Rescue Buddy Boarding & Beyond

Here Comes the Sun

2012-02-09T18:32:00.001-06:00

Lots of dogs enjoying the sunshine over here this week. Our boy Mister is back. He quickly found a perch so he can watch over the flamingos. It was great having him visit us again.

Our Pet Haven foster dog Spike is loving life. He has a home visit on Saturday. Keep your fingers crossed this is a forever home for him.. He like all the homeless dogs deserves the best.

Our new Pet Haven foster dog, Walker, joined us on Sunday. Karen from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue named him Walker in hopes he would walk normally someday. He would only scoot on his back because he was so terrified from being horribly abused by humans and other dogs. Guess it worked because he is not only walking.........

....but running and playing. Here is he is playing with Phoenix who came for daycare today. It still amazes me how dogs who are horribly abused can bounce back so quickly with food, water, love, and a little patience. They teach me lessons everyday. I love my "job".

What Does NOT Belong?

2012-01-31T10:50:00.000-06:00

You caught me. I am still using the Christmas tablecloth for Valentine's Day. What beagle?

Spike and Phoenix

2012-01-26T20:27:00.000-06:00

Well look who came out to play today with our current Pet Haven foster Spike. Phoenix was here for the day and it was heartwarming to see these two having so much fun with each other. For those of you who do not know these two, click on their names to read some former posts. Both had rough lives not that long ago. Just goes to show how living in the moment can heal the body and the soul. Who knows maybe they will be seeing even more of each other. Shhh secret plans. more later.

2011 in Review

2011-12-31T14:01:00.000-06:00

Looking back on 2011.....

We fostered three dogs for Pet Haven. Tug took 9 months to find his forever home but he finally did!!

Angelica came to us from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. She was adopted in about two weeks.

Ash was also a RLRR dog. He was so energetic-the opposite of Angelica. He was adopted a couple of weeks ago Happy new lives to all. Looking forward to getting a new foster dog soon.

In June we had a family reunion to celebrate Walker's graduation. It was fabulous to have everyone together.

Walker graduated with honors and went on to study at the U of M. He has finished his first semester and is interested in continuing his studies in anthropology. He has a band and is writing lots of music.

Rescue Buddy Boarding & Beyond had many guests through the year. We had 'old timers' like Toby and

Mister visit often.

And some new tails too like Edna and Captain.

We are saddened by the passing of one of our guests, Jack, who crossed the rainbow bridge this past year. Jack, you were loved and are still missed every day.

As we reflect on 2011 we are grateful for our family, friends and for all the furry kids that come to visit. Here's to some big changes in 2012! Stay tuned. Happy Peaceful New Year to all!

Simon Says.....

2011-12-29T11:08:00.000-06:00

Hey, let's play 'Simon Says'. I will be Simon of course.

Oh that sounds really fun!

I am bored already.

Come on Buddy, it will be a blast!! Simon says, "time to play".

Good everyone. Way to try to join in Frannie. Buddy?????

Let me know when Simon says it is time to eat.

Simon says, "nap time".

You all got it!

Sorry Chloe, I said nap time. You are out. Where is that Buddy.

I am sure I heard you say, "time to eat a carrot". My bad. I'm out. Boo Hoo!!

All that playing director has made me really sleepy. Simon says, let's play more after lunch. ZZZZ

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T11:31:00.000-06:00

Merry Christmas to all from Rescue Buddy Boarding & Beyond! And many adventures in 2012!!

We have quite a crew here for the holiday week. And ALL are rescue dogs. Chloe is our newest guest. She was adopted from the humane society. Lucky girl! She is so playful.

And then there is our beauty Fran, a Pet Haven alum. She calmly keeps everyone in line without them really knowing she is the boss.

Here is a photo I call 'oreo'. The black dog on the right is Fran's brother Scout. He is quite the smiler. Fran even smiled at Walker the other morning.

No Dave I did not forget Jakey, another Pet Haven alum. The puppy Chloe really tires him out. Jake was returned three times before his original foster adopted him forever.

The dogs love Walker. We had a calm Christmas eve here at home. Off to see family this afternoon. Thank you to all our families for letting us take care of your little furballs.

Gideon and Bishop-see you tomorrow! Chloe is waiting.

One last note. I wanted to say Merry Forever Home to our last foster dog, Asher. Your Christmases will be bright from now on buddy. Looking forward to our next foster dog in a couple of weeks. If anyone is interested in getting involved in rescue in the new year please email me at dogs@pethavenmn.org.
Have a lovely Christmas Day!

Calmness.....it happens

2011-12-01T11:04:00.001-06:00

Calmness does happen here quite often. But it is something most customers do not see when they pick up or drop off their furry family members. So here is a video to show how serene five dogs can be. Ho Ho Hum. This is especially for Simon's mom who probably wonders if he gets bowled over by the big guys.

Cyber Monday

2011-11-28T16:45:00.001-06:00

Since it is Cyber Monday I thought it was time to post a blog entry about our Thanksgiving weekend. It was a full house with Buddy, Ash, Edna, Monster, and little Simon the Pug. As with any party everyone congregates in the kitchen. Does anyone smell turkey?

It was such a lovely day outside that Ron cooked the turkey on the grill. We sat out on the patio with the dogs most of the day. Funny there are no dogs in this picture.

Edna was not too fond of Ron and continued to bark at him. But once he took the turkey out of the fridge she was instantly his best friend. Until dinner was over and he took the leftover meat out to his car. Then the barking resumed. Silly girl.

Where is MY turkey??? Not you Ron, sorry.

We watched a lot of football. Ash our Pet Haven foster dog could do a better job than the Vikings. But hey Minnesota won. Go Gophers!!!!!

There was a lot of dog play this weekend. Rescue Buddy Boarding is so thankful for all of our great doggie guests and their families. It is truly a pleasure to take care of your furry loved ones.

To close, one of my favorite photos of Simon. This sums up how we spent a few hours each day dreaming of turkey and pie. Sweet dreams to all!

Remembering My Dad

2011-11-06T10:52:00.000-06:00

Repost of former blog entry:

Today marks the fifth anniversary of my dad's passing over the rainbow bridge to collect his favorite dog, Buster, so they could continue on in the afterlife together. I miss him dearly. He and my mom were married for over 55 years and my mom still lives in the same house they first bought in 1949. Dad loved his family and worked hard to provide for us.

Dad enjoyed camping, hunting, and spending time with his family at the cabin. He loved a good party because he was such a talker. Cabin gatherings on the Missouri River all summer long gave him many opportunities to chat up to 100 friends at a time. I can still feel his presence at every cabin celebration.

Dad was a strong man that needed to be busy. He was a plumber by trade. He fixed cars, built cabins, and remodeled homes. When he would come for a visit I would have to line up projects for him to do. He would start on one right after carrying in the suitcases.

Yes my dad was always working on something and was always ready to help out a friend with a leaky pipe or a broken lawnmower. Unfortunately it was this hard work around a lot of asbestos products that led him to develop a rare but deadly form of lung cancer called mesothelioma. This is a slow growing cancer that can take 40 years to develop symptoms. If you or anyone you know has been exposed to asbestos please seek medical and legal advice.

Vie Leonard Jr: Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Uncle, Friend

The Leonard Legacy will live on in your grandchildren, Melinda, Michelle, Walker, AJ and Cory. Your memory will remain with us forever. We love you.

An Angel Foster Dog

2011-10-11T12:23:00.000-05:00

Our newest Pet Haven foster dog is just an angel. And she is named appropriately Angelica. She is around 9 months old and a mix of many breeds-possibly shep, beagle, corgi, collie. A real Heinz 57 of sweetness.

Angelica came from Ponemah on the Red Lake Reservation. Karen Good of Red Lake Rosie's Rescue saved her after she was surrendered at a MNSNAP spay/neuter clinic. She was from a hoarder situation and came in 10lbs underweight. As seen here her ribs were sticking out. After only two weeks of good nutrition Angelica is already on her way to her ideal weight of 42lbs.

Even with her terrible past Angelica is a velcro dog. She loves her humans and will always roll over for a belly rub. It is like she is trying to make up for all the months she never got petted. Angelica gets along great with other dogs and cats but does not know how to play yet.

