Buster can lounge beside a swimming pool that Howard Rubin says he and his wife never use. The two sun shelves were installed specifically for the bearded Collie, who enjoys water but does not swim. He loves water but he doesn’t swim. We never use it. It’s his, Howard said.
That pool is only one part of an unusually comprehensive renovation. Howard and Suze Rubin, both 77, spent approximately $2 million adapting their Pound Ridge, New York, property around Buster’s routines and comfort and named the finished place “Buster’s Retreat.”
The couple had been living in Boca Raton, Florida, where Howard said warm summer weather limited their opportunities to get outside and play. In 2019, they paid $1.825 million for the New York home and relocated to a cooler climate.
The mid-century modern house, built around 1995, has approximately 5,000 square feet, four bedrooms and about 2.76 acres. Buster’s accommodations extend well beyond a favorite patch of lawn: The property includes artificial turf, a fenced area known as his “playground,” umbrellas and Japanese maples arranged to create shade, and a composite pool deck designed to deflect heat and protect his paws.
The details reflect one individual dog’s preferences. Buster likes lying on the deck while landscapers work, and he treats the guest bedrooms as additional rooms. Inside, he also watches “Paw Patrol.” Howard is a technology consultant and professor emeritus of computer science at Hunter College; Suze is a retired veterinary technician, school psychologist and volunteer EMT.
Which dog-friendly features have wider value?
Few households will undertake a renovation on this scale, but several of the Rubins’ priorities translate into practical questions for other dog owners. Shade, controlled access to water and attention to surface temperature address risks that can arise in an ordinary yard, patio or pool area.
Cornell’s summer heat guidance notes that every dog can develop heatstroke, while dogs with thick or dark coats require extra precautions. It recommends access to shade, water breaks and limiting activity during the hotter parts of the day. Heavy panting, seeking shade, drooling and reluctance to play can be early signs that a dog is overheating.
Surface choice also deserves scrutiny. Artificial grass, asphalt and other outdoor materials can become hot enough to hurt paw pads. Cornell recommends checking a surface with a hand or bare foot for about 10 seconds; if it is too hot for you, it is likely too hot for a dog. A heat-deflecting deck is a highly personalized solution, but the broader takeaway costs nothing: Test the ground and choose cooler times or shaded routes when necessary.
Artificial turf may reduce the amount of natural lawn around a home, but it should not automatically be treated as a cool surface. Its temperature still needs to be checked before a dog walks or rests on it. Grass and shady areas can offer cooler alternatives when hard or synthetic surfaces heat up.
The pool shelves are tailored to Buster, but they also illustrate an important distinction: Loving water does not mean a dog can swim safely. Pool-safety guidance from Hill’s Pet recommends close supervision whenever a dog is near a pool, along with a usable exit such as steps or a ramp. When the pool is unattended, a self-latching fence or secure child-safe cover can restrict access; an alarm should not replace those barriers.
For homeowners deciding where to spend, broadly useful protections such as shade, secure fencing and controlled pool access can serve a dog without requiring the property to revolve around one animal’s precise habits. Sun shelves, a dedicated playground and extensive landscaping are more individualized choices. Their value depends on the dog, the household’s routine and what the owners genuinely want from the space not on an assumption that every future buyer will share those priorities.
The Rubins have now listed Buster’s Retreat with Douglas Elliman agent Sally Slater while considering a move back to Florida because Suze has begun to miss the state. No completed sale or listing price was provided. The decision leaves an unexpected tension at the center of the property: They redesigned an entire New York life around Buster, then found themselves contemplating another change.
Howard’s description captures that tradeoff without presenting it as sacrifice: I wouldn’t say we’ve given up part of our life for him, but we’ve changed our life for him.
Does this sound like your dog’s personality, or did they surprise you completely? Tell us in the comments.
By Nora Patel — Former shelter adoption counselor and canine-behavior writer who helps families match dog traits with real home routines.
