This month we celebrate the moose of the British Isles!

Who would have thought that moose could swim so far!  All of these moose came to the United States via Moose Island off the coast of Maine. (It’s like Ellis Island for moose.)  An interesting tidbit is that during the War of 1812, it was seized by British Naval Forces, yet today it is the gateway for moose to enter the United States of America!

We would like to introduce to you Culloden, British Bob and Betty, Kilarney, and Jiles.

I am Culloden.  I hail from the highlands of Scotland.  I have been in the states for over 12 years and would never dream of going back.  Well, I might go back for a visit. Scotland is a beautiful country, but now this is my home.   I heard rumors while in Scotland that America was filled with good things and plenty, but I had no idea that among those good things were plenty of moose!  This is such a welcoming place that I feel like I was born here.  And, I must confess, the food is a whole lot better.  Hamburgers instead of haggis certainly works for me!

We are British Bob and Betty from Birmingham, England.  (How’s that for some alliteration.)  We loved our life in England, but when we heard our friends talk about the USA, we just had to see for ourselves what goes on in this country.  Boy, what a surprise we had when we showed up and saw hundreds of domesticated moose living indoors in one residence!  In England, it tends to rain just about every day (or so it seems) so living with a roof over our heads, indoor plumbing, and over 100 channels on the TV is remarkable.  We are now surrounded with other majestic moose and we feel right at home.  While we love our traditional steak and kidney pie, nothing beats an American pizza delivered right to the door!  Wow! What a country!

I am Kilarney from Killarney, Ireland…a wonderful, beautiful place filled with rolling hills, green lands and friendly people.  If Ireland has all of these things, who would want to leave, right?  Well, believe it or not, I was the only moose there.  Don’t get me wrong, I was welcomed and treated marvelously, but something was missing…other moose.  As I traveled through the countryside for the first couple of years of my life, I talked to many sheep, badgers, and brown big-eared bats none of which ever saw a moose before they met me.  They thought I was one cool looking animal and we had some fun times together.  They were so kind; they helped me map out how to get to America to find other moose.  It took a long time, but the trip was worth it.  I miss my friends in Ireland, but I know they are very happy for me because I found such a wonderful home here.  While the green, green grass of Ireland is beautiful to look at, it doesn’t come close in taste to a hearty dinner of spaghetti and meatballs!

I was originally born Jeeves from Wales where I was a butler for a very prodigious family.   I was treated very well, but I always wanted to travel, so I set my sights on America knowing there were 50 different states I could visit.  When I first crossed the Pond and entered Moose Island, I changed my name to Jiles.  Actually, I wanted to be named Miles (for all of the traveling I planned to do), but my name was typed wrong on the form and Jiles it is.  I traveled through six states before I stumbled upon the town I would call home.  The internet is great, but nowhere on the World Wide Web did it say that the majority of moose live in a city, an actual urban area, in the mid-west.  Imagine my surprise when I stumbled upon this average looking house only to see hundreds of moose looking out the window.  They were actually inside the dwelling.  I knew right away that America was a super place.  I must add that while Wales is known for its delicious breakfast treats, nothing beats a plate of steak and eggs.  What a country this America is!

 

A message from Culloden!

Hi! I am Culloden.  I came to join Chris' family over a decade ago.  I remember the plane ride here crossing The Pond (aka the Atlantic Ocean) with me head and antlers sticking out of the carry-on luggage so I could not only breathe, but enjoy me first and only airplane ride.  So on this day when I am remembering  many of me friends from Ireland and the British Isles, I would also like to wish you and yours a Happy St. Patrick's Day!

"May you always have work for your hands to do. May your pockets hold always a coin or two. May the sun shine bright on your window pane. May the rainbow be certain to follow each rain. May the hand of a friend always be near you. And may God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you."

Pool-side Moose

Culloden

My name is Culloden. I know by my name I sound like I should be from Scotland, but I am originally from England. I remember coming over here to the states, flying in a plane for the first time, and going through customs at the airport. I was adopted by my Poppy and Moo and now live in a cool, cool house!  When I first found out America was going to be my new home I was very excited, but I still keep an antler focused on news from across The Pond.  That's where I learned about this moose!

  As reported in the UK's DailyMail...some moose can't swim...really?!   I know we can't do the back stroke, but I think we all know how to swim...the moose-paddle is one of the easiest moves to do.   Actually if it wasn't for the pool cover this moose would probably still be enjoying  his day in the water.  This poor moose was in the wrong pool but at the right time.  City workers came to his rescue!  And this happened right here in the USA...For the love of moose!  I love this country!

A moose stuck in a swimming pool was rescued by nine people on Friday.

Police and firefighters were called to a New Hampshire home after the animal was found floundering in the pool, unable to get out.

The pool's owner George Trapotsis was shocked to discover the stranded beast, adding he had not seen a moose in his garden the entire 35 years he had lived at the property.

Speaking to WMUR.com, Mr Trapotsis said: 'This train-like noise came through the fence and dove right into the pool.

'He tore the cover, got entangled and just couldn't move.'

Jack Pushee of New Hampshire Fish and Game, joked: 'I didn’t get trained on how to do this, that’s for sure.

'There’s a first for everything.'

At around 12 pm, nine rescuers - including police, firemen and fish and game officials - attached ropes to the stricken animal and began pulling it out of the pool.

Although the animal was distressed during the rescue it appeared fine after escaping the pool, trotting off back into the woods.

Despite the damage, Mr Trapotsis remained stoical about the incident.

He added: 'Between the cover, the liner, the steps, the fence - now the reality sets in.

'It had to happen so people could see something amazing, something extraordinary, something that will never happen again in a century.'


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2047012/Moose-fell-swimming-pool-saved-men-rope.html#ixzz1aOrQcF9i