VERMONT continued - A TRUE STORY...

          The days we were in Vermont we had a local gal on the bus with us as our tour guide.  She was great.  And this is the story she told us.  It is a true story. It appeared all over the U.S. in newspapers and on TV shows such as Good Morning America.  This story is about a cow named Jessica, and the moose that fell in love.

          This love story lasted 76 days, fall in to winter.  This was in the 1980's

          There was this farm in Vermont, they raised cows, both beef and milkers.  One of the cows had a name - Jessica.  She was brown and white, fuzzy instead of smooth haired, kind of curly, and very full of herself.

           One morning while the owners were eating breakfast, this moose appeared in the pasture.  Now, there are a lot moose (meese, mooses, whatever) in Vermont, but they do not like being close to civilization, or near  people. It is very rare that you get to see a moose.  But not this morning.  Today was different.

           This moose saw Jessica and decided to stay.  He was aways near her, regardless of which pasture she was in, close to the barn or way off somewhere, wherever Jessica was so was the moose.  This went on and on.  Local folks came and took pictures, it was written up in the local papers, soon word spread, and Jessica and her moose became headline news.  Even TV reporters showed up to photograph the odd looking couple.

            Sometimes he would wander off for a while - he did not like a diet of hay - so would go have his dinner, but he always returned.  This went on for 76 days.  On day 77 when the owners went out to check on Jessica and the moose, he was nowhere to be seen.  Later that day a neighbor called to tell them that they has seen the moose in their far pasture, heading toward the mountains.

          They watch and waited, but the moose never returned.  Jessica continued being her curly-haired self, oblivious of all the hoop-a-la.

          It was just a couple of years ago that a small article appeared in our local paper that the famous Jessica of Vermont had passed away.  No one ever knew what became of the moose.

          If it hadn't been for all the pictures and articles and TV news about this odd couple no one would have believed it.  But it is true.

          If any of you would like a more comprehensive look into this odd couple's life, you can go to AMAZON.COM their books  section.  There is a wonderful book entitled A MOOSE FOR JESSICA, with lots of pictures to go with the story.  Tomorrow I will tell the story from Jessica's viewpoint.  Be sure to tune in.

          Have a good day, look forward to tomorrow and God Bless.