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Dogs have a Former Wrestler in their Corner
Home > News and Events > Former Wrestler is a Foster Mom
The woman known as the First Lady of Wrestling is a volunteer foster mom for the nonprofit group Russell Rescue.
By ANNE ARSENAULT
Published August 19, 2005 (City Times, Tampa Florida)
Melissa Hiatt, or Missy Hyatt as she's known in the wrestling world, is accustomed to facing challenges in the ring.
Now she's got one in her back yard.
Hyatt is looking for a family to adopt a 4-year-old Jack Russell terrier named Odie that she rescued from a Polk County animal shelter, moments before workers planned to euthanize him.
As a volunteer foster mom for the nonprofit group Russell Rescue Inc., she provides temporary care for dogs who have been abandoned or abused by their owners.
A former World Championship Wrestling vixen, Hyatt has worked in the sport for 20 years as a wrestler, manager, announcer and event host. Her name pops up in several adult wrestling Web sites as the First Lady of Wrestling.
These days, she spends more time with her dogs than on the wrestling circuit, although she still makes weekend appearances.
Hyatt moved to Palma Ceia a few years ago and began volunteering for Russell Rescue six months ago. She is the group's only foster mom in Tampa and one of five in the state, said Angela Compton, intake coordinator for the Florida affiliate of Russell Rescue based in Maryland.
Hyatt became involved after briefly dating a man who mistreated his Jack Russell terrier, Milo. Hyatt adopted Milo and began reading books on the breed, which is how she learned of Russell Rescue.
Odie, her third foster dog, has been with her for two months. Her first foster dog, Tyler, was adopted within two days. She decided to keep her second one, Jake.
She's not sure why Odie hasn't found a family yet. He is listed on the Web site petfinder.com and has been a featured dog on Russell Rescue's Web site. A few people have called, but no one has pursued the adoption.
"Odie is so smart, he is so intelligent . . . I want him to be the No. 1 dog in a home," Hyatt said.
Hyatt estimates he would cost between $800 and $1,200 if bought in a pet store. Through Russell Rescue, Odie is available for a donation to the organization.
Russell Rescue, like other breed-specific rescue organizations such as Tampa Bay German Shepherd Rescue and Tampa Bay Beagle Rescue, seeks to match dogs with appropriate and responsible owners. Applicants undergo a screening process to ensure the dog will be well cared for.
Jack Russells are often a misunderstood breed, Hyatt said. They're energetic and sometimes hard to train but extremely smart. She'll never have another kind of dog.
"I'll be the little old lady with all the Jack Russells," she said.
Times researcher Cathy Wos contributed to this report.
Source: City Times, Tampa Florida
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