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Rummy: A Blind Husky Who Teaches!

December 17, 2009, 1:4PM MT

Whether you live in Houston, Texas or not, we wanted to share the story of a wonderful dog – a blind Siberian husky named Rummy and his equally special owner, Lisa Goebel. Lisa took Rummy from the streets where he had been abandoned and gave him a new life as a companion and teacher to kids throughout Houston.

Rummy won the 2007 nationwide Purina Rally to Rescue contest and went to Hollywood where he met a movie star! To win, Rummy kissed tens of thousands of Houstonians to get their vote! Rummy loves everyone and everyone who meets Rummy adores him.

Since winning, Rummy and Lisa go to schools and libraries to talk to kids about dog / animal rescue to help them understand how important it is to love and care for animals. Lisa has five rescue dogs and has fostered many sled dogs. She has been involved in dog rescue for several years and helps kids understand the importance of caring for and rescuing animals.

What does Rummy do? He hugs, kisses, puts his paw on your hand or in your lap, howls and listens as children whisper secrets in his ear. He is fearless and has a positive energy that is almost tangible. After children meet Rummy and get kisses, they sit or lie on the floor next to him and watch Lisa’s presentation. She talks about Rummy’s trip to Hollywood, which movie star he kissed and then tries to help people understand what Rummy went through on the streets of Houston.

Lisa explains how dog / animal rescue works, how anyone can get involved, how to rescue any breed of dog and what to do when you see an animal in need. She discusses puppy mills and backyard breeders who raise dogs to sell — often in very terrible living conditions.

She discusses why it is important to get your pets neutered and spayed. She also talks a bit about dogfighting and tells kids who to contact if they know someone involved in abusing animals. After Lisa answers questions, Rummy sings with the students. Rummy adores children! He warms your heart and you may find yourself getting a lump in your throat when you watch him: he is so full of love!

Lisa shows pictures of Rummy when he was a starving and sick, blind dog from the streets while children are getting kisses from him: a dog that society "threw away! Lisa and Rummy’s goal is for children to experience compassion right then and there so that later in life they will choose not to abuse animals and will help to rescue them instead.

Lisa’s work in Houston is particularly important because Texas was included as one of the states in the largest dogfigthing bust in U.S. history. In that city, one out of four high school students is involved in, or knows someone involved in dogfighting and animal abuse. One out of four! Lisa feels it’s so important that kids understand that dogs like Rummy and others suffer when they are abandoned and abused that she doesn’t charge for her program. She will go to any school in the Houston area, as many times as they want, free of charge.

If you would like to get in touch with Lisa to have her come to your school (if you are in the Houston, Texas area) please email her at: lisa@rummysbeachclub.com or call 713-446-3805

For More Information

If you would like to find out more about living with a blind dog, please check out the following link.
Visit the Best Friends Pet Care Library for pet care tips and education materials.
Kids, join the Next Gen kids and teens group to find what you can do for pets of all kinds.
Parents and teachers, download projects and lesson plans for kids of all ages.

Photos provided by Lisa Goebel.

Comments

Posted December 19, 2009, 1:19PM by carlnylund

Great job Rummy, my blind Side mostly sleeps.

Posted December 19, 2009, 1:25PM by Big_Dog_and_Miss_Kittis_Pet_Sitting

About a month ago, I set up a booth for my pet sitting business at a local pet fair... Lisa had a booth there as well and I had the pleasure of getting to spend some time with the two of them. Rummy is an amazing dog, and Lisa is a remarkable person! Both were a joy to meet and I look forward to networking with her in the future.

Posted December 19, 2009, 1:26PM by dorothyconners

I know Rummy and Lisa. They are both wonderful. It is really hard to watch Rummy and believe he is blind. Rummy lives everyday like we should all do. He is aa happy, dog. He really does give lotz of kisses too.

Posted December 19, 2009, 2:22PM by houstondogpark

I have been to Lisa's place - "Rummy's Beach Club" - it is VERY cool. Lisa is an amazing lady, and her place is amazing for dogs! You have to check out her dog pool and the wonderful home she opens for boarding dogs- learn more on her site http://www.rummysbeachclub.com. I have also done some pet fairs and education tables with Lisa, she is a dedicated volunteer and advocate. She recently joined the Houston Dog Park Association as the Member at Large on the Board of Directors. We are thrilled to have her "officially" on our team!

Posted December 19, 2009, 5:47PM by abmolsha

Yay Rummy! He is a special guy that's for sure. Lisa is fantastic and Rummy's Beach Club is a sight to behold. The warm water therapy in her specialized pool built just for dogs is beyond fantastic for exercise, post-surgery/injury recovery and for dogs with arthritis and joint issues. It's truly amazing! Not only that you can board your dogs are her facility in real bedrooms with real people sleeping with them in a bed. No cages, no dog runs, someone always there to make them feel comfortable! One of a kind! It is an honor to consider both Rummy and Lisa my friends.

