For Luna, hope has never disappeared, even after years of heartbreak.
In 2018, a two-year-old pit bull mix named Luna landed on the euthanasia list at Wichita Animal Shelter in Kansas.
She had already experienced instability early in life, and her future looked uncertain.
Then, at exactly the right moment, Always & Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary opened its doors. Luna became one of the very first dogs the rescue saved.
Seven years later, Luna is still there.
“She was one of the very first dogs we saved when our doors opened,” said Miranda Munden, volunteer coordinator at Always & Furever, in an interview with The Dodo.
“She’s been with us nearly every day since.”
What makes Luna’s story especially painful is not a lack of interest, but repeated loss.
Through no fault of her own, she has been adopted and returned to the same rescue five separate times.
Early Signs That Luna Needed the Right Environment
When Luna first arrived, staff quickly noticed she was reactive around some other dogs.
Rather than give up on her, the rescue sought professional help.
A training facility stepped in, excited to work with Luna on building calm social interactions.
The trainers eventually fell in love with her and adopted her themselves. For the rescue team, it felt like the best possible outcome.
“We were so happy,” Munden said. “Anytime a trainer wants to adopt one of our dogs, we feel confident they can offer a good life.”
For a while, things went well. But when the trainers started a family, they realized they could no longer manage Luna’s needs alongside new responsibilities. She was returned to the rescue.
“That was super unexpected,” Munden said, especially given their professional background.
For Luna, it became the first of many goodbyes.
Medical Needs That Made Commitment Harder
Luna’s next adoption ended due to her medical care. She suffers from severe allergies that require daily management.
Luna eats a strict salmon-based diet with specific treats. Environmental pollen irritates her skin, so she needs to be wiped down after going outside.
She receives regular medication injections without protest and wears pajamas during the day and a cone at night to prevent chewing.
The rescue fully explained Luna’s care routine to each adopter. Even so, the responsibility proved overwhelming for some.
Another adoption ended when Luna reacted poorly to a new boyfriend in the home.
Later, she was returned after struggling at a veterinary visit, which is one of her known triggers.
“That was the one thing we thought we prepared very well,” Munden said.
The rescue had extensive conversations with the adopter and ensured Luna’s prescriptions and vaccinations were current.
A shelter sponsor even offered to cover Luna’s food and medical costs for the rest of her life. Still, Luna was brought back.
When Advocacy Saved Luna’s Life
The most alarming return happened when a veterinarian told Luna’s adopter that euthanasia should be considered.
The rescue acted immediately. “We took her right back,” Munden said.
That moment highlighted a difficult truth.
Not every dog fits neatly into a standard household, but that does not make them disposable.
Luna’s life mattered, and Always & Furever refused to let her story end that way. That was two years ago.
A Gentle Soul Who Still Finds Joy
Despite everything, Luna remains gentle and affectionate.
Now nine years old, she spends most of her time resting on her dog bed, dressed in her pajamas, patiently waiting for affection.
“She’s pretty mellow,” Munden said. “She just wants to snuggle.”
Luna also has a close bond with another special needs dog named Copper.
While Copper is not available for adoption, he lives nearby and serves as Luna’s constant companion.
He accepts her occasional resource guarding without issue, and together they play like puppies.
Their relationship offers Luna consistency and comfort, something she has rarely had with humans.
A Senior Dog Still Waiting for Her Person
As a senior dog, Luna enjoys meeting new people, though unfamiliar faces can make her nervous at first. Toys no longer excite her much.
What she truly wants is a calm home and a person who understands patience. “There has to be someone out there,” Munden said, “who loves her.”
Luna’s story is a reminder that some dogs need understanding more than perfection.
Repeated returns can break many animals, but Luna continues to trust.
She continues to hope. That quiet resilience may be her most powerful trait.
