Taylor Murray

A FORMER police officer who started a dog grooming business in her garage has shared her delight at being nominated for a prestigious award.

Maureen Grant swapped criminals for pooches in 2012 as she looked for a career change, inspired by the enjoyment gained from grooming her own fourlegged friend.

She decided to use her skills to make other people’s pets look their best too and, with the help of her husband, launched Lovedog

Grooming, which is now based in Johnstone town centre.

Maureen told The Gazette: “This business started in my garage twelve years ago before moving to the High Street.

“There are so many great dog groomers now, with fantastic businesses around about us, but when we first started there were hardly any.

“My husband got me a dog years ago and I wanted to learn how to groom my own dog.

“That was where the love for it began.”

Maureen took courses to become fully qualified and Lovedog

Grooming has continued to grow.

She recently completed a diploma in dog behaviour through the British College of Canine Studies.

It was last year that Lovedog Grooming moved into the old registry office in Johnstone, with Maureen revealing she had her eye on that location for some time.

In a further boost for the business, Lovedog Grooming has been named as a finalist in the Salon-based Dog Groomer of the Year category by organisers of the Local Pet Awards.

“We are so delighted,” said Maureen. “We were nominated last year as well and the night itself is always phenomenal.

“The girls are all looking forward to getting dressed up and having a nice dinner.

“The fact that our customers have nominated us makes it even more special.

“I am still cutting hair for some dogs that came to me when I first started and it means a lot to me that people are still coming back.”

For more information, visit https://lovedog.org.uk/services/dog-grooming-renfrewshire.