Matteo “Happy” Derosa Luna

Matteo’s Story

Matteo is my soul dog, my sunshine, best friend and big little man! In the words of a movie he would like to watch (Teen Beach Movie), Matteo is my meant to be! His name as a baby was “Happy” and he filled that name tenfold, bringing us so much love, happiness, joy, laughter, comfort, light, loyalty, and so much more goodness of his presence and being in our family in his 15 years. Matteo in Spanish means Matthew, which translates to “gift of God,” and he is the biggest blessing and gift!

Matteo loved the beach, food, sleeping, window watching to guard the house, and his people best. He didn’t dislike much and was an easy going and gentle pug, minus hating arugula and us crying or being sad! He was a well traveled pup and had many adventures in Oregon and WA. Matteo is a strong and brave pug, always protecting Josie out on walks, and Matteo kicked cancer’s butt twice!! Josie and him had special things, such as talks when she would arrive home from being out, photoshoots, hugs where Matteo would bury his head in her arms and squish until he could hardly breathe, and more.

Matteo was a very smart dog. He knew exactly which packages and which cookbooks were for him and other smarty pants things. The only smarts he lacked is road safety! He was a very expressive boy, who would verbally or with his expression tell you what’s what. Matteo would paw at us for pets! He loved sunbathing too!! He was a soak in the sun pug! Matteo has many special spots in the spaces he was in, including our kitchen and my car, to name a couple. He was a very private pug, going deep into the woods for potty, and when we would go out he requested his own water bowl, no germs! Matteo knew some tricks. His favorite “command” was oops, because that means he gets food that dropped! Josie would dress him up and he was chill with being all matchy match with her! He took his jobs of guarding the house and being a pug alarm clock seriously and was paid in love and treats for his good work.

Matteo was a humble pug despite getting his picture on local news and being posted on various instagrams with large followings. As a baby he was sent home with a baby blanket and plush elephant. His favorite toy ended up being stuffed monkeys! Matteo was a well educated pug. His first year of puppyhood he was at school in my mom’s classroom, where her students helped raise him and socialize him to be the good and mature pup he is today, and he did online college and high school during covid with me later on. Matteo loved to be comfortable and cozy. You could find him snuggled up on one of our beds, under or on blankets with his head on our pillow like a human for a snooze, laying on a body pillow, heating pad or fresh out of the dryer laundry, as well as being neighborhood patrol on the back of the couch.

There is a paw print and tot sized indent on our hearts and souls. The biggest privilege and honor of my life to be his girl. He is forever loved, missed our earthly days, and our bestest boy!

The Rainbow Bridge and Heaven are well deserved and earned, good boy!! You deserve the very best and nothing less. You are worth everything! I know you were able to run across the Rainbow Bridge with new fur, no cancer, renewed vision and hearing, and no achy bones! I love you so much baby, 15 beautiful years! It’s funny, you didn’t look old when you were here, but looking back on photos and videos you look old, gracefully old, with distinguished powdered sugar dusting and wisdom in your fur and crossed nails. I didn’t want to be selfish or to let you suffer. You are too good of a boy to be allowed to suffer or have the opportunity for something to happen to you. You won baby!! I saw your personal escort to Heaven!

I love you all my days and for eternity. Now this is not goodbye or forever, it is see you later puggy, a see you soon until I’m called home to Heaven and you welcome me on the Rainbow Bridge and into our home one final time. Thank you for everything, lucky lucky me!!! Love, your girl Josie