This is her favorite place in the house. She picked the biggest bed available and stretches out the full length of it. Angelica is calm in the house. She is housetrained and walks well on a leash. She is crate trained too but she can be left out while you are away.

We are looking for a family that has someone home a good part of the day so Angelica can continue to flourish. And a playful dog would help her learn the good things about being a pup. If you would like to apply for this angel please follow this link. Until she finds the perfect home we will continue to enjoy her.

Hello Fall

2011-09-23T18:29:00.010-05:00

It has been a full house this week. The last week of summer and first day of fall. Cool crisp days were perfect to get outside for playtime. What a handsome group of pooches.

This was Captain the basset's first time visiting. He fit right in with his easy going style.

Captain was a good match for Gracie who has to be the queen bee most of the time. His short little legs had a hard time keeping up with the speed of the border collie/husky mix.

Gracie and Lucy got reacquainted. The pair had been here together one time before. Lucy was a little timid at first but Gracie had her romping around in no time. Lucy is also a border collie mix so their energy is similar-very high!!!

Ahhhhh! Finally naptime.

See you next year summer.

Bye bye Labor Day!

2011-09-05T23:04:00.001-05:00

Good night summer. See you next year.

Sizzling July in Review

2011-07-31T20:19:00.011-05:00

Wow it has been a hot and crazy busy month of July this year. I think the heat has dulled my brain. For some reason blog posting seems much harder in this humidity. Buddy knows how to find a cool spot though.

We have had lots of dogs visiting. Some new friends like Edna here. Her sister Sadie is a Pet Haven alum.

Tug our foster beagle and Edna were buds.

Mister stayed with us a few times. Once even his sister Missy came with him. Imagine that.

It was a little crazy here that 4th of July weekend so I did not get any pics. But for those of you who have never seen the beautiful Missy here is a great shot of her.

Sweetest girl dog ever Cocoa relaxed in the AC. We love the senior dogs.

Ending up the month with the dynamic duo of Frannie and Scout.

At least the heat is good for ripening the tomatoes. Yum! Bring on August!

Month of Celebrating!

2011-06-26T18:01:00.015-05:00

Starting at the end of May and going through June we have been celebrating family reunions, last days of school, graduation, and birthdays. Andy and his family surprised us with a rare Minnesota visit over Memorial Day weekend. Mom was already up here. The Leonard family has not been all together for a couple of years.

We had breakfast at my house.

And continued the party at Michelle's for dinner.

We ate cake...

...and more cake.

We celebrated Walker's high school graduation.

And his 18th birthday. Mine too but many more years than that.

Friends gathered.

Family shared. What a fabulous month long celebration.

Now the hats have been thrown. And the presents have been opened. Walker and I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to join us along the way. We feel blessed to have such loving support.

Birthday Boy

2011-06-23T22:36:00.002-05:00

Happy 18th birthday Walker! It has been a busy fun day. Presents for breakfast, shopping for the Nook Color, King Tut exhibit, dinner at a Mongolian Grill, and Dairy Queen ice cream cake.

Love you to the moon and back, mom.

Happy Father's Day

2011-06-19T10:35:00.002-05:00

Happy Father's Day everyone! Miss you dad.

Full House

2011-06-17T14:05:00.008-05:00

Can you find 5 brown dogs?

Welcome Lucy!

Gracie is ready to pounce.

Hey no dogs in the tomatoes!

Indoor playtime! The girls will romp for hours.

Some other dog is hogging the couch so I am day dreaming about going to college.

Uh oh, Tug found the perfect place for a nap. If you look closely I think you can see Simon pouting.

Simon finally got "his spot" back. He has not moved since. Smart boy.

Happy Mother's Day

2011-05-08T12:41:00.003-05:00

Happy Mother's Day mom. I heard you did well at the Kentucky Derby yesterday. I am waiting for your return. Love Toby!

Proud to be an American!

2011-05-02T10:27:00.002-05:00

Easter Buddy

2011-04-22T11:10:00.001-05:00

Happy Easter weekend from Rescue Buddy Boarding & Beyond!

It's Raining Boy Dogs

2011-04-15T12:08:00.009-05:00

Look who is back. It is Jake the wonder dog. Check out his Pet Haven bio.

With all these boy dogs there is a lot of pee mail to check and deliver.

Hobey a Pet Haven alum and Jake. New BFFs.

Sitting pretty for mid-afternoon treats.

Hobey can hardly keep his eyes open.

Jakie is all snuggled in for nap time.

Sweet Prince

2011-04-02T21:18:00.007-05:00

When we first met you were only a tiny pup
full of joy and light.
We were only together a short time
but I fell for you.
When it was time for us to part you did not look back.
Your mom promised to take good care of you.
It is what you deserved.

They all do.
Those who can not speak for themselves.
Those who put their trust in us.
Those who come into our homes
as part of our family.
They all do.

Today, sweet prince we meet again.
Your body is ravaged with mange.
Your ribs protrude.
Your leg is broken.
Your face is torn up.

And yet
your tail still wags
your ears perk up and
your spirit shines through
all the horrors of your past.
Today sweet prince we meet again.

You have a new family now.
We promise to take good care of you.

We will love you, heal you, protect you.
It is what you deserve.

Today sweet prince we meet again
and I fell for you all over again.

TV Interview with Karen on Kare 11 Today show MONDAY!!

2011-03-28T09:11:00.002-05:00

Karen Good from Red Lake Rosie's will be featured on KARE 11 today around 11:30. It is a 3 minute live spot so please tune in to learn more about the wonderful work Karen does.

Karen Good of Red Lake Rosie's Rescue will be interviewed on the Kare 11 Today show on Monday, March 28, 2011. TV show starts at 11 a.m. and Karen expects to appear at about 11:30 with Ah-nung as a RLRR ambassador dog. Marilou of Pet Haven adopted Ah-nung and he has become a therapy dog.

Simon Says

2011-03-26T22:19:00.002-05:00

Simon is here again but this time for a whole weekend. He has been enjoying the company of Buddy and Tug. He brought his own very stylish leopard blankie. Kind of matches this hip dude's personality don't you think. Simon says "Hi mom".

Spring has sprung!

2011-03-18T12:54:00.003-05:00

Cocoa enjoying the sun in her face.

Uh oh, here comes trouble. Look what the snow piles gave up.

Look, look! Grass!

And sticks! Wow the back yard is a whole new playground these days.

Happy St Patrick's Day!

2011-03-17T09:23:00.004-05:00

Tug O'Shanter here wishing you all a happy and safe St Patrick's Day. I had a great home visit yesterday. Maybe the luck of the Irish will be on my side and I will soon be in my forever home. Where is that blarney stone when you need it. Have a good one today. Love Tug

Hot Coco in the Snow

2011-03-08T10:29:00.003-06:00

Hi dad, Coco here. Just wanted you to know I am having a good time at Rescue Buddy. We go out to play in the snow several times a day. I love to eat the new white stuff. Do not worry about me. I have lots of dogs to play with. And more snow on the way too. See ya!

Pet Haven Adoption Event March 5th

2011-03-04T17:38:00.003-06:00

Tug is back visiting for the weekend. Please come out and meet him during the Pet Haven adoption event tomorrow Saturday March 5th at the Minnetonka Petco from 11-1pm.

Shhh! He is resting up for his big day. See you there.

Oh and the small dogs will be at the Chuck & Don's Calhoun.

Pet Haven Second Chance Sale

2011-03-03T10:50:00.006-06:00

This Sunday, March 6th, Pet Haven is having a "second chance" sale. This is your chance to buy items that were not sold at the Fall Benefit for at least 50% off! That's right; gift certificates for restaurants, hotel stays and even dog day care!

Calendars will be on sale too. Suzy pictured above is one of the calendar models for June.

Here is the address:2324 University Ave W, St Paul MN 1:00-3:00
Call 612.860.2193 if you have any questions.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-14T09:33:00.002-06:00

Tug would love a new family to call his very own for Valentine's Day. Check out his Pet Haven bio. He will love you forever.

Let's Go!

2011-02-08T12:02:00.005-06:00

Tug sticks out his tongue at the frigid temps. "Let's go out anyway!!"

Ok here we go. Tug is always up for a game of fetch.

Monster found a really big stick buried in the snow. A little too big for me to throw though.

