Last weekend, on a particularly hot Saturday morning, I stopped for a badly-needed refreshment at my favourite snack bar.

The tiny place was characteristically busy, with regulars enjoying an early lunch and others like myself simply rehydrating themselves. Having taken the edge off my thirst, I spotted a dog sitting at the table in the corner, eyeing his owners’ burger and chips with great interest.

Although a cross-breed, the dog was of a type commonly found locally – small, slim, black and tan and weighing about four-and-a-half kilos, with a lot of chihuahua in him but longer in the legs, making him look like a distant cousin of the miniature pinscher. His attentiveness to the food being served up was remarked upon by the occupants of another table.

Given the proximity of the tables, I could not help but overhear the conversation and I quickly learned that the dog’s name was Bullet, that he accompanied his owners everywhere and that he slept in their bed. Unlike Bullet, the others announced dolefully, their pug had stayed at home since nothing would induce him to venture outdoors in this heat, particularly since he was rather overweight and any exertion whatsoever made him wheeze terribly.

This frank exchange of intimate detail about the respective pets once again brought to mind how people who might never ordinarily exchange a word suddenly open up by virtue of a mutual love for their pets. It is a scene that is repeated on a daily basis in crowded veterinary waiting rooms. But that morning, my interest was captivated more by what I was witnessing and the implications of what was being said rather than the social aspect of pet ownership.

It was clear that this dog was welcome by the bar proprietor since he was perched on one of the chairs alongside his owners. It was also clear that although Bullet was loved to the extent that he slept in his owners’ bed, they still kept careful control of his food intake, permitting him only a couple of tidbits at the bar.

In contrast, the pug owners who so obviously wished that they could take their dog out with them were unable to do so because his weight problem gave him breathing problems. I never picked up on the name of the absent pug even if it was mentioned. What was certainly said was that the pug’s problem was aggravated by the volume of treats he was given and their inability to ignore his begging during dinner time.

I couldn’t have been listening for more than five minutes and yet it was remarkable how many different pet issues were highlighted during such an innocent pet conversation between two tables at a snack bar.

Should dogs be allowed in bars, restaurants and other eateries? Is it OK to let your dog or cat sleep in your bed? Are pugs born fat? Is it OK to give your dog food from the table and doggy treats?

The last I checked with the relevant authorities, the regulations stipulate that dogs and cats are forbidden entry only wherever there is uncooked food, so this would mean they are not allowed inside groceries, supermarkets or, indeed, the kitchen area of a dining establishment.

Is it OK to give your dog food from the table and doggy treats?

With the latter, the regulations regarding the dining area are less clearly defined, in that it remains up to the owner of the establishment as to whether to allow dogs or cats accompany their owners.

There are a number of bars, cafeterias and restaurants that allow dogs inside their premises, and I applaud their acceptance. But this is certainly more the exception than the rule. My personal opinion on this is that at least restaurateurs could consider accepting one dog per given time, provided that the dog is kept on a leash and that it is clean and well-behaved.

This, I feel would be very well-accepted by the local community as well as offset a great disadvantage we in Malta have when compared to restaurants on the continent where they are far more pet-friendly, even allowing dogs in cultural places such as museums.

A friend of mine recently called me to say that he had been stopped from walking his dogs inside a public garden, even though they were on a leash and their doggy poo was carefully collected. I was seriously taken aback by this, so I promised to check it out.

The official who took my call informed me that there is no central government regulation in this regard and that this is entirely up to the local councils.

The local council concerned simply asked me to check what is written outside the gates of the public garden. I am sure that there could be arguments for and against, yet what could be more of a public service than to be able to take your well-behaved dog for a walk in the park.

While walking your dog in a public garden may be restricted by regulation, where you allow your pet to sleep remains a personal issue but not without its own considerations.

From a veterinary aspect, two things are worth noting: first of all, the closer you keep your pets to yourself and your family, the cleaner they need to be, both inside and out. This means, regular worm and parasite prevention treatment and, of course, good medical health.

The second thing to remember which should also be considered with the same importance, is to be aware that too much affection could give rise to a certain amount of stress known as separation anxiety or, even worse, when this may contribute to a certain amount of dominance shown by the dog, or cat for that matter, over the people around him.

These form part of basic discipline education within the relationship you have with your pet.

And what about the pug with the healthy appetite? Pugs are not born fat and I have a number of owners of pugs which are a joy to see, having a visible waist and shoulders and no extra folds of skin around the bum area.

Healthy food is healthy food. Whether you opt for commercial or home-made food and treats, it’s all about quality, quantity and exercise. What is for sure is that I have seen a number of pugs with severe respiratory problems improve considerably once their weight and diet was brought into check.

Throughout the entire conversation, I was very much the outsider looking in, but the insight into the dogs’ private lives was both interesting and very much relevant. I was not introduced to Bullet, but I do hope that he continues to reciprocate the love and affection which was so evident at the table in the corner.

thisweekwiththevet@gmail.com

Dr Martin Debattista is a veterinary surgeon.

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