"There is something about dogs which is very special," says David Shama, owner and trainer at The Original Doghouse. 'What impresses me is their total devotion to their owners. Even if an owner treats them badly, they will still show loyalty. Unfortunately, this is often taken for granted."
Listening to David talk about the path that led him to open his centre in 2004, it is obvious he has a deep love and respect for dogs. For him, the drive to offer comprehensive care for dogs is less of a profession and more of a vocation.
The Original Doghouse offers behavioural rehabilitation, training, daycare, boarding, grooming and dog photography. Significantly, it also runs a consulting service to give potential dog owners the entire picture of what pet ownership is about so they can make an informed decision. "Often people make rash choices about dog ownership," says David, "and the dog pays the ultimate price and ends up at a shelter."