Here is a little frigid romping to keep the doggies warm.

La Buddy

2011-01-24T11:35:00.002-06:00

Thanks to Marilou, Ahnung, Mister, and Missy for Buddy's snazzy monogrammed blanket. Tug usually sits in this chair but today Buddy decided he wanted to get a spot in the sun. Happy Birthday my sweet boy.(Only a couple weeks late.)

Rambling.........in an empty house

2011-01-14T14:05:00.005-06:00

Wow what a whirlwind the last couple of months have been. Mom went home to NE this morning. It is kind of quiet around here now. Mister is in his normal napping pose.

Does not matter how much snow we get Buddy is always ready to play fetch. Problem is we can not find any of the tennis balls. But Buddy did hunt this one up somewhere.

Ahnung and Marilou are off buying a new house today. Congrats to them. They will be back later for dinner.

Tug went to another potential home for a few days. Tomorrow he will be coming back to stay with us. We are excited to have him here until he finds the perfect family that understands what it is like to live with a beagle.

Well maybe it is not a completely empty house after all. Buddy is wondering what we have planned for his birthday tomorrow.

Happy New Year and Happy Birthday mom!

2011-01-01T19:33:00.008-06:00

Wow the celebrating continues over here. We had Christmas week with Ahnung, Tug, Gideon and Bishop. Oh and Buddy of course.

Tug is resting up after all the New Year's festivities. Actually we stayed home but he looks like he had a long night. He cut his pad on a broken glass getting into the trash. Such a beagle!!

Tomorrow, January 2nd, is mom's 83rd birthday. Happy Birthday mom! We are off to have Greek food. Yum! And more celebrating.

Mom is up here for a couple more weeks getting her dog fix. Bishop spent a lot of time snuggling with her on the couch. Thanks mom for all your help with the doggies.

Happy 1-1-11 every-1! The best is yet to come!

This is More Like It!

2010-12-07T11:02:00.007-06:00

Buddy was thrilled to have Gideon and Bishop visit for the day.

Even though it is not even 20 degrees outside we have been going out every hour to romp in the snow.

When the paws get cold we come in and it is time for doggie TV.

Ahnung just wants to go back inside right away. She says she has spent most of her life outside in the cold up north. And now she is ready for the warm soft dog beds.

Nap time in the sun. Awww!

Where is Everyone?

2010-12-01T11:48:00.003-06:00

Hello, Hello???? Is anyone out there? I am all by myself. What happened to everyone?? It is VERY quiet around here. Not sure what to do. Guess I will take a nap.

Thanksgiving Week 2010

2010-11-26T16:39:00.010-06:00

It has been quite a busy Thanksgiving week. Not much time for blogging. We have had six visiting dogs at various times and a couple of human guests too. The week started with Fran-Pet Haven alum sight hound, Scout her labbie brother, and Tug our Pet Haven foster beagle. Oh and La Buddy, of course.

Then Mister and Geordie both Pet Haven alums joined us to liven up the pack.

Tug was a little overwhelmed by all the big dogs so he got to go to his former foster's home for Thanksgiving. Thanks to them for including Tug in their festivities.

Last but certainly not least came famous Ahnung-Mister's sister,Pet Haven alum, and therapy dog. She has her own blog and Facebook page. Oh yeah that is her owner Marilou in the photo.

We did take time to enjoy a delicious and super casual meal. Even Walker was able to join us after work. Thanks Ron for doing all the cooking. What do you NOT see in this picture? All dogs were napping through our dinner. What a Thanksgiving treat.

To all of our loyal customers we would like to say how grateful we are that you let us care for your dogs while you are away. Thank you!!!

Tug Needs a Home!

2010-11-19T15:22:00.004-06:00

Tug did his best to charm everyone he met at the Pet Haven fall benefit on Saturday. Now he is waiting for his adoring fans to take him home forever. OK he just needs one fan to fall in love with him. Just look at that face. Who can resist.

Come on out Saturday Nov 20th to meet Tug at the Richfield Petco adoption event from 10-12. Tug will be signing paw-o-graphs. See you there!

Thank You Veterans!

2010-11-11T11:26:00.002-06:00

Thinking about my dad today. The flag is hung in his honor. Thank you too all veterans. I am truly humbled by your service.

Tug the Wonder Beagle

2010-11-08T11:22:00.010-06:00

Tug the Wonder Beagle is our newest foster dog. He is 8 years old, a perfect size at about 28lbs, and not much of a barker. Here is more info about adopting Tug from Pet Haven.

Tug has two favorite pass times. One is napping on the couch or dog bed in the sun. The other is playing fetch with this top dog disk. He loves to play fetch so much it is like Tug is a Labrador retriever in a beagle suit.

"Don't you see that?"

"ready, set...........

...oops!"

"Where did that thing go? It has to be here somewhere."

"Yippee!! Found it, found it!! Throw it, throw it , throw it!"

"Whoa that took a lot out of me. Better rest up for the next playtime. zzzzzzz!!"

Cosmos Meets his Twin.

2010-11-04T17:54:00.003-05:00

Cosmos and Mister are visiting today. Can you guess which one is which? Yes that is Comos on the right. He is being fostered through Secondhand Hounds. You can learn more about adopting him here. He is a typical Red Lake boy with just the sweetest temperament, very calm, easy going and gets along great with the other dogs. Come meet him at the adoption event this weekend.

Friday Full House

2010-10-29T13:01:00.012-05:00

Dogs are a blur as they run around enjoying the great fall day. Yeah the sun is out again.

Gideon and Bishop came to spend the day to burn off some energy. And Gideon does a great job keeping keeping the pace brisk.

Brother brawl.

Monster meets Gideon.

Our Pet Haven foster dog , Darvin, loves the extra company.

La Buddy just wants to make sure he gets his dinner on time. Oh Buddy! Now let's get out there a play some more.

Monster is Visiting

2010-10-26T15:18:00.009-05:00

Well it has been over a month since the last post. Life with dogs gets so busy and time just flies. Thought it appropriate to post during the week of Halloween about my niece's dog Monster's visit.

This is his first extended stay with us. He has been over for dinner before with my niece so he is somewhat familiar with the place.

Monster is used to napping by himself during the workday while his parents are away. Sometimes he sneaks up to my bedroom and naps on my bed. Buddy is the only other dog that does that. Must be a Leonard family thing.

Even though it is hard to see in this photo there are plenty of playmates for Monster to romp around with. Buddy, our foster dog Darvin, and our boy Mister are more than happy to have a game of chase or tug.

On a cold and rainy day like today it is good to have a pal to snuggle up with.

Hi mom and dad!!! See you on Halloween.

Charlie Needs a Home

2010-09-20T10:50:00.007-05:00

Charlie is our new Pet Haven foster dog. He came from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue where he was an unwanted stray. We are guessing he is part springer and part husky or aussie-just because of his striking blue eyes. Nothing about his calm easy going personality is anything like any of those breeds' temperaments.

Charlie is a great size, only 40lbs. He is full grown and around a year old. We are working on crate training but Charlie is already house trained. As you can see from the photo his tail looks like a pony tail. The vet thought it might have been broken in a car door. It does not hurt him and wags just fine.

Charlie gets along with other dogs and kids of all ages. He would do best in a home where someone is home part time. The more people in the family the better. Also another dog would help Charlie gain some confidence. We do not know about cats but so far Charlie has not shown any prey drive.

If Charlie sounds like the dog for you please check out his bio for more information. Until he finds that perfect home we are thrilled to enjoy this sweet boy.

9/11

2010-09-11T10:31:00.003-05:00

We remember, honor, and try to make the world a better place.

Good Bye Summer 2010

2010-09-06T21:13:00.008-05:00

Growing up in Nebraska, Labor Day weekend meant the unofficial end of summer. The boat was packed away. No more water skiing or late night bonfires. And mom's killer punch was only a foggy memory. The cabin was still open for a couple more months but the huge gatherings turned into just a few guests. Instead of beach volleyball the Huskers football games blared on the radio. Even though it could still be bikini weather no one donned one again until Memorial Day of the following year.

