Meet “King Scooby” and Co., Professional Dog Walkers

You may have seen him walking a pack of dogs in downtown Everett. He may have been wearing a crown and strutting. Or, depending on the time of year, he may have been wearing a Santa costume. Or a cowboy hat, sans shirt.

Turns out there’s a reason he wears that crown... but we’ll get to that.

His name is Michael Silva, but everyone knows him as Scooby the dog walker or just King Scooby. He has the most interesting job in Everett.

Getting ready to head out on a walk // Richard Porter

Today Scooby’s Dogwalkin is a family business. Michael and his fiance Alexis run the business on Rucker Avenue with Michael’s daughter Rose. Rose exercises the dogs inside, Scooby does the walking, and Alexis schedules daycare and also walks dogs.

“I had this overwhelming feeling of gratitude and an epiphany... maybe this is what I’m supposed to do.”

The story of Scooby’s Dogwalkin really began in 2012 after Michael was diagnosed with Lyme Disease, a chronic condition which impacted his daily health and energy levels. He described the illness as feeling like you have the flu, every day. “It’s extremely debilitating and scary at times,” he said. At the same time he was going through a breakup and was unemployed.

So, after he was diagnosed, Scooby started walking his dog to cope. Getting outside and getting fresh air started to lift his spirits. One day, when he was feeling low, he sat down and noticed that his dog was smiling back at him. “I had this overwhelming feeling of gratitude and an epiphany... maybe this is what I’m supposed to do.”

At the time he had $50 to his name and was unsure how to pay rent. He started by putting up signs at Silver Cup and the Sno-Isle Co-op.

Scooby lived at the Library Place Apartments at the time. He hung out in the lobby and solicited neighbors one by one. He built his dog walking business pup by pup. He never once got a noise complaint.

Four years ago, his now-fiancee Alexis joined his dog walking business. The rest is history.

Scooby’s Dogwalkin storefront // Richard Porter

Before Coronavirus, Scooby and Alexis took care of twenty to twenty-five dogs per day. Today they’re at about 40% of their former business levels. But that number is growing. Dogs are social animals and they, like humans, need experiences with peers outside their homes. Turns out dogs need a break from quarantine!

Scooby explained that when some of the new doggos join the pack they want to be alpha, the top dog. Soon these aggressive pups realize that listening and cooperative work is the way to go. Their anxiety levels go down. The pack is a team. And Scooby’s the captain, the king.

“He has a soul connection [with the dogs],” said Alexis. “They immediately trust him. His energy.”

“They sense the love that I have for them,” Scooby confirmed. “On my bad days, they cuddle right up next to me. There’s nothing better.” Scooby describes them as the ideal furry little co-workers.

So... the crown? The royal strut? It’s not a gimmick. Michael says it’s to remind himself that, no matter how tough his days can be with chronic illness, humans are free. We’re kings.

I can appreciate where he’s coming from. In a dog-eat-dog world, Scooby’s Dogwalkin is an Everett business that’s leading the pack with humor and style.