The following is a sampling of the responses received from readers of “Moose: The Story of a Lhasa Apso,” in the Lhasa Apso Reporter, the New Zealand Kennel Gazette, the Lhasa Apso Club Newsletter of the United Kingdom, the book Heart Dog Diaries, and the several websites on which it has been featured.
Joyce: “Please forgive my typing – I’m finding it difficult to see the keyboard through the tears. I just finished reading your beautiful story about Moose – Things that make you laugh AND cry are a true gift!”
Pamela: “The story was deeply touching. Woven throughout was the spirit of an exceptional little dog, and the devotion of those who recognized that he was special… For a time this evening, Moose returned to work his magic on my heart.”
Gary: “You ripped my heart out.”
Claire: “I have just read your magnificent account of Moose. Tears roll down my eyes as I read it. I can barely see…”
Daisy: “It is 1:03 AM in New York and I found your beautiful story about Moose. I’m glad I couldn’t sleep as something led me to your site… I loved your story…”
Susan: “Five years ago this past winter, I stumbled upon your story of Moose when I was looking at what type of dog was for me. Your story of Moose, of course, reduced me to tears and also to happiness that he had seven happy, amazing years with you… Just wanted you to know, it’s a wonderful tribute to him. What an incredible dog. By the way, my dog Widget, also a Lhasa Apso, will be five years old next week. After all, what other kind of dog could I pick after reading the story of Moose? It’s quite interesting to think just how many lives your story has in some way influenced and definitely for the better. Life without my Widge is unfathomable!! Again, thank you for the tears and the joy.”
Kim: “I wrote to you several months ago telling you how much I enjoyed your work… Have you completed any other work as of late? I would love to purchase books or whatever might prove to be available in print. Please keep up the good work. Your heart is in this. I can tell. Thank you for giving the animal lovers of the world something truly uplifting to read. Bravo, Mr. Maddox!”
Keith: “This was one of the most heart wrenching stories I have ever heard… Thank you for sharing your story.
Denise: “Thanks for this wonderful story! I got chills reading about Moose and his love of life and never ending spirit…”
Colleen: “… Your story brought tears to my eyes… Your quiet love for this little guy is very evident. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.”
Nancy: “I have to express to you how moved I was by your website… I couldn’t seem to pull myself away once I started reading Moose’s story… Thank you so much for sharing this moving and inspirational story with all of us…”
Kathie: “I have just finished reading your story about Moose, and have tears running down my cheeks as I write… Your story has touched a place deep inside my soul that is reserved solely for dogs… I wish I had your gift for writing…”
Fran: “WOW!!! I truly liked your story about Moose… Your story was very moving and made me cry…”
Nancy: “I just read your story about Moose and am sitting here with tears running down my face… Thank you for a wonderful story.”
Kimberley: “I wanted to take a moment of your time to forward my appreciation for your tremendously touching work regarding Moose… I thank you for taking the time to share and would love to read more of your work. Where might I find it?”
Judy: “Thank you for sharing such a valiant spirit with the world.”
Karen: “I’m sure that you’ve heard this a thousand times over… What a wonderful story!!!…”
Younie: “… Your story about Moose is just about the best one I’ve ever read… Reading about him put a smile on my face.”
Michele: “I just read your outstanding article about your precious Moose. What a wonderful story and a wonderful dog!… Thanks again for the great article.”
Cecelia: “I have read and reread your story of Moose so many times… I really hate to read it because I cry every time. But I love it… Thank you for sharing this story. I have emailed it to all my dog loving friends.”
Teresa: “Your story of Moose is heart-warming.”
Jeanie: “I found your story about Moose when I was searching the web about Lhasa Apso things. His story touched me so much, and then I loved reading about the next Lhasa Apso, Lucy, who came into your lives. I’ve printed out both stories, and I just have to reread them now and then…”
Teresa: “I have just read your moving story about Moose. It left me crying my eyes out. It was very well written…”
Martha: “I just read your story about Moose. Thanks for sharing. It was wonderful. My “Rusty” was 13 1/2; I just lost him this past weekend, and your story about Moose was very comforting.”
