find myself. With Moose by my side, Toronto feels more like home than ever, and I eagerly anticipate the countless moments of laughter, connection, and love that await us in this vibrant city. Here's to the ongoing journey and the endless joy Moose brings into my life, one pawprint at a time.
