In 2018, a 2-year-old pit bull mix named Luna was placed on the euthanasia list at the Wichita Animal Shelter in Kansas.
Her story might have ended there, but her life was saved when Always & Furever Midwest Animal Sanctuary opened its doors that same year and welcomed her in.
“She was one of the very first dogs we rescued,” said Miranda Munden, volunteer coordinator at Always & Furever. “She’s been with us nearly every day since.”
Over the past seven years, Luna has been adopted and returned to the shelter five different times — never because of who she is, but because of circumstances beyond her control.
When she first arrived, staff noticed Luna was reactive around other dogs. A training facility offered to work with her, and the trainers even adopted her themselves.
But when they later started a family, caring for Luna became overwhelming, and she was returned.
“[That] was super unexpected for someone [who] was a dog trainer,” Munden said. “But it became a pattern of disappointment for her.”
Other adopters struggled with Luna’s medical needs. She has severe allergies that require a salmon-based diet, daily wipe-downs, and routine injections. She’s also accustomed to wearing pajamas and, sometimes, a cone to protect her skin.
Despite Always & Furever making her needs clear — and even having a sponsor commit to covering her food and medicine for life — adopters continued to bring her back.
One adoption ended because of a new boyfriend, another because of a stressful vet visit, despite the shelter carefully preparing the family in advance. At one point, a vet even suggested Luna should be put down. “We took her right back,” Munden said.
That was two years ago.
Now 9 years old, Luna is considered a senior, but she hasn’t lost her gentle spirit. She spends her days quietly lounging on her dog bed in her pajamas, happy to soak up cuddles from anyone willing to give them.
“She’s pretty mellow,” Munden said. “She just wants someone to snuggle her.”
At the sanctuary, Luna has found comfort in her best friend, Copper, a special-needs pup who isn’t available for adoption. The two play together like puppies, and Copper’s steady companionship helps Luna feel secure.
Still, what Luna wants most is a home of her own.
Luna is now a senior dog at 9 years old. She enjoys meeting new people, though occasionally strangers can make her nervous. Toys are only mildly interesting to her. She’d rather cuddle with a loving human.
“There has to be someone out there,” Munden said. “Someone other than us who loves her.”
If you think you could be that person for Luna, you can reach out to Always & Furever through their website.
