Luna

Hey, I’ve not posted here for a while.

Earlier this week, we unfortunately had to put our dog to sleep. Her name was Luna, and she was the sweetest girl.

I said I’d come back and write on Something Greater when I had something to say, and there’s so much to say about her that I don’t want to forget. So, here goes.

Every weekday, I wake up, shower, and make coffee. When I’d come downstairs, Luna would always greet me with her tail wagging. She’d wait while I made my coffee, and most days, she’d then follow me upstairs where I’d start my work for the day. She was often referred to as a shadow for how closely and loyally she followed those she cared about.

Until a few months ago, she used to jump up onto my bed, but as she’s slowed down, I started to pick her up and put her on the bed. She’d then sit there with me all morning. She was my writing buddy. She always listened to me as I talked to myself, or as I sang along at my desk to whatever song I had on. She was the best second-in-command at Geopolitics Explained, and I was lucky to have her.

I spend a lot of my time alone, especially during the day. For years now, Luna and I have been in this routine. At lunch time, we’d both head downstairs. I’d make my food, and depending on what I had, she had some favourites that she liked to share. Cheese was one of her favourites, and so any meal involving cheese was naturally shared.

I’d eat my food, and often as I went back upstairs, Luna would sit downstairs and wait for my Mum to get home.

Luna then went on her afternoon adventure, which she was always incredibly excited for. She would walk out of the front door and immediately start to bark, as if attempting to tell everyone she was coming outside. In her younger years, she used to chase birds, too. She didn’t have much success in this pursuit.

Once she was back home from her daily adventure, she sat by my Mum’s side as she cooked.

Luna then had her evening meal, which she often ate at the same time as somebody else in the house, before then settling for the evening.

She was rarely alone, always searching the house for somebody to hang out with, especially in the evening. She’d relax until she fell asleep for the night on any soft object around the house that she could find, be it in my room, my brother’s room, the living room, or another corner that she took a liking to.

This was our routine, and I was lucky that we shared so much of it together.

She was named Luna, but I used to call her “bub”. I can’t remember how I started, but it stuck. She also responded to it when I called her “bub”, so I assume that she didn’t mind it either.

If many people descended upon the house who didn’t live there, she’d run and find a quiet corner to hide in until the coast was clear. I’d often sneak off sometimes to find where she was hiding, and she was always so happy to see me or anybody who came to find her.

But despite her standoffish attitude towards most dogs and people, she had her people, and I’m immensely lucky to have had her as my dog for over 13 years. I was 14 when she first arrived in my life, and I’m 27 now. That’s a lot of growing up and a lot of change in my life with her being a constant presence. I’m going to miss her by my side deeply.

Again, I said I’d come back here when I had something to say. Luna is worth more words than I can ever come up with for the companionship she gave me.

If you’ve got a dog, hug them a little tighter for me, or give them an extra treat. Luna also enjoyed tummy rubs, and I’ve heard they’re free.

All my love,

Dylan