Our family's story of Russ and animals.  He had a very special bond with all animals from an early age as evidenced by this photo along with another one in the gallery of he and  his sister so many years ago.  He didn't like his picture taken back then so agreed as long as his buddy, Gigi, could be included!  His love for all animals continued throughout his life.  He was definitely a dog whisperer.  Not only was he a dog lover but he also had a special bond with cats.   He recently lived with a woman who had 6 cats!  She said her cats "loved Russ because they knew he loved them".  Dogs were his passion however, and he was never without one very long.  His current dog, a white German Shepherd, is lost without him but will live on with friends. In talking to his friends those same words always come - "Russ was a person with a kind heart, whether it be for animals or people".   Please consider donating to the Austin Humane Society in his memory - we, his parents and sister, were devastated to loose him in a terrible auto accident and want his memory to live on taking care of animals at the Austin Humane Society.  He would be proud knowing  these donations eased our pain, along with helping animals in the care of the Austin Humane Society.