Showing posts with label Chicago Dog Resources. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago Dog Resources. Show all posts

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Things to do in the City with Dogs: Strolling Down Michigan Avenue

Almost every time I go on vacation I marvel at the people who are lucky enough to be residents of that city. I imagine that if I lived there I would spend every weekend having pier picnics or lounging in famous gardens.
The funny thing is, we live in a pretty amazing city also. And a lot of people spend a lot of money to experience the things we take for granted. 
We spend a lot of our time just out with the pups walking, and even though we live a mere 2 miles from the heart of downtown, we rarely go. So we went. 
I don't think people are used to seeing large dogs downtown because a lot of people would look at us like we were walking camels. They also asked what kinds of dogs they were.
As our dogs are older its not as easy to do the 2 miles there and back, so we found 2 other easy ways to get downtown with our pups.
We discovered the app Spothero which has helped us find cheaper downtown parking. We used this to get downtown for the St Patrick's Day festivities where we found parking for only $10, which is amazing since downtown parking is normally $20-40.
We have also learned how to take taxi's with our pups and we wrote more about it here. 
Has anyone else been venturing on any new walks lately?

Also:
Vacation-like.
Our picks.
Deja vu.
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Pooches: Miss M and Mr B Bring Happiness to the 2014 Chicago St. Patrick's Day Parade

Before I adopted Miss M, I really didn't want a pit bull-type dog.  
But the truth is, I had such strong feelings when I had never even met a pit bull before. 
It was only after meeting my first pit bull-type dog at an adoption event--then my second, then my third-- that I realized they really are just like any other type of dog (though I now think even more amazing!).
Once in costume, Mr. B falls into character
Part of the fun of our adventures around the city is letting other people meet pit bull-type dog for the first time. This weekend we hit up Chicago's Downtown St. Patrick's Day Parade, which is such a huge event, the city even dyes the river green. The parade draws people from around the country, and even from other countries. A lot of people who met the pups wanted to know what kinds of dogs they were, and a couple of people even reveled in their own 'first time they met a pit bull' experience.
As one man from another country said "This is Pitbull? Pitbull is good!".
Mr. B brought along his camera to document the experience from his point-of-view. My favorite part is the paparazzi on the bridge.
Here are the pups bringing happiness to St. Patrick's Day revelers,with appropriate accompanying music.
Also:
Did you know it has been proven watching cute pet videos really does make people happier and increase productivity at work? Feel free to check out this one (the one on Vimeo), this one, and this one too.
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Things to do in Chicago with Dogs: Watching CHIditarod

One of the best parts of living in the city is you really never know what you might run into.
During some of our walks we have run into such unlikely events as a Snuggie pub crawl, a Zombie flashmob, and our latest: CHIditarod shopping cart race.
Part food drive, part costume contest, part drinking event, this annual race has been held in the Wicker Park area for the past 9 years. Teams dress in themes and pull decorated shopping carts, filled with food to donate stopping at several bar checkpoints. The race route is about 4 miles and it is held regardless of the weather.
After being cooped up this winter, we were excited to get out in this "tropical" 20 degree weather. Seeing CHIditarod as an added bonus.
The pups were excited to have so many people out that they could meet. One of the carts even had a grill on it, and they were nice enough to give the pups a taste.
Though Mr. B was a bit confused by some of the costumes.

Also:
We're counting down the days until we can do this again.
Walking like a city dog
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Things to Do with your Dog In Chicago: Dog-Friendly Shopping

The hardest part of the Chicago winters is that the pups go from having daily adventures, meeting crowds of people, to walking the streets in isolation.
Miss M especially thrives on human attention and will often seek out that other lone person trudging through the streets hoping that they will pet her. You can probably imagine how over-excited she becomes once everyone digs out of hibernation and she is able to see people again.
To ease the transition, and keep up our city skills, we have learned about several indoor dog-friendly  areas where the pups can ease their cabin-fever and we can stay consistent with training.

Even with these stores being dog-friendly, we are always aware that some people just don't like dogs and we need to be considerate to them. We don't allow our pups to approach people unless the people ask, and if the space becomes to small, they are not behaving, or it just doesn't seem appropriate for them we will leave.
Here are some of the pups' favorites:

Home Depot:
It seems we've been needing to go here a lot, and it's nice that we can run this errand even with the pups. Home Depot is an easy indoor place to take the pups, even if they've never been inside before,  because there are few things to break, aisles are extra wide and there is just a lot of space.

