The Dogs Deserve A Night Out

Typist: Bethany
Last weekend, Jason and I took the dogs with us on a pub crawl through our neighborhood. This wasn't anything organized or planned ahead I just thought "the dogs deserve a night out." I suppose Jason and I were worthy of a night out too and a couple of dogless friends joined us for parts of the crawl so even they were due some fun. The dogs, Jason and I and even our dogless friends had a wonderful time and I thought "why have we never done this before?" Well, seeing as how I tend to be a planner, I suppose the thought of planning an outing like a long pup pub crawl would have exhausted me, had I thought of it. So it was the spontaneity that made this happen. But there's nothing wrong with planning a pup pub crawl of your very own. After all, your dogs (and quite possibly you) have earned a night out, haven't you? Okay! Here's how to do a pup pub crawl of your very own:

1. Dog friendly digs: If you don't already know where the dog friendly establishments are in your neighborhood, find out now! Even if you are not going to plan a pup pub crawl of your own, all of us animal lovers should do our best to support our local pet-friendly businesses. Become a customer or spread the word about local pet friendly places or both. There are tons of resources to find out about local pet friendly businesses like Dogster, Dog Friendly, Bring Fido and many more. For our purposes here in our Seattle neighborhood, Jason and I accept going to places with the dogs where we can easily see them tied up outside from everywhere inside the business. I know this doesn't work for everyone but our dogs behave pretty well when tied on the sidewalk (in fact they get copious amounts of attention and petting.) As long as we can see them the whole time we are inside/get to them fast, it's fun for all of us.
2. Develop a New York state of mind: When Jason and I have told people about the pup pub crawl we did, most have exclaimed "wow, you really did a lot of walking." Really? It was only 2.5 miles from end to end and with the walk from home and back it was under 5 miles. That's not a lot of walking. Not by my standards. But I spent a great deal of time in New York city.  It's not a lot of walking by the dogs standards either. In fact, it doesn't even come close to living up to their common walks because we stopped so much along the way. So when you map out
   

Our pup pub crawl started at Beveridge Place Pub

Brychwyn pouts about not getting any beer

your pup pub crawl keep in mind this is a fun evening out for your dogs (and they like walks, right?) and also that you are stopping along the way. And on those stops you are "fueling up" for the next part of the crawl!

I spilled my beer with my Zeek's Pizza bread sticks box so we switched tables. No dogs were harmed. Except Brychwyn who still didn't get any beer.

Not crawling

Moseying

The Beer Junction does not allow dogs inside but with their large windows open, we can be very close to the dogs

The dogs get a lot of attention when safely tied on the sidewalk. Sometimes they get tired of all the attention. Poor things.

3. Timing can make you happy: We started at the early happy hour of one neighborhood dog-friendly pub and ended at the late happy hour of another. This was, as I said, not planned, but was an awesome surprise and one I highly recommend planning into your pup pub crawl. In fact, this awesome happy hour timing that we had is one of the many reasons we will be doing our pup pub crawl again very soon.

4. Pack for your pack: We take 'R' Blood on the Tracks Boys to the pub a lot. Depending on the duration, I usually bring blankets or mats and a water dish. In packing for this pup pub crawl I brought some water and lot's of treats but I had to pack lightly for the walk. I do wish I had brought them a blanket. I also brought their safety lights for the late night walk home. If we had left our neighborhood, I would have brought my travel K-9 First Aid Kit as well.

Prost West Seattle allows dogs on the patios.

Wilhelm is so glad we finally got to the German pub.

5. Be spontaneous: I know. I know. You're now asking "but Bethany, isn't this post about detailed pup pub crawl planning?" Yes, but you never know what an awesome night out with your dogs might bring. My original pup pup crawl plan/idea involved only three dog-friendly stops. But a friend who met us was certain he had seen doggie water dishes on the front and back patio of his regular drinking hole. Surprise! A fourth pub was added to our pup pub crawl and a new local dog-friendly business was added to my support list. There are also things you just can't plan for when out with (or even without) your dogs. Perhaps the pub you wanted to do next is just too crowded. Or maybe they changed their pet-friendly policy earlier that day. Maybe your dog wants a little more walk in between pub two and pub three or maybe you need a little less walk so you find a bench for a rest. It's all part of the fun of an evening out with you dog.

Our last stop was at the Copper Coin. "We love dogs," they said. I love their menu and tap list!

Trottin' home

I am absolutely certain that these later photos are blurry because it was dark. Certain.

What a fun night out

6. Pub crawl rules: I had not been on a pub crawl in a great many years and Jason had never been on one. So as we went, I was reminded of a few important rules to keep the crawl moving along and enjoyable. Fortunately, these rules apply to both humans and to canines:

• Drink plenty of water before, during and after.
• Use the restroom at every opportunity, especially before leaving one pub to crawl to the next (most canines should use the restroom before entering the next pub.)
• Eat, snack, enjoy. It's a crawl. Not a jog. Not a race. And it's the fun evening out you deserve! (Dogs are usually better at following this rule than people.)
• Hold on to the leash. Humans, most pubs/pet-friendly establishments ask that you hold your dogs leash and not tie your dogs to anything. Stay with them at all times. Canines, most pubs/human friendly establishments ask that you keep your humans hydrated, fed and not blatantly intoxicated. Stay with them at all times.

So what are you waiting for? It's Friday! Get out there with your dog. Even if you are not into pubs or alcoholic beverages, you could do your neighborhood pet-friendly places research and map out a pup coffee crawl, a pup cafe crawl, a pup park crawl or just a pup crawl. After all, your dog deserves a night out!

And one of the most important parts of a pup pub crawl? A healthy breakfast the next day! We ate ours at Fiddlehead Fine Foods and Cafe where the dogs (and Leo and Amelia in the cart as well) can join us at the outdoor tables.

Cascadian Nomads has not been asked to or paid to promote any businesses or organizations mentioned and linked in this post. We're just sharing information or stuff we like!
Alcoholic beverages are toxic to dogs. Contact your local animal poison control or seek immediate emergency veterinary care if your dog consumes any beverage containing alcohol.

Do you take your FitDogs to any pet-friendly establishments in your neighborhood? Have you ever taken them on a FitDog excrusion/pup crawl to several pet-friendly establishments in one long, super fun outing?