Animal artists put pet pals in picture
AN ANIMAL loving couple whose pet sitting service was decimated by lockdown have drawn up a successful new business plan.
David and Tammy Lugsden, both 38, of Macclesfield, are now earning a living by creating portraits of the dogs and cats they looked after.
The new venture is called Animal Pawtraits and so far the couple - who are both talented artists - have sold 14 pictures.
It has temporarily replaced their original business Paw Pals, which had suffered during the Covid crisis as owners were not going on holiday and walking their dogs themselves.
Now this business is picking up again as lockdown eases David and Tammy, of Stamford Close, are hoping to run both side by side as word of their sideline spreads.
David said: “We walk dogs through the year while people go to work and there’s a seasonal thing with cats from Easter to September when people go on holiday.
“But with lockdown it stopped almost completely, we were just walking three dogs for key workers or people shielding.
“We could no longer see the pets we often saw every day, we build up special bonds with them so to suddenly not see them was heartbreaking.
“We both used to like painting so we got back in touch with it and painted them. We didn’t expect anything to come of it, we just put some pictures on Facebook and it snowballed.”
The couple set up Paw Pals three years ago after returning to the country from a stint living in Singapore.
Prior to lockdown it had grown to include around 50 clients.
They now hope the process of this building back up to a similar level has begun as restrictions are eased.
David said: “We’ve always been big animal lovers and wanted to work with them. They are always excited to see you.
“It can be the most horrible day outside but dogs are always happy when you arrive and cats know when they see you they are going to get fed.
“Whatever mood you are in it always gives you a lift and is a nice feeling.”