By Meredeth Barzen

If dogs are man’s best friends, then by the transitive property of celebrity canines, dogs of famous people are famous best friends … or famous best friends are dogs? Hmm, we’ll have to make a flow chart to figure that one out, but in the meantime, we at Sidewalk Dog love to hear your dog stories … favorite parks, best squirrel-chasing grounds, yummiest treats, etc … So thought we’d ask some of the Twin Cities’ best-known dog moms and dads about their best friends. Below are their deepest, darkest dog secrets.

Mary Lucia (Host, 89.3 The Current, Minnesota Public Radio)

Dog’s name: Smudge

Dog’s nicknames: Ladies and gentleman for one night only the incredible Smudgestone!

Breed: Pug/88 year old man

Age: 5

Favorite toy: Anything meant for my cats

Favorite treats: Anything that falls on the floor

Groomer: Keira at Petco in Richfield

Dog’s favorite place to hang out: Two inches from my left arm

Favorite dog park: Not a “throw the stick and run” kinda dog

Favorite dog-friendly coffee shop: Gigi’s Café in South Minneapolis

Favorite pet store: Calhoun Pet Supply in South Minneapolis

Childhood dog: Enzo

Dog’s best trick: Somehow convinced my cat Muse to groom her

Dog’s best friend: Anyone who stops to pet her

Dog’s nemesis: Smudge loves everyone.

Sleeps on: Her own bed in my bedroom closet. I now sleep with earplugs as she snores louder than any human being I have ever heard.

Be honest: Do you ever use baby talk when speaking to your dog? My voice is too husky to talk baby talk but sometimes I find myself using an English accent when I speak to her: “Good day, Smudgely.”

Pat Neshek (Minnesota Twins pitcher) and wife Stephanee

Dogs’ names: Juicy & Kirby

Breeds: Juicy is a dachshund mix and Kirby is a chocolate piebald dachshund

Ages: Juicy, 4; Kirby, 2

Favorite toy: Juicy likes any stuffed animal that she can rip open, shred apart, and pull the stuffing out of. Kirby LOVES mini tennis balls with squeakers.

Favorite treats: Juicy likes those chewy doggie pizza treats (but she doesn’t get them much because they are terrible for her!) Kirby loves bananas! He goes crazy and can smell them a mile away … he’s even gotten into the back of the car while we were driving and eaten a whole peel with the banana!

Favorite place to hang out: Bike trails by the Coon Rapids Dam—they love walks!

Favorite dog park: Elm Creek dog park

Favorite dog-friendly restaurant: Eastside Food Co-op

Favorite dog-friendly store: Eastside Food Co-op

Favorite pet store: Petco

Favorite dog-friendly vacation: Dog beach in Fort Myers, Florida

Childhood dog: Stephanee’s family had a golden retriever named Brandy. Growing up, Pat had a cocker spaniel named Tuffy. When Tuffy passed away, the Nesheks adopted Dodger, a Lab/shepherd mix. After 14 great years, Dodger died in his sleep of old age last August.

Best trick: Kirby will roll over for treats—and loves getting treats so much, she will keep rolling over in continuous circles!  Juicy can dance—she can even ”raise the roof” when she gets excited! Both dogs will sit up in a “prairie dog” position, but it isn’t really a trick. They do it whenever they want something.

Dog’s best friend: Kirby and Juicy are best friends. Other than Kirby, Juicy’s best friend is Stephanee’s sister’s Chihuahua Ozzie. They grew up together in Florida. Kirby says his best friend is his daddy.

Sleeps on: Both dogs sleep in the bed with us—under the covers—every night.

Be honest: Do you ever use baby talk when speaking to your dog? All the time … they are our babies.

Cheryl Kaye (Morning show co-host, 102.9 Lite FM)

Dogs’ names: Ursula and Elwood

Nicknames: Ursie (Ursula) and Smelly (Elwood)

Breeds: Dobermans, both adopted from rescue organizations

Age: Ursula is 14 and Elwood is 8

Favorite toy: Anything fuzzy with stuffing inside—they like to rip them apart. I suspect they pretend they are squirrels!

Favorite treats: Anything remotely edible.

Groomer: Uh, I guess that would be me?

Dogs’ favorite place to hang out: My bed.

Favorite dog park: Ursula is a diva around other dogs, so we don’t do the dog park. But they love to go for leashed walks at Central Park in Roseville.

