I haven’t talked about this much, except in therapy. Even then, I sometimes avoid it because it’s hard. But these memories matter, and so do Luna and Dexter.
How Luna Came Into My Life
June 24, 2013, is the date I gave Luna for her birthday. I don’t know the exact day. I wasn’t there when she was born. At the time, Scott (my husband at the time) was working for Mission Petroleum, and we were living in Pleasantville, Texas, in a “man camp.” One day, at a site where Scott went to get oil, a gate guard had been caring for Luna’s mom and her two orange tabby siblings. Luna’s mom was a skinny, all-white cat.
Scott told me about the kittens, and that night we went back so I could see them. I saw Luna’s mom first, and then they found the kittens hiding inside a car engine. One was a beautiful little calico, and I knew immediately she was the one. We drove to the nearest town to pick up supplies, food, litter, and toys, and then picked her up an hour later. I gave her a flea bath in the sink, dried her off, cuddled her, and fell completely in love.
Introducing Gandalf the Grey cat and life changes
Luna moved with us to Three Rivers, then to Corpus Christi after Scott’s accident when he broke his back. Gandalf, who was Scott’s boy, but I named him because he was a grey cat who had beautiful blue eyes, and we both loved J.R.R. Tolkien, so I named him Gandalf the Grey cat. Scott wasn’t working at the time when we went to Petco to get supplies for Luna, and he found Gandalf, so we adopted him and brought him home. It was a bit chaotic: doctor’s visits, getting the car repossessed, having to live in a hotel with two cats, stress, and doing what we had to do for survival. But Luna was my constant.
Dexter’s Arrival
Dexter was born on March 17, 2016, in Corpus Christi, Texas. I was working at the Corpus Christi Police Vehicle Impound as an Impound Control Officer, and I think Scott was driving a cab, and little did I know, he was looking online and found an ad on Craigslist for a free black kitten. I got home and was surprised to find the tiny bundle of joy, and was thrilled since I have a soft spot for all black cats. Dexter learned to fetch by watching me play fetch with Luna. So both my sweet babies, Luna and Dexter, would play fetch.
When Hurricane Harvey hit Corpus Christi, Dexter and Luna, Gandalf, Scott, and I drove to Laredo, Texas, and stayed at a hotel. When we returned, Scott took Gandalf and moved to Michigan. We didn’t part as enemies, but we knew staying together wasn’t working out. It was around mid-September that I contacted my Dad, and he came to Corpus Christi, then Dexter and Luna, and me, and my Dad drove back to Wisconsin.
The Loss
Luna died suddenly in my arms on July 26, 2018, and at the time, I wasn’t sure what happened with her and still don’t have answers, but two months and eight days later, on October 8, I found Dexter underneath my bed dead. At first, I didn’t know what had happened to him, but I suspected from an incident that had happened two weeks prior, where I brought him to the vet. Unfortunately, I was in a very dangerous relationship with a narcissistic, abusive man who controlled me. I now refer to him as “the monster.”
I was extremely lucky to get out of the situation with my life. My body had been screaming at me to leave, and I’m grateful I listened. I was scared for my life, but I survived. The weekend I stayed with Paula, we found out exactly what happened to poor Dexter. He was murdered by “the monster,” and I believe he was instrumental in Luna’s death. I’m forever thankful for Paula and everyone who helped me move, supported me in court, and listened as I sobbed and tried to piece together what happened. I still struggle with those events, but I know that “the monster” ended my time with Luna and Dexter, but he didn’t take away my life, or my love for them. That love is still with me and always will be.
Why I Share This
Luna lived 5 years, 1 month, and 2 days (6/24/13–7/26/18). Dexter lived 2 years, 6 months, and 22 days (3/17/16–10/8/18). I break down their ages because I want to make an impact on domestic violence survivors. My babies were murdered, but I survived. I still survive. I will always love Luna and Dexter.
On October 20, 2024, Scott Moore passed away, and Scott and his friend (and now my friend too), Stacey, agreed that if anything were to happen to him, she would take Gandalf. Gandalf was born on February 3, 2014, and has been living with Stacey and her family in Michigan.
Going through hell with the monster, what he did to them, and what he did to me, also part of me died with them. But also part of me lives for them. With the past trauma and this big trauma, I have CPTSD, anxiety, ADHD, and depression. I am doing what I can to make a difference by sharing my stories, sharing my resources, and building this safe community.
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