While I was in Sri Lanka our sweet, innocent Cooper started getting a little... rambunctious. So Nick decided to take him to Ruff Love, a doggy daycare that recently opened near our house in Northeast Minneapolis. Last week when I dropped him off, I got to tour the facilities with Jessen, the owner.
As soon as I walked in, I knew I was in a fun place. The entry-room was full of dog-friendly artwork by local artists - including works by Amy Rice and the awesome pet portraiture artist, Sarah Beth. (You should check out her site and her facebook page. You'll have a hard time finding cuter dog portraits anywhere else.)
And even a beautiful work from Broken Crow, which commanded most of the first wall.
Hedberg Maps, the folks that helped me put together the Northeast Arts District Bike Map a few years ago, have a new division: Minnehaha Media. They have been putting together these great little themed maps. They made one for dining and arts in the Minneapolis arts district, and also have a great map for dog lovers. You should snap one up if you haven't already... and a new one for 2012 is coming out soon.
Jessen, one of the owners, gave me a tour of the facilities.
Great with dogs and a hospitable host, too.
He brought out some of the dogs for me to meet and they raced around like crazy. Trying to photograph a bunch of excited dogs? Not the easiest task in the world.
The dogs I met were all adorable. Big and small, all racing around like crazy.
Fortunately a few paused briefly.
The facilities are huge - plenty of room for dogs to run around and play. And that's just inside...
Outside they have two huge yards sectioned off just for beasties.
Cooper was a little confused to see me after I already dropped him off. "Mooooooom! What are you doing??? I'm so embarrassed..."
This dog may have been the sweetest dog I've ever met in my whole life. Nothing but love.
When Cooper comes home from a day at Ruff Love, he's totally spent and completely worn out from a full day of fun. Huzzah for healthy doggy activity!
If you want to check out a super cool NE business run by super cool people, you should stop by this coming Sunday for their "Be Mine" adoption and art show. Lots of great artists and a dog-friendly attendee list... it's sure to be an awesome time.
:)