MARYSVILLE Quite honestly, I m here to play with dogs, confessed Sandy Rutledge as she tried to explain the motivation behind Camp Ruff House, a new day care for canine types and another new business in the city.
Located near the intersection of State Avenue and 88th Street NE, Camp Ruff House opened its doors about a month ago.
The business features a large indoor play area, complete with a couch and toddler bed for furry visitors to curl up on. Theres also 900-square-feet of outdoor play space, something Rutledge feels is particularly important.
We looked hard for some place where we could have an outdoor area, she said, adding she didnt want to keep her campers cooped up inside all day.
We didnt want this to be doggy prison, said Rutledge, who also added she and co-workers are somewhat picky about what dogs are accepted as campers.
We want it to be a good fit for the owner and the dog, Rutledge said.
New customers are interviewed and their pets are put in the mix with other campers to see how they do. Rutledge simply wont take excessively aggressive or mean dogs.
Last week, about a dozen dogs roamed around the indoor space, all calm and surprisingly quiet. There is a space where dogs can be separated if need be.
We can give them a little time out, Rutledge said, though she also said she has used that time out space sparingly so far.
Among the regular campers is Rutledges own dog, Rosy, a half Golden Retriever, half Border collie who has earned a whole new reputation since the opening of Camp Ruff House.
On a cold, rainy afternoon, one of Rutledges co-workers accidentally locked herself out of the facility. The dogs inside were confined to their usual space and never at any risk, according to Rutledge. Still, the co-worker tried to get back in and called through the door for to Rosy for help. Somehow, the dog not only tore open the gate to the play area, but pushed on a lever that allowed the front door to the facility to be opened as well.
Rutledge described Rosies heroics as pure, dumb luck.
We tried to recreate it a million times, Rutledge said.
Besides day care service, Camp Ruff also offers do-it-yourself grooming facilities, which Rutledge said have proved pretty popular. One reason is, she believes, the decision to install people-sized bathtubs to accommodate large size dogs. Further, those tubs sit at a level that allows owners to scrub their pets without bending over.
For the future, Rutledge hopes to offer doggy events, the first likely being a Valentines Day party for owners and dogs alike, with special, homemade treats for the dogs.
Rutledge said the idea of Camp Ruff developed during conversations with a neighbor over a backyard fence. Both expressed dissatisfaction with their jobs and eventually Camp Ruff became a way out of what had become Rutledges daily grind. She said business has so far been pretty good, but in any case shes not complaining.
Our worst day here would probably be about equal to our best day at our old jobs, she said.
For more information on Camp Ruff, call 360-926-2218.