Family Donates Dog Treats and Toys to Honor Mother’s Legacy

Arizona Humane Society dogs were treated to a lovely surprise in December when the Russo family kindly asked to stop by and donate treats and toys to every single adoptable pup at our Nina Mason Pulliam South Mountain Campus. With them in spirit was their late wife and mother, whose love for animals inspired what the family says will become an annual visit to honor her cherished memory.

From trees and flowers to squirrels and pigs, Hollyann Russo held a deep appreciation for life. Before her untimely passing this year after a long journey with pancreatic cancer, her husband Robert and three daughters Alex, Sammy and Nicky fondly recall her penchant for connecting with all living things, be it a neighborhood chicken or a reactive shelter dog.

“I don’t know what that was about her,” said Robert. “But she had that act where even aggressive dogs would become the most loving with her in minutes.”

The more sick, heartbroken and in need the dogs were, the more Hollyann wanted to help them. Multiple dogs became members of the Russo family throughout Hollyann’s lifetime because of her boundless empathy, and family trips to local animal shelters became a Saturday tradition.

“She would sneak treats in, in her pocket, and I know that’s probably naughty, but it was an outing for us,” Robert said. “We would take our kids with us just to spend time with the dogs, not looking for any recognition. We would sit on the cold concrete, talk to them and play through the cage with them, and they loved it.”

Whether it was the several goldfish saved from the state fair or one of the many dogs that stayed with them throughout the family’s time working with an English Mastiff rescue, the Russo residence was never without a pet. Whatever the animals needed, be it multiple baths to get rid of fleas, intensive wound cleaning or homemade chicken and rice to soothe stomach issues, Hollyann would lovingly oblige.

“Her love for the Humane Society began because you guys would take in all kinds of dogs,” Robert said. “She loved that. Even if you guys were full, you would still try to find homes for them.”

Hollyann wouldn’t discriminate against dogs simply because the love they showed her was just as unconditional. Throughout her cancer treatment, her dogs were always there by her side with no motive other than to provide comfort to their person and her family.

“That’s kind of how she was as a person,” Robert said. “As you got to know her, she was your best friend and would move the world for you. So, when she got sick, it was the animals’ turn to take care of her.”

As her treatment went on and her hospital stays grew longer, Hollyann would look forward to any chance she had to see a dog. Regardless of if they were her own emotional support animals waiting patiently for her at home, or the service dogs that would visit patients staying in the hospital, the pups never failed to cheer her up. When it came time for Hollyann to finally rest, her family knew that the more traditional ways we go about memorializing a life weren’t what she would have wanted.

“I knew she wouldn’t want flowers,” Robert said. “She liked flowers. Don’t get me wrong. But like she said, ‘When I pass, what are those flowers for?’ She wasn’t big into spending all kinds of money for a funeral and all that. She asked, ‘If you could do anything for the dogs after I pass, that’d be awesome.’”

And the Russos did just that. Thank you to Robert, Alex, Sammy, Nicky and Hollyann Russo for all you do to support the Valley’s most vulnerable pets, in this life and the next.