Shops at Northbridge (aka: The downtown Nordstrom's Mall):
I never would have expected these stores right downtown would be dog-friendly, but as we were walking by with our pups the Security Guard told us we should come inside. Dogs are allowed in all of the areas with the exception of the floor that has the food court. They even have a dog treat dispenser and water bowls near the customer service area. We also heard it rumored the Bloomingdales building is dog-friendly. Is it true?

Local Stores on our Walk:
We joke that when we walk through Wicker Park (which has made its way into many guidebooks) Miss M thinks its old news saying "I've been in that store, and that store, and that one...". While it depends on the store owners, in Chicago dogs are legally allowed in any store that doesn't serve food. Often if we're walking by, or window gazing, stores will encourage us to come inside with the pups, and the pups have hit many of the destination spots in the Wicker Park area. The pups are frequent visitors at Chrome store (they know them there!), Lomography store, Nike, St. Alfred's and even wine stores Lush and Noble Grape.

Where we don't go:
Strangely enough, even though they sell dog-gear, REI is not pet-friendly. Even if you want to try on any of the dog coats we've needed to work with a salesperson allowing us to take the merchandise outside to try on. Also, when we were fostering little Jack Frost I used to carry him in my bag and when I tried to go into Joanne's Fabric, I was asked to leave.
The one dog-friendly place that we try not to take the dogs: pet stores. With all of the food, smells, and other dogs, it's just too distracting and over-stimulating.

What are some other experiences people have had with dog-friendly stores?

Also:
City Dogs in Training
After the thaw
Mr. B helps out with the groceries
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Things to do in Chicago with Dogs: Dining Outdoors with Dogs who Are Uncomfortable with Outdoor Patios

While the city does allow pooches to join their owners on outdoor patios,  we know with all of the excitement, dropped food, and pups passing by this does take practice and it can be difficult. We know pups all have different tolerance and comfort levels and lately we've been trying different types of family meals out that include pooches.
Here we took our pooches on a Chicago-style family meal that would be perfect for dog-in-training.

Calumet Fisheries
We had first heard about Calumet Fisheries on Check Please! and we were excited to try this highly recommended, longstanding, family-run smokehouse. All of the fish is fresh and naturally smoked onsite in the smokehouses on-site. It is a bit far, but it was completely worth it and unlike anything we've ever had in the city. Everyone inside was so, so nice. The people working there, and even the other customers, were excited about the dogs waiting so patiently with E outside and several people came to meet them.
There are no seats or bathrooms and it is all carry-out. They have a single picnic table, and some people eat in their car, but we joined the crew out on the bridge and ate along the railing. It really did feel like we were on vacation:
except for Miss M who had her bridge-phobia kick in. It wasn't crowded, and there were no chances of running into other pups, so this would be a good exercise for pups-in training.

Rainbow Cone
Our second stop was Chicago staple the Orignial Rainbow Cone. I had only tried the Rainbow Cone during Taste of Chicago, so I was excited to see where it all began.
Dating back to the 1920's this stacked cone is perfect for the indecisive, layered with: Orange Sherbet, Pistachio, Palmer House, Strawberry, and Chocolate. I've heard there tend to be longer lines, but when we went mid-week there were only a few other people there; I went inside while E stayed with the pups. They have picnic tables outside, or you can just enjoy it in your car. It closes for the winter season, but it's something we can tell the pups will be looking forward to in spring.
With all of their patience, they even got a little lick.
What are some ways you have family dinners with your pups?

Also:
We find this long-standing favorite an easy transition
This is an easy walking meal
When we're feeling European
How we help our dogs to be successful dining at outdoor patios

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Things to Do in Chicago with Dogs: Miss M and Mr B Cheer on Runners at the Chicago Marathon

