Dog Story Greetings from Miami! My name is Russ, aka Russell The Muscle, Brussell Sprout, whatever you want to call me is fine, just don’t call me late for dinner! I’m a little guy and may have been physically injured, but I have enough joyful spirit, energy and speed-healing for a pack of Brittanys. My ABR foster family says I am the most happy, busy and active bird dog they’ve ever had (and that’s saying a lot with all the rescue Britts through this place.) Every morning I wake up like it’s the best day of my life, and even when I’m mischievous my enthusiasm amazes everyone I meet.Several months ago I was found in a rural village in Turkey badly injured and limping in a lot of pain. Some kind rescuers found me and saved my life. Then I took a long plane ride and landed in sunny Florida at my new ABR foster home, and a whole new adventure started! First order of business was going to the doggy doctor, which is my favorite since I’m the happiest social-butterfly patient and always the center of attention! I’m super cute on the outside, but they took a lot of pictures of my insides too and saw the things that needed fixing. I’ve had surgeries on both of my hips, gained healthy weight, swim in the pool every day and always on the move unless I’m sleeping! My older Brittany and Pug foster brothers have shown me the ropes around here, although they’re all senior retirees and don’t play with me much. I’ve learned some commands like sit, wait, say hi, stay, and kennel (“come” is still a work in progress, and I pull like a draft horse on leash, but I am a Brittany after all.) Other than human hugs, my passions are toys, nylabones, hunting critters, swimming, playing fetch and dragging my blankies around the house. I’ll even bring you my beach towel to ask for a swim please!Any Brittany Buddy donations will go directly towards helping with my vet and surgery expenses and I’m a lucky boy with supporters cheering me on!I’ve gotta run because there’s lizards that need chasing, so I’ll let my foster folks tell you more about me. Maybe we can even FaceTime if you’d like to see me in person! Xoxo to all my friends, Russell The Muscle Foster Family here: Meet the tiniest dynamo Russ, a huge Britt personality in a small package. Despite his medical issues, The Muscle is truly one of the most incredible Brittanys we’ve fostered. Russ weighed only 19 pounds when he arrived at our home, in severe pain and atrophy from injuries and malnutrition, yet full of resilient spirit and courage. He had suffered trauma to his hips, knees and front paw, likely from a car strike. Our wonderful team of orthopedic veterinary specialists consulted together on a treatment plan for Russ, and after diagnostics with x-rays and CT scan it was determined he would need surgeries to repair both broken and dislocated hips, as well as treatment for cartilage and ligament damage to the right knee. In the last two months Russ had FHO surgeries to repair both hips as well as platelet-rich plasma injections for his knee, with an amazingly fast and successful recovery restoring movement and comfort. He instantly went from limping and bunny-hopping to full speed ahead, and the most challenging part was limiting his exercise, jumping and activity level! Daily swims in the pool and running around the backyard have been excellent physical therapy for his joints regaining healthy weight and muscle tone. Russ is raring to go every moment and can spend all day pointing lizards and birds, although he really prefers to hunt for his humans watching him perform! Russ is now ready for a new foster or foster-to-adopt home to continue recovery over the next several months while his hips continue healing. We are decreasing pain medications as he has done so well with rehabilitation after surgery, and soon he will just be taking one anti-inflammatory pill daily as needed. In a few months once his hips are fully healed, he can have recheck with an orthopedic vet for the right knee to determine if any procedure might be needed, but with two new hips he may not need any further treatment and just continue with daily exercise as physical therapy. Although he had some special-needs physically, Brussell Sprout is just a normal young bird dog full of affection and energy. He loves people, gets along with other dogs, and with his still excited puppy-mouthing would do well with older kids. He sleeps quietly in his crate all night, when we’re out and for naptimes during the day. Russ loves his playroom full of dog toys and beds and can entertain himself for hours with his collection of stuffed animals, squeaky toys and chew treats before going outside for more hunting fun. A fenced yard will be ideal for Russ so he can exercise as much as he needs and burn off his Britt energy, and he will be a most joyful and entertaining companion for any family looking for an adorable loving busy-bee! Russ is at a healthy weight around 25 pounds, neutered, up to date on vaccinations, microchipped, heartworm negative and on preventative. If you are interested in learning more about Russell the Muscle, please submit the online adoption applicationand mention Russ-6135, then contact his foster family.