Lake Hopatcong Going to the 'Dawgs'

Dogs are not just man’s best friends. They are the best friends of Tami Felter and Linda Stafford, the two women who own the recently opened Dawg House on Rt. 15.

The business handles boarding and doggy day care, handled by Stafford, along with dog grooming, Felter’s specialty.

The pair opened its doors on the site of a previously vacated business. The set-up includes room for 20 dogs, a fenced-in outdoor area and a walking path. A full grooming center with a window seat for the canine client, completes the scene.

“I purposely set up the grooming table right by the window to distract the dog, since most don’t really like to be groomed,” Felter said.

Felter, who is professionally trained in grooming, has four dogs of her own at home.

“Three are a mother and her two pups, but one belongs to a family member, but I think that one will be staying with us for a while,” she said.

The Dawg House accepts visitors on a daily basis or for extended stays, according to Stafford. And while she does not have a full staff yet, someone, most often Stafford herself, is on the premises 24/7 to care for the dogs.

“I sleep here on the couch a lot of nights,” Stafford said. “I intend to get a cot in here so that whoever works the overnight shift can bring their own pillow and blanket and be comfortable.”