I was almost top dog Down Under
Lisa ditched application but show bosses still wanted her to appear
An expat has told how she beat 4000 other hopefuls to become a TV star Down Under – thanks to her petpreening skills.
Lisa Webb, 30, impressed producers so much she landed one of 20 spots on Rebel Wilson’s Pooch Perfect, which features a Brussels Griffon called Russell as a co-host. The Channel 7 show, hosted by the Bridesmaids actress, involves teams of two stylists battling it out to become top dog. They were challenged to give scruffy pets a makeover and the top three teams then compete in a sudden death round. The winner is then crowned Australia’s Greatest Pet St yl ist and awarded a bumper cash price £50,000.
Lisa, originally from Gullane in East Lothian, took up dog grooming after moving to Australia in 2013 with husband
Stephen, 35.
She set up Maggie’s dog cafe and salon in
Moonee Beach, near Brisbane, and hopes the exposure on national TV will boost business.
Lisa had abandoned her hal f- f inished online application but producers still saw it and asked her to take part in the show. She said: “I started the application but thought to myself, ‘Don’t be silly’ and left it. Then Channel 7 called and asked me to finish the application as they really liked me and what I can do.
“I’ve really enjoyed the experience and feel so honoured I was chosen to appear on the show over 4000 applicants.” The f i rst episode of the show which will run over eight episodes, was screened last Thursday.
Alongside Lisa is teammate and fellow dog groomer Annett Whitelum, from Tuggerah on the Central Coast, who owns Turners & Pooch.
However, af ter beating thousands of hopefuls, the duo were eliminated after judges ruled their “lion cut” on Benson during one round was too basic.
Despite losing out, Lisa enjoyed the experience.
She said: “It was a very tough competition with some of Australia’s best pet stylists – many who are my idols.
“My favourite part of the show was building friendships with all the other contestants – we have become like a little family.”
Maggie’s dog cafe opened its doors opened in April 2017 and is named after the couple’s fourlegged friend.
It is a one- stop shop for pampered pooches with a dog cafe, paw-friendly shop, doggy day care and salon.
This year, it scooped the title of Australia’s No1 Dog Friendly Cafe.