News and Stories

By: Keepers Andie Haugen and Emily Myers

Moose, Remus & Daisy, the cheetah companion dogs are retiring! They have done their jobs so well here at the zoo, some for over 8 years. Our companion dogs were each paired with a cheetah cub who was around the same age and raised together as surrogate siblings.

For more information about how the companion dog program works and to see all the dogs we have had in the past head here:

Each of our three current dogs will be adopted this year to live a retired life as a pet in a zoo staff member’s home. The cheetahs typically only need their dogs until they reach maturity around 2 years of age, as that is when we see the cheetahs prefer to be on their own more. Cheetahs are solitary by nature and would leave their siblings as well around this time. Some of our dogs have continued to play with their cheetahs past this point in their lives, but the play gets less and less as the cheetahs age. They have all been great with their cheetahs but are ready to live that relaxing retired life.  We want to celebrate them and feature some highlights of their journeys here at the zoo!

Moose

Moose came to our program to befriend a solo cheetah cub named Donni from Wildlife Safari in Oregon. For a more in-depth look at their early years check out this Enquirer article. Moose and Donni spent a long time together, even continuing to have sleepovers when they were both 5 years old. Even though Moose doesn’t spend time with Donni anymore, he has stayed at the zoo due to his incredible ability to be both a great ambassador to the public and a staple in our cheetah encounters. He is easily one of the smartest animals we have in the program and is known for picking up new routines quickly and easily. He and Remus were also featured in a show on Disney+ called “It’s A Dog’s Life,” which featured canines with “extraordinary jobs”. He even got to hang out with the actor that voices Goofy and Pluto! Moose is also a great cuddler and loves to hang around the trainers’ office, often looking for any snacks to steal.

Remus

Remus has had quite the career here and captured the hearts of people all over the world with his personality. From day one when we adopted him from a local shelter, we knew he had the best personality and we said he looks like a Disney cartoon! What a fun thing when he literally became one on the opening title for the show, “It’s a Dog’s Life.”

Everyone has loved watching Remus play and grow up with Kris over the years. He always loved chasing Kris and let her chase him as well, which is super important to teach Kris how to be a quick runner. He was such a good companion dog that he even showed interest in playing with our newest cheetah, Rozi, and he would then play with both Daisy and Rozi sometimes which was quite an adorable sight. His favorite thing to do now is to hang out with the trainers and the other dogs. He also LOVES going on walks around the zoo! We are so thankful for the happiness he has brought our program over the years.

Daisy

Daisy was adopted to be the companion for our newest cheetah ambassador, Rozi. Rozi was another solo cub from Wildlife Safari in Oregon and flew out here to live life in our program. Daisy was adopted from a local shelter and was selected because of her playful and energetic personality. She is a mutt, but we believe she’s about half German shepherd with some lab and other stuff mixed in. Daisy also carved out a starring role for herself in our cheetah encounters with her high-flying frisbee routine. Daisy is so smart and a very quick learner. She loves to train and solve different enrichment toys and playing in the pond! We will miss her energy and loving attitude!