Doggies in Ikea
For those who live in a place where tail-wagging friends are almost regarded as equals (I'm thinking of a country and it begins with the letter “F”), this shouldn't be new news. But for those of us here in Italy, Ikea's fairly new policy of allowing dogs in the store is quite the bark of the day. All that's required is a muzzle, a leash, and Fido will at last come to learn what you actually meant when your parting words were “See you in a bit, I'm going shopping.”
Now the westie has been all over Europe: Spain, Paris, Germany, Switzerland and just about every corner of Italy, but she has never had to wear a muzzle. This means that it became a struggle of wills because if you know anything about westies, they are as stubborn as heck. We ultimately had to carry her so that she couldn't paw off the offending restraint, but she is super friendly with everyone and would never bite a soul. Instead, Maddie pees out of excitement whenever anyone gives her attention, and for that I was getting a little irritated with everyone that came up to greet her.
On the contrary, the doxie likes to keep to himself. This is my space, that is yours, stay away from me. We were surprised that he didn't freak out for the new surroundings and when we were cutting fabric in the material section, he found himself a nice hiding spot under the table. Of course, this didn't mean he received any less attention from shoppers but they could tell that Mister B was antisocial and refrained from invading his space.
Any time we head out to Ikea I have to get something from the gourmet section, and last night we felt like eating swedish meatballs and pickled herring. I think I've discovered a new and great taste sensation...meatballs dipped in garlic cream sauce leftover from those herrings.
scribbled from the chestnut forest by Rowena... at 2:55 PM
16 Comments:
I could never muzzle my westie just to take them into a store! Hopefully, the policy will change - as for the piddle - she is either marking the territory, is doing submissive piddle or has a UTI - now for boys there is the belly band, for girls it is like a pair of panties that their back legs step into - if you are on facebook go to my group page - WESTIES HEALTH -- from ears to tail. All the best, katie
Katie - she actually knows when we're in a place that would be inappropriate for her to tizzle, so thankfully no accidents at the store. She pees only when she gets super excited and has been doing it since forever. I don't like muzzles either (in fact my husband was totally against it), but it seems that IKEA did away with the doggie stroller box and they have a strict policy included on their website and at the store entrance. Nobody complained when they saw Maddie with the muzzle off), but I imagine that it might bother some shoppers in Ikea.
I've thought about getting her panties as they have them at the pet store here, but if she won't even wear a muzzle I doubt that she'd even go for those panties. Thank you for stopping by!
Rowena, a muzzle for those sweet dogs? Are you kidding me? Ikea, that is a ridiculous store policy! I'm glad they seemed unperturbed at having to wear them. I think Roxy would have gone crazy. I was dying to see the illustrious Mr. B and Miss Maddie, as was Roxy, and we think they look incredibly cute, even with the muzzles! :)
poor Mads, I haven't been to the one in Kobe in awhile, and don't think they allow dogs (yet) will have to go next time I am back in Japan.
Bella - the muzzle you see on Maddie is actually Mr B's (he's wearing the older basket-type one). It was way too big for her petite nose which I think is what bothered her the most!
Kat - oh I'd love to see the day that Ikea in Japan allows dogs in the store. Would be so cute!
Hi from the F country :) I've gotten so used to seeing dogs everywhere here. You aren't really supposed to bring your dog into the grocery store here, but people seem to think that if you put them in the cart, then it's okay. No one kicks them out. My dog wouldn't fit, though.
Meredith - should the day ever come where I get to put the dogs in a shopping cart and nobody says a peep, my husband will probably insist on doing all of the grocery shopping from that day on and demand that I stay at home.
Maddie would just luuuuv to hang out in a cart.
I have a Frenchie and a Sheep dog, I'm not sure Ikea would want me bringing in the sheep dog or my slobbering Frenchie.. "giggles"
The muzzle's are killing me!
You wouldn't look good in a muzzle...oh, we're talking about for doggies!
So cute your doggies!
Good for IKea - pity about the muzzles, though. Doggie greetings from Sicily.
elle marie - your dogs would surely grab a lot of attention!
Barb - not to fret...I'm following up with the stores who have a more lenient policy for doggies and their shopping humans.
Nate - well duhhhh!
Welshcakes - perhaps IKEA has experienced an unfortunate incident between dogs and dogs or dog and human or...they wish to avoid having an incident altogether. I just wish they had cuter muzzles for girlie dogs like Maddie.
They look adorable in their muzzles, though I can understand why they might not like them. What did they buy in Ikea?? Did they peruse the cat-alog first?
Fern - I don't know about Mister but Maddie was sniffing out the goodies in the gourmet section.
wow, Ikea seems crazy with all the people, how exciting to add dogs in the mix... I must try dipping the meatballs like that!
foodhoe - we always go during the off-hour and try to avoid weekends at all costs! The bad thing is that they had the air-con turned off and it was so hot in that big box!
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