Even though I have retreated to retirement, I still miss my Chicago Marathon running days. Each year we pack up the pups and head out in the wee hours of Sunday morning to cheer on the runners.
As a runner, the crowd support is beyond amazing. An estimated 1 million spectators line the 26.2 mile course with clever signs, costumes, and singing Elvis to cheer the marathoners along.
So we decided to add two pitbulls in Superhero costumes to the mix:
The beginning of the race course is densely packed with the neighborhoods coordinating costumes, cheers and screaming fans. It was always so hard turning that corner after the halfway mark to a less lively street. We decided that 14 mile mark is the best place for our pups to park and use their superpowers.
With their serious mugs, they were able to lure some of the marathoners off the course for some smooches. We were able to see Medgar and Blue's mom run by, and several people who knew the pups waved as they ran by.
We know it's often the runners at the back of the pack who might need the encouragement the most, so we made sure to stay out until the very end. Even as the final sanitation truck was rolling by, we wanted to make sure to cheer on the runners that were still determined to make it all the way through.
Though we don't know if Miss M was all that encouraging. Apparently, it was just too exhausting to sit and watch people who had just run 14 miles (and had 12 more to go!) and Miss M had to remind them of that by collapsing onto the sidewalk.
Was anyone else out there running or watching this year?

Also:
Wonder what really goes on along the race course? Here are my photos when I ran the marathon with a disposable camera. 
How the pups tracked me during my last race.
Deja vu with another superhero. And when they picked their own costumes.


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Things to Do in Chicago with Dogs: Miss M and Mr. B go to the Design Harvest Festival

Miss M is perplexed by the Square Dancing behind her
We know people sometimes feel sorry for city dwellers with our lack of green space, stretches of concrete. Though we've realized that we all just like to make the best of it. Sure we're lacking an abundance of nature, which just means the city will close down one of our major streets transforming it into our own 'Urban Orchard' complete with tartan-covered hay bales, pumpkins, square-dancing...and a high-end furniture design show.
It might not be a real pumpkin patch, but the pups didn't realize they weren't really at an orchard. Many pups accompanied their people to this super dog-friendly event where they were allowed access into the design tent and had plenty of hay bales and carpets for resting and 'glamping'.
Never having seen straw before, Miss M tries her own Huck Finn impersonation.
And she wasn't even embarrassed to be seen with her dad in public.
Maybe she just wants a few pumpkins for our own home?

Also:
How we solve this problem.
Pumpkins!


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Things to Do in Chicago with Dogs; Miss M and Mr B go on the Chicago Skyline Canine Mercury Cruise

 
 Whenever anyone asks us what they should do when they visit Chicago, the #1 thing we always tell them: go on an architectural cruise. Chicago architecture is one of the not-so-hidden gems of our city, plus it's even more fun to enjoy when leisurely cruising by via tour boat.
While it's something we don't usually indulge in on our own, the fact they have a Sunday morning dog-specific Mercury Canine Cruise makes it too tempting to pack up our little family to become  Tourists in our Own City:
We set sail for a 90-minute tour along the Chicago River and parts of Lake Michigan with our tour guide explaining the sometimes crazy history behind the buildings I never paid attention to on my way to the train. It was fun seeing the buildings from this perspective and even learning the history of buildings I worked in for several years.
There were plenty of amazing photo opps and all kinds of big, small, fuzzy and bearded pups.
And talk about Chicago being a small town... we ran into our dog friend Phil who was all smiles for his first cruise:
Mr. B was having a great time sticking his head out the boat window, wondering about passing Tall Ships, and dreamily gazing at the Chicago skyline.
That is until Miss M randomly decided she didn't like the vibrations of the boat she had ridden on several times before and she starting kicking with her kangaroo legs. Mr. B. rolled right off the bench, just like a log, where he could only watch the back of people's legs from under the seat.
We will write more about Miss M's kangaroo-legs and how mistaking boats for bridges in tomorrow's post!
The tour validates parking for $12 for 3 hours at 111 E Wacker Dr. parking garage. We like that this gave us a bit of extra time afterwards to walk around downtown. We picked up after-boat donuts from Do-Rite Donuts (another Chicago recommendation!).
While we've loved making this a tradition with our little family, and we normally can go on a whim, it seems like this year the cruise has become extra busy and our boat was sold out when we got there. It must have been Mr. B's charm that got us off of the wait list and onto the boat.
We definitely recommend calling ahead to purchase tickets or arriving super-early, but we're excited to continue making this one of our yearly traditions!
 

Also:
Our recommendations for 1 day in Chicago with your dog.
Or if you have 36 hours
How to take a taxi with a large dog.

