She seemed so good with them on the show - every time Rusty swam, for example, she so sweetly wrapped him up in a towel.

Do you think she really loved them?

Yes, Donna Douglas was a bona fide pet lover and in her last years spent much time volunteering at the animal shelter in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

She was such a sweet person. You could tell she had a true, kind heart.

She was such a sweet person. You could tell she had a true, kind heart.
I agree. So sad when she died. One of the true greats.

No doubt Miss Douglas definitely DID like critters because there's no way the critters themselves wouldn't have let her know it if she didn't like 'em- and the camera would have picked up on it. I don't recall any of them either struggling to get away from her or being hostile to her oncamera!

It's strange but Donna Douglas seemed to become Ellie Mae in real life. We always read and hear about actors/actresses who hate the TV role they are most identified with (Fred Gwynne, Tina Louise, George Reeves, Ray Walston, Margorie Lord for example), but there are a few who embrace and almost become the character they played. Alan Hale seemed to become the Skipper in real life, Clayton Moore, the Lone Ranger, Betty Lynn, Thelma Lou.

Her character was based on Linda Kaye Henning, a true animal lover. Many years later, Linda as an adult worked as a docent at the San Diego Zoo.

Her character was based on Linda Kaye Henning, a true animal lover. Many years later, Linda as an adult worked as a docent at the San Diego Zoo.

REALLY? I never knew that!