FOR those looking to leave their beloved pooches whilst going to work, you're definitely not barking up the wrong tree when choosing Top Dog Carlisle.
The doggy day care centre, based in Willowholme Industrial Estate, was fetched from the warm-hearts of husband and wife Dave and Vicky McKenna in 2021 during lockdown.
"I've always come to my wife with ideas of running a business, usually it's a no but when it was a doggy day care, I was surprised she said yes.
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"It was one of those, if we don't do it now, we'll never do it. I'm not sure why we thought in the middle of Covid was a good idea but it probably helped in one sense, with everyone buying a dog in lockdown including ourselves. Everyone would have to go back to work at some point and we met that market-need," Dave said.
Your pets are in safe hands at the daycare, in which the owners treat their guests "like family" - with their own four pooches being involved in the pack.
"We're on a dangerously slippery slope to end up like Doctor Dolittle.
"We open the door in the morning, and when you see those faces it's just such a really warm experience.
"Parents see the same kind of affection the pets give owners that they give us. It's not a transaction for us, it's family.
"Some dogs come in and you have to work for their affection and trust - we had a review recently of a woman who was thrilled to see her dog who usually isn't good with anyone else sitting on my lap.
"When you see those success stories, it's so heart-warming," he said.
Dave puts a lot of the businesses success down to its Top Dog team. Abbie Nunn the on-site dog-groomer; Kerry Headech; Danielle Mackie; Alexis Hind and with the help of their daughter Madison for giving up her summer holidays to help out.
To get in touch with the daycare centre, you can reach them via www.facebook.com/topdog.carlisle
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