About Us
Discover What Rummy's Beach Club is All About
WHo was Rummy?
Rummy was a blind Siberian Husky who won the 2007 Nationwide Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue contest. Many people fell in love with Rummy along his journey. Here's his story so you can too…
In 2006, Rummy was rescued by the Houston SPCA. The SPCA contacted Husky Haven, Inc., Houston’s Siberian Husky dog rescue www.huskyhaven.org who agreed to give Rummy the special attention he needed to get healthy and be adopted.
Rummy at the time was emaciated and very sickly. After being at Husky Haven for a few weeks, he began gaining weight, his hair started growing back, and his skin was improving.
Lisa, a Husky Haven volunteer, fostered Rummy to help him get more exposure and adopted faster. Husky Haven entered Rummy's story into the Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue Contest and he was chosen as one of ten finalists!
To win the contest, Rummy had to get people to vote for him, so Rummy asked people to vote for him everywhere - Houston Home Shows, Dogfest in Tomball, Katy Mills Mall, Reliant Park Dog Show, and Woof Gourmet Pet Bakery in Old Town Spring. Rummy was on local and national radio shows, in dog magazines and newspapers - he attracted attention wherever he went because of his striking beauty, fearlessness & positive energy.
When the voting was over, Rummy went to Hollywood. All of the finalists, including a St. Bernard and pit bull mix, stayed in a luxurious hotel in Beverly Hills – the Sofitel! October 12, 2007, at the Hollywood and Highland Mall, Californians got to meet the finalists and hear about the contest. The Purina spokesperson for that year was Emily Procter, (CSI Miami & West Wing), who had rescue dogs and supported animal rescue. Upon meeting Emily, Rummy kissed all of her make-up off. She just smiled. It was a genuine pleasure to meet her. Guess who won?
When the voting was over, Rummy went to Hollywood. All of the finalists, including a St. Bernard and pit bull mix, stayed in a luxurious hotel in Beverly Hills – the Sofitel! October 12, 2007, at the Hollywood and Highland Mall, Californians got to meet the finalists and hear about the contest. The Purina spokesperson for that year was Emily Procter, (CSI Miami & West Wing), who had rescue dogs and supported animal rescue. Upon meeting Emily, Rummy kissed all of her make-up off. She just smiled. It was a genuine pleasure to meet her. Guess who won?
The Director of the 2007 Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue Contest, Ken Wilhelm, announced the winner………………………………..……RUMMY!!!
It was a surreal moment. It still is. As a dog rescuer, you put in many thankless hours and no one knows or cares. Backyard breeders and puppy mills breed dogs over and over.
Owners don’t get their dogs neutered or spayed. Shelters just keep euthanizing “throw away” dogs and cats of society. You have driven past them and know what I am talking about. Luckily, Rummy’s story did not end the way most street dogs’ lives end.
Husky Haven volunteers and Rummy worked hard to get votes, publicity and donations so they could rescue more Siberian Huskies. Thank You Purina for bringing needed attention to rescue dogs and the people who rescue them across America!
Rummy's Beach Club Story
Founded on the bedrock of love for a rescued dog that had once endured abuse, coupled with an ardent desire to assist other dogs facing various health or behavioral challenges, Rummy's Beach Club is undoubtedly one of Houston's most distinctive treasures for both canines and their human companions. The driving force behind this unique establishment is none other than its owner, Lisa Goebel, who drew inspiration from the remarkable journey of a resilient Siberian Husky named Rummy. Rummy's early life was marred by neglect, leaving him blind, emaciated, and afflicted with mange, until the intervention of the compassionate Husky Haven rescue organization. Under their dedicated care, Rummy was nursed back to health, and it was during this time that Lisa assumed the role of his foster mother.