Favorite dog-friendly store: Chuck & Don’s Pet Food Outlet

Favorite pet store: Chuck & Don’s

Favorite dog-friendly vacation: The Gunflint Lodge on the Gunflint trail.

Childhood dog: Ringo, a beagle

Dogs’ best trick: Sleeping

Dogs’ best friend: Elwood adores Ursula. Ursula puts up with Elwood. Typical woman!

Dog’s nemesis: The rabbits in the neighbor’s yard

Sleeps on: Mostly the bed. But they love a good sun nap in the backyard.

Be honest: Do you ever use baby talk when speaking to your dog? Every second of every day: “Ursie bursee, boosie, tootie wootsie.”  “Elwood smellwood, pooper dooper.”  Wow, I can’t go out in public anymore after that admission.

Frank Vascellaro and Ameila Santaniello (Husband-and-wife TV news anchors, WCCO)

Dog’s name: Cleopatra

Dog’s nickname: Cleo

Breed: Hound/boxer mix

Age: 16 and still doing OK

Favorite toy: Too mature for toys, but loves being around our three kids

Favorite treats: Cleo has been exposed to a wide variety of foods and eats darn near everything. About the only thing we found she doesn’t like are beets.

Groomer: Hurray for short hair. All she needs is a little nail clip at home every now and then, but Amelia points out that she sheds.

Dog’s favorite place to hang out: These days, she just wants to be around us at home with a special emphasis on the kitchen.

Favorite dog park: The unofficial dog park bordering Minneapolis, Edina, and St. Louis Park near 40^th St. and France Ave.

Favorite dog-friendly coffee shop: Java Jack’s Coffee Cafe

Favorite dog-friendly store: Settergren Ace Hardware on Penn Ave. and 54^th St. Great people, and the dogs always get a treat.

Favorite pet store: Cleo has never had a bad experience cruising the aisles of Petsmart.

Favorite dog-friendly vacation: We take Cleo with us Up North every weekend.

Childhood dog: Frank had Mickey and Gino and Amelia had Chibi and Poco.

Dog’s best trick: Cleo is super smart. She’s 16 and is too mature to be tricked into performing, but she’s still very aware.

Dog’s best friend: Frank

Dog’s nemesis: Thunder and lightning

Sleeps on: In younger days, she would sleep in our bed and could jump up there. These days, I need to carry her up and down the stairs because she’s old. We bought her a dog bed for the floor about two years ago.

M.A. Rosko (Morning news reporter, FOX 9)

Dogs’ names: Munter and Red

Nicknames: Munter, aka “Private Pinkerton” when she’s on squirrel watch duty, and “Princess Muntavia von Licktenstein” when she’s being a willful, yet beautiful Teutonic princess. Red also goes by “Ass Man,” as he charges at other dogs in a terrifying manner, only to gleefully grab a tantalizing sniff of nether regions.

Breeds: Munter is a silver dappled miniature dachshund; Red, to the best of our knowledge, is a Lab.

Ages: Munter is 9, Red’s about 5.

Favorite toys: Munter loves her threadbare, barely stuffed but still humpable Koala bear. Red goes ape for a peanut butter-stuffed Kong.

Favorite treats: Red eats anything; he’s a Lab. Lately he’s obsessed with picking up mulberries that have fallen off the tree in the backyard. Munter likes “people food,” which I should call “other people food” as other people feed it to her, I do not.

Dogs’ favorite place to hang out: Munter likes to go to live shot story locations with me and bask in attention. Red enjoys the backyard.

Favorite dog park: Airport or Minnehaha Falls

Favorite dog-friendly restaurant: Café Barbette and Galaxy Drive-In (the newly remodeled “Wagner’s” drive-in, in St. Louis Park—gives free kiddie cones to all dogs.)

Favorite dog-friendly coffee shop: Butter, on 36^th and Grand Ave., bakes its own biscuits

Favorite dog-friendly store: Diamond Lake Hardware

Favorite pet store: Urbanimal

Favorite dog-friendly vacation: I can’t wait for this one! October 8-11, the Gunflint Lodge is hosting “Waggalot,” a dog-friendly celebration. There will be hikes, photography, seminars on training and nutrition, canine massage and more. Join Red, Munter and me up north this fall!

