Het Parool:
Dogs increasingly go everywhere, now also in carrier bag and backpack: 'I would recommend this to anyone who is single and has a dog'
From coffee bar to office and plane trip, dogs now go everywhere. The market cleverly responds to this; the bicycle already had a crate or basket on the handlebars, now there are also travel bags and backpacks. 'I would also recommend such a backpack to anyone who is single and has a dog.'
"It has also struck me that people are increasingly taking their pets everywhere," says veterinarian Joyce Hofman, owner of the eponymous veterinary clinics in Diemen, Watergraafsmeer, and the Indische Buurt. "Recently I was in a chic restaurant and even there someone had a dog on their lap." According to Hofman, it's not just about city trips. "Taking dogs and even cats on planes is becoming more and more common. We regularly see owners here asking for advice about flying with their pets."
Gijs Determeijer (48), partner at photo and film agency 100%, lives in Noord with his family and whippet Suki, almost 6 months old. Suki goes on the bike in a K9 Sport Sac.
"Our previous dog always walked next to the bike through De Pijp, even without a leash. But when we moved to Noord, we had to come up with something different. The distances are simply too great. That's why we taught Suki from the beginning to go in a bike crate and a special backpack.
On Instagram, we follow an influencer from Tokyo who takes her whippet everywhere in a backpack. It looked so fun that we immediately ordered one. That backpack is great – Suki sits with her paws on my shoulders and her nose close to my ear. You can hear her breathing softly and notice that she enjoys it. Very cute. People always react enthusiastically when they see us. Everyone finds it hilarious that she looks forward instead of hanging backward, like with other backpacks. It's a conversation starter in itself. I would also recommend such a backpack to anyone who is single and has a dog, haha.
The backpack gives us freedom. Suki can go everywhere – to friends, into the city, even to museums. Of course, it's also just practical. I don't want to buy a cargo bike for my dog, and eventually, she might get too big for the crate. It does require training, with lots of treats and patience. At home, it goes fine, but if she's running around outside, Suki is less keen to go back in the bag. Meanwhile, we're also practicing running next to the bike in our neighborhood, because she's made for running, of course."
Isa and Millie
Isa de Wolf, youth psychologist, lives with her boyfriend in West and takes mini labradoodle Millie (1.5) everywhere in a sling.
"We bought the carrier bag to take Millie to puppy training and the vet. One is in Westerpark, the other near Vondelpark, and we live near Rembrandtpark; we needed something to easily transport her. Actually, the bag was only meant for her puppyhood, but at seven and a half kilos, she still fits perfectly. It's incredibly practical: the bag is soft, comfortable, and hangs over my shoulder. Within a minute, Millie is in it, and we're ready to go.
While cycling, Millie leans against my hip and curiously looks around. People often smile at us or comment on how cute it looks. There's a special strap inside that you can use to secure the dog, so she can't jump out or, worse, fall. Millie likes it too. She sits very calmly and even falls asleep, but I don't cycle with her for longer than fifteen minutes. The bag is really for city rides.
Actually, the bag was only meant for her puppyhood, but she still fits perfectly'
I advise everyone to practice if you want to try this too. We started with treats to get her used to the bag and slowly built it up. Now she's completely accustomed. The only thing that's starting to get a bit difficult is my belly. I'm pregnant, so the bag is starting to fit less well. Fortunately, she hangs just as comfortably on my boyfriend's shoulder."
Laura and Sofietje
Laurha Damen (35) from Oud-West, is PR manager at Podimo and owner of Homies Dogwear, which makes backpacks for transporting her dachshund Sofietje (4), among other things.
"I really wanted to take Sofietje with me, but cycling with her in a crate or basket on the front of the bike doesn't feel safe. Even if you secure the dog to the harness, she can jump out. Recently, I was cycling with a friend and her dog, who got startled by something and then dangled next to the bike. Luckily, it ended well, but you don't really cycle relaxed. Running next to the bike doesn't sound appealing either, because my dog is small and the streets are busy.
By chance, I saw a video of an American who took his dog everywhere on his bike in a backpack. I searched for it, but the backpack wasn't available in the Netherlands at the time. I thought that was strange. Everyone cycles here, so I designed a backpack myself. The process from idea to ideal bag took over two years. I looked for the right balance between durable, comfortable, and beautiful. I didn't just want a functional bag; it also had to be pleasant for both the wearer and the dog. For the latter, I involved a veterinarian in the process. Every model and size has been extensively tested by friends.
A women-run company in Bangladesh makes fairtrade bags, and for every bag sold, I donate a meal to the animal shelter. The American bags are now available here, which confirms for me that there's a demand for them.
'People take pictures, and everyone smiles at you'
When Sofietje is in the backpack, we attract a lot of attention. People take pictures, and everyone smiles at you. For me, it's really a solution, but every dog is different. For example, I have a friend whose dog refuses to get into the backpack, but also a friend with the same type of dog as hers, who loves it so much that she falls asleep in the bag while walking."
Laurha Damen organizes Homies pass days in the park. The first one is Sunday, January 12th, in Het Rosarium in the Vondelpark. For more information, visit www.homiesdogwear.com
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