Jim and Celeste Mustello love their dog Buck not just because he's smart. He's also a very happy dog and his smile lights up the neighborhood when they go for walks.
Jim and Celeste Mustello got their dog Buck, who is a black and white Corgi, from a breeder in Spokane, picking him out from a new litter. He's now 13 years old and it's been a fun time with him, growing up with twins Laura and Nichole and son Tony.
"Sometimes Buck is too smart for his own good," Celeste said. "One time he actually dug through the kitchen linoleum floor, but we found out that the light underneath the floor had been making a hum. It wasn't until we came home one time without the kids and we heard it. It was bothering him. Sometimes you have to pay attention to your pets. They might be trying to tell you something."
You may notice in the photo that Buck appears to be smiling. Celeste thinks that he could have been a "therapy dog because he always looks like he's smiling. People always tell us that. When he's smiling it makes people smile too."
Buck gets a specialty diet from Mud Bay in the Admiral District and his treats come from there too. "He especially likes the 'greenies', " Jim explained, which are a dental cleaning treat.
Even though he's 13 Buck can still do tricks he learned when he was mere pup, rolling over, playing dead, shaking hands and high fiving on command.
Buck gets along with most everyone, even cats, "but they're not interested in him," Jim said.
Interestingly enough, the family also has a hedgehog as a pet but that's sort of where he draws the line. "He and Buck have been introduced," said Celeste, "and he got some quills poked into his nose one time. It keeps him from getting too close anymore."
There's a basket of toys for Buck, (his favorites are the soft ones) which he will retrieve...but only a couple of times. "Then he says, 'that was fun, I'm done now, do I get a treat?, Jim said laughing.
How to nominate your pet for Pet of the Week:
Want to nominate your pet for Pet of the Week? Stop by the VCA West Seattle Animal Hospital at 5261 California Ave. S.W. and just ask for a form. A nomination is not a guarantee of appearance and your name and photo may appear in our newspaper and online.
Photos may or may not be used and our "Pet Reporter" may be in touch with you to arrange to take a photo. Pets nominated will be chosen on the basis of uniqueness of the pet and the quality of the story and information submitted.