For the past 20+ years I have lived in Minnesota without a weekend cabin, boat, or water skis. But still when Labor Day weekend rolls around I automatically turn my thoughts toward autumn. Walker and I go to the Minnesota State Fair as our tradition. We look at canned pickles and huge pumpkins, seed art and fine art, eat Cini Minis and Pronto Pups, walk for miles and ride the Skyride back. And then summer is over when the midway goes dark. Tonight has always been a bittersweet night for me. Sad to see summer go but also excited to see what fall has in mind. Happy Labor Day weekend everyone!

Heidi

2010-09-02T15:41:00.004-05:00

Heidi, my niece's rescued Saint, came to visit us last week while Melinda went back to Omaha, our hometown. This was the first time since she was adopted that Heidi had been away from her family. While a little nervous-as much as a Saint can ever be-she settled in quite well for most of her stay. The heat also had her laying low. Nothing like wearing a fur coat on a 90 degree day.

Our boy Mister visited for a day. Heidi was not too interested in a new boyfriend so they mostly ignored each other.

Heidi was so excited to see her family when they came to get her. She was prancing and rearing up on her hind legs as if to say "I thought you were never coming back". We look forward to having Heidi over again.

Jack and Geordie Continued

2010-08-23T20:38:00.013-05:00

Jack and Geordie have been staying with us for two weeks now and their family is due home tomorrow.We have so enjoyed getting to know these great boys.

They both love to be outside and even in the heat Jack will spend some time in the sun.

The AC has been going though for when Jack finally comes inside to cool down. As you can see he chooses the tiny bed over the big pillow. Silly boy.

Geordie was geared up for the big Brett debut in the Vikings game Sunday night. We all tired of it WAY before it was over.

Both of these dogs have helped welcome and entertain lots of other dogs during their two week stay. There was Simon the pug,

our boy Mister,

Golden boy Dudley,

the "other" Jack,

and Pet Haven foster dog Chester.

Here is a little video for their family who we are sure misses them very much. We will miss the boys too.
.

Busy Weekend Fun

2010-08-14T12:19:00.007-05:00

It is a full house this weekend here at Rescue Buddy Boarding & Beyond. Business is picking up thanks to word of mouth advertising and blogging. And a Facebook entry now and then. Not even room for a foster dog till fall.

Geordie and Dudley are the youngsters and were immediate friends. They have been chasing each other around the back yard all morning. The newly placed mulch went flying. No wonder I can never keep grass in the backyard.

The two Jacks are the elders of the group. Oh and total furballs. Got to keep those boys cool. Thrilled to have the temps and humidity down to bearable ranges. I am not much for the AC but the dogs have to have it.

Buddy finds a shady spot under the chair to take a rest from all the racing around. Thanks to everyone for trusting us with your furkids.

August 11, 2010

2010-08-11T12:20:00.008-05:00

Simon is back visiting for daycare these past couple of days. He loves to smell around all over the backyard. He is not too interested in what the other dogs are up to. He is snoring away at my feet in the AC.

Jack and Simon the two senior boys taking it easy after a romp outside. The heat is too much for all of us.

Geordie loves the chew toys. He is still a young boy and is very playful. What a shiny coat he has now-a long way from a dumpster puppy.

And a photo of Buddy in the snow to cool us all down. And to remind us that the heat never lasts.

Nap Time in the AC

2010-08-09T13:37:00.008-05:00

In this hot hot weather the dogs are somewhat low key. It is nap time more often these days inside in the AC.

This is the first time Jack, Pet Haven alum, has been left since his parents adopted him last Sept. He made himself right at home on the couch. Too bad my mom went home. She could have had a couch companion.

Geordie, also a Pet Haven alum and Jack's brother, is comfy right in front of the AC. He was one of a litter of puppies that was left in a dumpster in rural Iowa. He and his littermates were the first blog entry of the Pet Haven blog. Look at him now.

And then there is our boy Mister in his famous pose. I wonder how many photos I have of him in just this same position. Makes me smile every time.

Unlike the rest of the crew on their soft spots, La Buddy, who is very much in need of a haircut, prefers to nap on the bare floor. He gets too hot with all that long poodle hair. Next on list-call groomer. Oh and maybe a nap myself. Stay cool everyone. We are.

It's a busy summer.

2010-08-02T18:52:00.015-05:00

What a busy last couple of weeks it has been here at Rescue Buddy Boarding. Too busy to even sit down and write about what has been going on. Among our guests we had a dog come for the day while his dad went swimming nearby, a dog come for overnight while her family went camping an hour away, and a dog come for several days while his parents went all the way to the Bahamas.

Simon came for a few hours to see how he liked being away from his mom. He gets nervous when he is left alone. He did just fine here and hopefully can come again soon.

Gracie joined us for a few days. She has come so far since she was first adopted. Being a husky/border collie mix she needs a high level of activity throughout the day. She also likes to boss Buddy around which he surprisingly does not mind.

Jack and Mister both frequent visitors joined us for several days. Mister is the dog whose parents went to the Bahamas to swim with dolphins. How cool is that?? Oh yeah and my mom is here too for a few weeks. And yes she is still kitting sweaters for the dogs at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. To date she has finished over 100.

Scout, black lab, and his Pet Haven alum sister, Fran, sight hound, are our newest guests. Scout and Mister could hardly stop playing for three days. It is great to see Fran again. What a love she is. Makes sense why her foster adopted her.

Mister and Buddy got a bath at the Galaxy Drive In dog wash fundraiser for Pet Haven. Buddy does not look very happy in this photo but he really enjoyed 'swimming' in the puppy pool. More to come on this adventure in a later post.

Last but not least the All Stars returned and played a great gig at Mears Park in downtown St Paul with the rest of the School of Rock Road Crew.

The summer is flying by. We have a busy month of August to look forward to before summer's end. And LOTS more tomatoes to harvest. Enjoy!

All Alone Ramblings

2010-07-15T12:01:00.006-05:00

Wow what is that I hear...........? Nothing! Yes nothing! It is just me here for the first time in I can not remember when.

Buddy is at Lake Harriet Vet having a dental. So he is gone for the day. Nothing terribly wrong with his teeth. He is 5 1/2 and never had his teeth cleaned so I thought it was time. I am looking for a dentist that will totally put me under for my trip to the drill master.

Walker is on his School of Rock tour for two weeks. The group is playing their first concert today in Houston. Rock On! They are scheduled to play Station 4 in St Paul on the 22nd. Cant't wait.

We are between foster dogs right now. Pet Haven just took in 7 new dogs so I wanted to make sure they all stay put before taking in a new dog. I did transport one of our recent intakes, Chester, today to Auntie Ruth's-one of our boarding partners. He is a sweet boy about 5 years old and a good size-40lbs.

Our next boarding guest Gracie arrives tomorrow morning. Buddy will be happy to have a playmate again.

So it is just me today doing whatever I want to do or need to do without dogs. Wonder what the day will bring? I know it is way too quiet around here.

Happy 4th of July!

2010-07-04T10:23:00.014-05:00

Today I am remembering so many past 4th of July parties at our family cabin on the Missouri river in Nebraska. Mom and dad would work for days before the party to clean, cook, and clear the beach for volleyball, swimming, and boating.

They loved every minute of their time there.

There would be 50-100 guests come to take part in the festivities and mom's 'killer punch'. Dad would pull skiers for hours until everyone had their turn. Now my brother Andy has taken dad's place at the helm.

Mom still enjoys the parties but now she can sit back and relax while other do all the work. Granddaughter Michelle drove all the way from Minnesota to join in the fun.

I can feel my dad close by whenever I am at the cabin. I know he is watching down on us and loving that the family continues to gather at the river.

This year I will be watching Walker play music at the Taste of Minnesota. Quite a ways from Nebraska but once again on the banks of a river.
Happy 4th of July everyone!

June is our anniversary month!

2010-06-30T11:44:00.011-05:00

Rescue Buddy Boarding & Beyond is one year old this month. We have been so busy that the month has flown by without even a mention of this milestone. Not a party, cake, or balloons.

But what we have been doing is providing a home away from home for former rescue dogs and helping homeless dogs find their new families. So in our own way we have been celebrating everyday by inviting dogs into our home and having successful adoptions.

To date we have had 15 foster dogs spend time here this past year. 13 of them already placed with adopters. We do have two adorable 14 week old male springer/beagle puppies that are looking for families. Buster and Romeo will be attending the Pet Haven large dog adoption event this Saturday July 3rd at the Minnetonka Petco from 10-12. They would love to meet you.

