(Above: Me sleeping next to Kittu when he was first adopted)

In 2014, my brother Kunal and I adopted two tiny Indie pups—Kittu and Bittu. They were in bad shape when we found them—frail, barely able to stand, and both battling parvovirus, a brutal and often fatal disease in puppies. We knew the odds were against them, but we weren’t ready to give up. We brought them home, hoping love and care would be enough.

Tragically, Bittu didn’t make it. The virus took him within days, and we were left devastated. But Kittu held on. He was so weak he couldn’t lift his head. For five straight days, my wife Sana cradled him in her lap while he remained on IV fluids, completely motionless. We stayed up through the nights, monitoring every breath, every flicker of change. Then, on the fifth day, something remarkable happened. Kittu turned his head slightly and tried to nibble a biscuit from my hand. That one moment said everything: he was going to live.

From that point on, Kittu became more than just a dog to us—he was family, a survivor, a presence that anchored our home. He wasn’t the loudest or the most demanding, but he was always there. Quiet. Watchful. Loyal. His bond with Sana was unshakeable, especially after that recovery—they were connected in a way that went beyond words.

(Above: Me and Kittu at the Goofy Professional Shoot)

In 2019, I joined Goofy Tails alongside Karan and Kunal. I came from a digital and product background, but I wasn’t just coming on board as a professional—I was stepping in as a pet parent who had lived the problems we were trying to solve. At that point, Kittu was healthy and ageing gracefully. He was part of every brainstorming session, every late-night conversation, and even featured in some early campaign drafts. In many ways, he was our first real product tester.

At the time, Indie dogs weren’t widely accepted or celebrated. Most people still leaned toward pedigrees—Labradors, Golden Retrievers, foreign breeds with glossy coats and a reputation. Kittu, as an Indie, often got overlooked, even dismissed, when we took him out or posted about him. But none of that mattered to us. He wasn’t just a survivor—he was intelligent, expressive, deeply intuitive. And the truth is, Indie dogs like Kittu are some of the most resilient and emotionally intelligent companions you’ll ever meet. Looking back, I’m glad we never cared about what he looked like—we only cared about who he was becoming.

In 2021, our family relocated to Delhi, and that’s when things began to shift. The move unsettled Kittu. He grew anxious and lethargic, and his age started to show. He gained about four kilos in just a few months. He began struggling with stairs, often needing to be carried. He was slower on walks and stopped jumping onto the bed—something he’d always done with ease. It was painful to watch. We’d been feeding him commercial kibble, believing it was good enough, but we hadn’t realised it was part of the problem.

It was during this time that Goofy Tails itself was evolving, moving from general pet supplies to becoming a nutrition-first brand. Karan pulled me aside and explained in detail how kibble was often over-processed, lacking essential nutrients and omega fatty acids, especially for senior dogs like Kittu. That conversation hit home. I realised I had been unintentionally feeding my dog something that was hurting more than helping. And just like that, I became the classic helicopter dad—micromanaging every ingredient that went into his bowl.

Kittu, back then, had developed a chicken allergy, because of which I began experimenting with clean, plant-based options at home. With input from Karan, we formulated a vegetarian, gluten-free diet, using ingredients like sweet potatoes, seasonal vegetables, and easy-to-digest grains. The transformation was almost immediate. His weight began to normalise, his energy returned, and he was able to climb a few stairs again without help. Seeing that change firsthand, we knew we had something powerful—and that formulation later became the foundation for Goofy Tails’ first veg meal. Kittu didn’t just benefit from better nutrition—he helped shape it.

(Above: Me and Kittu with my wife Sana, who was at the time pregnant with our first child)

While Kittu was regaining strength, life at home was changing too. Sana and I were expecting our first child, and Kittu somehow understood the shift. He became more protective, often sitting near Sana, watching her closely. When our baby arrived, Kittu transformed into a gentle guardian—never invasive, always alert, and full of affection. It was like he’d taken on the role of older sibling without needing to be told.

Then, in 2024, we received another tough diagnosis: hip dysplasia. Kittu had started limping more, struggling to get up after naps, and avoiding longer walks. The vet confirmed it—his hip joints were deteriorating, putting extra pressure on his spine and hind legs. For an older dog who had already fought so many battles, this was yet another challenge.

But by now, I was better equipped. With help from our in-house nutrition and product teams, we began working on a mobility supplement tailored for senior dogs. It combined collagen, omega-3 fatty acids, glucosamine, MSM, and turmeric for anti-inflammatory support. The result was Canine Mobility+—a product born out of personal need, and later offered to others facing the same journey.

Kittu responded beautifully. His gait improved. His posture stabilised. He started moving around more freely, even engaging in light play with our toddler. For a dog well into his senior years, those small wins felt monumental. He wasn’t just surviving—he was living with joy again.

Today, Kittu is still by our side—slower, yes, and needing a bit more help—but very much present, content, and full of heart. He’s taught me patience, resilience, and the kind of quiet strength that only grows with time. He’s seen me through career shifts, a growing family, and now, a company that exists because of dogs like him.

This is why we do what we do, because sometimes, a single dog can change the lives of many more.

-By Kartik Gupta