Looking Back

It is New Year's Eve 2019. The end of the year AND the end of a decade. As I look back at the last 10 years, so much has happened. In 2010 I had completely changed careers. After being a full time artist for 12 years, doing art fairs selling my bead sculptures and jewelry, I decided to board dogs at the house.

The Cat Did It

Rescue Buddy Boarding & Beyond became a full time business venture. Former Pet Haven fosters being the most frequent visitors. We fostered 10 dogs in 2010. One of the few times I fostered puppies. Buddy was not a fan. Buster and Romeo snuggling. They were springer/beagle pups.

Walker graduated high school in 2011. And graduated college in 2016! Congratulations!

One of the biggest changes came in 2012 when mom and I bought a house in Bloomington on a 1/2 acre of land for the dogs. Mom moved up here from NE. All Omaha property was sold. The Leonard Frederick St legacy was history.

Walker finally had his grandma in the same city. They were a pair! Many pies and cookies were made. Many celebrations with family and friends were enjoyed. We even got away to a cabin a few times for  reunions.

Mom loved this house in the suburbs. Lots of birds and other wildlife would visit her bird feeder daily. Mom loved all the dogs. and they loved her. More treats, please! Melinda joined us in 2017.

Sadly, mom passed in 2017. She surprised us all by leaving us early Thanksgiving morning before Melinda and I got up. She was blessed with a long life of many adventures. Buddy joined her this past June. I imagine them snuggling with dad and Buster over the rainbow bridge.

Rescue Buddy lost some long time visitors this year. Toby, our 4th Pet Haven foster dog, Duke, the smart husky that can open doors, and just last night, little Zoe Zoe who loved to watch TV all joined La Bud. And Nate, Archer and Mochi's human dad, decided it was time for him to tend to dogs at the bridge. 

As 2019 comes to a close, I am thankful for all the families that share their beloved pups with Rescue Buddy Boarding. We continue to foster for Pet Haven. Over 100 dogs have come through our home. And I have found my way back to doing art! I always said I would be a papermaker in a future life. Well, I play with paper daily now. Here is one of my creations about our current foster dog, Mercy.

                                                         Onward we go to the new year!

Pet Haven's Bark at the Park

Three generations of the Leonard family attended the Twins game today in support of Pet Haven. We had a great time on such a gorgeous day. And the Twins won!!

Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas to all from Rescue Buddy Boarding & Beyond! And many adventures in 2012!!

 We have quite a crew here for the holiday week. And ALL are rescue dogs. Chloe is our newest guest. She was adopted from the humane society. Lucky girl! She is so playful.

 And then there is our beauty Fran, a Pet Haven alum. She calmly keeps everyone in line without them really knowing she is the boss.

 Here is a photo I call 'oreo'. The black dog on the right is Fran's brother Scout. He is quite the smiler. Fran even smiled at Walker the other morning.

No Dave I did not forget Jakey, another Pet Haven alum. The puppy Chloe really tires him out. Jake was returned three times before his original foster adopted him forever.

The dogs love Walker. We had a calm Christmas eve here at home. Off to see family this afternoon. Thank you to all our families for letting us take care of your little furballs.

Gideon and Bishop-see you tomorrow! Chloe is waiting.

One last note. I wanted to say Merry Forever Home to our last foster dog, Asher. Your Christmases will be bright from now on buddy. Looking forward to our next foster dog in a couple of weeks. If anyone is interested in getting involved in rescue in the new year please email me at dogs@pethavenmn.org.
Have a lovely Christmas Day!

Month of Celebrating!

Starting at the end of May and going through June we have been celebrating family reunions, last days of school, graduation, and birthdays. Andy and his family surprised us with a rare Minnesota visit over Memorial Day weekend. Mom was already up here. The Leonard family has not been all together for a couple of years.

We had breakfast at my house.

And continued the party at Michelle's for dinner.


We ate cake...


...and more cake.


We celebrated Walker's high school graduation.

And his 18th birthday. Mine too but many more years than that.


Friends gathered.


Family shared. What a fabulous month long celebration.


Now the hats have been thrown. And the presents have been opened. Walker and I would like to thank everyone for taking the time to join us along the way. We feel blessed to have such loving support.

All Alone Ramblings

Wow what is that I hear...........? Nothing! Yes nothing! It is just me here for the first time in I can not remember when.

Buddy is at Lake Harriet Vet having a dental. So he is gone for the day. Nothing terribly wrong with his teeth. He is 5 1/2 and never had his teeth cleaned so I thought it was time. I am looking for a dentist that will totally put me under for my trip to the drill master.

Walker is on his School of Rock tour for two weeks. The group is playing their first concert today in Houston. Rock On! They are scheduled to play Station 4 in St Paul on the 22nd. Cant't wait.


We are between foster dogs right now. Pet Haven just took in 7 new dogs so I wanted to make sure they all stay put before taking in a new dog. I did transport one of our recent intakes, Chester, today to Auntie Ruth's-one of our boarding partners. He is a sweet boy about 5 years old and a good size-40lbs.


Our next boarding guest Gracie arrives tomorrow morning. Buddy will be happy to have a playmate again.


So it is just me today doing whatever I want to do or need to do without dogs. Wonder what the day will bring? I know it is way too quiet around here.

June is our anniversary month!

Rescue Buddy Boarding & Beyond is one year old this month. We have been so busy that the month has flown by without even a mention of this milestone. Not a party, cake, or balloons.

But what we have been doing is providing a home away from home for former rescue dogs and helping homeless dogs find their new families. So in our own way we have been celebrating everyday by inviting dogs into our home and having successful adoptions.

To date we have had 15 foster dogs spend time here this past year. 13 of them already placed with adopters. We do have two adorable 14 week old male springer/beagle puppies that are looking for families. Buster and Romeo will be attending the Pet Haven large dog adoption event this Saturday July 3rd at the Minnetonka Petco from 10-12. They would love to meet you.

We did hand out one award of a free one night stay to one of our favorite guests for the "first and most frequent visitor". Guess who it is? Yes that would be 'our' boy Mister. He has some separation anxiety when left too long. So when his family travels or has extended work days Mister comes to hang out with La Buddy and his pals.

When Mister first started visiting he was nervous and did some crazy stuff like chomping on one of my beaded sculptures. But since then he feels right at home, even knowing he is in the neighborhood on the car ride over.

Mister was the first dog to sleep in the new puppy porch last summer.

And he makes himself at home on top of the couch. This is his official watchdog position. We would like to thank Mister's parents and all the doggie parents who trust us with your furkids.

Thanks to Walker

and La Buddy for sharing all you have with our guests. Onward we go to year two!!

Happy Mother's Day!

Thanks mom for all you have done for Walker and I. La Buddy and the foster dogs thank you too. Can't wait for you to visit us again. Happy Mother's Day to you. And to all the other mothers out there whether it is human kids or fur kids hug them tight. Life is short. Enjoy today!