Goodbye Luna.

[J and Riley (and Luna)]

This past Friday we said goodbye to our beautiful Luna after a 2 month battle with Lymphoma.  

We are heartbroken but we knew it was time to let her go.  Since Thursday morning she had been unable to keep food/water down and she was listless, restless and very sleepy.  In the last few weeks her tumors made a "comeback" and overwhelmed the Prednisone she had been taking to buy us a little more time with her.  We are so thankful that we had these last few months to enjoy her and mentally process the fact that we were losing her. 

We are trying not to focus on her last few days but instead on the happy, beautiful life that she had led in her 7.5 years.  She was a very special, gentle, kind girl and we were so lucky to have her.

As a little tribute to her, here is a little photo journey through some of her life from puppyhood until her last few months.

8 weeks old - First day home

We were young and naive and we had bought Luna from a backyard breeder.  She grew up on a little hobby farm in the country with her 10 brothers and sisters.  She was the leader of the little puppy "pack" and when we picked her out she was leading her siblings on digging adventures.  She "chose" DH and wouldn't leave his shoelaces alone - we knew she was ours. :)  The night we picked her out we were on the long drive home and there was a full moon - we decided her name would be "Luna".

15 weeks - Where is the "doodle"?

We were pretty confused at first when we brought Luna home and she didn't seem to be getting "shaggy" as we had expected from a goldendoodle.  That's how we found Doodlekisses - searching for why my doodle didn't look like a poodle at all!  In hindsight we are glad she didn't "doodle out" - less grooming and we could always see her expressive eyes. :)

7 months - "Bubbles"

Luna had an intense love for sticking her nose into puddles (including muddy ones!) and blowing bubbles, earning her the nickname "Bubbles" when she was a puppy.  The nickname stuck around for her whole life and was I ever glad she didn't have a beard to clean up every time she found a really muddy puddle!

1 year old - energy to burn!

Luna sure loved to run free. :)  This is the giant dog park (it's more of a wilderness trail) near our house that we took Luna to frequently.  It was one of her favorite places in the world.

Snow snorkeling

We live in Canada and with 5-6 month long winters Luna learned quickly to love the snow.  Her favorite snow activity was for someone to throw a ball (or snowball) into the deep snow and she would go digging for it.  Even if there was no ball she was just content to shove her head in the snow and "snorkel" around!

Love in the eyes

Luna always had the most expressive eyes.  It was like she was staring straight into your soul.  This is one of my favorite pictures of her from when she was just 1.5 years old.  Already so gentle, loving and calm.

Snuggles

Luna was definitely a snuggler, especially when you lay down on the couch.  This was always her "spot" anytime someone put their feet up.  It didn't matter that she was no longer a small puppy and didn't really "fit" anymore. :)

She also slept with us in our bed at night starting at about 2 years old... and usually right between our pillows.  I often woke up with a little doodle nose (or frito feet!) in my face in the middle of the night.

A new addition

When our daughter was born Luna was okay with her at first, they had a bit of a falling out when DD learned to crawl (and pull!) but they quickly sorted that out and became the best of friends.  Our daughter is now 4.5 years old and has never known life without Luna.  She misses her doggie and talks about wanting to pet her and hug her, but she knows Luna was very sick and couldn't stay.

Our Luna

So now we fast forward to the last few months.  Until the end, Luna was so happy, gentle and content, doing her favorite things like sunbathing and going for walks.  Walking around the house now I miss the little things:  her little face on my pillow at night, brushing her super soft hair with my hand as we walk up the stairs together, her enthusiastic greetings (always with a toy in her mouth and a triumphant "RooRoo!").  There are so many things I miss about her, but so many great memories full of love.  Goodbye, sweet girl.

[Ginny Nightingale]

I missed this way back in May--I loved to read about Luna and her gentle ways--so very sorry that she had such a short life--she and you deserved more! I hope your heart has healed a bit since this tragic end and that you will soon find a new little one to love.

[Laurie, Wally & Charlotte]

I am just now reading about the loss of your sweet girl. She was a real treasure and I'm sorry that she's gone. Hugs to you and your family.  

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

So sweet. What a great life she had with you. Hugs to you and your family. 

[Bonnie and Kona]

Tears are welling. I haven't been on DK much, but in the past I loved Luna so much as your posts made her real to all of us. She was such a sweet little one. Thank you so much for posting the beautiful pictures in tribute to her well-lived time with you. It is always too short but this is heartbreaking. Sending you lots of love. 

[Becka]

I'm so very sorry to hear about Luna--she was one of my favorites on DK and she will be missed. This is a lovely tribute to her. Sending hugs from Sadie and me.

[Amy and Annabelle]

Sorry I missed this. I wasn't able to get to DK for several days. What a lovely tribute to sweet Luna. My condolences to you and your family. Your daughter wanting to pet and hug her doggie, just broke my heart. Such beautiful and soulful eyes. I'm sure her doodle friends were waiting for her at the bridge, where she can run free. 

[Stacy]

I keep trying to respond to this, but there just aren't any words that make it better. I'm so sorry for your loss. You wrote a beautiful tribute to her and I'm sure that she knew how loved she was. She will always be with you.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

A wonderful picture story of Luna.  It is always a dogs eyes that speak to me and hers are so expressive even in pictures.  My heart is with you in your loss.  It is sad to loose a dog and especially one so young.  Remember that Luna may have taken a piece of your heart with her, but she left you a piece of hers in its place.

[Cheryl and Finnegan]

A loving tribute to the legacy of a beautiful girl, J.  I remember when you kept asking "Where is the Doodle?" But Luna was just perfect with those "melt your heart" eyes.  So Finn and I join you in celebrating her life--a life well-lived -- and we are sending all our love to you and your family. 

[Janie, Jackson and Jilly]

What a beautiful tribute for your sweet girl. I'm so very sorry.