Get Outside With Your Furry Friend!

Get Outside With Your Furry Friend!

Ahhh, the weather is warming up, the leaves on the trees are sprouting, and any day that is sunny and above 55 degrees feels like heaven on earth. Spring is such a lovely season and motivates me to get outside. And its always better to get outside with your furry friend!

Disclaimer: this is mostly meant for dogs, but I suppose a well-adjusted cat could do some of these activities as well. YMMV 😂

Go for a hike.

If you’ve read any of our other blogs, you know we like a good hike around here! Strap on your boots, fill up your pup flask or don’t forget the collapsible water bowl, and find a nearby forest preserve! Just pay attention to dog rules and regulations. Also be VERY aware of ticks. Permethrin can be used to treat human clothing ahead of time (it needs to dry, when wet it can be very toxic to cats, once dry it is safe). Dogs should have some form of flea and tick prevention, and/or do a thorough tick check when you finish your hike.

Some of our favorite locations include:

· Deer Grove Forest Preserve in Palatine

· Bullfrog Lake in Willow Springs

· Forest Glen Woods in Chicago

Did you know that Mint Leash Club offers Hiking Adventures?? This can be added at a discount to overnight pet sitting or constant care, or as a stand alone service on the weekends. We will find a nearby hiking trail within a 20-45 minute drive and spend 1-1.5 hours hiking through the woods! The sights, sounds, and of course SMELLS will give your pup great enrichment and ensure a sleepy doggo when you get home.

Picnic in the park.

Great option for a short, low-cost way to enjoy the outdoors right out your front door! We love packing up a sandwich or two (or grabbing our favorite sandwich, the Tuscan Veggie, and a few beers from North Buena Deli!). This can also be a great way to practice some desensitize time if you have a reactive dog. We have some many great, large parks within our neighborhoods you can pick a spot far away so your pup can see other dogs but not feel threatened or intimidated. Over time you might be able to move closer and closer to the “doggy action”. Just please heed areas of the park that do not allow dogs, usually the natural areas so they can allow plant and wildlife to flourish.

Our favorite parks to enjoy lunch with our dog:

· Horner Park

· Winnemac Park

· The grassy areas surrounding Montrose Beach

Dog beach.

A fan favorite of many, Montrose Dog Beach is a locally famous spot for puppy play time. If your dog is well-socialized and likes to play with other dogs, this is the spot! While Mint Leash Club has a strict No Interaction policy while your dog is in our care, we know when a dog is properly socialized and being observed by their human who knows their body language and limits, off leash play areas can be a great social and physical outlet for dogs. Remember that a DFA tag is required for any dog at Montrose Dog Beach or any other Chicago Park District Dog Friendly Area, this proves your dog is up to date on vaccinations including rabies and recently had a clean bill of health to interact with other dogs.

Cemetery walk (ok…hear me out on this one…).

If you haven’t been to Graceland Cemetery & Arboretum yet, or think that maybe taking a casual stroll (with or without your pup) in a cemetery is a little strange, I implore you to check it out. During COVID my husband and I discovered Graceland and what an oasis it was. Ironically, we live right next to it didn’t know how beautiful it was inside. Historic gravesites, towering oak and willow trees, natural grasslands, and a peaceful pond. I had no idea these things were hidden less than a block away from my home! During COVID the cemetery started allowing dogs. At first I was hesitant to get on board with the idea of dogs in a cemetery, but if done respectfully it can be such a peaceful experience away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Ideally have your pup do all of their “business” before coming into the cemetery, always have them leashed and be in full control, clean up after them, and do not let them wander around on top of gravesites. If your dog likes to pee on every rock it sees maybe this is not the place for them 🤣.

Ice cream!

This speaks for itself, doesn’t it? What is better than ice cream on a warm evening? Ice cream with your dog! Here’s a few local places that are not only dog friendly, but either provide pup cups or sell dog-friendly ice cream! Just don’t share any more than a tiny tase of your human ice cream with them, as hard as that is!

· Lickity Split (2 locations: Edgewater and Rogers Park)

· Scooters Frozen Custard (Lakeview)

· Dairy Star (Lincolnwood)