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Community Corner

Dog Grooming Couple Realize Their Life's Dream

Brian and Nicole Gallagher named Murphy's Paw Dog Grooming & Doggie Boutique after their Jack Russell terrier.

Brian Gallagher said Murphy’s Paw Dog Grooming and Doggie Boutique is actually named for Murphy, the 11-year-old Jack Russell terrier owned by him and his wife, Nicole.

"He’s part of our inspiration," Gallagher said.

But in fact, the Gallaghers are long-time pet owners and dog lovers who have always wanted to be in the pet business, he said.

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As a tribute to their caring attention to dogs, of STARS (Stratford Animal Rescue Society) on Stratford Patch last week.

STARS is the volunteer organization that helps out at the Stratford Animal Shelter. Since they opened Murphy’s Paw four years ago, Brian and Nicole have readily pitched in to help the shelter take care of abandoned animals waiting for adoption.

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They have donated pet supplies that they bought or collected from dog grooming customers, and raffled off gift certificates and pet item gift baskets at the annual STARS fundraiser.

Another service they provide is free dog grooming for shelter dogs to help make them presentable and easier to find a new home.

"They brought in a Cockapoo yesterday that was so infested with fleas, no one should be allowed to own a dog in that condition," he said in an interview last week. He gave the pooch a flea dip and clipped its matted fur.

Brian said Murphy’s Paw is a change of careers for him and his wife. They moved to Stratford from New York, where Nicole was a website designer and he was a representative for Local 6A of the Cement and Concrete Laborers Union.

His Local helped pour the concrete for the new Yankee Stadium, and oh yes, it’s true -- someone did try to bury a Red Sox jersey in the foundation for the stadium. In fact, Brian said he was the union representative on the scene when the Bosox jersey was dug up and removed.

He said he's always loved dogs. "I used to babysit all the neighborhood dogs when people were away," he said.

Brian thought he might become a veterinarian, but went into the construction trades instead.

Same for his wife, whose dream job would be to buy a farm and turn it into a home for abandoned dogs.

"Her idea in a perfect world is to take care of as many dogs as she can," Brian said.

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