I am profoundly sad to report the passing of my best friend and canine companion, Luna. Many of my readers are familiar with Luna, including some who participated in suggestions for possible names for my non-golden Goldendoodle. She was almost 14 years old and died this weekend from cancer. Leslie and two of our kids were with me in the final moments, holding Luna when she passed.
Luna became a part of our family roughly 14 years ago and came to us from the Allegheny area in Pennsylvania. Since a neighbor’s boy (who was often at the house) was allergic to dog dander, we needed a hypoallergenic dog. Then I heard about a litter of black Goldendoodles and told the owner I was looking for a calm dog that would be good with children. She immediately said I have the perfect dog for you.
The kids and I went to the Allegheny and immediately fell in love with her. We named her Luna after the tiny white moon on her chest.
I have had dogs all of my life, but Luna was different. She had a way of capturing the hearts of everyone she met. Like many of her breed, she had to have constant physical contact with you. If you came to the house, she would lean against your leg. On trips to Chicago for Christmas, we would make Luna a comfortable bed in the car. However, she would insist on lying across our laps, particularly Madie, who was so small that she would literally disappear under this mountain of dog.
Other than needing to be with you and touching you, Luna was the lowest-maintenance dog I ever had. She rarely cried; even if you accidentally stepped on her because she would position herself under your chair or feet. She would sit still as the kids dressed her as a princess or a pirate. She went along with wearing antlers as a makeshift reindeer and was my constant companion during Cubs and Bears games.
Through the years, my students had a special relationship with Luna. She would come to class each year as a visiting professor to teach animal liability and concepts like animus revertendi. My students would then visit her at the house during my annual class parties, making S’mores with Luna around the fire pit into the evening.
Luna had a way of making everyone feel loved and cherished. She was “all in” with everyone she met.
Harry Truman said that if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog. I did. I had Luna. No matter what happened in the blood sports of the Beltway, Luna was always there. I even mentioned her during my testimony in the Trump impeachment hearings.
For almost 14 years, I began every morning at 5 by going downstairs with Luna (who slept next to our bed) to blog and work. It was always just the two of us. Quiet and relaxing. Luna would lie on the couch next to me, gradually pushing her head onto the keyboard to get some ear-scratching therapy.
We said goodbye to Luna after a day of walks and a dog banquet, including a large steak. We were joined by our neighbor, our friend, and Luna’s vet, Dr. Kristin Terrio, at the VCA Alexandria Animal Hospital. Luna adored Dr. Terrio and the VCA, and we will always be in their debt for caring for Luna.
The loss of Luna has left us all with a terrible void. She was always there for every one of us. Whether you were feeling low or high, she was there to share the moment. Dogs are known for their tendency to gaze directly into the eyes of humans. It is said that the habit releases oxytocin, or the bonding hormone. If so, Luna was an oxytocin-inducing machine. She would never take her eyes off of you. You felt like she was part canine and part confessor.
As a lifelong dog lover, I have been blessed with a long line of canine companions, but none could match Luna. Dogs have all of the characteristics that we search for in other humans and rarely find in totality: loyalty, honesty, and unconditional love. Our bonds are elemental, uncluttered by anything in the world except our relationship. That is why this loss feels so complete and devastating for all of us who loved Luna.
The one solace amid all of the grieving is that we were able to share Luna with so many on this blog, in my classes, and among our friends. Thank you for all of the attention that you gave Luna.
We will all miss her, but we are also profoundly thankful that she was part of our lives. She was the best of dogs and the best of friends.
I can feel the heartbreak in this post, and I cry with you. Such a loss, I am so sorry.
Lindsay Clancy
Can’t a guy mourn his dog in peace?
Such sad news. It is no comfort, but you were blessed to have 14 years with Luna. A good dog’s life is never long enough. I wish there was something I could write that would ease your loss, but just now I feel compelled to give our four-legged daughter a hug.
Your family and Luna provided a reciprocating wonderful life to everyone in your sphere and thank you for sharing this moment. RIP LUNA!!
Having them in our lives is a treasure. Letting them go to a place of peace is a gift…a way of thanking them for being there, despite the wrenching heartache of having to do so, knowing the empty space they leave behind.
The blessing is having so many beautiful memories with which to fill that void. I am so sorry for your loss. She looks like a real sweetheart. 🙏🏼💔
Thinking a good thought for you Professor 🙏
So sorry for your loss. I know that pain all too well. May you reunite someday on the Rainbow Bridge. 💔
I’m sorry for the loss of your friend and your dog. Luna sounds like a wonderful companion.
Your column reminds me of the special relationship my adult son had with his dog; you lose the most consistent entity in your life, leaving a void which is slow to heal. As you are doing, remembering all of the great moments from their lives helps to ease the pain. We are trying to find a dog now (and the process of locating a responsible and ethical breeder makes this crazy difficult) in the hope of having a similar experience that you had with Luna. Very sorry for your loss.
Sorry for your loss.
I’m so sorry, Professor. She sounds like she was a constant blessing. RIP.
I’m so sorry for your and your family’s loss. 💔
So sorry. A devastating loss. I never met Luna but I got a lump in my throat reading this. I can relate so much to how you feel about Luna to how I feel about my dog.
I’m so sorry you have lost such a treasured friend, but I’m also glad you and your family have the gift of having known Luna. She sounds like a truly special animal. You will never have another like her, but the beauty of dogs is that they all have their own special magic. Sometimes it takes special people to bring it out, and to appreciate it. In our 50+ years of marriage we’ve had, and lost 7, dogs. None were the same, all were a joy in their own way. The longer you have them the harder it is to say goodbye. Our current dog is a 6 year old rescue and we’re still figuring each other out.
My deepest condolences! There is nothing greater than the unconditional love of a dog, and nothing worse than their passing!
😢 my heart breaks for you and your family.
Last Sunday was the 2nd anniversary of the passing of my precious 5yr old spaniel, Boswell, after suffering from a perforated gut.
His human grandparents have me a wonderful gift – Boswell’s younger sister, Lizzie, who had been returned by her ‘family’ who immigrated to OZ.
Lizzie has filled my heart with her love, especially since she is so much like her older brother, Boswell, who’s loss will always be an ache in my heart, but loving his sister eases the pain.
I would encourage you to adopt a new canine friend and to continue pouring your love out 🐶🐾🥰
I’m so sorry for your loss! We had to Saint Bernards that we were madly in love with. It was heartbreaking to watch them go.
I think losing a beloved pet is right up there with the list of hardest things we humans have to deal with. I am sorry for your loss but your family will love another, maybe not in the same way. We lost our beloved Betsy- a schnauzer mix – 2 years ago and swore we would not get another. I wasn’t going through that pain again. I took every single thing of hers to a rescue- stairs, bed, harnesses, leashes. Well, a year later, there we were rescuing another dog and buying all those things again! Enjoy the memories and consider yourself lucky to have had her
So sorry for your loss. But it sounds like she had a wonderful life giving and receiving love. That’s all that any of us can ask out of our brief time on this planet.
Tough to lose a dog. They’re a member of the family. My condolences.
Jonathan,
Much sympathy to you and yours. I do hope that the sublunary world will recover from this sad loss for you.
best
Joss Wynne Evans