John, Maureen and their dog Nessie. 45010 Picture: Stewart Chambers
By Jade Lawton
MAUREEN and John Adlam’s company has really gone to the dogs.
The Cardinia enterprise, Silver Eagle Outfitters Australia, won the title of best canine-related product of the year at the Australian Dog Owners’ Choice Awards this month.
Dog owners from across the country voted the K9 Cool Champions Cooling Vest 2010’s best product.
The couple headed to Sydney last weekend to receive their award, the culmination of seven years’ hard work.
Mr Adlam, a greyhound owner, breeder and trainer, said the idea for the vest began in the summer of 2003, when some of the racing dogs were suffering heat stress.
“It was a hot year that year, and we noticed a lot of the greyhounds were taking a long time to recover,” he said.
The Adlams began searching for a comfortable, snug-fitting cooling vest to keep their dogs cool after exercise and when travelling.
They embarked on 12 months of textile research, veterinary reports and testing the prototype vest on their own dogs.
Now the vest is used to help police sniffer dogs, guide dogs, show dogs and family pets beat the heat.
Mr Adlam said his wife was the “engine room” of the business, which continues to expand.
“It’s been growing each year and it’s got to a stage where Maureen has got sellers interstate. We are trying to keep it as a family business; the daughter-in-law works full-time for us through the summer.”
Many sales are internet-based, but Mrs Adlam also takes the Silver Eagle’s trade stall to dog shows across the district.
