Mirrors of Life w/ Ben Moon

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How Ben Moon’s Dogs Are A Reflection of Where He Is In Life

Photo by Mark O. McInnis

About The Episode

Ben Moon grew up in Michigan and had family dogs from a young age. It was as an adult, however, that he came to form a profound connection with a dog named Denali.

After going through a divorce in his twenties, Ben decided to save money by living in a van with his rescue husky and pit mix, Denali, as he worked in construction. They also traveled around the Pacific Northwest and went on many rock-climbing adventures.

However, Ben started to run into medical issues that culminated in a colon cancer diagnosis at the age of 29 years old. During his chemotherapy and radiation treatments, Denali was right by his side in the hospital and proved to be an essential mental health support.

Denali would go on to live for nearly 15 years. Ben honored his dog in a 2015 short film called Denali, which included heartfelt narration from his dog’s perspective that embodied their connection, and the touching story went viral online. Ben wrote a memoir called Denali: A Man, a Dog, and the Friendship of a Lifetime at Penguin Books, released in 2020, which allowed him to further process his loss and what made their time together so special.

In 2016, Ben rescued another dog – an Australian shepherd and husky mix named Nori – who helped inspire him while writing his first book. Now, as Ben develops a new book about building a house and finding community, he realizes that traveling and adventures may be fun, but staying in one place can be nice too. By embracing the slow build of settling down, Ben has learned from Nori to appreciate the joy of being based somewhere you call home. 

Currently, Ben is also working on a new book connected to the building of his house, as well as developing a feature film adaptation of his story with Denali.

From Denali to Nori, Ben believes dogs reflect our lives like mirrors, and we can learn much about who we are and what we need if we only pay attention to their intuitive guidance.

About The Guest - Ben Moon

Ben Moon is an adventure, lifestyle, and portrait photographer turned filmmaker. His work is often embedded in the outdoors, including a passion for climbing, surfing, and exploring nature with dogs. He founded Moonhouse production company to develop stories around these experiences. For around 20 years he has worked with Patagonia, where he captures images of people challenging themselves with outdoor activities. In 2015, he released a short film told from the perspective of his dog Denali, a husky and pit mix who was the ultimate outdoor adventure sidekick. In 2020, Ben shared his own perspective in a memoir he wrote called Denali: A Man, a Dog, and the Friendship of a Lifetime. Ben currently lives near the beach on the Oregon Coast with his dog, Nori, an Australian shepherd / husky mix where he is slowly settling into a new home and community that is just the right place and right time for both of them.

About The Host - Dr. Sharon Holland

Dr. Sharon Holland is a Distinguished Professor of American Studies at the University of North Carolina (UNC). She teaches a popular class on animal studies, where Sharon challenges students to re-think the way we co-exist with other beings in the world through philosophical discussions. Her most recent book, an other: a black feminist consideration of animal life, explores this concept from a personal perspective as well. She is a lifelong equestrian, who has found strong connections with both horses and dogs. Sharon currently lives in North Carolina with her two rescues: Winnie, a senior lab mix, and Saol Sa'ed, a German Shepherd / Husky / Cattle puppy.

Featured Links

  1. Ben Moon on Facebook - facebook.com/benmoonphotography

InterviewJack Sommer