Your childhood dog: My first dog was a terrier named Governor, whom I called Govvy Gee-Gee. As an infant, I ate his dog biscuits out of his Christmas stocking, and whacked him on the head with a (soft) xylophone mallet. God bless that dog.

Best tricks: Red makes bananas disappear. As in, I swear I left some bananas on the counter, now all I can find is a bit of stem on the floor.

Dogs’ best friends: Munter’s best friend is my boyfriend’s yellow Lab Samantha. Red has recently become BFFs with my Fox9 Morning News co-worker Alix Kendall’s new adopted dog, Pax.

Dogs’ nemesis: Munter has a prejudice against big fluffy dogs like Huskies. Red wants a piece of my mailman, who happens to be the nicest man in the world.

Sleeps on: Munter likes to change position several times each night, and burrowing under covers is necessary. She has two dog beds (she’s taken over Red’s large bed as well as her own) but  a pile of clothing on the floor will do. Red sleeps wherever Munter has chosen not to.

Be honest: Do you ever use baby talk when speaking to your dog? All the time. Even on the air.

Lisa Goodman, Minneapolis City Council Member and key player in getting last year’s doggie dining ordinance passed

Dog’s name: Sadie Rose

Dog’s nickname: Miss Sadie

Breed: Goldendoodle

Age: 4

Favorite toy: Anything soft and stuffed animal-like

Favorite treats: Homemade snicker doodles by Senator Linda Higgins

Groomer: Royal Pet

Dog’s favorite place to hang out: Loring Park dog park or any beach

Favorite dog park: Loring Park

Favorite dog-friendly restaurant: Nick and Eddie or Toast Wine Bar and Cafe

Favorite dog-friendly coffee shop: Cafe Espresso Royale

Favorite dog-friendly store: Corazon

Favorite pet store: Urbanimal

Favorite dog-friendly vacation: Lake Michigan dog beach on Montrose in Chicago

Dog’s best trick: Shaking hands

Dog’s best friend: Our cat Coco

Dog’s nemesis: University of St. Thomas–Minneapolis Campus plaza and fountain where she has been told not to play in the water.

Sleeps on: Couch

Be honest: Do you ever use baby talk when speaking to your dog? Of course!

Al Franken (Recently seated Senator whose first piece of legislation was the Service Dogs for Veterans Act, which will pair service dogs with veterans who have physical or mental wounds, including PTSD. His dog, Kirby, recently passed away.)

Name: Kirby

Breed: Black Lab

Age: 8

Favorite toy: His favorite game was tug of war, so anything that helped him play that was his favorite toy. Until, of course, it ripped.

Favorite treats: He was a Lab, and Labs eat anything. He didn’t get people food or table scraps (unless he stole them). He got the same kibble every single day—Eukanuba—and every day he ate as if it were the first time he’d ever had it. He absolutely destroyed it.

Favorite dog park: Lake of the Isles Dog Park—right by the soccer field

Favorite pet store: Urbanimal

Childhood dog: There were two—Brownie was a mutt, and Gunther was a dachshund named after Gunther Toody from “Car 54, Where Are You?”

Best trick: He wasn’t a service dog. His best trick was running around in circles chasing his tail whenever I came home. It wasn’t much of a trick, but I liked it.

Dog’s best friend: Me, the kids, Franni, my wife, anyone else

Dog’s nemesis: Franni, only while cooking food he wasn’t going to get to eat

Sleeps: On a chair. It was “his” chair.

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By Meredeth Barzen

For many dog owners conducting an apartment search, finding a dog-friendly building is a deal-breaker. But truly dog-friendly spots can be hard to come by.

Village Green, which owns six apartment buildings in the area, takes the task of being dog-friendly very seriously, with units that any pup (or hip owner) would love to live in. Kim Burggraaf, who works in Village Green’s Minnesota offices, breaks down exactly what makes their apartments a great place for a dog to come home to:

• Affordable pet rent at $20 per month
• Social events for dogs and their owners
• A “dog-sitting exchange program” in which the company keeps a list of dog owners who are interested in exchanging pet-sitting/pet-walking services with another resident. Kim and company are working on setting up play dates as well with this information.
• Dog treats in every office for furry residents
• Locations near dog parks, courtyards, and walking trails (like Lake Calhoun and Loring Park in Minneapolis)
• Wood flooring at two of their locations, which makes cleaning up accidents a breeze

“Overall, we just know how important dogs are in the lives of our residents and are therefore implement everything we can to make them feel just as welcomed in our community as the owners,” says Burggraaf. “We love our doggie residents too!”

