Eurostar’s unwanted mascots

Eurostar, which runs the trains through the Channel Tunnel between London and Paris, is using some cute dogs in their marketing. Who doesn’t like cute dogs? I’m a sucker for them (though I’d take the bulldog over the poodle, thanks):

There’s just one problem with these cute mutt mascots, though. If you decide to arrange a meeting for Winston and Coco you won’t be taking Eurostar to get there; pets are not welcome. This may not sound weird to Americans, but given the prevalence of animals on European trains (as well as in restaurants and lots of other places), I do find it a bit surprising. You can take Winston on British National Rail for a weekend in the countryside, but you can’t take him to Paris on Eurostar.

(Incidentally, European dogs - much like European children - seem to behave far better in public than their American counterparts. During a trip to Köln two summers ago, we had a delightful meal during which a dog sat obediently under the neighboring table. It was lovely and remembering it makes me wish Americans trained their dogs better and allowed them in more places (the two go together), so that I could take mine more places.)

So, given a public accustomed to traveling with Winston and Coco, perhaps this was not the best choice of mascot.

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