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| In this fast-food, supersized world, the effects of what we eat and how we live are becoming more obvious every day. That's why organic grocery stores, health clubs and special diets are springing up almost as quickly as new junk foods. While people have lots of healthy options, what about our four legged friends? It turns out that most pet food is designed primarily for our convenience, not as the best nutrition for cats and dogs. But there's a place in Lincoln Square that caters to dog and cat owners who want to take a natural approach to pet care. Ruff Haus Pets is a full service pet boutique that specializes in premium natural pet foods created especially to help our best friends live a long and healthy life. Owner Richard Forsythe meets lots of customers who are reconsidering their pet's diet. "They're eating a certain way for health reasons, then one day they start seriously looking at what their dog is eating too," he says. Richard is an animal lover who has lived in the neighborhood with his wife, Cindy and dog, Stella for ten years. About three years ago, he decided that he wanted to start a business that he could feel passionate about in the neighborhood he loved. "I wanted to do something locally," says Richard. "I think that commerce has to be kept on a local level for neighborhoods to have any meaning. And the more neighborhoods are like this, the kinder people are to each other." |
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| Ruff Haus pets doesn't stock the typical grocery-store brands of pet food. Instead, you'll find natural foods with no artificial flavorings, additives, fillers or colorings and whole, unprocessed ingredients. A huge cooler holds a full range of raw foods, which are formulated to come closer to a dog's diet as it would have been in the wild. "Dogs are carnivores, though they have survived as scavengers," says Richard, "They aren't meant to eat all the grains that are in most dog foods. Chewing hard foods actually rots their teeth." Raw foods leave vitamins and enzymes intact, unlike processed foods. It's even more important for cats to eat the proper diet, because they are pure carnivores. "Canned foods are key for cats," says Richard. Both cats and dogs prefer to drink fresh, oxygenated water, so Ruff Haus Pets carries special water bowls that work like miniature water fountains. "We always have a bowl of still water out for the animals that come in, and every time they go for the running water," says Richard. All this dietary advice may sound complicated, but Richard's goal is to make everything easy to understand. "My wife says that I get obsessive about things, but I prefer to call it passionate," he says. |
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 Richard got the idea for Ruff Haus Pets when he'd left his sales job and had done a few interviews, but realized that his heart wasn't in what he was doing anymore. "I wanted to have a job that would be there for me as long as I wanted it," says Richard. Growing up, he was always crazy about animals and at one time wanted to be a veterinarian. He started thinking about ways to apply his sales experience to something he really cared about, and animals were the obvious choice. "You can't screw up dogs by spoiling them like you can screw up people," he laughs. He thought that the Lincoln Square neighborhood was a perfect location for a specialized pet boutique, since it had tons of cat and dog owners but no businesses serving them. Richard started out by doing research on the market and by reaching out to similar businesses in Chicago. "I went to every single independent pet shop within a five mile radius and introduced myself before opening the store," recalls Richard. He sees other shops as peers, rather than competitors, and often will send customers to another store if they can't find exactly what they are looking for. "Each business is different because of its personality and how it caters to different personal tastes," explains Richard. "The way to attract customers is to just do your best all the time." Ruff Haus Pets is a conduit for all sorts of pet-related services, but Richard will only recommend places that he knows offer good service. He's also glad to special order items if customers have something particular in mind. |
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| Ruff Haus Pets definitely reflects Richard's personality and his love for animals. From the pet-oriented art on the walls, to the beautifully designed products on the shelves, you can immediately see the emphasis on good design and premium products. Most customers come in with their dogs, since he's created an extremely welcoming atmosphere for both people and pets. In fact, Richard is often joined at work by his dog, Stella and his daughter, Lilly. For the first year and a half he was in business, Richard brought his daughter to work with him every day. "She was in the playpen beside me," he says. "Being able to be with your kids is one of the major benefits of owning your own business." He now has a seven month old son, Jackson. |
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| The birth of his daughter was part of the epiphany that inspired Richard to open Ruff Haus Pets. At the time, he also became the guitarist and vocalist for a band called Street Van. "If things are important to you, there's no perfect time. You just have to take the opportunity as it comes," says Richard. "There's this great quote that goes, 'Life is what happens when you're making other plans.' For me, starting a business was one important thing and music was another." Richard had played guitar since he was 17 and had been in a number of garage bands through college. Street Van represented a chance for him to get back into music again. So far, they've played a number of successful gigs at places like the Double Door and the Metro, and have been featured on XRT and Q101. "At one point I thought to myself, 'What kind of dad do I want to be?' I decided to show my kids that I wanted to be the kind of dad who pursued his dreams." |
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 Ruff Haus Pets also takes a kind approach in the grooming services it offers dogs. Every Sunday, you can bring in your dog without an appointment for a $15 self-wash and use their facilities. Appointments are available with master groomer Michele Gandolfo Tuesday through Saturday. Unlike other shops, you can watch your dog through the windowed grooming area and you can take your dog home when the process is done. "We don't keep dogs here all day long. We always put the dog's health and safety first," describes Richard. "People tell us all the time that their dogs actually like getting groomed here. They walk right in the room and are not afraid at all." The shop also stocks natural grooming supplies, from shampoos to brushes, that you can use at home to keep Fido looking good between professional trims.
Probably the greatest testament to the success of Ruff Haus Pets comes from the dogs themselves. "We have customers who live in the neighborhood who tell us that their dogs always stop in front of the store, even when we're not open, wanting to go in," says Richard. Customers come for the great selection of well-made pet products and to stock up on food. In keeping with his commitment to the neighborhood, Richard buys a lot of locally-made products whenever he can. He carries a range of Mushy beds, which are made locally from 100% organic fabrics, wool and buckwheat pellets, and are sewn in the garment district. Dugan's Digs is a local business that makes distinguished-looking dog collars. There are plenty of basic items, too, for those who prefer plain over fancy designs. The shop has a great selection of outdoor gear for dogs, including Ruffwear, a line from Oregon that makes doggie tents, life preservers and even paw covers for running on rocky terrain. You'll also find a great selection of treats, toys, collars and coats for both dogs and cats. |
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| Since the store has opened, Richard has been involved with the community and the Lincoln Square Chamber of Commerce. "It's a great way to be an active part of the community and to give back to the neighborhood," says Richard. Ruff Haus Pets participates in neighborhood events like the Harvest Days on Rockwell last October. They sponsored a Halloween Costume Contest which drew more than 40 dogs in full fancy dress. "The winner was a mixed breed that looked like a combination of Cyndi Lauper and early '90s Madonna," laughs Richard. |
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| Visit Ruff Haus Pets to find a special toy or gift for your favorite cat or dog. You'll find a great selection of items that are all about treating your pet well. "They enrich our lives, so we should enrich theirs too," says Richard. |
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Ruff Haus Pets
4652 North Rockwell
Chicago, IL 60625
773.478.5100
www.ruffhauspets.com
Hours
Tuesday through Thursday Noon - 8pm
Friday 10am - 7pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday Noon - 5pm |
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| Read more profiles in the Member of the Month Archives |
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