The saying, ‘don’t evaluate a book solely by its cover,’ regrettably goes unnoticed by numerous individuals.
A significant number of individuals believe that a dog is only deserving of adoption if it appears flawless, tidy, and completely charming.
They overlook the fact that a dog’s appearance largely reflects the treatment it receives. They also tend to disregard that every dog is alike. Regardless of their appearance – they are all joyful, spirited, and affectionate pets eager to belong to a family.
This is precisely what the dog in today’s narrative longed for.
Introducing Luna
An animal rescue organization in California attracted considerable attention when they put out a plea for someone to adopt a Pit Bull named Luna.
Luna had been relinquished to the shelter when she was merely seven weeks old due to a facial deformity that made it immensely challenging for her to eat and even breathe.
The condition in which Luna arrived at the shelter was profoundly heartbreaking.
She had sustained a fractured skull and a shattered jaw. Consequently, she was set to be euthanized that very same day.
Fortunately, Cage to Couch, a nonprofit animal rescue based in California, learned about her and made the decision to take her in, ultimately preserving her life.
In The Shelter
A team member from the rescue, Mary Pryor, mentioned that Luna, as a puppy, never learned to breathe through her mouth. She also struggled to eat and would occasionally faint – an occurrence that happened quite often.
However, thanks to the Californian rescue and the personnel at the University Veterinary Center, Luna began becoming stronger with each day.
Nonetheless, she will likely require several more surgeries and medical treatments, Pryor remains optimistic that someone will recognize Luna for who she truly is and welcome her into their caring family.
“Luna suffered from a severe nasal infection that necessitated hospitalization, and had difficulty with breathing, which led to her not eating and fainting. She has a perforation in her mouth extending into her nasal cavity [a cleft palate] that will necessitate surgical correction. Food and bacteria are entering where they shouldn’t, causing her to have a continual nasal infection,” Pryor shared with Newsweek.
As Luna was still a puppy, the medical personnel chose to postpone her surgeries but to keep her on all the necessary medications until she matured, as her jaw was still shifting and she was missing numerous teeth.
Although Luna began to comprehend her circumstances, she still experienced nights of panic as she struggled to breathe. Thankfully, the staff found a way to help by placing a finger in her mouth to keep it ajar, allowing her to calm down and eventually drift off to sleep.
“I don’t want to exaggerate her pain, but Luna truly faces significant challenges due to her deformity. She resembles a raptor when she makes sounds and can panic about her breathing. She is a rather messy eater, and she cannot actually chew, so she devours food instead. We aim to make the food go straight down and avoid going up through the hole in her mouth,” Pryor added.
Yet A Joyful Pup
Still, Luna did not permit her disability to dominate her existence.
She remains a cheerful and energetic puppy who enjoys zoomies whenever possible, goes on strolls, and plays with anyone she encounters.
Currently, she resides with a foster family who has two senior blind Beagles and another dog who is battling cancer.
Although Luna enjoys spending time with her foster siblings, she yearns to become part of a family of her own.
“She would flourish in a home with a couple of other dogs, and she is also fantastic with cats. A house with a fenced yard would be ideal, but she is learning to walk on a leash and is a quick learner. We’re currently focusing on basic commands as well,” Pryor mentioned.
Pryor feels disheartened by the fact that numerous people misjudge her not only because of her deformities, but also due to her breed.
“We are committed to ensuring she receives thorough training and continues to be socialized with other dogs, as we understand the fear-based reactions people can have towards pit bulls. With her slightly crooked face, life could be challenging for Luna,” she concluded.
I am confident that one day, Luna will discover a compassionate family who will appreciate her for who she truly is and provide her with the life she genuinely deserves.
I wish you all the best, Luna… you sweet pup.