After a five-month battle with metastasized thyroid cancer, Luna “aka Lunatic, Luna Dog, Luna Bean, Luna Boo, Cutie Patootie, River Dog, Snow Dog, and Good Girl” Romano was put to sleep on the afternoon of Tuesday April 28, 2015. What is suspected to have been laryngeal paralysis severely restricted her breathing, and she was no longer able to live the active life she enjoyed. Her exact age is unknown because she was a rescue from the Central Oregon Humane Society adopted around 2 years-of-age, but she was estimated to be approximately 12 years-of-age (84 in dog years). For ten years, she was the companion and best friend of Michael G. Romano.
Luna had a full life. By car and by paw, she explored at least three National Parks, several state parks, and many city parks, beaches, neighborhoods, backyards, front yards, sidewalks, trails, and landscaped medians. She chased after literally hundreds of ball tosses, and also chased a few cats, squirrels, and ducks. She chewed-through countless rawhide rolls and bones, but she never bit anyone or anything. Ever. She never even snarled at anyone. She seldom barked. Only at the UPS driver, postman, and new clients. A very intelligent mix of breeds, she spent most of her time literally staring at humans, listening for words that she recognized and hoping that she might be part of some adventure or activity. Her original name from the dog pound was “Lunatic.” Anyone who ever saw her get “worked up” or “riled up” and excited about things she was passionate about knows exactly why someone had once named her “Lunatic.”
Towards the end of her life, years of arthritis and the therapies used to treat her cancer had taken their toll on her energy and spirits. However, in-between hospitalizations during the last month of her life, she was able to chase Jack Rabbits in the High Desert outside Powell Butte and explore Kenilworth City Park in SE Portland.
Luna’s belongings will be donated to the Central Oregon Humane Society so that her positive energy– her love– can be circled back to those who appreciate the profound joy of canine companionship.