HEARTBEAT OF HOUSTON
HOUSTON’S NEW CLAIM TO FAME: PET CITY BY LINDSEY PETERS
HOUSTON’S BEEN CALLED MANY THINGS—JOB CITY, SPACE CITY, BAYOU CITY—AND MOST RECENTLY THE CITY WITH NO LIMITS, REFLECTING THE OPENNESS, FRIENDLINESS, AND FORWARD-THINKING ATTITUDE OF ITS BUSINESSES AND RESIDENTS. I BELIEVE MY VERSION OF HOUSTON FITS RIGHT IN WITH THESE ATTRIBUTES, AS THE CITY EXTENDS A WARM WELCOME NOT JUST TO ITS TWO-LEGGED CITIZENS BUT ALSO TO ITS FOUR-LEGGED ONES Houstonians love their pets, perhaps even more than they love their cars. For people like me, who believe that man’s best friends should be welcomed everywhere their owners go, the options are truly limitless. Places that cater to dogs have me and my pup coming back for more. Boneyard Dog Park and Drinkery has revolutionized the dog park experience. My own dog, Murphy, was practically begging me to stay just five more minutes after a play session in the 7,000-square-foot fenced dog park. Pet owners can let their dogs roam free, while they themselves enjoy one of the many local and Texas craft beers offered. An added appeal to the puppy paradise is Boneyard’s involvement in the community. A photo wall full of furry faces gets the news out about who needs a new home, and adoptions are often hosted right there at the bar. It’s definitely a go-to place for both species. I don’t know about you, but patio dining is one of my favorite ways to eat out, especially with Houston’s warm, tropical weather. Since 2010, an organization called Paws on Patios has been aiding Houston restaurants with obtaining permits from the City of Houston that will allow humans and their bark buddies to coexist in outdoor spaces. Porch Swing Pub, Backstreet Café, Hugo’s, and Gratifi Kitchen and Bar are just a few of the more than two dozen restaurants that
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now have paws-friendly patios. (Gratifi even offers “doggie dinners” served right to your table!) Long gone are the days when having animals at eating/drinking establishments was considered poor manners. Today many more bars, restaurants and even retail stores allow pets. It makes my tail wag to know that I can shop for the latest fashion trends at Anthropologie* and then cuddle up with a good book at Half Price Books* without having to leave my dog at home. I can even take him into the Container Store* so he can help shop for a new food bowl. We’ve covered eating, drinking and shopping with your pet, but how about entertainment? Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, Miller Outdoor Theatre and San Jacinto Battleground are just a few Houston venues that offer fun for the whole family, even ones with tails. If you’re still looking for places to take your playmate, you are a die-hard dog lover. To you I say, when all else fails, find a good old-fashioned dog park (there are more than 20 to choose from!) Nothing beats getting back to the basics by finding some open space with plenty of room to chase a few tennis balls.
*Specific location regulations at managers’s discretion