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By Meredeth Barzen

Saint Paul Saints let the dogs out on Mothers’ Day

Sadie the Wonderdoodle takes in her first ballgame.

Mothers’ Day ‘09 was officially Dog Day at Midway Stadium, thanks to the Saint Paul Saints and Downtown Dogs.

More than 300 dogs (and their people) turned out to see the Saints take down Winnipeg in a surprise rally. For the most part, everyone got along (though the question on every dog’s lips was ‘Mudonna the Mascot: friend or foe?’) and the prevalence of four-legged friends brought even more levity to the stadium’s always-fun atmosphere.

Giant water bowls scattered throughout made the ballpark dog-friendly, and some lucky pooches even made it out onto the field to show off their best tricks.

Memo to the Saints: More dog days, please! We’d love to see an autumn game with our dogs, but maybe next time the mascots can stay on the other end of the field.

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By Meredeth Barzen

Note: Throw us a bone and tell us about your favorite places to grab a bite with your dog in the comments section below. Or go one further: We’ve teamed up with our friends at Stunt Puppy to create this super-snazzy interactive map of our choice dog spots in the area. Check it out and add (and review!) your own faves here.

You asked for it, you got it! Our readers have been hounding (nudge, nudge!) us for a definitive list of places to dine with their dogs. Everyone (hopefully) knows about Lucia’s Dog Bar–the creme de la creme of doggie dining–and some of the bigger names we touted in last year’s doggie dining roundup. Now that the season’s officially upon us (catch these 72-degree days while you can,) Sidewalk Dog’s here to offer a few of our favorites.

1. Riverboat Grill - That’s “Captain Fido”, thankyouverymuch. This old-timey riverboat docks at Saint Paul’s Harriet Island and serves up choice chow and scenery in an extremely dog-friendly environment. Since the entire dining room is outdoors, dogs are permitted to roam just about anywhere they’d like–brave pups can even take in the view from the top deck, provided they’re not afraid of a flight of stairs. Water, treats and ample tie-up spots are a given.

2. Toast Wine Bar and Cafe – This North Loop cafe in Downtown Minneapolis has three separate sections to its patio to accommodate all levels of doggie dining interest. Plus, they’ll be hosting their second annual “Yappy Hour” on June 6, where lucky pups will get to taste-test their special treats. Stay tuned to Sidewalk Dog for more info on this event!

3. Blue Plate Restaurants - With hip, dog-friendly spots all over the metro (3 Squares, Edina Grill and Groveland Tap, anyone?), two of this local diner dynasty’s restaurants have really gone to the dogs: Longfellow Grill and Highland Grill.  While dogs are welcome to keep you company on the other side of a low fence surrounding all Blue Plate patios (though not on the patios proper), four-legged friends seem especially taken with the casual atmosphere and official, restaurant-branded water bowls at these two locations. Some owners even order lunch for their furry dining companions.

4. Gigi’s Cafe – Need nourishment after a romp around Lake Harriet or Lake Calhoun? This South Minneapolis bistro has a lovely sidewalk where you and your dog are welcome to relax with brunch and a bowl of water. Dispatch from the rumor mill: Homemade dog biscuits are coming soon!

5. Picosa – With walking trails and a park bordering a long, narrow patio along Minneapolis’ historic St. Anthony Main, dogs are a natural fit at this Latin American/Caribbean restaurant. Water bowls and treats are available for canine customers.

6. Birchwood Cafe – If the homemade dog biscuits that this Seward eatery has in the works are anything like its often local, sustainable and organic people-food, then Twin Cities dogs have a reason to rejoice.

7. Pumphouse Creamery - For dessert, you can’t beat Pumphouse’s decadent ice cream–for you and your dog. That’s right, the South Minneapolis shop makes their own gourmet doggie ice cream. Inspired by 2 neighborhood dogs, the treat comes in two flavors: Bella’s
Tracks (plain) and Bruno’s Tracks (peanut butter). With half the fat and sugar as “people” ice cream, your pup can go gonzo for a treat that tastes like people food, but won’t mess with his system.

