Ruddell Bird "Rudd" Weatherwax (September 23, 1907 – February 25, 1985) was an animal trainer. He trained dogs for movies and television. He trained a collie named Pal for the 1943 MGM movie "Lassie Come Home". Pal appeared in six other MGM "Lassie" movies. He also trained Pal and his male descendants for the "Lassie" television series (1954-1974). He trained Spike for the 1957 Disney movie "Old Yeller". He also trained Homer, the unofficial New York Mets team mascot in the 1960s.