I always feel terrible when I have to tell my clients I am going away as they unintentionally make me feel guilty about taking holidays. They ask questions like: Exactly when will you get back? How long are you away? Can I reach you when you are away?
I just always make sure they are fully aware of my impending holidays and if they have a patient with ongoing issues to contact one of my colleagues that I have assigned to look after their pet.
Well guess what. I only just got back from holidays in Barcelona and Florence. My holiday was full of great reunions, lots of sightseeing and indulging in multiculturalism.
Of course I had to satisfy my cravings for contact with animals during these three weeks away.
I must say I was blown away with how well trained and received dogs are in Barcelona and Florence. I often saw dogs strolling around the airport, shopping with their owners both at food stalls or even clothes wear. I instinctively thought the owners of these dogs were going to be scolded at any given moment. Then I was taken aback when it finally hit me that they were actually allowed to do so. I even enjoyed watching dogs dining with their owners at a café or restaurant. My knee jerk reflex kept getting the better of me; the owners of these dogs often felt uncomfortable with my very excited dreamy stares. I just suddenly came to realise that Australia was not so pet friendly in comparison to Europe. Personally, I think Australia should adopt more pet-friendly regulations as it has one of the highest incidences of pet ownership in the world.
Now allow me to take you on a photographed overseas journey of my random animal encounters.
Barcelona sure harbors a huge pigeon population and they are just so used to hanging out with humans. I got to see a few very interesting looking pigeons.
I was also quite taken with the large small parrot population that I encountered. I discovered they were obviously not native to Spain and originally came from Latin America. They were everywhere and had so many nests interspersed in the trees. I must admit, I enjoyed hearing their screeches as it reminded me of our lovely native Aussie parrots.
I also saw lots of gorgeous dogs. Here are the few pictures I took of canines I had the pleasure to meet while I was walking the streets of Spain and Florence.
I couldn’t stop myself from greeting those hardworking horses that were being fed in Barcelona.
One of the highlights of my trip was meeting my veterinary blogging mates. I got the opportunity of meeting them all in the flesh and it was an absolute pleasure. I first visited the veterinary practice and met Dr. Pedro and Dr. Iris and the co-owner Dr. Victoria. I spent a few hours chatting to them, strolling around the vet premises and meeting all the clinic cats. I also observed them conducting a few consultations.
A few days later, I caught up with Dr. David, his wife Dr. Victoria and their daughter Denbowe.
They are the owners of Clinica Veterinaria Betulia. They were so generous and spent an entire day with my husband and I. They first took us to a wildlife shelter and I got to see heaps of avian species in a very well set up rehabilitation center.
Then they invited us to an authentic Catalonian restaurant and we enjoyed a vibrant truly local meal.
I got to try the festive calcots (spring onions) and they were absolutely delicious.
It was so heart- warming to spend quality time with Dr. David and his family. I got so much insight into why he created his blog and how invested he is in doing it.
It was just so refreshing to meet veterinarians that are equally passionate about their job.
We also discussed the economic recession and how badly affected the Spanish community is. It was quite an eye opener and I was shocked to find out that about 50% of the young Spanish people are unemployed!
Our escapade didn’t end there. They then drove us to their lovely home and introduced us to their many pets.
After meeting their gorgeous pets, I know what my husband was thinking: “Oh my god, I hope Rayya doesn’t end up adopting this many animals”. I instinctively toyed with his emotions by saying: “See this is how many pets a veterinarian should really own”.
My next two posts will be discussing dental health in your pets. This will include many graphic photographs but thankfully you will be spared the nasty smells that come with it.
Dr Rayya's Online Veterinary Journal 
March 16, 2013 at 1:45 pm
Everyone needs a break (without guilt)
March 20, 2013 at 8:22 pm
Absolutely 🙂
March 16, 2013 at 2:04 pm
What a wonderful holiday you must have had and good for you! I love the pictures and you are so right about the Europeans. I felt the same way when I visited and saw how much easier the dogs were accepted in the everyday life. So much better than the USA for sure. The pictures were precious! Know your patients missed you but so glad you had a good break!
March 20, 2013 at 8:23 pm
Thanks Sheila. It is great to have such amazing and dedicated clients. Glad you enjoyed my photographs. 🙂
March 16, 2013 at 3:20 pm
You definitely deserved a break but I can understand your husband worrying about you adopting every animal in sight.
March 16, 2013 at 4:16 pm
Fantastic photos Rayya. It looks like you had a great time on your holiday & were lucky enough to meet & hug many pets. Yes, it is a shame that Australia is not more animal friendly in public. To be honest, I think Australia has quite a few restrictions that the Europeans would find very anti-social.
Those spaniels ? (were they King Charles spaniels?) are absolutely adorable.
You are very lucky to work in an environment that is so totally akin to your nature & loves.
March 20, 2013 at 8:26 pm
Hey Victoria,
Glad you liked my photographs. I agree there is quite a few restrictions in Australia.
Yes they were King Charles Spaniels.
🙂
March 16, 2013 at 4:42 pm
Wow, you had a super time by the looks of it! It is great to see well behaved animals in restaurants in Europe.
