Meet the diva dog who only drinks bottled water

Lizzi and Henry
Henry knows what he wants (Picture: Kennedy News and Media)
Henry the five-month-old French Bulldog likes to enjoy the finer things in life. The diva dog, who belongs to 29-year-old Lizzi Pallister, has a number of daily demands – including bottled water over the tap variety. Owner Lizzi believes the pooch initially saw her young daughter drinking from a bottle and became fixated with the idea. Now, Henry turns his nose up at tap water and even refuses when Lizzi tries to re-fill bottles – instead, he insists she opens a fresh one in front of him.

Plan for When You’re Not There. Make sure your pets are provided for during those long hours when you’re away. Dr. Becker suggests technological options. “DOGTV has stimulation and relaxation channels, and there are apps that control contraptions that talk to your pet, or dispense treats. Pheromone sprays can also reduce anxiety, creating that kumbaya atmosphere.” And, of course, daycare and dog walkers are a great way to enrich your pet’s day. “Know someone who wants exercise? Maybe they’ll walk your dog.”

Lizzi, from Exeter, admits she now spends around £40 a month on Henry’s fussy water habit. The dog owner said: ‘I’ve never met a dog like Henry before. He has to be the centre of attention, he’s 100% a diva.

‘Each morning when I put the tap water down on the floor, he nudges it then sits looking at me like “nice try – where’s my bottled water?”

‘I go through two packs of 12 bottles of water each week, it costs about £10 a week. I have to do shopping for the family and buy him bottles of water.

‘I’ve tried putting tap water in bottles and he knows. He wants me to open the bottle in front of him, as if he’s saying “I’m not a fool.”

INTERESTING FACT ABOUT YOUR PET: 94% of pet owners say their animal pal makes them smile more than once a day.

‘He’ll wait until I put the bottled water in and then drink it.

‘So not only does he have his own food, he has to have his own water too.’

Henry with a bowl and bottled water
Strictly bottled water only (Picture: Kennedy News and Media)
Henry with his bottled water
He’s got no time for the tap variety (Picture: Kennedy News and Media)

But Henry’s demands don’t stop here – he also refuses to climb the stairs and sleep alone.

What’s more, he sometimes gives Lizzi the silent treatment by ‘turning his back’ on her if she stops him sitting on her knee.

Lizzi adds: ‘He won’t walk. I had to start carrying him up the stairs and he would wait for me to take him back down.

Be Diligent about Vet Visits. “Don’t wait for the signs,” Dr. Becker stresses. Focus on “prevention first.” Pets age fast, and when it comes to illness they are programmed to mask weakness, “they’re naturally secretive.” One to two visits a year is ideal, but if you suspect a problem, don’t hesitate, and don’t self-diagnose. “In the last two years I’ve seen four or five cases where people went to the internet for help, and by the time they get to the vet it’s too late,” says Dr. Becker.

‘Sitting on the sofa, he has to be sat with us. I was like “this dog is needy.”

‘When we are going for walks, he stops and makes sure everyone fusses over him.’

Lizzi and Henry
Lizzi knows Henry is spoiled (Picture: Kennedy News and Media)

Lizzi admits she thinks Henry sees her daughter getting ‘spoiled’ and wants the same treatment, too.

She continues: ‘I took him off my lap the other day because I had to do something and he turned his back to me for about an hour.

‘I got him a dog bed and he refused to sleep on the dog bed, he’ll go to bed when I go.

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‘He got grumpy the other night because I wouldn’t let him go upstairs.

‘Because he sees my daughter getting so spoiled, he wants to be spoiled too.’

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