The First Tour Bus for Dogs in London
The idea of a tour bus for dogs and their owners going together around the city of London is a great one! However, it was an experience that lasted only four days. This was because it was part of an advertising strategy for an insurance company that was launching a new product for dogs at the same time.
Beyond any commercial issues, we truly believe the experience could be permanently replicated in different cities around the world. Fortunately, there are now more and more benefits for people who’d like to bring along their pets with them everywhere they go.
This tour bus for dogs was called “K9”. It was well decorated and made a tour of one hour. Furthermore, it drove by some of the most emblematic places in London. The guide even told the owners about London’s canine history.
For example, he alluded to the dogs that once inhabited the houses in 10 and 11 Downing Street. These are the official residences of the Prime Minister and the Chancellor, respectively. There was also a review of the more than 30 Pembroke Welsh Corgi dogs that have belonged to Queen Elizabeth II of England. The last one she had, named Whisper, died in 2018.
So, how would you like to travel by bus with your pet to see the most emblematic places in different cities? This option was possible, at least for four days, in the city of London. Perhaps they’ll repeat the experience.
The tour bus for dogs
Some of the points of interest covered by this classic double-decker tour bus, with a capacity for 60 passengers, were:
- The royal residences Buckingham Palace and Kensington Palace.
- Hyde Park, which houses a pet cemetery widely used in the Victorian era. The cemetery, with small tombstones, is almost invisible behind some iron bars in one of the many nooks and crannies throughout the park.
- Victoria Tower Gardens. This is the place where parliamentarians and their pets participate in The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show.
- Green Park. This is a special stop for owners and their dogs to get out of the vehicle and walk around. (This was for sure the most interesting part for the dogs that took the tour.)
- The Kennel Club, founded in 1873, when there were no clear rules for dog shows. The club has an art gallery that houses the largest collection of dog paintings in the European continent.
- Law and gastronomy were a part of the dog tour, also.
- Another place along the route of this tour bus for dogs was the British Parliament. This is meaningful because at least 24 laws that concern dogs specifically and then 11 more that have to do with animals in general were passed here.
For instance, the most recent law establishes that pets must have a microchip where all of their data is recorded in order to identify them.
Then, at the end of the tour, there’s the chance to grab a bite or a drink at any of the multiple pet-friendly bars and restaurants. Luckily, this is an increasingly available option, especially in large cities.
An initiative worth repeating
The privileged few who could access this tour bus with their dogs, free of charge, had to make a reservation through a website. Additionally, they had to sign a consent form for the dissemination of their image and that of their pets for marketing purposes through photos and videos. Don’t forget we mentioned that it was all an advertising campaign for the launching of a new product.
And, of course, the owners had to take responsibility for the good behavior of their dogs throughout the ride. Otherwise, both humans and their animals would have to leave the vehicle in the middle of the ride.
Is there a city you would like to tour with your dog on a bus? Surely there’ll soon be news about similar services in different parts of the world. Or perhaps it’ll all just be another marketing scheme by a copycat (or a copydog?) company.