Other great places to nosh with your dog:

• Riverview Cafe and Wine Bar (Longfellow neighborhood, Southeast Minneapolis)

• Aster Cafe (St. Anthony Main, Downtown Minneapolis)

• Liberty Frozen Custard (South Minneapolis)

• Butter Bakery Cafe (South Minneapolis)

• Nomad World Pub (University neighborhood, Minneapolis)

• Coffee News Cafe (Grand Avenue, St. Paul)

• Maverick’s Wood Grill (Champlin)

• View Restaurant and Bar (Uptown Minneapolis)

• McCoy’s Public House (St. Louis Park)

• Laredo’s Tex-West Grill and Cantina (St. Louis Park)

• French Meadow Cafe (Lyn-Lake neighborhood, Minneapolis)

• Wilde Roast Cafe (Northeast Minneapolis)

• Black Dog Coffee and Wine Bar (St. Paul)

• Costello’s Bar and Grill (Selby Avenue, St. Paul)

• D’Amico and Sons (Locations all over the Metro Area)

• Grand Ole Creamery (Grand Avenue, St. Paul)

• Joe’s Garage (Loring Park, Minneapolis)

• The Tin Fish (Lake Calhoun, Uptown Minneapolis)

• Sea Salt Eatery (Minnehaha Falls, Minneapolis)

• Town Hall Brewery (University neighborhood, Minneapolis)

• Barbette (Uptown Minneapolis)

• Cafe Maude (Southwest Minneapolis)

• Cafe Twenty Eight (Linden Hills neighborhood, Southwest Minneapolis)

• Psycho Suzi’s Motor Lounge (Northeast Minneapolis)

• The Happy Gnome (Cathedral Hill, St. Paul)

• W.A. Frost & Company (Cathedral Hill, St. Paul)

How about you? Throw us a bone and tell us about your favorite places to grab a bite with your dog in the comments section below. Or go one further: We’ve teamed up with our friends at Stunt Puppy to create this super-snazzy interactive map of our choice dog spots in the area. Check it out and add (and review!) your own faves here.

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By Meredeth Barzen

Note: Be sure to let your fellow readers in on your favorite area dog parks in the comments section below. Better yet, go one further: We’ve teamed up with our friends at Stunt Puppy to create this super-snazzy interactive map of our choice dog spots in the area. Check it out and add (and review!) your own faves here.

It’s a truth universally acknowledged that dogs just want to have fun. Yes, after months of standing on his hind legs to get a good look out of the window at the squirrels and birds roaming where they please, the sweet taste of freedom is on your dog’s lips. Now that spring is here, he dreams of that promised land where he can romp off-leash, sniff his salutations with other dogs and chase whatever catches his eye. That land of milk and honey, that utopia incarnate: The Dog Park. Here are a few of our favorites around the Twin Cities metro area–both urban and suburban–where you and your puppy pals can run free as a bird.

1. Minnehaha (South Minneapolis)- Long touted as the Taj Majal of Metro dog parks, Minnehaha reigns as King for good reason: Scenic trails? Check. River access and a big beach? Check. 4.3+ acres of romping room? Check. By the way, your dog’s in the car right now, ready to go.

2. Alimagnet (Burnsville) – Burnsville’s fanciest (and hardest to pronounce) park has luxuries to spare: A dog-washing station for your muddy buddies, a pond, a weather shelter, night lights and a special-needs dog run. Dog Fancy Magazine recently voted it the third best dog park in the country, for what it’s worth.

3. Dog Grounds (Downtown Minneapolis) – Urban dogs will relish the chance to let loose in one of these three new downtown off-leash play areas, with locations in Loring Park, the North Loop and Elliot Park.

4. Woodbury Dog Park (Woodbury) – East Side dogs can get a good runaround at this park, complete with a watering station, picinc tables, walking trails and 70 acres of doggie dominion.

5. Lake Minnewashta (Chanhassen) – With a water fountain, wooded walking trails and a fenced pond, this brand-new park is the spot to be for doggies from the western suburbs.

6. Crow-Hassan Park Reserve (Hanover) – For dogs who are used to wide-open spaces, Crow Hassan offers space–to the tune of 40 acres, that is. Dogs can swim in the Crow River or frolic in the forest at this underused (until now!) park.

7. Battle Creek (St. Paul) – Another choice park, with ponds to explore and plenty of walking trails. Bonus: The park is squeaky clean after an Earth Day community clean-up project in April.

