The Luna Project is a dog rescue based in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, inspired by our first foster fail, Luna. Luna is a labradoodle who was used for breeding and then discarded by her previous owners when it was time for her to retire. Her sister was blind, and Luna herself was extremely skittish around people. In fact, she had a stress-related seizure just days after being rescued.

When we first met Luna, she didn’t know how to walk on a leash, and we had to carry her to the car. For the first couple of months, Luna kept to herself, appearing disengaged and sad. During our neighborhood walks, she would lag behind, showing little interest in engaging with us or anyone else.

Then, we started bringing her to the beach. Luna quickly discovered her love for the water, and it was the first place where we saw a spark of light in her eyes. With each visit, Luna’s confidence began to grow. We’ll never forget the day she had her first zoomies on the beach—her moment of pure freedom and excitement, marking a turning point in her journey.

Today, Luna is a completely different dog. She’s confident, happy, and full of life. Most mornings, we wake up to find her curled up in our bed, and she loves to greet every person we meet on our neighborhood walks. Her transformation is a powerful reminder of the resilience and potential in these amazing animals. Luna’s story is the heart of The Luna Project—a commitment to rescuing and rehabilitating dogs who, like Luna, deserve a second chance at happiness.