Dog Refuses to Leave Owner’s Hospital Bed — Their Story of Love and Loss Is Breaking Hearts Nationwide
A deeply moving story out of Portland, Oregon, is capturing hearts across the country. When local adventure photographer Ben Moon was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer, his loyal dog Denali never left his side — even in the hospital bed.
The story, told through a viral short film titled Denali, recounts their remarkable 15-year bond. Narrated from the dog’s point of view, the film offers a unique and heartfelt tribute to the unconditional love between man and dog. The duo had spent years traveling the country in a van as Moon pursued his photography career. But their journey took a turn in 2004 when Moon collapsed at Joshua Tree and was later hospitalized in Bend, Oregon.
Miraculously, hospital staff allowed Denali — a husky-pit bull mix — to stay in the room. “He’d gently step onto my bed and avoid the painful areas,” Moon recalled. “It was mind-blowing.”
Moon ultimately recovered, but in 2014, Denali was diagnosed with cancer. As a final farewell, Moon took him on one last road trip to all their favorite spots. The resulting film, supported by Patagonia and directed by Ben Knight, has since gone viral with millions of views.
Denali passed away peacefully a month later. Moon never forgot his best friend, writing: “Thank you, Denali, for never taking your eye off me.”
At the end of the film, Denali says: “When someone you love walks through the door, even if it happens five times a day — you should go totally insane with joy.”
A simple, powerful lesson — from a dog who loved his human until the very end.
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