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.
Luna is beautiful and I know how sad you are, but what a wonderful tribute!
We are now two weeks since the passing of our beloved 16 year old terrier Phoebe and your wonderful tribute to your furry companion brought the tears back again.
May her memory be a blessing.
I fear Luna’s passing has created a withdrawal among some of the anonymous creatures, because people were well-wishing and kind. At this sad moment for Professor Turley, I was struck by the compassion shown by the members of the list. Unfortunately, some anonymous creatures cannot withhold their hate for even another day.
The best thing would be for those creatures to get a dog and learn to love. Though I fear that if they cannot dispel their hate on the blog, they might batter the dog.
So sad… Heartbreaking. The only real consolation is that we will meet again, and that will be forever in perfect paradise to carry on our love-love relationship into infinity. It makes all the heartbreak at their passing worthwhile. The Lord is good.
So sorry for your loss. We mourn with you and your family.
Our schipperke Bertie passed some time ago and I still mourn him, he was our pal and good friend and we remember him with great fondness, we understand your loss and know that the pain eases with time but u never forget.
Dogs and humans go back more than 20,000 years. That’s a lot of generations. Our evolution is intertwined, past and future.
Canines and man go back thousands of years. That connection is alive and well today. My doctor, when asked about how to stay healthy for the long run said: “ Get a dog”!
Aw, so sorry Jonathan.
“I could have missed the pain,
But I’d’ve had to miss the dance”
Your family got to dance with Luna for almost fourteen years…
Peace
Can’t believe what I’m seeing here. About a dog. What stupidity about a dog.
You’re person without a heart or soul. If you don’t love dogs, respect any animals you don’t belong on the streets. You may possibly be an abuser of the sweetest kindest, most innocent animals on the planet. God help you and God bless Luna.
I bet dogs snarl at you and try to bite you. Dogs are good judges of character.
Can’t you knock off your sick stupid comments for even one day? If this site upsets you so much why do you come here? Your anger and meanness isn’t going to win anyone over to your way of thinking. You are a waste of a human life.
It’s just an ignorant Liberal who has a miserable life – he/she probably regrets getting the trans surgery done!
There is no cure for you.
It’s too bad it wasn’t you instead of the dog!
And you just couldn’t let the post be….. you had to try to start a fight.
You have no soul
Jealous?
I’m so sorry. Our animals are family.
I lost my second Bernese Mountain dog, Rosie about a year ago. I understand how you must feel.
So very sorry 😘💨💨💨💨💨💕♥️❤️🔥🙏🏻🇺🇸there will always be
a piece of your heart ❤️ that’s gone 14 yrs is a long time 😪😪😪😪🌛🌗🌘🌔🌕🌙🌝 just look up & realize now she’s runnin pain free with
the dogs in heaven hope she runs into our Jackson he was the best of us
What a beautiful tribute to your beloved friend, Luna. For us dog lovers, although we love them all, there seems to be that special one that stands out from the pack. As I’ve often heard, the only bad part of owning a dog is that that just don’t live long enough. My sincerest sympathies for your loss.
Having lost my two best friend Chihuahuas of seventeen years recently I can relate and your post made me sob. These amazing relationships we have with these faithful companions enrich our lives but it is oh so hard to let go even though we know they won’t be in pain any longer. Mine made a dog lover of my husband who never liked dogs before. They have a way of doing that. I choose to believe we will see these loving creatures again someday. Until then we have wonderful memories every single day.
I pray that we will also see our canine companions in the world to come. RIP Luna. I try not to live in dread for my best friend, George Washington, a handsome and proud standard poodle. I know I’ll meet again with my childhood first love, Inky, a black spaniel. But, George-the-Poodle was with us when I still had my dear mother, beloved husband, and a bustling household of sons, and is my constant, welcome companion. Would you consider another furry addition to your life, Jonathan?
My sincerest to you and your family over the loss of Luna. That was a wonderful tribute.
They give us years of love and companionship, blend into our families and when they go they take a piece of us with them.
What a beautiful tribute to a wonderful companion and family member! My condolences, Jonathan.
Sweet dogs!
So sorry.