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| Michelle Riley, The HSUS |
Colette (left) and Simone Russ recently met
Hobbes at The HSUS's Gaithersburg office.
Colette created a diorama (in back) of a
rescue center for dogs. |
By Victoria Fisher
Colette Russ has never set foot in an animal shelter, but she has an idea of what homeless dogs need.
In Colette's mind, an animal shelter would have a waiting room with cushiony couches where visitors can read newspapers while snuggling up to shelter dogs.
There would be free-roaming dogs with sporadic spots for them to lie down in a bed. A nearby table would be the spot for veterinarians to check out the pooches’ conditions. Kennels would be confined, yet cozy with cheery wallpaper wrapped around every wall.
Assignment from the Heart
Colette was recently given a construction assignment in her first-grade class at Beverly Farms Elementary School in Potomac, Md. Students were asked to construct anything they liked.
While others chose to build houses and boats, Colette made her vision of the perfect "rescue center"—an animal shelter complete with tiny bags of dog food, comfy dog beds and even tiled floors and wallpaper.
With her diorama, Colette gives us a peek at what an animal shelter ought to look like through the eyes of a 7-year-old who wants to be a veterinarian when she grows up.
It's clear from seeing Colette's "Puppy Love Rescue Center" that she thinks animal shelters should look much like a person's home, filled with creature comforts and decorated to make the rooms feel safe and cozy. Of course, in a perfect world, why would shelters be anything less?
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| The HSUS/Michelle Riley |
Humane Hero
Colette, her parents—Elena Suarez Russ and Robin Russ—and her sister, Simone, were on hand at The Humane Society of the United States' Gaithersburg, Md., office May 9, when Colette received a "Humane Hero" certificate of recognition and goody bag for her efforts.
Colette and her sister took time for a romp with one of the many office dogs here, a tan-and-white mutt named Hobbes. Colette's project was put on temporary display for the staff and visitors to the HSUS.
On an index card at the front of her shelter diorama, Colette wrote, "Thousands of dogs are abandoned each year. Adopt a dog from rescue centers like this one!"
The Russ family practices what they preach—they have a rescued beagle named Maggie. Colette says she hopes the family can adopt another dog soon.
"Colette's shelter is made in miniature. But not her idealism," said John Balzar, The HSUS senior vice president for Communications. "Her eyes can see the world the way it should be."
Victoria Fisher is online producer for the Companion Animals section of The HSUS.
