Mini mutt mum Barbara's dream job

FURRY CLIENTS: Featherston's Barbara Jackson with some of her four-legged pals. Clockwise from left: Levi, Larry, Charlie and Lexi.

Barbara Jackson spends most days covered in dog hair, bathing cheeky pooches after a dip in Lake Wairarapa and teaching previously timid dogs to shake hands -- in other words, living the dream.

The Featherston residents runs Mini Mutts, a doggy day care and grooming service she runs for small dogs from her Brandon St home.

Already a 'mum' to Levi the maltese/chihuahua cross and Lexi the papillon/Jack Russell, Barbara has been known to have up to 10 furry clients on her property, all needing exercise and companionship -- and some in need of a good clip, some extra obedience lessons or a little coaxing out of their shells.

"It's pretty much the dream job," Barbara said.

"It's actually really relaxing, and so entertaining.

"There's not a day that goes by without laughs, with all the funny things they do and strange positions they end up in."

Barbara was inspired to start Mini Mutts while she was working at SuperValue Featherston -- and was feeling anxious having to leave her dogs at home.

"I hated leaving them -- I was getting quite worried.

"Plus I felt like I needed a change, as working on my feet was getting tough on the old body."

A typical day for Barbara starts at 8am when most of the dogs are dropped off, with husband Peter on hand to greet the early arrivals at 6am.

She takes her charges to Lake Wairarapa for a run and a dip, then back home for a rest and a wash for those who have "rolled in smelly stuff."

Afterwards, it's playtime in the backyard or indoors -- where Barbara sometimes leaves toys filled with dog treats for them to find.

"People ask if I keep them in crates, but they need stimulation and to explore.

"I treat them like my own -- they're allowed on the furniture, and we have heaps of cuddle time."

Included in the Mini Mutts service is basic obedience training, with Barbara teaching the dogs everything from sitting on command to 'dancing' on their hind legs.

Barbara also offers dog grooming as part of her service, having taught herself the art of a smartly trimmed coat via YouTube.

"There's not much to it -- many of the clients don't want dog show grooming; if the dog's got matted hair, they want it off."

Barbara said one of the most rewarding parts of her job is seeing clients relax, knowing that their pooches are taken care of while they're at the office.

For example, one of her very first charges, a Staffy, arrived with "terrible separation anxiety".

"Her owners couldn't leave the house for five minutes, as she'd destroy something," she said.

"But, coming here and socialising with other dogs calmed her right down.

"Dogs get lonely if they're left by themselves -- so it's a weight off the owner's mind not to have a stressed dog in their face when they get home."

More information is available on www.facebook.com/minimuttsdaycare.

The service is currently limited to small dogs under 20kg.