“Put your shoes on!”
These four words are all it takes to bring Cupcake, our 8-year-old Border Collie mix, racing to the front door. She prances around waiting to have her leash securely clicked into place. Consequently, this excitement she exhibits in anticipation of accompanying me on outings makes it hard to leave her behind, even when I know I am going to a dog-friendly place. It is tough to look her in the eye and not feel guilty, but I’ve learned that just because a destination is dog-friendly doesn’t always mean it is CUPCAKE friendly.
Dog-Friendly Opportunities are Plentiful in San Antonio
Fortunately there are many places in the San Antonio area that welcome our four-legged friends. Restaurants, coffee shops, dog parks, open air shopping centers and festivals located in every area of the Alamo City offer opportunities to get out and about with Fido. Deciding which of these destinations is the right fit for your pup can sometimes be tricky, though, so it is important to know your dog’s comfort level in public situations before embarking on an adventure. You want to make sure that the experience will be pleasant for everyone involved. When we lived in DFW, the Texas Rangers had an annual Bark at the Park Event that always sold out quickly. But as much as I love my dog I can’t imagine sitting through 9 innings of baseball with her!
How to Decide
Does your dog do well on a
leash? Will he have the stamina to walk
the distance you are planning to hike? Do loud noises cause him anxiety? How
does your pet respond to small children? Will the slippery, shiny floors of the
home improvement store be difficult for Fido to get traction on? I always ask myself what benefits Cupcake
will get from hanging out with me. I know she loves my companionship, but if
she is stressed by the environment we will be in, I opt to leave her at home
with Animal Planet on the TV.
Restaurants and Coffee Shops are Cupcakes favorite destination. After a few minutes of sniffing under the table she usually settles next to my chair just like she would at home. Many dog-friendly restaurants have bowls of water available but I generally bring a small dish with me and ask for an extra glass of water to pour in it. She always enjoys the attention given by the servers, and just like at home, eagerly awaits a few bites of my food at the end of the meal; unless we are at Orange Leaf where she gets her own cup of Froyo.
Timing is Everything
Cupcake shows tendencies of being a reactive dog, especially when on a leash. Because of this she was overwhelmed by both the number of humans and dogs when I brought her along to the Farmer’s Market at The Pearl on a Saturday afternoon. A return visit during the week turned out to be a much more relaxing outing. The same is true for The Shops at La Cantera which recently adopted a dog-friendly policy. I have found that the perfect time for us to stroll through this beautiful park-like setting is prior to the stores opening. We can window shop at a leisurely pace and usually only encounter a few other pooches to offer a “Good Morning” tail wag to.
Where will your next San Antonio
Dog-venture be?
Find a Dog-Friendly event to take your pup to on the Dog Friendly San Antonio Events Calendar.
Read More:
Dog-Friendly Stores in San Antonio
22 Best Brunch Places in San Antonio for Dog-Lovers
Dog-Friendly Second Saturday at Essex Modern City
Author: Stacy Thetford
I am a dog-loving transplanted Texan who has called San Antonio home for thirteen years. I am a wife, mother of one daughter and two sons and grandma to three granddaughters and three grandpups. I enjoy baking, reading, road trips and finding adventures in the Alamo City to share with Cupcake, our beloved Border Collie mix shelter dog.
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