Eben the French Bulldog, A Dogumentary About Love, Grief, and Adventure

How far would you go to save the one you love?

Would you dive into the ocean to face a predator?

Would you pry open the jaws of a wild seal?

That is exactly what one couple did for their rescue dog, Eben—a fearless French bulldog who leapt toward a seal out of pure obsession and adventure.

This dramatic moment opens an award-winning dogumentary that tells Eben’s story. The story may begin with danger and center on an unbreakable bond between Eben and his mom, Renee, but the heart of the film is about embracing life in all its forms: the joy, the pain, the adventure, and the unknown.

From the very beginning, Eben is more than a dog—he is a soulmate, a healer, and a compass for how to live.

Renee created this short film as a legacy not only for Eben, but for anyone who has experienced the beauty and hardship of loving deeply. Above all, this film is about adventure, resilience, and a lust for life. It is about pushing forward when everything feels hard and finding your way when the path is unclear.

Eben defies every bulldog stereotype. He is not a couch potato—he is a peak summiter, a world traveler, a nature lover who embraces every landscape with joy. He teaches his younger brother, Lassen, to always ask “what’s next?” and to chase life with courage.

But Eben’s greatest journey is not physical.

It is emotional.

He forms a profound bond with Renee that carries her through grief, love, cancer in their family, adventure, and life itself. Very quickly, you realize Eben is not just a companion—he is an angel sent to give Renee the strength she now uses to help others.

Told from Eben’s own perspective, the film won the Deb Bauer Unsung Hero Award at the 2024 Catalina Film Festival. It is about gratitude—to the souls, both animal and human, who shape our lives and help us survive the hardest times.

Eben speaks about his own cancer, as well as his dad and grandpa’s cancer struggles. He shares how simply being present—snuggling, comforting, existing in shared silence—helps ease Renee’s anxiety and fear. He even volunteers in the community, showing that love is not passive. It serves.

Eben’s obsession with seals is not the essence of the story, but it reveals his spirit. He believes he is as big as any obstacle because his mindset is limitless. He charges toward life, toward adventure, toward experience.

And through him, you discover something deeper:

Eben is the embodiment of how to live.

To love fiercely.

To be present.

To spend more time in nature.

To keep exploring even when the path is uncertain.

And most importantly, to find the person (or animal) who sees you as your fullest, truest self—and to love them with everything you have.

That is the essence of love.

Honor a life you love and let the circle of love ripple outward. Make a gift in their name, then share this story so compassion keeps moving.

Make a tribute gift here.