There is a sign on Tracy Bracewell’s front door that reads: “Go ahead and take your shoes off; we need a new chew toy”.

She runs Paws, Pals and Portraits dog daycare out of her home in Riddell’s Bay, Warwick.

The business received its government licence in May.

“We had to get the fencing up the steps and then have a poop station, as required by the Government,” she said. “I’m only allowed to have three large dogs without help. If I go for more than that, then I need to have someone else help me.”

She has three canine clients: Hugo, Bella and Leo, who have varying schedules during the week. Sometimes she does additional babysitting after hours.

One of the dogs suffers from anxiety and cannot be left at home alone. The others just need some exercise during the day.

“For the most part, it is about the dogs letting off some of their energy, having friends and socialising,” Ms Bracewell said. “When their owners get home from work, they don’t have to worry about walking the dog. The dogs normally leave here pretty tired.”

Ms Bracewell believes medium-size and large dogs are an underserved niche in Bermuda because most daycares are geared towards smaller breeds.

“I don’t know why I didn’t do this years ago, because it’s a great job,” she said.

The idea developed after Leo came to stay about 18 months ago. He had hurt his leg while attending another daycare and temporarily needed somewhere he could be kept by himself.

“They liked it so much here that he stayed, and I was happy to have him,” Ms Bracewell said.

She is accepting new clients.

“I would definitely like to get it up to five dogs a day,” she said.

Dog Daycare is a demanding business and she is unable to leave the house while the dogs are in her care.

“You don’t get a lunch hour to nip out, or time to go to doctor’s appointments or things like that,” she said. “Appointments must be scheduled late in the day, or she has to close.”

The benefits of the work are the dogs themselves.

“As soon as the dogs get in the car, they know it’s daycare day,” she said. “When their parents turn on to Middle Road, their tails are going a mile a minute, which is the best compliment in the world.”

The dogs also provide companionship during the day, and give her time to work on her other passion — art.

“I went to college for fine art and fashion design,” she said. “I have only just gotten back to it.”

She began creating pet portraits after a friend asked her to produce one, and now accepts commissions. She explained her process: “I do it in charcoal and pastels first, and then I’ll go in with a pencil crayon to do more of the detail with the fur.”

Meanwhile, fees start at $65 a day, with discounts for dogs that attend regularly.

• For more information see them on Facebook or e-mail 505-4263