March 20, 2013 at 8:27 pm
Yes I was just amazed with how well behaved European dogs are. 🙂
March 16, 2013 at 5:05 pm
Looks like such a fun trip! Next time in the area you have to come through Sicily to visit another veterinary blogger. 🙂
March 20, 2013 at 8:28 pm
Hey Elliott. I will definitely take you up on that offer the next time I’m in Italy. Two days in Italy was just not enough!! 🙂
March 16, 2013 at 6:01 pm
A well deserved vacation! Spain is so beautiful. Your pics made me smile from one ear to another 🙂
March 20, 2013 at 8:29 pm
It makes me really happy that my post made you smile 🙂
March 16, 2013 at 9:24 pm
Lovely photos! Even the pets all look as if they’re smiling at you!
March 20, 2013 at 8:30 pm
Hey Jo. They really were and I didn’t even need treats to capture their attention. 🙂
March 16, 2013 at 10:06 pm
Everyone needs a vacation, and you have certainly earned yours!
It was good that you got to meet a lot of pets overseas to satisfy your animal cravings, but I would expect nothing less of you! I love the pics.
Europe is much more relaxed about taking their animals in public places. **Australia take note.**
March 20, 2013 at 8:31 pm
Hey Barb,
Thank you for your lovely comment.
I agree, Australia should take note. :-).
March 17, 2013 at 12:04 am
Wonderful series of photographs 😉
March 20, 2013 at 8:31 pm
Thank you so much 🙂
March 17, 2013 at 1:12 am
What truly gorgeous pictures! A vacation + animals= Heaven! It looks and sounds like you had a marvelous time and got to meet many gorgeous furry and feathery creatures along the way.
It is a tribute to you and the work you do that your clients panic when they find you are taking time off-a good, caring and devoted vet is a rare find.
March 20, 2013 at 8:33 pm
Your comment sure made my day.
I equally share the burden of leaving my patients behind and it is terrific to have that great relationship with my clients.
It was definitely an amazing holiday.
March 21, 2013 at 2:21 am
I wish we had a vet like you close by! It is so nice to see a vet who truly loves animals and doesn’t just see it simple as a job-sincerely caring for the patient is a priceless quality. 🙂
March 21, 2013 at 9:33 pm
I would love to meet your fur babies. Thank you for recognizing my passion for animals. 🙂
March 17, 2013 at 4:04 am
The USA is not very pet friendly. So strange because so many love their pets. Your photos and account of your trip are wonderful. A relaxing vacation makes for a better vet!!!!
March 17, 2013 at 6:36 am
So glad you enjoyed yourself in one of my favorite cities, Barcelona. Haven’t been there since the early 70’s but still remember all the delicious food!
March 20, 2013 at 8:33 pm
Hey Alli
Barcelona sure is one vibrant city :-).
Food is just yummmmmmy
March 17, 2013 at 12:19 pm
SUCH a fun post! A real treat.
March 20, 2013 at 8:34 pm
So great to hear you enjoyed it. 🙂
March 18, 2013 at 7:37 pm
Thanks Rayya for this post where I can see my family animals!
Very nice pictures showing pets in Barcelona.
March 20, 2013 at 8:35 pm
Hey David
Thank you for a brilliant day spent in Barcelona 🙂
Send my warmest regards to your lovely family (including the furry ones) and colleagues.
March 21, 2013 at 12:27 am
I will do.
Best regards to you and Wally!
March 18, 2013 at 7:40 pm
Reblogged this on historiasveterinarias/vetstories and commented:
Hace unas semanas nos visitó Rayya, una veterinaria de origen libanés que trabaja en Melbourne, Australia y la que conocimos a través de su exitosísimo blog.
Como podéis ver en el siguiente post, muestra imágenes de los animales que vió durante su estancia en Barcelona.
Fue un placer compartir un día con ella y su marido, un fanático del Barça. Una vez más, mostró su felicidad rodeada de perros, gatos,
March 20, 2013 at 5:40 am
Not surprised that you gravitated towards the animals. 🙂
I think Europe does a lot of things better than other countries, specifically my own!
March 20, 2013 at 8:41 pm
Hey Jodi,
I simply can’t resist being in contact with animals. 🙂
March 24, 2013 at 5:08 pm
love those lovely friends you have met on the holiday ^ – ^
I really want you to know that I have just nominated you for the Illuminating Blogger Award ^ – ^ Plz drop by my garden to grab the prize and feel free to enjoy the little tea party there, have a sweet day!
http://yinyin2412.wordpress.com/2013/03/23/the-liebster-award/
March 24, 2013 at 7:55 pm
Thank you so much for ongoing support. I am very touched to receive your nomination. I will continue to drop by your lovely blog. 🙂 🙂 🙂
March 25, 2013 at 3:08 am
It’s no need to say thanks,Rayya ! I have learned a lot from this cool place of your , you deserve it ^ – ^
March 25, 2013 at 8:45 pm
When I went to Germany, I was struck by exactly the same thoughts as yourself. In Europe they definitely seem to be more dog friendly and, because they are allowed everywhere and get to experience so much from day one, they all tended to be incredibly well behaved. I actually ended up doing my behavioural thesis around this. Here in South Africa, although people love their dogs, they seem to feel they are happy just staying in the garden. Of course, nowadays, people have smaller gardens and less time at home so the behavioural issues are increasing.
March 30, 2013 at 7:33 pm
Thanks for your personal insight. Times have changed and I agree European dogs seem more well adjusted most likely due to exposure and great learning experiences.
April 22, 2013 at 4:42 pm
Gosh, I enjoyed this series of photographs!
thanks for sharing!
April 28, 2013 at 8:34 pm
Thanks Nelson 🙂