Pet-of-the-Day - Meet Russell
- General
- April 22, 2020
Russell will wiggle his short tail and his entire back half!
Your name: Denise Madzik
Job title/department: Coordinator, Reibman Hall Children's Center
What kind of pet do you have (dog, cat, bird, etc.)? Dog
What is your pet’s name? Russell
How did you come up with this name? Russell was the name given to him by his foster family. He was a rescue dog that we drove to eastern Ohio to get. We never changed his name.
How old is your pet? almost 12
What is your pet’s gender? Male
Describe your pet in three words: Loyal, Smart, Highly Protective
What is the thing your pet cannot live without? His red treat ball (for his Milkbone biscuits)
Can your pet do tricks? If so, what? Of course! Sit, down, give me your paw, find it and roll over (when he was younger). Russell will also get his toys by name.
What is the best trick your pet has taught you? Russell has my husband, Mike, wrapped around his little paw - especially when asking for that treat ball (that special look)! Overall, Russell taught us the value of being a loyal friend.
Do you have a nickname for your pet? Russ, Puppy. Our daughter Emily calls him "Wiggs."
You know your pet is in a good mood when he/she does this: Australian Shepherds are famous for their "wiggle butt." Russell will wiggle his short tail and his entire back half!
Your pet’s favorite spot to hangout is: By "his people," of course. Wherever we are, he is.
Favorite toy: It varies. Lately his favorite toys are the stuffed rabbit or the stuffed sheep (both with squeakers).
One habit you would like to change: The amount of times a day he wants the red treat ball.
Does your pet prefer to play with people, or other animals? Russell is a people dog. He tolerates his cat siblings, Bella and Cooper (who thinks he's a dog).
Does your pet like children? Yes
If you could ask your pet one question and they’d be able to answer it, what would it be? What are you thinking when you do that?
Can your pet read your emotions? YES!
Funniest moment you’ve had with your pet: There have been many! Russell often makes us smile. I can think of one story when he took one of his favorite bones into the back yard. When we went to look for it, none of us could find it. I asked Russell to find it and he just looked at me and ran around the yard. That was in the fall. In the spring, when I started to work on my vegetable garden, guess what I dug up? Russell was thrilled!
What is the most rewarding aspect of owning your pet? Many. Russell brings us much joy and love. He's smart, a great companion and beautiful. Not to mention, Russell spent many years protecting our yard from many threatening invaders: mice, one opossum, one skunk, a couple of neighborhood cats, and many evil squirrels.
Additional comments: Russell is also somewhat famous. His photo has appeared several times in the ARPH (Aussie Rescue and Placement Helpline) annual calendar (including the dog of the month). As with all of our pets, he has demonstrated true unconditional friendship and love.