Pat Holmstrom of Monroe talks about his best friend Gustaf, a 12-year-old Jack Russell terrier named after Holmstrom’s father.
Holmstrom was a trapper and wanted a dog to accompany him in his truck. He found an advertisement for a litter of puppies, went to check them out and came home with then 3-month-old Gus. Holmstrom said Gus had a disposition to help and for a long time, he couldn’t get to his truck without Gus waiting there for him. Now, he said Gus would rather stay at home — especially when it’s hot.
Best Friends is a weekly feature designed to highlight a local resident and his or her pets. To suggest
someone for the series, contact Marissa Weiher, photographer, at photo@themonroetimes.com.
Describe Gus’ personality.
He always wants to help do stuff. If Annette is weeding in the garden, he’s looking for snakes to make sure there’s none in there. It’s in the breed — they were used to rid the property of pests — and I think he falls in that category.
What do you and Gus like to do together?
Well, now we just like to sit and relax together. We used to like to go for walks together, but now he’ll take me on a walk, get me 500 yards and then go back to the house and wait for me to get back. When he was younger, there was just no end to it.
What has it been like having Gus in your life?
He’s always been a friend, no matter what happens. He’s the one thing that always likes me. Other people have found fault with me, but he never has, which has been a real comfort.
