A TEAM of dog lovers have been crowned best in show after picking up a top prize.

Staff at Woodside Boarding Kennels were celebrating success at the Local Pet Awards in Glasgow.

Amanda Quelch, manager of the East Fortune business, admitted it was “a bit of a shock” when they were named winners of East and West Dunbartonshire, East Lothian and Falkirk area kennel of the year.

She said: “I said to the girls: ‘Let’s go and enjoy the weekend, we will have a lovely evening and have some fun.’

“We all work really, really hard and just being nominated is achievement enough, no matter the outcome.

“Personally, I have never been a lucky person and thought what will be, will be.

“When it got to our category, it was us and two others and then they said the winner was us and it was just a momentary shock.

East Lothian Courier: Woodside Boarding Kennels scooped a top award at a ceremony in Glasgow. Pictured, from left: Lauren Duffy, Ruby Allen, Amanda Quelch, manager, Helen Stuart and Pam AllenWoodside Boarding Kennels scooped a top award at a ceremony in Glasgow. Pictured, from left: Lauren Duffy, Ruby Allen, Amanda Quelch, manager, Helen Stuart and Pam Allen

“They just said our name and Helen, my assistant manager, to this day she keeps saying she did not hear them saying it, she just heard me screaming.

“It was a bit of a shock.

“We walked up to the stage and were all staring at each other with the biggest grins on our faces.”

The kennels opened about eight years ago and cater for up to 46 boarding dogs and 25 day care visitors. Visiting dogs can enjoy time in one of the three social paddocks or up to five walks a day.

Amanda, who started working at the business in October 2020, thanked the pet owners for their kind words.

She said: “The customers have been nothing but appreciative.

“They have been absolutely amazing and we would never have got the award without them.

“They are the ones that nominated us because the awards are public-nominated and public-voted.”

Sandy Pate, who owns Woodside Boarding Kennels, congratulated the five members of staff.

He said: “There were tough times through the Covid period and the business took a bit of a hit from that.

“But the staff have all worked really hard to grow the business again.

“Amanda has really been a game-changer for the business and the rest of the staff she has hired make a great team.”