Local Rescue Dog Featured on National News: Meet Mowgli

By Mary Casey-Sturk

Cleo’s Legacy was founded in 2024 by Alex Siska after she lost her beloved dog (her “soul-dog” and lifelong companion) to old age. That dog’s name was Cleo, and what a legacy she left behind! Cleo’s joy, empathy and love continues through Alex who opens her heart to other animals in need. Cleo’s Legacy believes in the “power of community and working together to make the world a better place.”

Cleo’s Legacy is a 100% volunteer-run, foster-based rescue serving the Northern Kentucky (Greater Cincinnati) area. They are dedicated to saving the lives of local shelter dogs, street dogs, and abandoned kittens in need. All animals in their care receive medical treatment, nutritious food, safe housing, and training when needed; all with the goal of placing them in loving, permanent homes. Their mission is to give these deserving animals a second chance at a happy, healthy life. They strive to make a lasting impact on our community by promoting compassion, empathy, and understanding for homeless and neglected animals.

This philosophy landed this local non-profit in the national spotlight when ABC World News Tonight with David Muir shared Alex’s video of a rescue dog named Mowgli in early April.

Fort Thomas Living spoke with Alex Siska, founder of Cleo’s Legacy about Mowgli and rescue work. 

Meet Mowgli

How did Mowgli come to be in your care? Siska shares, “Mowgli came into our care after a desperation call from a Price Hill local, stating that he (Mowgli) had been slowly declining in health. He was unable to catch him, only able to throw out food for 4 months, he had called every local shelter and rescue in the area. We urged him to keep calling. When we had a spot open up, we contacted Kim, an amazing nonprofit trapper with Lost Pet Recovery who has helped save countless lives. Working with Kim, within a matter of days he was able to be trapped and brought out of the harsh weather.” 

Mowgli was in rough physical shape; he was fearful and terrified. It’s hard to know what happened in his life prior to this, but obviously the start of his life was very hard, but now he had a chance. 

How is Mowgli doing now?  “Mowgli has showed drastic improvement in trust and just generally coming out of his shell this month. Unfortunately, we found out he is heartworm positive, and he has begun the rough and lengthy treatment associated with this. This month we received his first smile, tail wag, and asking for pets.” 

Has being featured on ABC World News Tonight with David Muir brought attention to your work?

“Being on the world news has brought some strange messages and a lot of pleas for help from all over the country. We know the dumping (of pets), neglect and abuse is a crisis everywhere, unfortunately we’re just a small 100% volunteer rescue, and with limited volunteer & foster sign-ups, we have to prioritize to our mission and our area of homeless animals” states Siska.

How is Cleo’s Legacy able to help dogs like Mowgli? “To do this, we need the community’s help. We rely on foster sign-ups, sponsors, donors, volunteers, and most importantly: willing adopters who are ready to open their hearts and homes to an underdog.”  If you would like to help Cleo’s Legacy and cannot foster or volunteer, please consider making a financial contribution at www.cleoslegacy.org. Mowgli’s heartworm treatment will cost approximately $2,000.

As for Mowgli, who has come so far from a frightened dog on the street to a trusting friend, he will soon officially move from underdog to “top dog” in a loving home.