The Ruff Life comes to Rehoboth Beach

For artist and business owner Sara England, moving to the beach was a means to living The Ruff Life - her new store on Baltimore Avenue in Rehoboth Beach.

The store opens Monday, May 1 and is a showcase for England’s whimsical pet art, selling prints of dogs on products such as cutting boards, T-shirts, bottle openers and coasters, as well as prints of her works. England said her work shows dogs drinking wine or eating crabs, with 100 breeds of dogs plus some cats.

Explaining the name, England, the owner of three dogs, said, “I use the word ‘ruff’ a lot; I’ve used it on T-shirts in the past. It’s kind of a play on the good life, life is good. Life is rough with the dogs, but it’s a playful, happy time.”

She said it usually takes a week to create a piece of artwork; she does commission work that generally takes a bit longer.

England spent the last five years traveling to dog shows across the country to sell and display her work. Before that, she had a shop in New Market, Md., in Frederick County.

“People would walk in and say, ‘You really should be at the beach,’” England said.

England and husband Michael D’Ovidio moved to Rehoboth a year ago with the intention of opening a store. After some searching, the couple hit upon a location on Baltimore Avenue next to a(MUSE.) restaurant.

England said she has loved dogs since she was a child.

“I couldn’t have a dog when I was a kid, so look what happened,” she joked.

She studied graphic design at University of Maryland and worked for a T-shirt company out of school. After working for other companies for years, England wanted to be her own boss and sell her artwork directly to people.

While doors open May 1, The Ruff Life plans a grand opening on National Dog Party Day, Wednesday, June 21.  

“I hope the people come,” England said.

The Ruff Life is located at 46B Baltimore Ave. For more information, visit saraenglanddesigns.com.