“Hey Grandma, it’s me, Russ. Had another typical day! Staged a protest for more PB at Bark Shak and led a parade down Husky Hill in a fancy hat. Almost fainted seeing a vacuum. Classic me! Despite the panic, wouldn’t give up Spencerville for all the cheesesteaks in Philly! Sending furry hugs. – Fat Russell 🐾”

Listen to the story here

Well, well, we all know Fat Russell, don’t we? And – admittedly, he was as rotund as a pot of honey! In his younger years, that bulldog was one undercover food critic. Ah, the melodrama he’d exhibit every time a slab of corned beef, or better yet, a Philly cheesesteak, was wafted under his snout. His taste buds were classy, so it made sense why those rip-off fast food joints never got a dime from him. Terrible, terrible!

For Russell, going on a jaunt with his crew was like chicken soup for a bulldog soul. And boy, were they a cast – imagine a ragtag troupe of four strutting down Spencerville as if they were right out of a sitcom premiering on Barkflix!

Russell, Fenway, Wrigley, Millie, and Spencer. Their walks were marred with tales of dodging fur-clad pursuers. Their fistfights – I mean, paw fights – were like epic gladiator battles in the sand pit. In comparison, Feathers Fluffy, the Siamese cat, wouldn’t stand a chance!

Despite his larger-than-life personality, Russell had his Achilles heel. Or let’s say, his ‘medicine ball.’ Just one look at the vacuum cleaner or even a whisper of a vet visit and he’d transform into a whirlpool of drama. Russell, the mighty bulldog, a colossal pansy at the sight of clean ears. Unbelievably fiendish, I tell ya!

When he wasn’t nobly enjoying the sun’s rays or hosting a tug-of-war match, Russell was often spotted at the beach. Yes, the beach! Strange for a stout little canine with an irrational fear of water, wasn’t it? Hey, Spencerville’s beach had plenty to offer, like checkered picnic blankets begging to be overrun, and the irresistible smell of the Dog-gone Good BBQ. Who in their right dog mind couldn’t resist?

Spencerville, oh Spencerville! Every quaint nook and cranny filled with the laughter and light Russell and his motley crew brought. Remember that time he staged a doggie protest outside The Bark Shak demanding more peanut butter on their menu? Or when he led a parade down Husky Hill wearing a hat from The Snooty Snout Boutique? Those are stories that legends are made of, my friend.

From The Barkery’s frosted cupcakes to the Northern Choco Chihuahua Castle’s grandeur, and how could I forget those sun-filled afternoons at Brindle Brown Boxer Beach. Spencerville may be a little piece of paradise made perfectly for all our beloved pets, but let me tell you, it was Fat Russell’s spirit that gave this place a pulse!

So, let’s raise our chew toys high, to the spirit of Fat Russell. A one-of-a-kind bulldog that turned Spencerville into his very own playground and made us all believe that yes, dogs do have their day!

The End.