My shepherd mix Moose is handling the change of seasons very differently from my boxer mix Lally. Lally welcomed spring with an allergy attack of massive proportions. She’s been to the vet three times, taken steroids, antihistamines, and antibiotics (plus three different kinds of skin cream) to clear things up and is FINALLY getting back to normal.
For Moose, spring has been more of an emotional change.
Moose isn’t the most active dog out there. My roommates and I sometimes call him “Speed Bumpy” because he’s often found sprawled and snoring. He is a dog of comfort.
But the warmer weather seems to have given him a little more pep in his step. Over the last two weeks, Moose has surprised and entertained me with his antics.
My first clue that something was up was the day he tried to get into the UPS van and ride off into the sunset with our friendly delivery driver. The dogs and I were out walking when Moose took off running and was up the two steps into the truck before I could stop him! The driver (who has met the dogs several times and even remembers their names) was happy to hand out biscuits and pets and send us on our merry way.
The next day, Moose decided to try to catch the little maintenance cart at the apartment complex. The cart went by while we were walking — Moose let out a loud and joyful bark and galloped after it. The maintenance guy and I both burst out laughing as I reeled Moose back.
After I got back from my visit to New Jersey, Moose was still feeling frisky. Just yesterday he tried to chase down a big crow! The bird was flying with a stick (for nest building, I suppose) and Moose started jumping and barking up at it.
I think part of the change is the warmer weather. Cold weather is hard on Moose’s hips, so it might be that he’s just feeling less pain than usual. But whatever the cause, Moose’s spring fever is definitely entertaining me! I’ll take his wacky antics over Lally’s itching any day.