8. Elm Creek Reserve (Maple Grove, Champlin and Dayton) – This park–so big, it straddles three towns–is a great choice for dogs that would rather walk with their owners than play with other dogs. And, it’s got trails, a field, a pond, a hill and some picnic tables for good measure.

9. Cleary Lake (Prior Lake) – For the wandering types, Cleary Lake has tons of twisty-turny trails, with strategically placed benches throughout. You can play fetch with your dog’s favorite ball in the meadow, or let your dog take a swim in the fenced pond–or not: It’s your prerogative!

Other parks to check out with your dog:

• Carver Park Reserve (Victoria)

• Egan Park (Plymouth)

• Otter Lake (White Bear Township)

• Bloomington (Bloomington)

• Kaposia Landing (South St. Paul)

• Arlington/Arkwright Park (St. Paul)

• Woodview (Roseville)

• Rice Creek (Shoreview)

• Dakota Woods (Coates)

• Lake of the Isles (Minneapolis)

• Airport Dog Park (Richfield)

• Staring Lake Park (Eden Prairie)

• Van Valkenburg (Edina)

• Trackside Park (Coon Rapids)

Be smart! Bone up on your dog park’s rules regarding permits, licenses, and regulations before you go so you don’t end up with an Irish Wolfhound-sized fine. And be sure to let your fellow readers in on your favorite area dog parks in the comments section below. Better yet, go one further: We’ve teamed up with our friends at Stunt Puppy to create this super-snazzy interactive map of our choice dog spots in the area. Check it out and add (and review!) your own faves here.

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Both Ali and I had an opportunity to call in to the Jack Rice show on WCCO 830AM today as he discussed opinions about having dog-friendly cafes in the Twin Cities. This discussion was spurred just as bill 2423, which would allow for cities to allow their outdoor restaurants and cafes to welcome dogs as diners, is pending approval in the Legislature .

He was opposed to dog-friendly cafes until we called in and told him how much being dog-friendly it would benefit the bottom line of restaurants and small businesses. Ali also had the opportunity to call in and say how important it is that she, as a single woman, have an option for getting out on the town w/out worrying about her dog being home all day and then leaving him again. An important consideration for all working professional dog parents.

A few callers who were opposed to it were simply afraid of potential accidents, hair in the food or fights. This goes to show us how important it is to take only well-behaved, well-trained dogs out on-the-town. This is the best kind of education for people who don’t understand dogs.

Here were some common objections, what do you think?
What about people with allergies?
What about people with dog phobias?
What about hair floating through the air into food?
What about dog fights?
What about dogs licking themselves?

Send us your comments right here through the blog!

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Wednesday, March 19, 2008

I was delighted to find out that Representative Frank Hornstein (DFL, District 60B) has authored a bill (HF2423) that would “Authorize municipalities to enact ordinances allowing [companion] dogs to accompany persons patronizing outdoor areas of food and beverage establishments.”

This is the first step in making the Twin Cities more dog-friendly and an important one for letting businesses choose to cater to dogs and their people when it’s good for their business.

The second step is for our City officials to make the decision to allow outdoor cafes to welcome dogs.

Now is the perfect time to begin lobbying your representatives on the City level to let them know you want your companion dogs to accompany you in outdoor eating establishments and sidewalk cafes. They need to hear from dog parents now so that when this bill passes, they have heard your desires and can take them into account when making their decisions.

Find out about your Minnesota district and your State Representative and Senator in your district.

For your City Officials visit the League of Minnesota Cities website and look up your City’s official website where you’ll find your representatives.

Here is a simple email you can send to your City officials:

Dear [Name of City Representative],

It has come to my attention that Bill 2423, if passed, will authorize Minnesota municipalities to enact ordinances allowing dogs to accompany persons patronizing outdoor areas of food and beverage establishments.

I am a responsible dog parent in your city and would very much like to see any ordinances be lifted that currently prevent my companion dog from joining me in outdoor cafes and food establishments.

My dog is part of my family and I have invested considerable time and effort into training her and building a relationship. Having my dog accompany me is very good socialization for her and it is a great way for me to enjoy time with her. In addition, it is a great way for me to meet people and build community, while also patronizing my favorite dog-loving establishments.

Companion dogs and their parents have many liberties like this in so many other cities across the country. I wold like to see our city offer those liberties, too.

I thank you in advance for taking my desires to heart for having my dog accompany me in outdoor food establishments.

Sincerely…

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