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.
See the Tragic Battle for Survival of an Abandoned Pregnant Dog: Against All Odds
Juanita, a sweet and innocent dog, found herself abandoned on the streets, struggling to breathe and unable to get up due to a distended belly filled with fluid. Passers-by ignored her plight until Karla Garcia, a kind-hearted individual, came to her rescue and took her to the vet.
The vet immediately recognized the severity of Juanita’s condition and took swift action. Multiple suctioning procedures were performed to remove the fluid from her abdomen, which was putting pressure on her lungs and making it difficult for her to breathe. Despite the challenges she faced, Juanita showed resilience and began to slowly recover with each procedure.
As Juanita grew stronger, her true personality emerged. She was playful, affectionate, and had a wagging tail that never stopped. The vet and her staff were captivated by Juanita’s spirit and made sure she received the best care possible. They even found her a foster home where she could continue her recovery in a warm and loving environment.
With each passing day, Juanita’s progress was evident. Day 14 saw her back to her old self, full of energy and life. Her remarkable journey touched the hearts of everyone who heard her story. She proved that with love and care, no obstacle is insurmountable.
Day 21 marked a significant milestone in Juanita’s journey. Her foster family decided to adopt her and give her a forever home filled with love and security. Juanita’s transformation from a helpless stray to a cherished family member was a testament to the power of compassion and resilience.
Juanita’s story serves as a reminder that there are countless abandoned and neglected animals in need of our help. It only takes one person to make a difference, and Karla Garcia’s act of kindness saved Juanita’s life and brought her the love and care she deserved.
Juanita’s journey from abandonment to a loving home is a beacon of hope for all animals in need. Her story is a testament to the power of compassion, and a reminder that every life is valuable and deserving of love and care. Let Juanita’s story inspire us all to be a voice for the voiceless and make a positive impact in the lives of animals in need. Together, we can create a brighter future for them all.
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