by Lauren Lewis

 

There’s nothing quite like spending a day with your dog. Few traveling companions offer the same amount of eagerness, excitement, and willingness to conform to your agenda as (hu)man’s best friend. And nothing will please your “desperate housedog” more than giving her a day of warm sidewalks and cool
summer breezes. The following is a suggested itinerary for a day of exploring Chicago doggie-style. Be sure to call ahead to these businesses first; dog-friendly policies change faster than you can say woof.

 

 

Fuel yourself up for the day ahead with some excellent fare at Lu & Carl’s Bar & Grille [100 W Main St, Brighton; (810) 229-9660; www.Appeteaser.com/luandcarls/contact.htm]. Dogs are allowed in the outdoor seating area, but the best feature of this eatery is the walls. A bevy of portraits line the restaurant—all featuring the mugs of the dearly loved pets of Lu & Carl’s patrons. On the weekends this joint features breakfast favorites, such as its famous “Flats,” which are basically scrambled eggs and cheese folded into flour tortillas.

 

 

It’s time to work off that decadent meal with a little outdoor exercise. Head to Orion Oaks Bark Park [Clarkston Rd, between Joslyn and Baldwin Rds, Lake Orion; (248) 858-0906; www.OakGov.com/parksrec/activities/bark_pk.html] for a little afternoon adventure. Here you’ll find a 14-acre fenced dog park with water, benches, picnic tables, two trails, a field area, and restrooms. Additionally, a portion of Lake Sixteen is reserved specifically for canine swimmers, so Fido can splish and splash until his heart’s content. The fee is $10 per car, and there’s a $5 discount for Oakland County residents. Make sure you’re a responsible guardian and scoop the poop.

 

 

After all that time at the park, Fido’s bound to have some of the great outdoors still on him. Treat your furry pal to a bath at the selfservice dog wash at Dunk N Dogs [27911 Five Mile Rd, Livonia; (734) 422-WASH; www.DunkNDogs.com]. No appointment is necessary. A basic wash will cost you from $8 to $20, depending on the size of your dog. All baths include a washcloth, towel, massage brush, choice of professional pet shampoo, nail trimmers, scissors, ear wipes, eye oil, and a grooming restraint. Conditioner and specialty shampoo will cost you a little extra.

 

 

Treats! Treats! Treats! What better way to reward your pooch for good behavior at the dog park than with a delicious freshly baked treat, such as a “Bow-Wow” brownie from Doggy Deli [42395 Garfield Rd, Clinton Township; (586) 228-9663; www.DoggyDeli.com]. All of the treats are made with human-grade ingredients, such as peanut butter and carob chips. Humans can sip bottled water or soda with a $1 donation to Doggy Deli’s Fido Fund Animal Rescue Collection. And both of you can relax at one of the bistro tables.

 

 

After a long day of play, nothing beats a nice drink and some good eats. You can find both at Tom’s Oyster Bar [318 S Main St, Royal Oak; (248) 541-1186]. Of course, Fido can tag along, too—dogs are allowed at the outdoor seating area, Tom’s Main Street Patio, which is the prime location for some quality people-watching. Relax and enjoy the atmosphere with a glass of wine—this Tom’s location has more than two dozen from which to choose—and some of the exceptional house fare, which features not only a wide selection of raw oysters, but also plenty of surf and turf.