“There’s no easy way to say goodbye to a friend.”
For more than 14 years, Oregon-based photographer Ben Moon and his dog, Denali, were best friends. They traveled all over the West, sharing a "nomadic" lifestyle.
The photographer told BuzzFeed News that at first, he wasn't even sure he wanted a dog. But when he saw Denali at the shelter, they instantly connected. "I don’t know, it was one of those things where I felt like he kind of chose me," he said.
Denali was there for all of Moon's good and bad life moments. One of those times was when Moon was diagnosed with Stage 3+ colorectal cancer in 2004.
Moon said that while he was being treated for cancer, his dog was a constant source of strength and support.
"The thing that’s really special about dogs is they're just there for you, and they don’t really expect anything," he said.
Denali would crawl into bed with Moon as he laid in a hospital bed, and was always cautious with the medical equipment. After Moon recovered, the pair headed back out on their adventures.
Having a friend to endure the highs and lows of life with was invaluable for Moon.
"You're growing into adulthood and this one constant was there," he said.
A decade after Moon beat cancer, Denali began his own battle against the disease. As it became clear his time was growing short, the pair was filmed by a friend at their favorite place, the beach.
Moon said his friend had the idea of filming the two before Denali passed away "because he saw the bond there."
“I asked my dog if he could please stick around [for the shoot], because it would mean a lot to me," he said.