Four-Legged Citizens

Even though this native of Texas has now been living in Regensburg for three years, some things still manage to surprise her.

If you’re new to Regensburg, you must have noticed at least one furry four-legged friend chilling out at a restaurant, or another at a department store, or another at the beer garden with it’s own personal water bowl, or another dog trotting through town with a perfect hairdo and a rain jacket on. Yes, these are the dogs of Regensburg reflecting the class and social life of the city.

I’ve never seen so many well-behaved dogs, and I am amazed at how socially integrated they are! I mean, we love dogs in Texas, too, but they normally hang out in the backyard and go out for occasional walks. In Regensburg, I know dogs who go to work, attend important employee meetings, and even take part in company financed language lessons. Ahhh, Regensburg dogs are way up there!

As terrible as it sounds, if a dog is lost or abandoned in Texas, the dog gets sent to the Pound and if no one claims him/her within 2 weeks, the dog will be put down. In a German “Tierheim” (Animal Shelter), or other local organizations, the animals are cared for, taken for walks and hopefully adopted. They even get the chance to make a special appearance on TV in order to encourage the public to adopt. Of course, Americans are animal lovers as well, but it seems to me that Regensburg embraces its nature and its animals wholeheartedly.

Just show a German a leaf and they can tell you what tree it came from. As for four-legged friends, if you want to bring your guinea-pig to the beer garden, no problem! I think. Two legs? Two mini arms? Hmmmm. Passt scho! (It’s ok!)

28.08.09 - online redaktion