We did hand out one award of a free one night stay to one of our favorite guests for the "first and most frequent visitor". Guess who it is? Yes that would be 'our' boy Mister. He has some separation anxiety when left too long. So when his family travels or has extended work days Mister comes to hang out with La Buddy and his pals.

When Mister first started visiting he was nervous and did some crazy stuff like chomping on one of my beaded sculptures. But since then he feels right at home, even knowing he is in the neighborhood on the car ride over.

Mister was the first dog to sleep in the new puppy porch last summer.

And he makes himself at home on top of the couch. This is his official watchdog position. We would like to thank Mister's parents and all the doggie parents who trust us with your furkids.

Thanks to Walker

and La Buddy for sharing all you have with our guests. Onward we go to year two!!

Puppies are here!

2010-06-15T09:04:00.009-05:00

Louie, Buster, and Romeo are 12 week old male springer/beagles puppies that just arrived from People For Pets. They are napping right now so I am going to try to get a quick post done.

Louie looks most like his mama the springer. He has more white on his muzzle and a few freckles. He is the biggest of the bunch weighing in at over 18lbs. A playful energetic boy that is learning all about sticks, toys and sharing.

Buster on the other hand is the leader of the pack. He is a bit smaller than Louie but he is definitely the most adventurous of the three. Buster was the first to jump off the deck, first to climb up on the couch, and the first to climb out of the puppy pen. He also is not fond of sharing his toys and can be a bit of a bully to his brothers. Funny I grew up with two different Busters that were very much like this little guy. And to Buster's credit there needs to be a leader in any pack. Even with these little guys. The vet said she always likes the adventurous pups. They are easy to train and are not afraid of new situations. So Buster shines in these areas.

Romeo is the runt of the litter weighing about 16lbs. He has the blackest face and will probably be the last to be adopted because of this. But he is the sweetest of them all. Just a love bug. His original name was Buster 2. Guess the original owner could only come up with two boy names. So I renamed him Romeo before I ever met him. I thought with his black face he would need to be more charming if only in name to find his family. Little did I know he already was a Romeo at heart. This boy is my total favorite.

Well nap time is almost up. Let the puppy fun begin again. If you are interested in learning more about these bundles of joy please email dogs@pethavenmn.org. Thanks!

Hunter our new foster dog.

2010-06-08T18:07:00.010-05:00

Hunter is our new Pet Haven foster dog. He is a 10 month old chocolate lab possibly mixed with Chessie. Coming in from the rez just last weekend, he was scared of a lot of normal city things like car rides and stairs. But he caught on quickly which is typical of his hunting breed.

Hunter's transport mate, Zeke, spent the night here too before going to his foster home. Zeke is a little terrier mix about 30lbs-the perfect size for city dwelling. He was very playful. Hunter is still trying to figure out what toys are all about.

Both of these guys get along with other dogs and are super people friendly. Hunter is a bit of a big puppy coming into his own personality more every day.
Here is a short video of them starting to play. Mostly they are looking at each other saying, "What now?".

Happy Memorial Day!

2010-05-31T11:51:00.008-05:00

What a busy weekend at Rescue Buddy Boarding. This is Dudley's first time here. He had a lot of company and was very busy entertaining all the other dogs.

Dudley even taught our new foster Julius how to play. Julius just came down from the Red Lake reservation covered in ticks and wounds from previous fights. Dudley helped him settle into the good life and there are toys are all over the living room to prove it.

Julius is such a loving boy despite the life he has led so far. He has charmed his way into the heart of a vet tech at Bloomington Vet. I have fallen for this guy too. Some dogs just grab your heart out of nowhere. Julius is one of those dogs.

Copper is another Red Lake dog that just arrived with Julius over the weekend. He already has a family interested in adopting him. He is a gorgeous golden mix in definite need of a good grooming. How many baths does it take to get a Red Lake dog clean?

Of course our favorite boy Mister came for a a couple of days. He never wants to miss a party and greeted every new dog that came in.

Last but not least Chica a Pet Haven dog up for adoption joined us for a night before going off to her new foster home. She is a beautiful shep mix about 4 years old. I dropped her off with her foster at a volleyball game. She will make a great family dog, ready to go wherever you are going.

As I close this post I want to remember my dad and all the service men and women who serve/have served their country in whatever form. Bless you all.

Jake's Return Visit

2010-05-21T12:20:00.007-05:00

Jake is a former foster of ours and we are thrilled to see him again. He came into Pet Haven from a hoarder situation in southern Minnesota. He has his own family now and is back for a visit while his human sister gets married. His new mom thought he would have more fun at Rescue Buddy than being left alone during all the festivities.

Former foster Jake meet current foster Phoebe. Jake is still quite a playful dog and even had 5 year old Phoebe chasing him.

Two Pet Haven alums, Jake and Mister know each other from past stays here. They get along great and take turns leading the chase around the yard.

Buddy resting up for the next playtime. With the clouds and cooler temps I have to say I am ready for a nap myself. ZZZZZZZZZZZZ!

Beautiful Day in the Rescue Buddy Neighborhood

2010-05-18T10:53:00.010-05:00

What a beautiful day to spend outside with the dogs. Gideon and Bishop are visiting. Let the fun begin.

"Hi mom"

Gideon wants his mom to know he is doing his best to play hard and get tired out.

Bishop taking a little rest from chasing his brother.

Rest time is over. Millie has arrived. I think Gideon has met his match with this energetic girl.

Millie has a home visit tomorrow. Paws crossed everyone that she has found her new family.

Sillie Millie Visits

2010-05-14T14:16:00.008-05:00

Millie from Pet Haven is spending the afternoon with Mister and Buddy. The dogs and cats at her foster home at not too interested in playing with her. Millie is a typical 8 month old puppy that rarely sits down for long.

With a good supply of chew toys and sticks Millie can entertain herself quite nicely. Another dog in the house that has a similar play style is VERY helpful.

It was difficult to get a non blurry photo of this on the move girl. Mister is like, "Whoa give it a rest girlie".

"Millie, when I said rest I did not mean on my head".

If you would like to meet Millie she will be at the Petco in Richfield tomorrow Saturday May 15th from 10-12.

Velvet Bear Mosaics has a new foster dog.

2010-05-12T10:45:00.006-05:00

Velvet Bear Mosaics welcomed a new Pet Haven foster dog into their home/studio.Here is what they had to say about Millie.

"We picked up Millie from the Red Lake Transport on Sunday. Her original name was Jane but we needed to change it as we have a german shepherd named Jayne. Very shy and unsure we got her into the car and off we went. She rode great in the car. Good girl! When we got home we introduced her to our dogs one at a time. They all did well. You could see that our dogs were thinking "oh, another dog. Ok when's dinner?" New name for this girl, we came up with Millie. She was not familiar with stairs so we worked on that first. My daughter Elanor is a pro at getting new dogs used to them, and within the day Millie was up and down, no problems. Millie is 8 months old and 30 lbs and all puppy. We are working on the potty training and she already knows to go in her crate for bedtime. As her personality unfolds I will post. So far she is sweet and is very curious about all and any activity. We have a vet appointment today and then hopefully a bath."

Millie will be at the Pet Haven adoption event this Saturday at the Richfield Petco from 10-12. If you would like more information please email dogs@pethavenmn.org.

And check out Velvet Bear Mosaics for creative personalized leash holders.

Happy Mother's Day!

2010-05-09T12:09:00.002-05:00

Thanks mom for all you have done for Walker and I. La Buddy and the foster dogs thank you too. Can't wait for you to visit us again. Happy Mother's Day to you. And to all the other mothers out there whether it is human kids or fur kids hug them tight. Life is short. Enjoy today!

Willow's Visit

2010-05-05T20:18:00.011-05:00

Miss Willow from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue came to visit Rescue Buddy Boarding for a few days while her foster was in Las Vegas.

A little shy at first it did not take her long to become close pals with Buddy . Willow followed him all around the yard learning how to sniff out rabbits and bark at squirrels.

Then it was Mister's turn to get to know this sweet girl. They had lots of playtime before breakfast was even served. Being 8 months old Willow had lots of energy. At times she was even too much for Mister.

