Pet-Friendly Restaurants in Boston

Posted on February 10, 2012 by mprice

Boston has many great restaurants where Fido is welcome.

There are not many things better than sitting down to a nice meal at a fine restaurant, discovering an amazing cup of coffee at an area café or settling into a well-worn booth with an ice cold pint at your local watering hole. But if you’re a dog lover, it’s just not quite the same without your loveable four-legged friend. Fortunately, many restaurants, cafes and bars around the world are getting hip to the idea of opening up their doors to the dogs, and if you’re ever in the Boston area, here are a few places where your pooch is welcome to tag (or wag) along.

Blunch
It’s not difficult to figure out what Blunch specializes in. So if you and Fido have a hankering for a quick and hearty breakfast, brunch or lunch, Blunch has you covered. Offering gourmet sandwiches, soups and breakfast items at very reasonable prices, Blunch also welcomes your furry little friend and even provides complimentary dog biscuits to boot, so both you and your dog can have a treat.
Where: 59 E. Springfield St., Boston, MA 02118

Brendan Behan Pub
The Brendan Behan Pub is THE definition of a local pub. Independently owned and operated by some fine folks in the Jamaica Plains neighborhood of Boston, the pub features a great selection of local beers and an unpretentious staff and clientele. Even better, the bar is canine- (and food-) friendly. For a great night out, bring your dog and some takeout, as the pub doesn’t serve food but more than welcomes you to bring your own, pony up to the bar and let the good times roll.
Where: 378 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130

South End Buttery
This quaint bakery nestled in Boston’s trendy South End neighborhood is one of the most dog-friendly establishments in Beantown, named as Boston’s Best Pet-Friendly Restaurant by Tails magazine in 2010 and 2011. Owner Richard Gordon is a dog lover through and through (he has three), so canines are definitely taken care of here, with fresh dog biscuits from Polka Dog Bakery. You’ll find paintings and photographs of dogs covering the walls, and four of the bakery’s signature cupcakes are named after well-loved area dogs. The bakery even donates a portion of their cupcake sales to local animal rescue causes.
Where: 314 Shawmut Ave., Boston, MA 02118

J.P. Licks
Known as one of the best places in Boston to get a cup or cone of delicious homemade ice cream, J.P. Licks is the perfect place for dogs and their two-legged friends to kick back and enjoy each other’s company no matter what the season. You’ll love unique flavors like Red Velvet Cake Batter, Pralines & Crème and Chocolate Raspberry and your pup will love chowing down on their signature canine offering, “Cow Paws,” a frosty treat of light peanut butter and honey flavored sorbet topped off with a dog biscuit, made with all natural and pet-friendly ingredients.
Where: Several locations throughout Boston

Wired Puppy
Named as Boston magazine’s Best Coffee Shop in 2010, Wired Puppy brews up organic and fair trade specialty coffees and teas with quirky, canine-themed names such as “Sweet Puppy Love” and “Hair of the Dog” and offers delicious pastries in a quirky, comfortable environment. And the best part is that dogs are welcomed inside, the only café in Boston to do so.
Where: 250 Newbury St., Boston, MA 02116

Photo credit: iStockphoto/SashaFoxWalters

Best Pet-Friendly Festivals Nationwide

Posted on February 1, 2012 by mprice

Some of the best festivals in the nation are also pet-friendly.

If you’re a festival-goer but also a pet lover, chances are you’ve been disappointed in the past with the number of events that unfortunately aren’t okay with man’s best friend joining in the festivities. The good news is that you no longer have to choose between your two loves. Read on to find out more about some of the best pet-friendly festivals in the nation.

Do Dah Day
Founded in 1979 by a small group of fun-loving friends, Do Dah Day is one of Birmingham’s oldest and best-loved events, drawing people from all over the United States to the city’s historic Highland Avenue parks of Rhodes and Caldwell in May. What started out as a simple party has grown into an all-out music festival enjoyed by pet lovers and their four-legged friends. One of the festival’s best events is the parade, which offers prizes in categories such as Best Pet/Owner Look-Alike, Best Dressed Pet and Ugliest Pet (all in good fun, of course).
Details: May 19, 2012, Rhodes and Caldwell Parks, 2730 Highland Ave. S, Birmingham, Ala. 35205

West Fest
In addition to being one of Chicago’s most eclectic, cutting edge street fairs, West Fest is also one of the most pet-friendly festivals in the Windy City. You’ll find delicious local food, high quality live music, diverse vendors and booths and a fun, hip vibe at West Fest, but it’s Pet Fest, the “fest within a fest” dedicated to pets that really makes this festival stand out. From pet product vendors to bathing pools and a number of great pet games for charity, West Fest is the place to be in Chicago for pet lovers.
Details: July 7-8, 2012, 1800 W. Chicago, Chicago, Ill. 60622

