Ed… now called Teddy, found a forever family! He was adopted in August and is having the time of his life! He loves the big back yard at his new house.

He enjoys spending time out back, hunting for squirrels. He wakes up really early every morning ready to play! His family says he is wonderful and very smart!

Happy Tails Teddy!!

Although Estée Lauder is a beautiful, happy girl now, she had a challenging start in life. She, her mom, and two siblings were found outside of Houston emaciated and starving. After finding their way to Austin Pets Alive, the three puppies were placed in foster care with friends Sean, Renee, and McKenna Lowery. After weeks of tender loving care, Estée was healthy and ready to be placed for adoption. Catherine had been watching the Lowerys via Facebook and following the family’s journey to good health. She was impressed with how well Estée’s foster sister, six-year-old McKenna, was doing with the puppies and was feeling a heart tug. After Estée was returned from her first adoption, Catherine realized she was meant to be her dog and adopted Estée forever.

Unknown to the Lowerys at the time of the first adoption, Estée was severely sight impaired. According to ophthalmologists at Texas A&M’s Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, Estée suffered an infection that damaged her retina, probably around the time of birth. Her sight impairment made adjustment to new environments more challenging for Estée. Catherine and her husband Keith felt like they needed help with Estée, and eventually were referred to Aubrey Kotlarich, a RRI volunteer. Aubrey helped the Coles socialize Estée in many different ways, including introducing Estée to her own dogs. The ophthalmologist, Aubrey, and the Coles all thought a friend for Estée might give her more confidence. The first introduction with Aubrey’s large, black (very sweet and gentle) dog didn’t go well. Estée growled and was clearly uncomfortable.

On a follow-up visit to her ophthalmologist, the Dr. suspected Estée’s eyesight may have improved. She decided to do a “cotton ball” test. Because a cotton ball has no sound or smell, it really tests if she can see it. When dropped, Estée actually tracked the small, white cotton ball with her eyes as it fell to the floor! She could see it!

Aubrey just so happened to be very good friends with Caroline Youngblood, another RRI volunteer. And, Caroline just so happened to have a little rescue dog named Jessie. Jessie is an 8 month old tri smooth perfect looking JRT. She is 100 percent white behind the head. White… very white. Discussions and conversations were had and a meeting was planned. Jessie was brought to Estée’s home. With the Coles, Caroline, and Aubrey right there, the girls got acquainted. Pretty soon Jessie was trotting all over the yard snooping and sniffing. Right behind her was Estée. To Catherine’s delight Estée was following Jessie into areas of the yard that she had never been comfortable going to before. Where Jessie went Estée went.

Jessie is the perfect companion for Estée. They are the same age and have the same activity level. Estée is happier and more confident. And Jessie has the one thing that Estée can see… a bright white coat. The Coles have happily adopted Jessie Jane forever. She is Estée’s little “cotton ball!”

Catherine Cole, Ph.D.

Hi! It’s us, Whinny, Indy and Heidi! Thank you, thank you, nice Basketball girls!! Will you come and let us out of jail, too?

HUGE shout out of thanks to the Austin Lady Magic Girls basketball team and their coach!!

Coach B. and her girls have sent in a wonderful donation for the sponsorship of Barbie’s puppies, for vet bills, food and other procedures.

Over $1,000 was donated for shots and worming, tail docks, dewclaw removal and puppy food. The pups are thrilled!  (They keep asking when I am taking them to Austin to thank their sponsors in person??)

It does our hearts good to see young athletes using their skills to help others,  and especially to help our animal friends.

We wish Coach B. and her girls the very, very best of luck in their next season, and all of you should know, Whinny, Heidi and Indy will be cheering right alongside everyone else!

Welcome to Rescue, Gertie

Happy announcement!!

Guess who is a Russell Rescue Inc girl??? The little old girl we posted a few days ago is!! One of our amazing fosters Lecia saw her photo and fell for her. That got the ball rolling. Then transportation arrangements from Oklahoma to Texas had to be made. Volunteers for that had to be found. Luckily Heather found Dana S who volunteered to go pick her up and drive her part way to meet Lecia. Dana rearranged her entire day to help us and this little old girl, and Lecia sat all day waiting for her new foster after doing a different transport herself.

When Dana picked up the little old girl she was laying her her poop and pee 🙁 but Dana still held her and put her in her car to drive her to safety. Then Lecia got her and drove her home. She was so covered in urine and feces she had to be bathed immediately. So Lecia gave her a nice bath. She was wearing a little shirt and underneath it was caked in feces. This poor 14yr old little girl was a stray no one came for. She spent about 10 days in the shelter and got lucky. Her teeth are in bad shape, and she has some mobility issues, but we don’t care. She is ours now and she will be safe and loved the rest of her days.

Thank you to all the volunteers that stepped up to help this little girl whom has since been named Gertie. Welcome to Russell Rescue Inc sweet old Gertie.

I think everyone will remember Davey.  He was picked up as a stray in the Houston, Texas area and taken to a local shelter last summer (2016).  He sat in his concrete kennel for over a week with a broken leg.  When Russell Rescue learned of his situation, Davey only had a few hours left before being euthanized.  We quickly made arrangements to get him out of the shelter and to his foster mom.  Davey went to the vet ASAP.  He ended up needing surgery to fix his leg.  Davey got his surgery and spent many weeks doing his exercises and stretches while his little leg healed.  He had an awesome foster mom who took great care of him!  Davey found his forever family not long ago and he is living the life in Colorado!  He is now called Vinny.  He gets to go on walks, and play with his best buddy.  As you can see in the video, his leg has healed!  Happy Tails Vinny!  We couldn’t be happier for you!

Davey at the Shelter

Happy Vinny (aka Davey) in his forever home