Tears as Puppy Surrendered With Facial Deformity Overlooked by Adopters

An animal rescue in California has gone viral after putting out an appeal for someone to adopt Luna, a pit bull with a facial deformity so severe that she struggles to breathe and eat.

Luna was surrendered to a shelter when she was just 7 weeks old with a fractured skull and a broken jaw. That very same day, she was due to be euthanized, but Cage to Couch, a nonprofit animal rescue, saved her life by taking her in.

Due to her deformity, Luna has difficulty breathing, as Mary Pryor from Cage to Couch in Anaheim told Newsweek that she "didn't know how to breathe through her mouth" as a puppy. She couldn't eat and would often faint, but with the help of the rescue and staff at University Veterinary Center, they managed to build her strength up "one day at a time."

While she'll need many more surgeries and medical interventions, Pryor hopes that someone will open their hearts to Luna and give this "sweet and sensitive" pup a loving home.

"Luna had a serious nasal infection that required hospitalization, and had a hard time breathing, causing her to not eat and to faint," Pryor said. "She has a hole in her mouth up into her nasal cavity [a cleft palate] that will need to be surgically repaired. Food and bacteria enter where they shouldn't, and she has a constant nasal infection.

"As she was so small and young, the doctors felt the best thing to do was to support Luna medically but hold off on any surgery until she has finished growing. Her jaw continues to shift as she grows, and she's missing many teeth."

Luna's already come a long way since she was surrendered, but Pryor said she still "has some nights where she panics" about not being able to breathe. Heartbreakingly, the solution that helps her fall asleep is when someone "puts a finger in her mouth to hold it open," allowing her to relax.

"I don't want to exaggerate her suffering, but Luna does have some real struggles with her deformity," Pryor added. "She sounds like a raptor and can panic about breathing, is a very messy eater, and she can't really chew so she gobbles instead. We try to get the food to go right down and not go up through the hole in her mouth."

'There Is Potential for Misjudging'

Despite it all, Luna is still a typical playful puppy who loves doing zoomies, going for a walk, and playing with her foster friends. She's currently in a home with two senior beagles who are both blind and another beagle who is battling cancer. Luna is always gentle around them, but how she'd love to have a forever family of her own.

"She would do well in a home with another dog or two, and she's also great with cats," Pryor said. "A home with a fenced-in yard would be nice, but she is learning to walk on leash and is a quick learner. We're working on basic commands now, too."

Pryor believes that people are put off by her deformity and her breed, as the rescue has even received messages from people telling them to put Luna down. But they refuse to give up on her, and with all the training and socializing she's getting, they know that she can be someone's perfect dog.

"I think with her being a pit bull mix, and the face, there is the potential for misjudging," she said. "We're determined she gets well trained and continues to be socialized with other dogs, as we're aware of the fear-based reaction people can have towards pitties. With her slightly askew face, it could be tough for Luna."

'Luna Has Been Popular on Social Media'

The animal rescue often shares videos of their newest recruits on social media (@cagetocouch) in the hopes of generating support and, most importantly, adoptions. Luna has become quite the fan favorite on TikTok, and her videos often go viral, including one that was posted on March 7 and already has more than 1.8 million views and 196,700 likes.

She may still be waiting for a forever home, but "people love her" online and TikTok users just can't get enough of her sweet nature.

"Luna has been popular on our social media in general, and the comments on videos are always overwhelmingly positive," Pryor said.

The post has gained more than 11,900 comments since it was shared, as one TikTok user wrote: "This video absolutely melted my heart."

Another person responded: "Beautiful girl you have instantly stole my heart."

While another comment reads: "Love me a goofy looking pup."

Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.