Welcome to Woofstock! Because What Your Dog Needs is More Instagram Followers!
Ah, the Woofstock festival! Opening this Sunday at Tour & Taxis in Brussels, it promises a tail-wagging extravaganza dedicated not just to our barking buddies but also to their two-legged accomplices — that’s you, humans! A festival celebrating the extraordinary bond between humans and dogs while throwing in yoga classes? Brilliant! Because when I think of relaxation, I definitely think of trying to bend into a pretzel while my dog stares at me as if I’m about to spontaneously combust.
Now, amidst this canine carnival, we have the star attraction: Oli and her 7-year-old Jack Russell, aptly named ‘Monday’. With a whopping 345,000 subscribers on Instagram and over 1.6 million fans on TikTok, these two are the ultimate example of “influencer culture.” I mean, who doesn’t want to get life advice from a dog? “Hey, did you try sniffing that post? Very inspirational!” But wait, there’s more. They’re involved in a project to help the homeless reintegrate through horticultural training. Sounds great, right? Who knew gardening could be such a lucrative gig, or perfect for your Tinder bio: “Loves dogs and saving the world, one daisy at a time.”
And for the overly ambitious dog owners, the Champ du Roi animal clinic in Etterbeek is stepping up its game offering workshops on daily hygiene for dogs. Because yes, nothing says ‘best friend’ like giving your pooch a spa day. Why, you may ask? Good question. As it turns out, doggie hygiene is quite the hot topic. Apparently, dogs think bath time is a sign that their owners hate them. But hey, if you’re giving a workshop, might as well treat those furballs to some lavender-scented soap while you’re at it!
Now, if your dog hasn’t had its fill of theatrics, they can partake in training led by the illustrious Patrick D’Artois, who specializes in detection dogs. Here’s a thought: Are we training the dogs, or are the dogs training us? Hopefully, by the end of the session, they’re not detecting treats and ignoring our heartfelt declarations of love.
From Tattoos to Tail Wagging – It’s All Here!
Aside from educational walks, demonstrations, and stands packed with delectable dog treats (because who doesn’t want to spoil that pooch?), you’ll find an array of offerings from massage sessions to meditation and even animal psychology workshops. Yes, you heard it correctly: animal psychology. Don’t you just love the idea of sitting down with a therapist and pouring your heart out about your dog’s complex feelings regarding that feral cat next door? “Doctor, he just stares at it with a longing I can only describe as existential anguish.”
And for those committed cynophiles (that’s dog lovers for the uninitiated), you can even get a tattoo of your pup! Because what better way to signal you’ve lost your marbles than a tattoo of an animal that, let’s be honest, spends half its days licking its own butt! But hey, it’s love, right?
So, mark your calendars and unleash your inner dog person at the Woofstock festival. It’s sure to be a howling good time! Whether you’re learning to stretch like a dog or picking up DIY tips for canine-themed tattoos, just remember, in the dog kingdom, we’re all just glorified servants. Enjoy the festival, and may the best dog win – though we all know that’s not likely because, let’s face it, every dog is a winner in their own right… as long as they get enough treats!
The first edition of the Woofstock festival opens this Sunday at Tour & Taxis in Brussels. The event dedicated to dogs and their two-legged companions aims to celebrate their special bonds by offering information and training sessions, as well as tailor-made yoga or “doga” classes.
The festival notably welcomes the influencer Oli and her 7-year-old Jack Russell Monday, who have 345,000 subscribers on Instagram and 1.6 million on Tik-Tok. With the YouCare association, the duo is setting up an eco-social project in Périgny-sur-Yerres, southeast of Paris. “La Demeure Monday” aims to promote the reintegration of homeless people through training in horticultural professions to develop the YouCare reforestation program. In exchange for this volunteering, they will be housed, fed and will benefit from psycho-medical-social monitoring for the duration of their contract, i.e. six months. The opening of this house located in a rural environment but close to the French capital is planned for the summer of 2025.
Closer to home, the Champ du Roi animal clinic in Etterbeek will offer workshops on daily hygiene for dogs and first aid techniques to provide them.
Between the educational walks, demonstrations and stands of treats and accessories, owners and their four-legged companions will also be able to follow a little training with instructor Patrick D’Artois, who trains dogs specialized in detection.
Finally, massage sessions, meditation, photography and animal psychology workshops are on the program. The most fanatics can even get a tattoo of their best canine friend.
