"It's a way of life," Ms Hatton said. "The dogs are so much a part of our life. There's virtually someone home with them every day, all day, looking after them."

Toolijooa's Ms Hatton has ten years' experience in the industry; partner Barry Campbell 32 years.

They had three dogs racing and one trialling at Thursday night's meeting at Dapto Showground.

The meeting ultimately went ahead with reports of a strong turnout from racing fans, although the first race was delayed until 7.56pm.

"I had a fair bit of confidence that we'd go ahead, because right is right," Mr Campbell said.

"We've got a lot of pressure on us at the moment. We've just bred a litter, and there's a lot of financial things to look at... We've got to rear them for the next 18 months before they race.

"That's a big cost, but we don't mind that, as long as there's a surety."

Cliff Bell was among those who eagerly awaited security opening the showground gates on Thursday evening.

The long-time Illawarra trainer and owner didn't have any of his dogs racing at the meet, but was relieved this week's Dapto Dogs would be going ahead.

"We've been pretty down in the dumps for the past two days," he said.

"But we're excited now.

"The dogs are very important to this community. You go anywhere in the world, they know Dapto Dogs."

Mr Bell said he wasn't necessarily tied to Thursday nights as the timeslot for the Dapto meetings.

"I just want to see the dogs race - I don't care what day they race," he said.

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