Their transformative journey was eloquently chronicled in an essay submitted to the Purina Pro Plan Rally to Rescue contest, where they secured the coveted first place nationally. This accolade thrust Rummy into the public eye, and together with Lisa, he embarked on numerous appearances, often engaging with children while Lisa shared invaluable insights on topics such as dog rescue, the importance of spaying and neutering animals, and the perils of puppy mills. In unity, Lisa and Rummy became formidable advocates for abused animals, utilizing education as a potent tool to bring about positive change. Lisa eventually adopted Rummy, and it was through this profound experience that the vision for Rummy's Beach Club was born – a place where dogs and their owners can forge meaningful connections, guided by a deep well of compassion and a shared commitment to improving the lives of dogs everywhere.
About Lisa
Lisa is the other owner of Rummy's Beach Club. She has been a Physician Assistant since 1988 & worked with cancer and bone marrow transplant patients at cutting edge institutions like MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle and the University of Chicago in Chicago. She is passionate about death and dying, a subject most people avoid.
For over 30 years, Lisa has volunteered her time and money to support a variety of organizations like Texas Litter Control, Husky Haven, Texas Alaskan Malamute Rescue, Corridor Rescue, Best Friends, SPCA, Humane Society, Texas Humane Legislation Network and many more.
A vegetarian since 2004, Lisa does not have human children - her rescue dogs are her babies and make her smile everyday. Rummy's was created for her dogs - old, handicapped, dog aggressive, fearful, reactive, escape artists, neglected, abused and toy driven. While Rummy, her blind Siberian Husky, inspired Rummy's Beach Club, all of her rescue dogs helped teach her how to create a safe, fun, private place for other dogs with issues to go and have fun with their owners.
There aren't many places you can go and have fun in a safe environment when you own a dog aggressive dog or a blind dog or an old unstable dog. At Rummy's Beach Club it is ALL about the dogs. You can bring any breed, any age, any dog here to have fun - except human aggressive dogs. Come & have fun in a private setting with your dogs. The more you come here with your dogs with issues, the less you will see those issues here. This becomes their second home and their confidence blossoms. It is so rewarding to watch and be a part of their growth.
GET IN TOUCHFor over 30 years, Lisa has volunteered her time and money to support a variety of organizations like Texas Litter Control, Husky Haven, Texas Alaskan Malamute Rescue, Corridor Rescue, Best Friends, SPCA, Humane Society, Texas Humane Legislation Network and many more.
A vegetarian since 2004, Lisa does not have human children - her rescue dogs are her babies and make her smile everyday. Rummy's was created for her dogs - old, handicapped, dog aggressive, fearful, reactive, escape artists, neglected, abused and toy driven. While Rummy, her blind Siberian Husky, inspired Rummy's Beach Club, all of her rescue dogs helped teach her how to create a safe, fun, private place for other dogs with issues to go and have fun with their owners.
There aren't many places you can go and have fun in a safe environment when you own a dog aggressive dog or a blind dog or an old unstable dog. At Rummy's Beach Club it is ALL about the dogs. You can bring any breed, any age, any dog here to have fun - except human aggressive dogs. Come & have fun in a private setting with your dogs. The more you come here with your dogs with issues, the less you will see those issues here. This becomes their second home and their confidence blossoms. It is so rewarding to watch and be a part of their growth.
Rummy's Beach Club Mission
In the year 2009, Lisa embarked on the journey of founding Rummy's Beach Club in Spring, Texas. Her mission was clear: to create a haven for dogs akin to Rummy, those who faced obstacles hindering them from joining their canine counterparts in more conventional settings. These hurdles ranged from physical handicaps and dog reactivity or aggression to fear, medical conditions, or the simple preference for privacy, catering to a diverse spectrum of dogs and their unique needs. “After watching the impact Rummy had on others, lying with them on the floor, having long conversations, crying with him, and sharing love with him everywhere he went, I knew that I had to take Rummy's journey and turn it into something positive for other dogs and their owners. I wanted to create a place where they could spend an hour or more of uninterrupted time for bonding, physical exercise, relaxation, learning new things, exploring and being with each other,” notes Lisa Goebel, owner of Rummy's Beach Club.
Some of our special customers
Every one of our furry customers is special to us! Come over to Rummy's Beach Club and let you and your fur baby get the fun, love, and attention that will help make your day one of the best ever!
GET IN TOUCH