Rescued Winter, 1998
Died March, 2001

Everyone who knew Luna was devastated by her death. What an incredible little soul she was. 

I think that Luna's amazing story is still best told in her foster mother's words, even knowing she has left us now. I wish all the Lunas of the world could find such good fortune. Luna suffered greatly before she was rescued, but she had a wonderful three years with her adoptive mother before cancer took her to Rainbow Bridge. We pray to see her again some day. Luna, my darling, I count on it.

Today at 4 pm, I watched Luna leave me, soaring in her jet over the city she was abandoned in, like a Phoenix, even over the shelter where we found her five months ago. I remember that day, too. Valerie Macys had heard of a 12-year-old blind, terrified cocker. It is a nightmarish shelter. We were all pretty sure that the only thing we would be able to do for her was end her misery. I parked my car, watched a jet rumble low overhead, and wondered how the dogs did not go insane from the noise and vibration.

Luna was picked up as a stray in one of the poorest, hardest, coldest cities in the Metropolitan New York area. It's anyone's guess how long she wandered those urban streets, how she survived the traffic, the other dogs, the hunger. I first saw her on the vet's table being examined, a 14-pound black waif, so delicate, shaking uncontrollably. The vet had muzzled her, but it wasn't really necessary. The only one Luna has ever bitten in fear is herself. The vet was basically useless. He had nothing good to say. She was old, she was blind; we knew that already. I took her home with me, wondering what on earth I had gotten myself into.

The first week was the most difficult for both of us. Luna has a frightening way of dealing with stress. She would chase around in circles, biting herself. After all, she is blind; she can't find anyone else. She gave herself a pretty good contusion that week. I thought "Oh, God, she's senile." But she wasn't. 

Every day, Luna grew a little more comfortable. She memorized walls and fences. She found the warmest bed, near the woodstove, and claimed it as her own. No one disputed it. She followed the scents of the other dogs and navigated by listening to my footsteps. She went for walks with us in the woods. One night, she was in a pacing frenzy. She went from wall to wall sniffing, whining, barking in her peculiar soft chirp. I watched as she grew more animated, then began to dig under my dresser. Curious, I went to look, and sure enough, there was a bright green tennis ball, lost by my other dogs months back.

That was the start of "Blind Ball." Luna would stand there, chirping at you as long as it took until you tossed the ball. On the hardwood floor, she could track it like an expert, but on the rug, her preference was to have you roll it between her front legs. She would sense this and grab it, toss it and roll on and around that ball in delight! It turned out to be her favorite pastime. Still is. We really wowed 'em at the airport today, trust me. Half the terminal was entranced, and that's how it is with Luna.

I am often asked how I do rescue. The answer is that every dog I have rescued has taught me something, starting with Chico, who taught me love. It's not always something I want to know, as with Hamlet. But it is always something that makes me a better human being. 

What Luna taught me is this: no matter how tough life gets, no matter what disabilities she must endure, no matter how many times she bumps into that wall, she will not be diminished. Luna is strong. She is full of faith. She stands there in the face of adversity, tiny and blind and gray, chirping her encouragement to you. The ball is always there, if you just want it bad enough.

I love you, Luna. Be happy in your new life, my sweet. And thank you for spending time with me.

We all thank Luna for stopping into our lives for too short a time. I wish we had found her sooner, but I am grateful that we found her at all. 

Luna's mother has offered to foster other needy Cockers, a fitting memorial to Luna's pure little soul. She says she cannot yet share her thoughts on Luna's passing. As it should be.