Doggy Route To Happiness

Not only is Helsinki recognised by galore arsenic nan happiest superior successful nan world, but it has conscionable taken an other measurement to guarantee its dogs are happy too.

As a 1 disconnected (but apt to beryllium repeated) it hosted ‘The Doggy Route to Happiness’, believed to beryllium nan world’s first sightseeing circuit designed particularly for dogs and much than 1,000 dogs and their ‘partners’ took part.

The arena offered four-legged visitors and their owners a bid of tailored attractions, from a stick-built replica of nan city’s Sibelius Monument to a ‘pup-up’ café and a dog-only island.

One of nan astir celebrated attractions which was nicknamed nan Stickelius Monument, was created from sticks collected by section rescue canine Neris, and had been produced t one-quarter standard of Eila Hiltunen’s original Sibelius Monument which tin beryllium visited successful Helsinki.

Other highlights of nan circuit included Café Dogatta, a ‘pup-up’ café adjacent to nan fashionable Café Regatta, arsenic good arsenic Rajasaari Island, a unsocial dog-only land successful nan bosom of nan Finnish capital.

Some 20 per cent of nan 4 legged visitors decided to airs successful beforehand of a photograph wall created by Fanny Haga of Helsinki Council owned Helsinki Partners, a institution very overmuch progressive successful this promotion.

With a organization of conscionable 5.6 cardinal group owning an estimated 800,000 dogs nan state is believed to person nan highest number of dogs per personification successful nan world.

Helsinki itself is location to astir 40,000 dogs, has created much than 90 dedicated canine parks, respective canine beaches and a 50-hectare wood for canine use.

Unlike galore different European countries, dogs are allowed successful astir shops, cafés and restaurants, and thrust for free connected nationalist transport.

According to Soila Lehkonen, Head of Brand & PR astatine Helsinki Partners, nan inaugural aimed to showcase celebrated outdoor spots from a dog’s perspective: “Pets boost happiness. We wanted to create attractions some canine owners and their pets could bask together.”