Dog Day Festival
Nashville’s Dog Day Festival takes puppy love to new heights every September at Centennial Park. An all-day event benefiting the Nashville Humane Association, the Dog Day Festival kicks off with the Music City Mutt Strutt dog walk fundraiser. The event also features dog training classes, dog adoptions, contests with wacky awards such as “Waggliest Tail” and “Best Bark,” doggie treat samples and craft time, live music and so much more.
Details: September 2012, Centennial Park, 2500 West End Ave., Nashville, Tenn.

Aloha Pet Festival
If you ever find yourself on the island paradise of Hawaii, make no bones about stopping by the Aloha Pet Festival in Honolulu. Talented pooches can try their hand (or paws) at the pet costume and trick contests. And to end a perfect day, treat your canine companion to delicious delicacies like pet shave ice and doggie donburi while you munch on offerings from over 13 food trucks and vendors at the aptly named Bow Wow Brunch.
Details: October 2012, Kaka’ako Makai Park, 325 Pakanu St., Honolulu, Hawaii 96822

Woofstock Dog Festival
When the Woofstock Dog Festival first opened its doors in 2006, its founders wanted to create an event catered to the dog lovers in the Roanoke area, creating a super fun, family-friendly festival that attendees can freely bring dogs to. Now, just a few years later, the festival has grown to be one of the best-loved events in the area, boasting live bands, food and drink, raffles, prizes, vendors games and more each June.
Details: June 2, 2012, Elmwood Park, 706 S. Jefferson St., Roanoke, Va. 24011

Muttzanita
Oregon’s coastal town of Manzanita comes alive with furry critters in August with the Muttzanita Festival, a pet-centric charity celebration that goes to benefit United Paws of Tillamook, a local volunteer organization focusing on spaying, neutering and adoption. The canine fun never ends at Muttzanita, where dogs are treated to massages, “pawdicures” and other spa treatments, and can be featured in the hilarious pet fashion and talent shows. And just for laughs, dogs can participate in fun games like musical chairs and fetch.
Details: August 2012, 144 Laneda Ave., Manzanita, Ore. 97130

Photo credit: iStockphoto/bddigitalimages

Pet-Friendly Work Environments in Columbus

Posted on August 18, 2011 by ag-admin

A few companies in Columbus believe bringing pets to work enhances team spirit.

Photo Credit: iStockphoto/dageldog

It’s 8 a.m., and you’re starting to walk out the door when you begin to hear a whimper. Your dog is standing behind you with a sad look in his eyes. All he wants to do is to go with you for the day. Many employers in the Columbus area won’t let bring your dog to work, but both you and your pet reap the benefits from Fido’s tagging along with you.

In a high-performance or high-stress environment, dogs and other pets can spread smiles. Additionally, they can ease tension that is often found in the workplace and increase job performance. It is believed that bringing your pet to work with you allows you to be a part of a more creative environment. It decreases absenteeism, and it assists coworkers to communicate with one another and get along better.

The University of Buffalo performed a study that found having a dog or cat as a companion helped cardiovascular measures remain more stable during stressful situations. During a time of mental and physical stress, a loved pet can exert a calming influence on blood pressure and heart rate.

Remember that not all offices are suitable for pets, and vice versa. A dog that barks all day may have the opposite effects on the workplace – causing stress, high blood pressure and tension. Additionally, a work environment such as a china shop may not be ideal for high-energy pets. Make sure your pet can easily access the outdoors for a bathroom break.

Here are a few examples of pet-friendly work environments in Columbus.

RMD Advertising
The bowl at the reception desk of this Columbus advertising firm does not have candy. In fact, it holds dog treats for Boone, the border collie who has been with the company for almost 10 years. Boone, whose title is director of stress management, is a part of staff meetings, and she helps ease the tension during those meetings.

Jellybean Junction
Just outside of Columbus in Dublin, Jellybean Junction Learning Centers focus their business around their pets. The family-owned business brings their Rottweiler or shepherd mix because they know it makes everyone happy to have the dogs around.

Color Design Innovations
This small graphics company will often have five dogs roaming the office. The dogs are great officemates and help ease the tension of the fast-moving work environment. However, the biggest fans of these four-legged friends are the company’s clients. The clients try to come in as much as possible to spend time with the dogs, which attracts more business.

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