It's a Dog's world...

Karina and Boomer hit it off

 Friend's "Sheep Guard Dog" 

We received a dinner invitation for “the whole family” this past weekend.  When we arrived we could smell all of the aromas of a home cooked meal in our German friend’s house. Of course this led me straight to the kitchen.  Much to my surprise, there, sitting on the counter, was a meal prepared for Rocky.  When I asked Barbara why she had made Rocky a meal, she responded very matter of fact, “The invitation included Rocky, he is part of your family.”  This made me stop and think how much different it is here for Dogs. I guess the only place I haven't seen dogs, the Saunas.....

Moving Rocky with us to Germany was a no-brainer (maybe more like a cha-ching $$$$  for Jason) He is part of our family.  Jason and I laugh because of all our children, Rocky is the one having the harder time adapting to our new domain. I took him to Der Tierartz, (the vet) to get Rocky’s passport this past week (yes, dogs have to have a passport here in Europe) I mentioned that he was throwing up nightly and is terrified of the traffic and shakes when we are near a train.  The Vet gave him this diagnosis “ his sickness is due to either eating so much snow or stress of living in a city.”  (I should mention it took me forever to fill out all the paperwork written in German.....try translating those forms word for word on a I-Phone) I found it even more Interesting that not only does our pediatrician believe in a more holistic approach to treatment of illness, so does the Vet.  Her TEN day prescription: Feeding him 8 times a day little meals of home cooked/puréed Chicken, Carrots and Rice. Well, I am trying it and I hate to admit it, but he is no longer sick.

It was also recommended to see a “Behavior specialist” to acclimate him to ‘city life’.  Supposedly, this is a common approach to dog behavior here in Germany. I guess it is important that dogs are on good behavior since they are allowed in most place.s  I have found Germany to be MUCH more dog friendly.  Yes, you are required to register and pay a tax on “Der Hund” but it is all worth it (that is what I keep telling Jason every time we have to yet again, fork out more money for the dog.  

Here are a few BIG differences I have noticed in regard to dogs:

• Can ride the subway for the same price as a child
• Is allowed in most stores with the exception of Food related store however, there is do a “tie up area” outside most of these stores (Butcher, market, bakery)
• allowed in the "mall"
• Great specialty stores for dogs-we had a hand-sewn leash made on the spot for him
• Allowed in some restaurants (although we haven’t taken him yet since they are supposed to stay under the table and not beg-HA )
• Can run for miles in the forest without having to be on a leash
• Dogs often play together in the woods while the owners continue walking
• Is allowed in most hotels around Europe
• Is allowed to ride the ICE (with his passport of course)
• There are doggie bag stands all throughout the "Wald" (Forest) with free poop bags

When I was searching for Dog rules in Germany, I came across this "Airbase-Dog Keeping laws for Germany Fact Sheet"  Here are a few laws I found  interesting..
1. The use of any electrical devices for disciplinary purposes (electrical fence, anti-bark, collars with remote control) is not allowed. 2. It is not allowed to permanently keep a dog in a box; only two hours per day at the most.

6. At least two times per day, your dog has to have at least 2 hours of contact with its owner/care provider (e.g. play, walk, dog school).
7. In addition, 2 times per day for 1 hour, your dog has to have the chance to run freely, if it is kept in a kennel otherwise.