Willow and Mister spent the afternoons playing tug-o-war in the living room and "chase me" in the backyard.

Gideon and Bishop met Willow when she first came to the cities from the reservation. At that time she was confused and standoffish. During this meeting however Willow definitely showed them she could play with the big boys.

We so enjoyed getting to know Willow. She has a permanent smile on her face. And why not. She is going to her forever home this weekend. Happy Trails willow!

I foster dogs.....

2010-04-23T10:41:00.012-05:00

.....to make the world a better place one dog at a time.

......to give those that do not speak our language a voice.

.....to experience true hope, no matter what.

.....to bring more joy into my life.

....to see dreams come true for the new families .

If fostering sounds intriguing to you Pet Haven would love to hear from you. We have three dogs that need foster homes right now and two more dogs are coming in soon. All supplies are provided along with vet care. We do the best we can to find the right fit for your home and dog experience. Please contact us at dogs@pethavenmn.org if you are interested in finding out how you can help. Thanks from all the homeless dogs waiting for someone to love them.

Give a Dog a Bone

2010-04-22T09:30:00.003-05:00

This caption is funny and oh so true. But is giving a dog real bones a good idea? This just in from Dogster's blog. Thought I would pass it along.

Here are 10 reasons why it’s a bad idea to give your dog a bone:

1.Broken teeth. This may call for expensive veterinary dentistry.
2.Mouth or tongue injuries. These can be very bloody and messy and may require a trip to see your veterinarian.
3.Bone gets looped around your dog’s lower jaw. This can be frightening or painful for your dog and potentially costly to you, as it usually means a trip to see your veterinarian.
4.Bone gets stuck in esophagus, the tube that food travels through to reach the stomach. Your dog may gag, trying to bring the bone back up, and will need to see your veterinarian.
5.Bone gets stuck in windpipe. This may happen if your dog accidentally inhales a small enough piece of bone. This is an emergency because your dog will have trouble breathing. Get your pet to your veterinarian immediately!
6.Bone gets stuck in stomach. It went down just fine, but the bone may be too big to pass out of the stomach and into the intestines. Depending on the bone’s size, your dog may need surgery or upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, a procedure in which your veterinarian uses a long tube with a built-in camera and grabbing tools to try to remove the stuck bone from the stomach.
7.Bone gets stuck in intestines and causes a blockage. It may be time for surgery.
8.Constipation due to bone fragments. Your dog may have a hard time passing the bone fragments because they’re very sharp and they scrape the inside of the large intestine or rectum as they move along. This causes severe pain and may require a visit to your veterinarian.
9.Severe bleeding from the rectum. This is very messy and can be dangerous. It’s time for a trip to see your veterinarian.
10.Peritonitis. This nasty, difficult-to-treat bacterial infection of the abdomen is caused when bone fragments poke holes in your dog’s stomach or intestines. Your dog needs an emergency visit to your veterinarian because peritonitis can kill your dog.

Dog Park Yippeee!!!

2010-04-20T18:06:00.007-05:00

Mister and Buddy got a much enjoyed trip to the dog park in Columbia Heights today. It was the most glorious weather for spending time outside with the boys. When Buddy was young we went to this park everyday no matter what the temp was. We have not been as much since taking in the foster dogs. But Buddy remembered where we were going as soon as we turned off Central, whining the whole way to the entrance. Mister was looking at him like "What are you so excited about? I do not even see any squirrels.".

There were plenty of dogs to play with and all were well behaved. I used to know everyone but that was months ago. This park is small so it is best when there are not too many dogs. That is why I prefer to go during the weekday.

The boys ran and ran. And I got my exercise too trying to stay with them. Then Buddy was so tuckered out he had to plop down to get a drink. Even Mister had slowed down some.

When Mister and Buddy were laying down more than playing it was time to go. I wondered how Mister would take leaving. There have been times when people can not get their dogs back on leash. But both dogs listened very well and were patiently waiting at the gate for me to catch up. Good boy Mister. Oh and Buddy too.

SNAP Rolls North

2010-04-19T09:54:00.005-05:00

Here is part of the blog post from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue today. To read the entire post click here. Please help reduce the dog and cat population on the Red Lake reservation.

"A three-day spay/neuter clinic is planned for the end of May at Red Lake with the Minnesota Spay Neuter Assistance Program (MN SNAP).

Red Lake Rosie's Rescue received grant money from Chuck & Don's Pet Food Outlet's Paw Prints campaign to Pet Haven's Spay/Neuter Initiative that will pay for one day of the clinic and is hoping to raise funds to pay for the additional two days.

The cost for s/n is, on average, $50.00 per animal x 35 animals per day= $1,750
The rabies and distemper vaccinations are an extra $20.00 per animal x 35 = $700.00
Total cost per day is about $2,450.00"

If you can help, and any size donation will help, please go to our website at www.redlakerosie.org to donate with a credit card through PayPal or send a check made out to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue to:

Red Lake Rosie's Rescue
23880 So. Good Road
Trail, MN 56684

Waiting for Breakfast

2010-04-16T10:51:00.006-05:00

Bella is enjoying an impromptu visit by Mister. They were waiting for their breakfast this morning. My hand-painted floor cloth makes a great backdrop for dog photos.

Buddy is a bit more animated around meal time. He says, "Don't just sit there sipping coffee. I am done playing with the duck. Where is my kibble?".

Bella is in the house.

2010-04-12T21:45:00.006-05:00

Bella is a 6 year old Bloodhound looking for her forever home. She is a joy to have around, putting a smile on my face every time I look at her.

Do you have room for a shrinking violet? Bella came into Pet Haven at a whopping 130lbs. She is now down to 97lbs and counting.

Bella is getting a little weary of trying to find her new family. But she is not giving up hope. Here is her bio and more info on her adoption.

What Easter bunny?

2010-04-04T10:46:00.002-05:00

Happy Easter from Rescue Buddy Boarding & Beyond!

Bath Time

2010-04-02T10:31:00.002-05:00

Mister is drying off this morning after his bath. Yes I decided to add this perk to Mister's one week stay. Since Mister gets in the bathtub by himself I knew he would be an easy boy to bathe. And he certainly was. Good boy Mister. Now he is all clean and ready to go play with Missy and Ahnung.

Bookends

2010-03-29T11:56:00.002-05:00

Mister and Buddy resting up after playing outside all morning. Off for a walk around the neighborhood now. Such a lovely day today.

Kayleigh finds a home!

2010-03-26T16:58:00.007-05:00

Our Kayleigh girl went home today. As long as she and resident Kitty get along this should be the perfect place for Miss Kay. Kitty has claws so I am hoping it will not take Kayleigh long to learn the cat boundaries. I am picturing them sharing the same dog bed soon.

The couple that adopted Kayleigh were looking for a senior black dog. Bless them. Wish we could clone a few more adopters just like these fine folks.

Orlando is going to miss his foster sister. He has been kind of lost today since she left. Yes more lost than normal. While we are a little sad that Kayleigh has moved on, we are thrilled she has a place to call her own. It is kind of quiet with only two dogs.

But tomorrow is another day and we are looking forward to Mister coming to stay with us for the week. And hopefully soon there will be a blog post about Orlando getting a new family.

Pet Haven needs foster homes!

2010-03-22T11:22:00.006-05:00

These three dogs are in need of a foster home or better yet forever homes. If you can help out please contact Pet Haven. Thanks to our boarding partners for helping fill the gap between homes.

Gulliver is a happy young lab mix that would love to have a foster home. He is currently being fostered at one of our boarding partners, Pampered Pooch Playground.

Bella the bloodhound is staying at one of our boarding partners, Auntie Ruth's. She is an easy going gal that needs to have a place to call her own.

Johnson is a beautiful 6 year old English setter. He has come a long way since first coming into our program. If he has his daily walks he is a calm couch potato boy.

Click to help feed pets

2010-03-16T10:50:00.002-05:00

Mondays

2010-03-15T09:31:00.003-05:00

Take that Mondays!!!
Photo taken by Sarah Beth Photography. Check her out.

