Swimming at Rummy’s
Article by: Elizabeth Gallaway
Lisa Goebel’s dogs are always eager to greet and “sing” for
visitors at Rummy’s Beach Club, especially Rummy himself.
Goebel opened Rummy’s Beach Club in Spring, Texas in 2010 with
Rummy, her blind Siberian Husky, as her inspiration. Rummy came to Goebel from
Husky Haven, Houston’s Siberian Husky rescue, after wandering the streets of
Houston starving and severely neglected.
Despite
it being a unique and specific kind of business, Rummy’s Beach Club has
succeeded and become a hot spot for many dogs in the area. Rummy’s offers both
private and hourly warm water swimming for dogs and their owners as well as
dock jumping classes.
Goebel has worked with dog rescues for many years. She was
first interested in daycare and boarding services, and when people expressed an
interest in her plans to include swimming on the side, she was encouraged to
focus on swimming alone.
“I’ve loved animals all my life,” says Goebel. “I always
wanted to do something to help animals.”
Rummy’s Beach Club has one pool that has a gradual entrance,
making it easier for the dogs, as well as a dock for jumping. During the winter
months the pool is enclosed to keep it warm.
Even though there are many pooches that go to Rummy’s for fun,
some visitors use the swimming for health and exercise. Goebel says the dogs
that swim at Rummy’s are there for all different kinds of reasons including
recovering from injuries such as surgery, strokes and paralysis. Some of the
competitors in the Reliant Dog Show even come to the beach club to help with
their physique for when they compete.
In addition to being the mascot for the beach club, Rummy does
a lot of work within the community with Goebel educating students about animal
cruelty and animal rescue.
“I saw the way both kids and adults responded to Rummy. Kids
would put their faces in his fur and people would get kisses from him,” says
Goebel. “He just has a way with people and I knew I needed to do more with
him.”
Besides Rummy, Goebel has three other rescue dogs, Victor,
Reba and Mr. Stubbie.
Goebel hopes to expand the club to include another pool to
allow for more than one family of dogs to swim at once.
“I have an
awesome job,” says Goebel. “I love swimming with the dogs and getting to know
them.”
Rummy’s Beach Club
22111 Fields Lane
Spring, Texas 77389
713-446-3805
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