The grocery store in the Finnish city of Tampere even has an official golden retriever who tests out dog treats and shares the results in Instagram videos.
A ‘su-paw-market’ in Finland is welcoming canine customers, with specially-adapted carts which allow dog owners to bring their pooches grocery shopping.
The Kesko grocery chain in the city of Tampere has introduced the “Koirakärry” – dog cart – as a way to welcome in more dog-owning customers at one of its stores, where usually only service animals would be permitted inside the aisles.
“The idea is already used in some countries, but not in Finland, and we have a lot of dog owners nearby,” explains Matilda Tistelgren, who has been operating the supermarket with her partner Joona Pesonen since the spring.
“We have a golden retriever ourselves, and if we go out jogging with the dog and forget something from the store, we don’t want to go home, leave the dog, then have to return to the store ourselves, we want to be able to take the dog with us,” Matilda tells Euronews.
The carts have a dog bed in the bottom, and a clip for leads or harnesses, with owners encouraged to pick up their pups and put them inside – although a future version of the cart might include a small ramp so the dogs can walk in unaided.
Since taking over the management of the supermarket in Tampere’s neighbourhood Kissanmaa – which funnily enough translates as “Cat’s Land” – Matilda and Joona have introduced other pet-friendly innovations.
The couple’s own retriever Tove appears on Instagram with ‘Tove Tastes’ videos where she samples different dog treats.
“Our customers love it,” exclaims Matilda. “In this part of town we have a lot of dog owners and that means a lot of dog customers too, and we already have a lot of hairy regulars,” she adds.
After a fatal accident, a devoted dog makes an expressive demonstration of affection and sorrow by trying to resuscitate his fallen partner
In a heart-wrenching video, a dog desperately attempts to revive its lifeless friend, who was tragically struck by a passing car.
The devastating footage captures the canine’s futile efforts as it paws at the motionless body of its companion, which lies at the roadside, while traffic rushes past, oblivious to the sorrowful scene unfolding.
Despite its relentless attempts, there is nothing the dog can do for its friend, whose life has already slipped away, leaving the surviving pup in a state of profound grief.
The video, seemingly recorded by a truck driver who may or may not have been involved in the accident, portrays the surviving dog as it mournfully tugs at its friend’s lifeless shoulder. The small, black mongrel, lacking a collar, lets out mournful barks, as if lamenting the cruel hand of fate that has befallen its companion.
This poignant moment challenges the notion that dogs are loyal only to those who provide them with sustenance. It adds to the vast collection of anecdotal evidence that suggests dogs possess a depth of emotion and connection that goes beyond mere tricks and treats.
The fate of this particular dog, who stood faithfully by its departed friend, remains unknown. The video serves as a poignant reminder of the profound bonds that can exist between these remarkable creatures, demonstrating that their capacity for love and companionship transcends the boundaries of human understanding.
In the comments section of the video, a viewer shared their own experience of how their pet dog responded when they pretended to be unresponsive. It’s a testament to the empathy and concern that dogs often display towards their human companions, further underscoring the deep emotional connections they can form.
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