Once upon a time, at the tender age of four I conceived a great passion for chocolate mousse. It became sacred in my youthful heart as my favorite dessert! [Of course, with age and the loss of innocence I discovered such things as cheesecake] But at the time chocolate mousse reigned supreme in my gastric affections.

Not very long after, I came into possession of a most wonderful book which still occupies a position of great honor on my bookshelf. It was Secrets of the Gnomes and on the very first page of this delightful tome was... you guessed it! A picture of a moose
The book itself wove a wonderful spell over my psyche and all of the moose in it figured prominently in my mind. Somehow, through the mysterious psychological workings of childhood I subconsciously connected the animal with the dessert. Thus it was no great wonder that I chose to bestow the distinguished title of 'Chocolate Moose' upon a very dear feline who became a part of our household when I was five.

I became exceedingly fond of Moose. Perhaps it was the common bond we shared when it came to respiratory affliction. I have never known another cat with asthma, chronic bronchitis, and allergic rhinitis in my life! Since I too have pesonal experience with some of these lovely aliments I felt a great empathy with dear Moose and I developed a special bond with him.

Moose stayed with us for 3 years and in that time, I gradually came to be called Moose too. Again, I can only account for this happenstance by the fact that we both were continually honking and sniffling, and generally being unhealthy. I pride myself too on having been Moose's champion. I would defend him if ever he committed the mild indiscretion of throwing up on the sofa, or sneezing on someone's lap. After all it wasn't really his fault!

My tale though bonny thus far, has a sad conclusion. One fine evening poor Moose took off on a fateful gallivant and was mauled by a car. We buried him in the backyard. But his memory lives on in countless pictures, and in my heart. And to this day, and for the rest of my life I strive to be worthy of my deceased namesake and erstwhile pet.

And now dear reader, you have the full tale. Don't get too confused over keeping the various species and the spelling straight. Suffice it to know that I was named after the cat.... much the same way that Indiana Jones was named after the dog. And like the good Dr. Jones I hope to one day bring some fame to the name of Moose.

Moosehome!