“Malus was so much more than his struggle, and I hope people remember him for all the right reasons.”

When Katrina and Kevin brought their puppy Malus home on New Year’s Day 2020, they looked forward to a lifetime of cuddles, fun, dog sports, and Jack Russell Terrier spunkiness. Since “malus” is both the scientific name for the genus that includes the domesticated orchard apple and the Latin word for “bad” or “wicked,” his loving nickname was “Bad Apple.”

For five and half years, Malus and his people enjoyed training together, watching Glee, and competing and titling in a multitude of activities including Fast CAT, Barn Hunt and Happy Ratters, NASDA (National American Sport Dog Association), NACSW (National Association of Canine Scent Work) and CPE Canine Scent Sport, and tricks, rally, and lure coursing, including yearly trips to JRTCA (Jack Russell Terrier Club of America) Nationals. 

But starting at an early age, Malus had some behavioral quirks that became more serious as he r...