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Things to Do in Chicago with Dogs: Miss M (and Willie!) go Renegade

Just as we thought the summer festival season was over, we were excited to remember one of our favorite events happening right smack dab in the middle of our neighborhood. Renegade Craft Fair  gathers independent Etsy artists from across the nation displaying the innovative, unique, and usual wares beneath a half-mile of tents.
Since E and Mr B had some "business" to attend to, Miss M and I decided to have a Girls Day of shopping and browsing. We met up with Smiley Willie who was happy and still smiling about being the only dude out with the ladies shopping.
We were excited to visit our friend Sticker's person at her booth La Familia Green. Her pup Stickers, and her cat Lemur, are often the muses for many of her cards. And she is just so, so creative and funny with perfect, modern cards for any occasion. If you haven't seen her shop, you can click here 
We were also super-excited to see Miss M's special friend with her shop The Soap Distillery. She handmakes small-batch soap inspired by specially-crafted wines  cocktails: absinthe, gin, pumpkin ipa, and margarita to name a few. The soap doesn't smell like alcohol, but the fragrance notes of the drink. Miss M's special friend and alcohol are two of her favorite things; hence, I was not able to handle her excitement and the camera well enough to get photos. You can read more about the Soap Distillery here which are fun to buy for yourself or small gifts. We bought Bourbon!
Meanwhile...back at home E and Mr. B were having a very important Sunday afternoon meeting. 
Can anyone guess what it was about? (Here is a hint!)

Also:
Deja Vu! But, with Mr. B.
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Things to Do with Dogs in Chicago: Miss M and Mr. B go to The NOSH at Wicker Park

For some reason, a lot of people say the Taste of Chicago is the can't miss food festival of the summer. Though after spending most of our time waiting in lines, being bulldozed by crowds, and seeing someone run off with the full strand of food tickets dropped by an elderly man, we haven't been back in years. 
We really do love food and festivals and we were excited to hear about The Nosh food festival in our very own neighborhood.
This festival is a bit different because it showcases small-batch artisan foods that you can't really find in restaurants. We've tried homemade Bloody Mary mix, Dutch-Indonesean fusion sandwiches, lobster rolls, poutine, rib tips smoked on site, and sliders from Paulina Meat Market.
We love that it's a weekly market, and they are often bringing in new vendors. 
Plus, it's very dog-friendly. It's not overly crowded so there is plenty of space for the dogs, and they leave out water bowls. Though we have found that since it is on asphalt, without much shade, it can become hot for the dogs. They started setting up picnic tables on the side grassy areas where the pups can get out of the sun.

Also:
This is how we've prepared.
We think this is the pups' favorite.
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Things to Do in Chicago with Dogs: Miss M and Mr B go to the "Secret" Chicago Air and Water Show

We know every Chicago transplant has a story about the first time they realized the slew of planes flying mysteriously close to our homes and downtown were actually one of Chicago's biggest attractions: The Air & Water show. This event brings in stunt pilots and military planes (typically) with crowds starting to gather as early as 6 am (I know because these were always some of my big training days).
One secret that we've learned to avoid the crowds: we go on the Friday during their practice session. They have everything set up like the real show complete with announcer and food trucks without the large crowds. Luckily for us, this year had mild temperatures, and our pups aren't deterred by loud noises, so we set up a picnic spot a bit further up from North Avenue Beach to watch the show along the backdrop of the Chicago Skyline.
Unfortunately with this years sequester, the show was missing a few key acts, including the USAF Thunderbirds, but Mr. B was thoroughly impressed and loved the acrobatics of the biplanes.
Even Miss M enjoyed herself, cracking a smile for the camera, as she enjoyed our grilled cheese foodtruck picnic, the nice weather, and the rare sight of spotting biplanes flying in the city. And being the center of attention in photos.
Also:
We are also looking forward to this city tradition. And our all-time favorite.
Plus, check our Facebook page for photos and storylines beyond the blog.

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Things to Do in Chicago with Dogs: Miss M and Mr. B Explore their Culture at Chicago Korean Festival

While we all have our favorite festivals of the summer, I would have to say Miss M has a distinct favorite. She plays it off as exploring her cultural heritage, but we know she is really in it for the chance to scour Kalbi from the ground and a hopeful sighting of one of E's cousins.
While we have been going to the Korean festival for the past few years, this year the festival morphed to twice it's size as it took over the streets and parking areas of Northeastern with endless rows of food options and K-pop group face-offs on the main stage and traditional music and performances throughout. 
Miss M thought she saw her Halmonee (Korean Grandmother) as part of the band:

Plus: Why Mr. B was super confused.
And to make things that much more exciting, the pooches even did this later that night.
Miss M vs. Korean fruit.

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