Is it a unicorn? Is it a moose? It doesn't matter they both do not exist.
Here are the facts:
FACT: I grew up on Vancouver Island where there are no moose, they aren't allowed on the ferry, even as walk on passengers.
FACT: Moose are native to Canada, they're on the quarter so they most be important, and real.
FACT: Moose are aggressive and HUGE, a very dangerous combination especially when you get in their way on the highway
(as a side note, if one has you stopped on the road, do NOT honk - see "aggressive" above.
My aunt honked at a moose once, it took the grill off the front of her car)
FACT: The Saskatchewan city of Moose Jaw (where my Mom was raised) has a brown elephant-like representation of a moose. It gets awkward when you compare it's legs and shape to that of a "real" moose.
FACT: The further north you go in Canada the more prevalent Moose become. Encounters in populated areas become more likely in hunting season (the fall)
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Now that you have the facts, I shall tell you my story...
I have never seen a moose. Since birth I have taken nearly 7 road trips between BC and Ontario (through many moose-rich areas), no moose encounters ever (always a good thing when driving). While completing my education degree I spent a total of 15 weeks in Northern BC (Prince George) 13 of those weeks during Moose season. In Prince George I heard the following repeatedly, "go up to the University, there are always TONS of moose up there" - I did as I was told, still no moose. In the summer of 2011 I travelled to Nova Scotia and went to the Shubenacadie Wildlife Park which usually has a Moose on display for all people to see. I read this information on the park map upon entrance and said to myself "FINALLY, I shall see the famed moose" - the moose is the last animal on the map and I spent the afternoon in eager anticipation of seeing said moose. We round the corner, my heart racing and eyes filling with tears when I see the sign "unfortunately Mildred* the moose has recently passed..."
Here we sit, 1 year past that fateful day in Shubie and I have still not seen a moose. What other conclusion could I come to than the conclusion that the moose, much like the unicorn, does not exist.
(*names changed because I don't remember the dead moose's name)
Posted by Cail
Sorry Cailey, is now a good time to inform you that it's a caibou on the quarter, not a moose! Ha, perhaps the canadian mint doesn't believe in their existense either!
ReplyDeleteHello: The photo of the moose that you have posted with your blog is one that I took while on a media trip to Saskatchewan in 2004. As a freelance writer and photographer, I would appreciate it if you had asked my permission to use the photo. As an amateur photographer and school teacher, you should know there are 'rules' to using others' work. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteOh get over yourself Sue, if you don't want it used, keep it in your photo album at home.
ReplyDeleteOtherwise, I too think the Moose is just a commercial figure made up to bring people up north.
moose aren’t real
ReplyDeleteLoved this post as I too have never seen a moose! It's my unicorn. I tell my family if I'm ever trampled by one, know that I died happy finally seeing the mythical creature.
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