Is there hope for Luna?

Heather Ainsley
ECB Publishing, Inc.

On May 8, 2019, the Monticello News published a story about a dog named Gayle, who was awaiting a forever home at a local animal shelter. Gayle was described as very affectionate and friendly but also shy, easily spooked and quiet. The article recommended that she go to a home where her pet-parent would be willing to work with her and give her lots of patience. This simple adoption article caught the eye of a wonderful woman named Bonnie Strade, and after seeing a photograph of Gayle, Bonnie did not hesitate to welcome her into her home.
On January 25, 2023, the Monticello News published another article, titled “There's things you won't know,” which illustrated the bond between Bonnie and Gayle (renamed Luna). Below is an excerpt from that article:
“Right from the beginning, it was clear to Bonnie that Luna came with baggage. She was completely shut down, showing no signs of the affectionate dog that was claimed in her article. Luna was easily frightened by loud noises, doorway thresholds, vacuum cleaners, bad weather and strangers, among other things. She would flinch if a hand was raised near her, or if someone in the room raised their voice. Bonnie knew that Luna would need lots of patience and time to overcome her fears, and was determined to give her a safe, encouraging home where she could do just that.
“I don't expect perfection,” states Bonnie firmly. “Luna just has to be Luna.”
In the nearly four years that Luna has been home, Bonnie says the change has been night and day. No longer completely shut down, Luna has come a long way in her healing journey. She is content to be a couch potato, loves sunning in the yard watching rabbits, and communicates expressively to Bonnie when she wants something. Most recently, she has begun to accept belly rubs and head cuddles, and although it took her four long years to reach that level of comfort, it was something that would have been unfathomable when she was first adopted. While this change in her is an incredible feat, Bonnie knows that Luna's traumatic past has left a permanent psychological impact, and Luna will never be a typical, happy-go-lucky dog.
“I wish I could have gotten her when she was younger,” says Bonnie ruefully. “I won't ever know what it was that she endured before she was surrendered, but I know that it wasn't good, and she won't ever be 'okay.' I think she will always carry the weight of it with her, to some degree or another.”
The process of surrendering a pet to an animal shelter is extremely traumatic for the animal. Not only does an animal grieve the loss of their home and family, but animal shelters are not homes. They are loud, clinical and all-too-often severely understaffed. Even with caring staff and adequate resources, shelters are akin to prisons, offering little in the ways of proper socialization, attention and comfort. In the best case scenarios, these facilities are mere holding facilities. Dogs in shelters require attention in order to thrive. Shelters desperately need volunteers to help socialize, play and work with the animals to prevent them from shutting down. Ideally, animals are seen swiftly by potential adopters and taken home by their new families to recover from the trauma of being re-homed, and do not stay in the rescue facilities long-term. “Gayle” remained at the shelter for over two years after being surrendered by her family. This has left sweet Luna with emotional scars that her new family knows she may never fully recover from.
Even in light of these dark truths, life for Luna is now bright, and she has a loving family that understands and adores her. Bonnie describes her as “the best guard dog in the world,” and Bonnie's own grown children jokingly say that when they die, they want to come back as one of Bonnie's dogs.
Currently, Luna and Bonnie both are mourning the loss of Sassy, a feisty miniature Schnauzer that helped Luna greatly when she was first brought home. Sassy, who encouraged Luna to play and find her courage, passed away in June of 2022 after a long and happy life. Bonnie says she fully intends to foster another dog, but wants Luna to be the one who chooses their new companion.”
While the future finally seemed bright and full of relief for sweet Luna, months later, another article was released, but it wasn't one that was published in the Monticello News. On May 28, 2023, dear Bonnie passed away, and her obituary was published online.
Bonnie's daughter, Cherie Turner, took in Luna in the wake of her mother's passing. But it quickly became clear that Luna was not a good fit for the Turner household, despite the best efforts made by the family. The Turners currently live next door to where Bonnie lived, and Luna, not understanding the heartbreaking reality of the situation, continuously ran away to return home in order to await Bonnie's return. Unable to physically keep her at their house, Cherie made the heartbreaking decision to return Luna to the Wolf Creek Adoption Center, where Bonnie adopted her from.
“[It was] the hardest thing I had to do during this time,” stated Cherie of the decision to bring Luna back to the shelter. “but, I live right next door to Mama and we knew every time we would let her out, she would go to Mama's house, and we are not physically able to keep going to get her and bring her back. She is still looking for Mama.”
The decision to return Luna was not one made lightly by the family. “We gave her Mama's house for a month, trying to figure out what to do. Wolf Creek tried and Dr. Spencer tried, but [there are] no answers for Luna. Luna is very special and has come out of her shell because of Mama. Luna deserves better.”
The family is hopeful that a patient and special person or family considers adopting Luna, and gives her the happily ever after that she was promised when Bonnie adopted her.
“I know [Wolf Creek] is doing everything they can to make her comfortable, but Luna is a very special dog that needed my mom, and I feel like she might give up on life,” mentions Cherie. “I’m not even trying to save Luna for my mother. Luna just doesn't deserve this.”
As of press time, Luna is still awaiting her forever home at the Wolf Creek pet adoption center, located at 2123 E. Washington St., in Monticello. In a social media post on July 27, the shelter stated that Luna “is still waiting for her hero.” Anyone interested in meeting Luna can call them at (850) 342-0244.
According to the shelter, “She lost her person, her home and everything she knows. The family has really tried for the last month, but she keeps running back to her home, waiting for her owner on the porch. She needs a quiet forever home. She gets along with other dogs. Extremely timid. Comes out of her shell when she gets to know you. Loves to lay in the yard and on her bed – not a big fan of the heat. Approximately six and a half years of age, approximately 40 lbs. Sweet, sweet, sweet.”
When an animal gets rescued from a shelter by a kind and loving family, it is supposed to be the end of their troubles. But for Luna, her happily ever after has hit yet another roadblock, and as she mourns the fresh loss of her family and her home, maybe there is someone special who can give her the forever home she deserves, where she can be loved and cherished for the rest of her days.