09/19/2026
Newt is a small rescue dog whose unique appearance has made him an internet favorite, though his story began with hardship rather than fame. As a newborn puppy, he suffered a severe injury when his mother accidentally bit his face during birth, leaving him without most of his nose and upper snout. His original owners in Texas couldn't afford the medical care he needed and surrendered him to New York Bully Crew, a rescue organization. He was eventually adopted by Liesl Wilhardt, founder of Luvable Dog Rescue and Animal Refuge in Eugene, Oregon, who renamed him from "Brute" to Newt and gave him a loving home over 3,000 miles away from where he was born. Despite his unconventional look, often described online as resembling a "grumpy old man," Newt lives a genuinely happy life, playing with his adopted siblings including another rescue dog named Picasso, who also has a facial deformity called wry mouth. Wilhardt has spoken about how people often do a double-take when they first see Newt, but his cheerful, affectionate personality quickly wins them over. His story highlights both the resilience of rescue animals and the importance of adopting pets regardless of physical differences, showing that a difficult start doesn't define the joyful life an animal can still go on to live with the right care and family.