The Story of a Pitbull Mix Named Mowgli

"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened" Dr. Seuss

Mowgli was the very definition of a rescue success story. He came to us from our local Sheriff’s Department Animal Rescue Unit after surviving a horrific case of abuse and neglect in October of 2016. When he arrived, Mowgli was malnourished—little more than skin and bones—and his organs had begun to shut down after being left without food or water for more than three weeks. At the time, he couldn’t have been more than a year old.


Mowgli weighed only a fraction of what he should have from neglect


Mowgli couldn't regulate his body temperature due to lack of muscle mass

We picked Mowgli up from the animal shelter and brought him home as a medical foster, since the shelter environment wasn’t ideal for his fragile condition. The shelter veterinarian warned us that he was still very sick and might not make it.

Despite the odds, we brought Mowgli home to meet our longtime family dog, Charlotte. They quickly formed a bond and fell in love. We made sure Mowgli felt the same love and care that we gave Charlotte—making him feel safe, comforted, and part of the family. He smelled terrible and was still undergoing lime baths for severe mange, having lost all his fur. But that didn’t stop us from holding him, showing him affection, and helping him rediscover what it meant to trust humans again.


Mowgli & Charlotte, best friends forever

A few months later, by December, it was clear Mowgli had become a permanent member of our family. His hair began to grow back, his energy returned, and he was playing and enjoying life the way every dog deserves to. With Charlotte always by his side, we knew we had officially “foster failed.” 


Mowgli & Gram catching one of their many naps together

Mowgli grew into a 70-pound powerhouse of muscle, yet remained gentle and timid—sometimes even afraid of his own shadow. He was loyal, loving, intelligent, and protective. Mowgli had a soulful way of looking into your eyes, as if he could read your thoughts, and his soft grunts—his version of “purring”—were a constant reminder of his sweet nature. He particularly loved his naps with our grandmother, one of his best friends.


Mowgli at Squam Lake in New Hampshire

We lost Charlotte in the spring of 2023, and Mowgli was heartbroken. We all were. Yet despite his grief, he comforted us, as if he knew we needed him just as much as he needed us. In the late winter of 2024, we decided to rescue another dog—a spunky little French Bulldog with developmental disabilities named Daphne. True to his nature, Mowgli took her under his wing, showing her love and patience, and helping her feel right at home. He had a natural, paternal heart.


Mowgli and his new companion Daphne Moon


Mowgli - my loyal RV shotgun buddy in Bar Harbor, Maine

In early spring 2024, Mowgli bumped his knee inside the house, and it swelled up like a goose egg. We took him to the veterinarian, who performed a series of X-rays. That’s when we received devastating news: Mowgli showed signs of osteosarcoma—one of the most aggressive forms of bone cancer. We were advised to have his rear leg amputated. Heartbroken, we worried about how he’d adapt.

The team at Animal Cancer Care Clinic in Orlando, led by Dr. Tammy Ruddle (one of the Saints in Mowgli's life), reassured us. After surgery, Mowgli came home, looked at us, and hopped up onto his favorite spot on the couch as if nothing had changed. He quickly learned to run on three legs, proving that the only real limitations were in our minds.


Mowgli post-amputation surgery

Soon after, Mowgli began chemotherapy under the care of Dr. Erin Roof at Animal Cancer Care Clinic (one of the other Saints in Mowgli's life). She and her team were incredibly compassionate and guided us through every step of his treatment. Despite everything, Mowgli remained energetic and full of life. That summer, we took him on our usual trip to the mountains of New Hampshire, where he ran, jumped, played, and even swam in Squam Lake—sometimes just hours after a chemo session. Mowgli embodied strength and courage.


Chemotherapy treatments didn't keep Mowgli from swimming

That same summer, on August 21, 2024, Mowgli stood proudly as my best man at my wedding. It meant the world to have him by my side.


Mowgli proudly serving as best man at our wedding in August 2024

In December 2024, Mowgli—ever the adventurer—still loved car rides. One evening, I took him out to see the Christmas lights. He sat in the back seat, gazing out the window, his eyes wide with wonder like a child seeing Christmas morning for the first time. That moment was pure joy—for both of us.

Mowgli in his favorite pajamas always up for a car ride

On Christmas morning, he tore open his presents on the floor beside me, wagging his tail with excitement. He soaked in every sight, sound, and smell of the holiday—even when we dressed him up in his reindeer antlers.

Shortly after the New Year of 2025, Mowgli began to have difficulty breathing. We took him to his oncologist, and X-rays revealed that the cancer had spread to his lungs. His breathing became labored, and we knew what we had to do—the hardest decision any pet owner faces. We chose to let Mowgli cross the rainbow bridge peacefully, surrounded by love. It was one of the hardest days of our lives, but we knew it was the right thing for him.

Reflecting on Mowgli’s life, I am filled with immense gratitude. Despite his painful beginning, he gave us unconditional love, joy, and countless lessons. Mowgli taught us to live—to embrace every moment as if it were our last, to stop and smell the roses, and to face life’s challenges with courage and grace.

Mowgli was truly the “epic dog.” Of all the dogs and fosters we’ve had, none have taught us more. We enjoyed 8 wonderful years with him.

Now you know Mowgli’s story. I’m convinced he’s still watching over us—our guardian angel. In his memory, we’ve made it our mission to help other dogs and cats in need. A portion of every sale we make goes to support animal rescue charities, giving other animals like Mowgli a chance at a better life.

We do this in loving memory of Mowgli—the epic dog who changed our lives forever.


Sweet Mowgli 2016-2024

Please always remember that