• Canine customers at the Happy Bark Day cafe in Dubai. Reuters
    Canine customers at the Happy Bark Day cafe in Dubai. Reuters
  • Dogs await cake during another's birthday celebration at Happy Bark Day, the first dog cafe in Dubai to serve food, coffee and cake to dogs only. AFP
    Dogs await cake during another's birthday celebration at Happy Bark Day, the first dog cafe in Dubai to serve food, coffee and cake to dogs only. AFP
  • Hyunsuk Ku, 38, the South Korean owner of Happy Bark Day, prepares to serve one of her customers. AFP
    Hyunsuk Ku, 38, the South Korean owner of Happy Bark Day, prepares to serve one of her customers. AFP
  • The dog Blanca celebrates her first birthday at Happy Bark Day in Dubai. AFP
    The dog Blanca celebrates her first birthday at Happy Bark Day in Dubai. AFP
  • People and their dogs gather to celebrate another dog's birthday at Happy Bark Day. AFP
    People and their dogs gather to celebrate another dog's birthday at Happy Bark Day. AFP
  • A staff member at the dog cafe welcomes a customer. AFP
    A staff member at the dog cafe welcomes a customer. AFP
  • Blanca celebrates her first birthday with a special cake. AFP
    Blanca celebrates her first birthday with a special cake. AFP
  • Hyunsuk Ku said: ‘In Korea, we have many of these kinds of healthy dessert shop there. So I got the idea from there, but I study the nutrition and get a certification in nutrition. This is my effort to make my dog healthy.’ AFP
    Hyunsuk Ku said: ‘In Korea, we have many of these kinds of healthy dessert shop there. So I got the idea from there, but I study the nutrition and get a certification in nutrition. This is my effort to make my dog healthy.’ AFP
  • ‘A lot of dog owners are more interested in pet health because once you have a dog this is not a dog anymore. This is a family member,’ said the owner, who is also a nutritionist. AFP
    ‘A lot of dog owners are more interested in pet health because once you have a dog this is not a dog anymore. This is a family member,’ said the owner, who is also a nutritionist. AFP
  • ‘But unfortunately, dogs’ life span is shorter than us. So we are more focused on their welfare and their health so they can live longer as much as possible with us.' AFP
    ‘But unfortunately, dogs’ life span is shorter than us. So we are more focused on their welfare and their health so they can live longer as much as possible with us.' AFP
  • ‘Maybe I can make something like a real meal, like a dog pasta or like something very special things I really want to make for them. So this is my next plan to do it for all UAE dog parents.’ AFP
    ‘Maybe I can make something like a real meal, like a dog pasta or like something very special things I really want to make for them. So this is my next plan to do it for all UAE dog parents.’ AFP
  • Blanca is having a ball with her four-legged friends. AFP
    Blanca is having a ball with her four-legged friends. AFP
  • Victoria Kirkwood, 15, takes her dog Ralphie for a meal at the cafe. Reuters
    Victoria Kirkwood, 15, takes her dog Ralphie for a meal at the cafe. Reuters
  • The cafe's owner, Hyunsuk Ku, 38, with food made to look like cup cakes, sushi and cheese. Reuters
    The cafe's owner, Hyunsuk Ku, 38, with food made to look like cup cakes, sushi and cheese. Reuters
  • A customer plays with a dog at the cafe in Business Bay. Reuters
    A customer plays with a dog at the cafe in Business Bay. Reuters
  • The cafe caters exclusively to dogs. Reuters
    The cafe caters exclusively to dogs. Reuters
  • An employee helps to keep a dog entertained at the site. Reuters
    An employee helps to keep a dog entertained at the site. Reuters
  • The cafe serves healthy pet meals shaped to look like food for humans. Reuters
    The cafe serves healthy pet meals shaped to look like food for humans. Reuters
  • The cafe opened last year to give pet owners a place to go with their furry friends. Reuters
    The cafe opened last year to give pet owners a place to go with their furry friends. Reuters
  • A dog relaxes at Happy Bark Day. Reuters
    A dog relaxes at Happy Bark Day. Reuters
  • Ms Ku says she was inspired to serve the treats after her designs were praised by friends. Reuters
    Ms Ku says she was inspired to serve the treats after her designs were praised by friends. Reuters

Gulf

Dubai's Happy Bark Day cafe - in pictures

The cafe caters exclusively to dogs and cats.

The National

April 27, 2022

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Updated: April 27, 2022, 1:23 PM
UAEPhotography