“My name is Moose Okane Baxter. My mom named me after her dad, who always wanted to see a moose but never got the chance. ‘Okane’ means money in Japanese, a word he taught her. I guess you could say my name is a little piece of family history.”
If you’ve spent any time in Central Park or Madison Square Park, you might have spotted Moose, a Red Tri Australian Shepherd with a fluffy white chest and a nonstop grin. He’s all energy and heart, the kind of dog who can make fetch feel like an Olympic sport and turn a walk into a full-blown adventure.
From the moment we met, Moose was ready to go! He was zipping through the grass, exploring every corner, and always circling back to check on his mom and dad. Every now and then, he’d slow down just long enough to soak up a little sun or a little extra attention from his favorite people.
There were plenty of laughs during our session: Moose darting between the trees, sprinting through the grass, and pausing every so often for a well-earned cuddle. For all his high spirits, it’s those small, sweet moments that really stick with you. Moose might love a wild sprint through the city, but nothing beats his mom’s lap at the end of the day.
As Moose and his family get ready for their next adventure beyond New York, I’m glad these little pieces of their life here will stick around. It’s always a joy to spend an afternoon with a dog who lives so fully in the moment, and with a family who clearly loves him just as much.
Some stories really are worth keeping close.