George & Merle

English Bulldogs are a noble breed and for Merle and George, it is fitting that their workplace is a posh showroom, filled with high-end furnishings and lavish accessories.

These two designer dogs spend most of their week greeting customers at Zeb Grant Design HOME in the heart of downtown Madison. The mild-mannered Merle, 2, and the playful young George, almost a year old, are adored by customers and co-workers alike.

“We have people come in just to ask if George and Merle are here,” says owner Zeb Grant. “Customers just love them and they definitely make work more fun.”

Their co-worker, Abby Knight, agrees. “Every time I come to work and they’re here, it just brings a smile to my face,” she says.

At home, the duo reigns over their domain with the poise of true nobility – minus a little drool, some snoring, and occasional zoomies. “They definitely think the house is all theirs,” says Grant, who put his interior design skills to work to accommodate their lifestyle.

“They’ve got their own space for their beds at home and I’m using a lot more performance fabrics,” he says. “Everybody wants performance fabrics now, even if they don’t have dogs. If you live at the lake or have a pool, or especially if you have children, these are great choices because of their durability.”

And, while their dad is hard at work helping clients with fabric selections and room design, Merle and George do their part – making each customer feel at HOME.