Posted December 20, 2009, 8:56AM by deemoonpie

I had the pleasure of meeting Lisa and Rummy before Rummy was chosen the Purina Rally to Rescue winner! I voted like a mad woman and encouraged others to vote as well because he so deserved the honor after all he had been through! I applaud both Rummy and Lisa for all they do for animal rescue organizations! Keep up the great work!! Bright lights and warm fuzzies!

Posted December 21, 2009, 6:2AM by juliet

lisa and rummy: sent to earth by angels any other explaination? :) :) :) great work and a well deserved honor!!!!

Posted December 21, 2009, 10:23AM by luvthosedogs

Way to go, Rummy - what a beautiful boy you are!! And Lisa, what a special soul you are!

Posted December 21, 2009, 11:27AM by puppy_love73

Rummy is definitely an angel! I had him at my library program just last week and the kids went wild!! We had a huge crowd! I"m a children's asst. with a local library and always have a "have a heart for a chained dog" storytime in February and like to do at least one more during the year(we can only do the same theme 2x a year). I hand out numbers for animal control and animal emergencies and tell the kids that if they see something bad happening to an animal, tell an adult so they can call the authorities. I am the proud mother of six rescues and do NOT tolerate ill treatment of animals. Rummy is a sweet boy and having him come out shows the kids that a dog can come off the streets and become a wonderful companion.

Posted December 22, 2009, 8:35AM by mdrosche

I just read the article on Rummy on Texas.bestfriends.org and the article made me cry - tears of JOY for a change!! I remember when Rummy won the Purina Rally. As someone whose first dog after marriage was a Siberian Husky named Zorr (got him in 11/74), I can't tell you how happy this article makes both my husband and me! We had many huskies through the years, losing our last one in 2005. By that time though we were involved in rescuing Jack Russell Terriers, our youngest daughter having brought one home the year she graduated from Cy-Fair HS (2000). We will always, always, always love huskies though and are very proud to see what Rummy has accomplished, though not at all surprised! I know I don't have to tell you how wonderful huskies are - how regal they are and how loving they are toward children and family. The ONLY thing that ever worried me about both of our daughters (and especially the oldest) was that, because both girls were literally raised with huskies, neither had a fear of any dog and I had to always let them know that they had to ask and couldn't just assume and pet and love on any dog as they did the huskies! Zorr was our first child; then came Aimee; then another husky named Tasha; then Jenny in 1981 and a month after she was born (10/31/81), Rick brings home the most beautiful ball of fluff husky we named Bear! Nope, I surely wasn't one who dumped a dog when I had a baby and the thought never entered my mind! Again, congratulations to both you and Rummy! All dogs are wonderful teachers but there could be no better choice than a husky and especially the one named Rummy! Merry Christmas to you, Rummy and to all your rescues!

Posted December 22, 2009, 5:33PM by sedna101

Lisa, what you are doing is AWESOME. Many people don't realize that Siberians were bred to keep the children warm at night (as well as pulling sleds in one of the most extreme environments on the planet) so they were selected for thousands of years to like children and other dogs (so they could work in teams). My local animal shelter keeps thinking they should not be placed in homes with children! Rummy is like the majority of all dogs, who just want to love and be loved. Thank you! Blessings, Jane ~^..^~ Pomo ~^..^~ Little Fox ~^..^~ Arctic Northern California Sled Dog Rescue www.norsled.org Making a difference, one life at a time.

Posted December 24, 2009, 6:4PM by Becky Raney

Congratulations Rummy and Lisa! I've been to Rummy's Beach Club and it is absolutely fantastic! My dogs have had the pleasure of swimming in her warm-water therapy pool (me too!) and it is wonderful. There's lots of acreage for the dogs to run and play and the "boarding" is a real house with bedrooms for dogs. My dogs hate to leave! Lisa is making a difference by reaching children at a young age and educating them about the overpopulation problem, abuse, neglect and cruelty of animals. She also teaches them compassion and solutions. Hopefully, because of programs like hers the next generation will be a more kinder, gentler educated group when it comes to treatment of animals. Rummy is a walking example of how we should never give up on even the worse case of neglect. He survived the streets blind and is now living a life of love.

Posted July 16, 2010, 9:26PM by ShereeP

I had the pleasure of meeting both Rummy & Lisa at a fundraiser last year at Barnes & Noble (Galleria). I was doing "Gift Yapping". I had so much fun I stayed past my "shift" and was thrilled with what Rummy and Lisa do, that I kept in touch. I now spread the word all over about Rummy, Reba, Mishka, Cory and Lisa and ALL the good they do for the community. I think everyone should get to visit Rummy's beach club. Sheree