Celebrity Writer Carla Lane Opens 'Paws-A-While'

The creche gives dog owners the opportunity to leave their four legged friend's in a warm, safe and caring environment (which includes the dogs being walked) allowing them to shop without having the worry of leaving their dogs tied up outside.

Paws-A-While is the latest venture for owners Hayley Atkins and Larry Gill, who for the past year have built a successfull pet shop business, 'The Cats Whiskers' a few doors along in Sackville Road.

Cutting the ribbon Ms Lane said: "I am really pleased to open this shop. This is such a wonderful idea and I wish Hayley and Larry the best of luck with their new venture."

After the opening there followed a champagne reception where people enjoyed refreshments and, checked out the latest range of doggy clothes and accessories available to buy in the shop, including life jackets and designer 'Barkley' coats - of which Paws-A-While are the sole distributors locally.

People were clearly thrilled to meet Carla who was happy to take time to chat and sign autographs, with some buying copies of her autobiography, 'Someday I'll Find Me', or her book of poems, 'Dreams & Other Aggravations.'

Carla, who has owned an animal sanctuary in West Sussex, ' Animaline' (currently home to over 1,000 birds and animals) for the past twenty years, often visits Bexhill and is a regular patron of 'The Cats Whiskers'.

She said she had actively encouraged Hayley and Larry to open somewhere like Paws-A-While adding: "I dreamt about opening a place like this because people are not allowed in shops with their dogs, and it's so upsetting - they like to take their dog with them when they go shoppping because it means that they can get the exercise from the walk, but then they can't go into certain shops with their dogs. Now people can leave their dogs while they shop, they will be comfortable, warm, fed; it's a dream come true."

Hayley and Larry both agree that one of the main reasons for their success has been thanks to the continued support and friendship of their customers and on thanking everyone for attending the opening Larry said: "We can't believe the support we've received, it's been mind-boggling, you are not just customers but friends."

Many people who attended the event and took a variety of their beloved pets with them, ranging from little Yorkies to the somewhat bigger German 'Leanberger', spoke enthusiastically about the creche.

Bexhill resident Mary Thorburn who owns a Jack Russell (aptly called Jack) said: "I think this is great - a very good idea and I will use it in the future because if I need to go somewhere where I need to leave him then I will. I wouldn't want to tie him up outside."

Paws-A-While are open six days a week and there is currently a special opening offer on the creche.

For further information call 734488.