When Russell first brought home his Labrador retriever Emmy at just 8 weeks old, he couldn’t have guessed she’d grow into a neighborhood celebrity. But now, at 7 years old, Emmy has a helicopter tail, a wiggle that won’t quit, and a second home she visits every single day.
“Emmy runs from my house straight to Linda Rose’s to ring the doorbell,” Russell, 39, says. “She wiggles her whole body while waiting, then rushes in for treats, belly rubs, and conversation. She often relaxes in Linda Rose’s living room, like it’s her second home. Her full-body wiggles never get old.”
It all started in 2023, when Emmy decided on her own to trot across the street to visit her neighbors, Linda Rose and her husband, Mark, in Orange County, Calif. Since then, the visits have become a part of daily life.
“She will wait by the door or look at me in the afternoon to let me know she wants to go,” Russel says. “We don’t tell Linda Rose in advance, so it’s always a surprise. Sometimes she isn’t home, but we always go back later, even if it’s after 10 p.m. If we’re both home, there’s never a day Emmy doesn’t see Linda Rose.”
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Eventually, Russell installed a doorbell just for Emmy. First, she practiced on one at home, and within a couple of weeks she mastered it. Then Linda Rose agreed to have one too. “Early on, Emmy would ring it at all hours, even while Linda Rose and Mark were still in bed,” Russell laughs. “I eventually trained her with the command ‘Go See Linda Rose.’ Now she only goes when I give the command.”
The neighbors have fully embraced their furry visitor. “Linda Rose and Mark say it’s the highlight of their day,” Russell says. “They have a water bowl, treats and even gifts ready for her. They’ve told me it never gets old.”
It’s not just the neighbors who’ve fallen for Emmy. Millions online now know her story thanks to Russell’s videos. “Reading thousands of supportive comments from fans also lifts me up if I’m stressed,” he shares. “I’ll never truly know the impact Emmy has had on the millions of people who watch her.”
For him, the joy is simple: “It means everything. Some people assume I’d be jealous, but it just makes me smile. I get messages daily from people saying Emmy’s videos help them through tough times. That inspires me to keep sharing.”
The bond between neighbors has grown too. Linda Rose has become Emmy’s godmother, and she and Mark often dogsit when Russell is on vacation. “I spend more time talking with Linda and Mark than I do with my own parents,” Russell said.
“I want people to know that small acts of connection can mean the world,” Russell said. “Emmy’s daily routines have been viewed over 130 million times, and people never get tired of them.”
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