Kayleigh

2010-03-08T15:43:00.011-06:00

Kayleigh is a beautiful black lab mix about 5 years old. She has a little gray on her chin that makes her look a bit older than she actually is. You see Kayleigh has had a hard life. Not being spayed till just recently no telling how many litters of puppies she has had. And Kayleigh was on death row at the Bemidji animal control when she was rescued and brought to the loving care of Karen Good of Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. She is currently available for adoption through Pet Haven.

Kayleigh is a move in ready dog. She gets along great with other dogs. She is housetrained and can be left with free roam of the house while you are away. Eager to please, Kayleigh would be happier if someone was around home with her at least part of the day a few days a week. And because of her love of people and calm demeanor Kayleigh would be a perfect candidate for a therapy dog program.

A little camera shy, Kayleigh is just learning how to play with toys. She is not quite sure what to do with this stuffed duck but finds it fun to carry it around.

Chew toys are a little easier for Kayleigh to figure out. It is a joy to see a five year old dog finally getting to have some fun.

If you are interested in adopting Kayleigh please click here to read more about her.

Orlando's BFF

2010-03-06T17:31:00.003-06:00

Orlando just loved Gracie, one of our guests last week. Check out the look on his face. Awwww!!! Orlando has a couple of people interested in him but no firm applications yet. He is still looking for that special family to open up their home.

Mini Dog Park

2010-03-04T10:20:00.006-06:00

It is a full house today at Rescue Buddy Boarding. The sun is shining and it feels great to be outside. The yard is kind of an ice skating rink but the dogs do not seem to mind.

Gideon even found a stick in the melting snow piles. He led the chase followed closely by Orlando and Gracie.

This Frisbee has been buried for months. Buddy was excited to discover this treasure. Spring is presenting a whole "new" set of toys.

Orlando being his ever goofball self.

After over 3 hours of playing it is finally nap time.

Clarence gets a family at last!!!

2010-03-01T16:56:00.005-06:00

Our dear boy Clarence finally got a new family last week. His new parents saw him on the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl site and could not resist his cuteness. Thanks Keith of Pampered Pooch Playground for coming up with this fun event. I think with this adoption all the participating puppies have found homes. What a successful event.

As Clarence was attending his first puppy class at Canine Coach he had a reunion with a littermate. There were only six puppies in the class and one of them was Clarence's sister Zoe. Now the last time Clarence saw his sister was on the morning he almost froze to death. His four sisters managed to stay huddled together. But somehow Clarence being his adventurous self had strayed away from his pack. Wow how life has changed for this lucky little boy. Have a good life sweet Clarence.

Sweatermania!

2010-02-22T13:32:00.005-06:00

We have hand knit sweaters in various sizes, colors, and patterns. They are a $35 donation to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. All totally tax deductible.

Medium fits my 40lb springer.

Small for the toy poodle set.

Large size fits golden retriever.

Email me at laura.leonard55@gmail.com or give me a call at 612-706-9911 if you would like to see these in person. The puppies of Red Lake thank you.

Me and Mini Me

2010-02-20T17:12:00.011-06:00

Toby, a former Pet Haven foster dog of ours, is spending the night with us while his parents enjoy a fun evening out on the town. He and Orlando, our current Red Lake Rosie's Rescue foster, became friends right away. They look like Me and Mini Me-big hound and little beagle.

Toby is so much smaller than Orlando but that did not stop him from trying to tackle his new buddy. Toby did a lot of playing standing on his back legs. Look at how his ears are flying.

Even Orlando got into the flying ear play style. This shot with his ears up, makes Orlando look more like a shepherd.

At last Toby was able to wrestle Orlando to the ground. Way to go Mini Me. It is so fun to watch these boys romp around enjoying this fabulous weather.

And where was our dog Buddy this whole time? Running around with the ball of course.

Fun in the Orlando Sun!

2010-02-16T10:44:00.009-06:00

It is chilly outside but the sunshine feels so good. The dogs had some playtime in the snow. Orlando is not sure what to do when you through a ball. And if it goes too far into the snow he can not find it.

He would rather play with the milk jug. Hey free toys. Gotta love that.

Orlando has had lots of visitors. Most say he is bigger than they expected. My Buddy is 40lb. He looks like midget compared to Orlando.

Look at the size of his paws. Orlando is a big boy. But he is so calm that he does not seem to take up all that much space.

Orlando is trying new things everyday. Remember when he would not come out of the kitchen. Well now he makes himself quite comfy on the couch. If you are interested in sharing your couch with sunny Orlando check out his Red Lake Rosie's bio.

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T09:00:00.000-06:00

Enjoy the love puppy photos. All dogs pictured below were once in rescue and are now in the care of loving families. Dreams do come true. Give your pup an extra hug today. Happy Valentine's Day.

Frisbee is a Dog's Best Friend

2010-02-13T11:01:00.005-06:00

Here at Rescue Buddy Boarding & Beyond the dogs love playing with the plastic flying saucers. Fred Morrison, inventor of the Frisbee, died at the age of 90. Read about his journey story in the Star Tribune today.

Cinnamon, a Pet Haven foster dog, would love a home with a fenced in yard and some kids to play Frisbee with.

Valentine's Day sweaters

2010-02-12T15:37:00.004-06:00

Mom is still knitting away making dog sweaters as a fund raiser for Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. Here are two red and white ones for Valentine's Day. They are mediums.

Here is one of my favorites in a tiny size. The sweater are $35 which is totally tax deductible. Email me at laura.leonard55@gmail.com if interested. Still lots of winter left.

Clarence and Orlando

2010-02-08T19:13:00.011-06:00

Clarence would like to thank everyone for voting for him in the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl. Even though he did not win MVP he is the most valuable puppy to us.

Clarence came over for a visit yesterday. He met Orlando. At first Clarence was a little timid but it did not take long before the two were playing together.

For those of you following Orlando's progress you can see he made it into the living room. He has yet to go up the second floor stairs but is content to sleep on the downstairs bed.

Sunday Orlando had a spa day at Pampered Pooch Playground with his new favorite friend, Jenny. She was so patient with him and did a great job grooming the big boy. Now he is all sweet smelling and ready for a forever home. Thanks so much Jenny.

Both Orlando and Clarence are up for adoption through Red Lake Rosie's Rescue.

Clarence for MVP!

2010-02-03T11:11:00.003-06:00

The Twin Cities Puppy Bowl is live. Watch the video and then vote for Clarence as MVP. And support the sponsors. Go Clarence!

Small Puppy Steps For a BIG Boy

2010-02-02T10:19:00.008-06:00

Orlando our new foster dog from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue spent most of his first couple of days here in the kitchen. There is a rug in there that felt like a familiar surface for his feet. It was the one place he felt safe in a brand new world. Tile and wood floors can seem slippery to a dog that may have never been in a house before.

Last night, after getting a bit bored in a room by himself, Orlando summoned up the courage to attempt to join us the dining room. Go big boy! He looks pretty happy about it doesn't he?

Buddy and Pet Haven foster dog,Cinnamon showed him that it was OK and actually fun on the other side of the gate. Dogs can be the best teachers. Thanks you two.

Finally right before bedtime Orlando made it through the doorway. Yippeeee!! This may not seem like much to some of you but for a young pup from the rez this is a major accomplishment.

Orlando is back napping on that rug in the kitchen. We are taking it slowly, small puppy steps. And lots of treats. Buddy likes helping out for that part of the lessons. Orlando like the other wonderful dogs from Red Lake continues to teach me patience and shows me how to celebrate the tiniest everyday things in life. Gotta love a rez dog.

Sunny Orlando

2010-02-01T10:14:00.009-06:00

We are not talking about the land of little hats with mouse ears or spinning teacups. We are talking about a big Goofy and a bit Dumbo all wrapped up in our new foster, Orlando.

He is a one year old, 80lb, hound mix. The first thing you notice about this boy is his gorgeous blue eyes. Orlando is from Red Lake Rosie's Rescue and we are fostering him through the local RLRR foster group. Click here to learn more about adopting this great guy.

This boy is new to city life. Even a tile floor is scary. But he seems to be housebroken. And it will not be long before he will be right at home. He gets along well with all the dogs here.

So if you have room for a big goofy go-with-the-flow kind of boy Orlando will defintely bring some sunshine into your life.

Cinnamon needs a forever home!

2010-01-28T11:48:00.008-06:00

Cinnamon, a 5 year old Collie/Chesapeake mix, is staying with us for the week while her foster is out of town. At first she was quiet and napped most of the time.