Joy: “I just wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading your story about Moose.”
Paula: “Earlier this evening, my dad emailed me with a link to your website and warned me that I should have a box of tissues handy. I did look at little Moose’s site and I read his extraordinary story. Dad was right… I needed the tissues. What a sad and at the same time lovely story… I just had to let you know that I enjoyed visiting your site and that I found reading about little Moose really touching.”
Pam: “Thank you for sharing your story… It brought tears to my eyes, but they’re good tears.”
Ellayne: “I loved your story about the miracle of Moose so much! I happened upon it while searching for information on Lhasa Apsos on the Internet, and have read it over and over again.”
Lori: “I just happened to find your site this evening. I read your great story about Moose… Though I’m sitting here in tears, I thoroughly enjoyed your site. Thank you so much for sharing.”
Ingrid: “I have just read your story about Moose and it left me in floods of tears…”
Timea: “… I have read Moose’s story and was in tears at the end. I love my dog just as much as you do so I know how you feel. But the memory of this great little dog will be with you forever and that’s what really counts because those happy moments he gave you will never fade… Just wanted to let you know that you’ve really touched me with his story. Thank you for that.”
Bev: “I have just finished reading your story about Moose and wanted to tell you of how much I loved it… Thanks for sharing.”
Joan: “I just finished reading your story about Moose. I loved it. Thank you for your story. It did make me cry at the end. I’m sure you miss Moose, but aren’t there a lot of wonderful memories?”
Cathy: “Thank you for that beautiful story, tears to my eyes I read all the way through… God bless you.”
Shirley: “I just read your story about Moose and was so moved… I cannot describe how moved I was but I can say the emotion that welled up felt like it was choking me… Thanks for sharing your story of Moose… I think it’s one everyone should read.”
Pat: “Ran up on your website while surfing Lhasas. What a wonderful story. Moose sure picked the right family on that cold night… Just wanted to let you know that your story touched my heart.”
JP: “… I just wanted to tell you that the story of Moose has really helped me in my grief. God bless you, and God bless Moose.”
Doris: “What a beautiful story… Your story made me cry…”
Kelly: “Read your account of Moose, what a lovely story! I had to wipe my eyes when finished!”
A. M.: “What an amazing story… Thanks for sharing your story…”
Suzanna: “… I have just read the story of Moose on the net and was very touched by it… Many thanks for a lovely story while I was surfing.”
Dan: “I just read your story about Moose and I would be a liar to say that at the end tears were not in both my wife and my eyes… Thank you for such a heartwarming story. God bless Moose.”
Becky: “… I have never read such a heart-warming story. It made me cry… When I read your story I could relate to just how much love and compassion you had for this dog… Thanks for the story about Moose…”
Shelby: “Your story warmed my heart so much…
Andrea: “What an awesome story!… My heart was touched. What a wonderful experience… Thank you for your website and the story about Moose. It has helped me to feel at peace once again.”
Genny: “While searching the web today, I came across your story of Moose. I looked at his pictures and laughed and cried when I read his story. His story and Lucy’s touched my heart and I’m sure are inscribed on your heart as well.”
Ashley: “… I had to hold myself back from crying a river of tears… I better go before I start bawling again! “
Princess: “I just wanted to write you to let you know how much Moose’s story touched my heart. As I read this amazing dog’s story I could see your friend in my mind’s eye… Moose’s story truly has touched my heart… Thank you Mr. Maddox for a wonderful story…”
Magdalena: “You brought me to tears.”
Peter: “That was a beautiful tribute to Moose…”
Janet: “What a beautiful, beautiful story… Thank you so very much for sharing Moose with us all-such a beautiful, brave and spirited little dog.”
Jeanne: “Your story is very touching… Your story brings tears to my eyes and a smile at the same time…”
Sue: “… Such a sad but wonderful story…”
Arlene: “… What a beautiful and touching treasure. It is truly a gem!!… It was a treat to read, and touched my heart deeply…”
Angela: “… Thanks for sharing such a heartwarming and humanity regaining story.”
Antonio: “Your story about Moose has really touched me… I almost cried as I read your story about Moose. It is a true miracle when something like that happens…”