Then our favorite boy Mister came to stay with us and Cinnamon came alive. Also a visit from Cindy. Bobb, and Elanor helped awaken her playful side. While Cinnamon is showing her joyfulness she is still a calm girl that enjoys those long afternoon naps.

Cinnamon loves her new buddy, Mister. Here they are resting after all that playtime.

Bobb thought maybe Cinnamon would be a good Frisbee dog so this morning I threw to her a couple of times. Here is what happened. Who knew Cinnamon would be such a good Frisbee dog. Who needs a partner? Click here to learn more about this fun girl.

Clarence plays in the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl

2010-01-23T18:01:00.010-06:00

Clarence is on his way to the Twin Cities Puppy Bowl at Pampered Pooch.

Warming up with a fellow teammate.

OK coach I am ready to go in.

Go Clarence!!

Yummy after the game treats.

Soooo tired on the way home. What a fun day. Now all Clarence needs is a forever family. Click here to learn more about adopting this wonder dog.

Look at Clarence Now!

2010-01-20T10:42:00.012-06:00

Last night I was able to finally meet the little puppy that almost froze to death last time I was at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. Clarence had strayed away from his littermates on a 30 below zero night. Thanks to the loving care of Karen Good he made a complete recovery and is like every other puppy playing nonstop with whatever he can find to put in his mouth. He had my glove and boot before I even took my coat off. All I could do was giggle at how cute he was running the other way carrying my big winter shoe.

Clarence did let me put a Vikings sweater on him for photographs. Mom knit the sweater and I embellished it with the Vikings touches. He is trying out to be a cheerleader for the Twin City Puppy Bowl put on by Pampered Pooch Playground, Sarahbeth Photography, FetchDelivers, and Sidewalk Dog. I am like stage mom sending multiple emails to show how perfect he would be for the role. Does it hurt to be pushy to get a family for this deserving boy or some press for Red lake Rosie's Rescue? Here is his bio if you are interested.

Clarence taught me that it does not matter where you come from or what your start in life is like, you can become whatever your spirit wills you to be. He has a fund set up in his name to raise money to hire someone to help Red lake Rosie's founder and his rescuer, Karen Good. So far he has raised $820. Way to go little guy. Here is the blog that was posted earlier explaining how to donate.

It's Dog Sweater Time!

2010-01-18T10:46:00.013-06:00

Yes I am learning how to knit dog sweaters as a fund raiser for Red Lake Rosie's Rescue.

This started out as 'Coats for Canines", a way to provide some warm coats for the Red Lake puppies this winter.

Well my mom went crazy and knitted so many that there were extras. And mom was still knitting. While mom was visiting last month she knit 25 more.

Thanks to Charm, a Rescue Buddy Boarding guest, modeling her sweater at a shop downtown our dog duds, Rescue Buddies, are now being sold at Corazon's two Minneapolis locations. Proceeds go to RLRR to hire someone to help founder Karen Good with the daily chores.

I also have some for sale here for $35. Most are for small dogs 7"-12". If interested email me at laura.leonard55@gmail.com. Again all proceeds go to Karen.

Here is Maggie proudly donning her made-to-order sweater. We will try to fill orders but we are working with the yarn we have on hand so colors may be limited. Also larger sizes are $42-$50.

Now that mom is back in Nebraska she is knitting nonstop. This project has given her a sense of purpose through the long winter months. If anyone has any yarn they would like to donate I could use it. My third sweater is underway and I am already planning the design for the next one. Thanks mom for passing on your talent.

Happy Birthday La Buddy!

2010-01-15T13:44:00.009-06:00

Our dog, Buddy, turned five today. He is having a blast with his pals Gideon and Bishop who are here for the day.

They are having some extra treats but not too much because they all have sensitive stomachs. The weather is mild so lots of playing outside is in order.

Bishop even dug out a stick from under the frozen tundra.

Happy Birthday my sweet boy. Thank you for letting us take in 29 foster dogs in the past 3 years and many more dogs coming to stay while their owners are away.

Canine Inspired Change

2010-01-11T10:39:00.005-06:00

This just in from Ahnung Pet Haven/Red Lake Rosie's alum. Click on poster to enlarge. Come learn how she has changed the lives of at risk youth. Her rags to riches story inspires all that meet her.

Canine Inspired Change Informational Session
Hey everyone! We're going to be hosting an informational session on how you and your dog can become a pet partner team and join the Canine Inspired Change team .... can you imagine, you would get to do what Sharpie and I do??? :) It's going to be on Saturday, 1/30 at 1 PM at the St. Paul/Como Canine Coach location.

There's no cost to attend the session .... the only cost (and it's optional but I would highly recommend you consider it!) is a donation (monetary or anything a dog or even a cat would like!) to help my rescuer Karen Good at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. You can visit their blog for what they need most. I'll be sending supplies and monetary donations to rescuer Karen at Red Lake Rosie's Rescue, along with lots of slobbery kisses and maybe a few photos :)

Della needs a home for the new year.

2010-01-06T09:49:00.007-06:00

Della came in to Red Lake Rosie's as a starved mother with a litter of puppies. Her kids all got placed but Della was left behind to deal with the below zero temps of northern Minnesota.

Luckily for her Tri-County in St Cloud stepped up to give Della a warm place to stay until a new home comes her way. Yesterday I visited Della in her temporary digs. She looked a little sad and could not even approach me or look into my eyes which were instantly filled with tears-as they are now as I write this. This girl is a survivor and I know she will quickly recover from this temporary lack of spirit. Please spread the word about this sweet girl to help find her a home. She deserves the best.

A Year in Review

2009-12-31T16:30:00.015-06:00

As I look back on the journey of this past year I am amazed at the trip it has been. The year started with me deciding to take a year off from the art fair circuit to pursue my love of beaded sculptures.

This was a risky financial decision but one I had dreamed about for quite some time. I did have one commissioned piece to create so I knew there would be money coming in. Queen Mary Cometh was completed on time and the client was thrilled.

All along I continued to volunteer with Pet Haven and Red Lake Rosie's fostering dogs. By about April I started to realize that my passion for art was waning or at least taking a backseat to rescuing homeless dogs. I kept asking myself if there was someway I could stay home with the dogs and still feed my son?

Not being one to put too much energy into money-I think that gives it too much power-I decided to start a new home business boarding dogs. In June Rescue Buddy Boarding & Beyond was officially born. Mister was already occasionally staying at the house along with sometimes three fosters dogs at once so I knew what I was getting into.

From then on many dogs have come to stay, some several times. Thank you to all who have supported this new venture. Foster dogs are always welcome too. Paden is our 28th one and she has a good applicant coming to look at her on Saturday.

This year I was able to take three trips to Red Lake Rosie's Rescue. Getting to know founder Karen Good has been inspirational and a definite highlight of my year. For all of you yet to go up north please make a date on your new calendar to do so. You will be changed forever.

My mom is even getting involved. Since July 4th she has been knitting sweaters for the dogs at Rosie's because the winters are so harsh. I think she is up to about 40 so far. She can not be stopped.

Here is Simon in the bumblebee style.

As the old year is passing my mom and I are looking forward to a new venture. We are excited to be asked to sell the sweaters in a store in downtown Minneapolis. Proceeds of course going to Karen for hiring someone to help her with the endless daily chores. Thanks to Charm a frequent visitor to Rescue Buddy Boarding and her mother who made the connection for us. Charm was shopping in this store while modeling her new sweater that "Santa" brought her when she stayed with over Christmas.

As for my artistic expressions for the new year, well I have gotten the knitting bug too. Yes I am on my first sweater. Of course I do not want to stop knitting so I think my first one will be for a snake instead of a dog.

To the two loves of my life, thank you for being so patient with all the dogs coming and going.

May the new year find you following your dreams.

Just One Dog

2009-12-29T10:30:00.005-06:00

As the decade comes to a close and we are looking forward to a new year let us all make a pledge to do just one thing. Call a rescue and ask how you can help, make a donation to help the Stanleys and the Clarences of the world, walk a dog at the local shelter, buy an extra bag of cat food for the local food shelf, do just one thing to make the world a better place for homeless dogs and cats. Thank you for your time. And Happy New Year!