A Dog’s Life

Where to take your pooch this summer

There are dogs in coffee shops and bars, on beaches, and at restaurant patios. Dogs crowd the downtown sidewalks, leading owners to favorite spots.

All dog owners know the guilt associated with leaving the house without your loyal companion. Most of us try to avoid looking into those sad doggie eyes on our way out the door, knowing that if we look, we might never be able to leave. At least that was the case with my best friend Coltrane, a yellow lab who died of cancer in April.

But in the Wilmington area, there are plenty of places to go where your furry friend is as welcome as you are.

Restaurants: A number of area restaurants with outdoor patios are pet-friendly. Try sidewalk seating at DOCK STREET OYSTER BAR, enjoy the river view at THE GEORGE, or check out the front or back patio of FAT TONY’S. JAVA DOG in The Cotton Exchange is an oasis for canines, and in Wrightsville Beach, TOWER 7, SOUTH BEACH GRILL, and CAFE DEL MAR are pet-friendly. You can even bring Fido along for your weekly burrito fix on FLAMING AMY’S patio.

Bars: The BARBARY COAST and DUCK & DIVE earned Coltrane’s highest marks of approval for downtown watering holes, followed closely by the GOAT & COMPASS. There are a host of other friendly downtown spots, including LULA’S A PUB and the front patio at CAPE FEAR WINE & BEER Fear. In Wrightsville Beach, LAGERHEADS TAVERN is a doggie favorite. But I warn you, once you start bringing man’s best friend out as your drinking buddy, don’t be surprised when he or she starts dragging you into bars when you’re only out for an afternoon stroll.

Outdoors: Of course, before you take your dog out for dinner or a beer, you should probably wear him or her out at one of Wilmington’s countless outdoor recreation spots. The beach is number one, of course, with the top dog-friendly spots being FORT FISHER (which has the added benefit of free parking) and Carolina Beach’s NORTH END. Or, if you’re willing to make a little bit of trek, try TOPSAIL BEACH, which is often less crowded. All of these spots allow leashed dogs year-round, with unleashed dogs free to roam Topsail Beach under voice command for much of the year; other area beaches allow dogs during certain months. Other than beaches, area parks such as WALLACE, HIGH MACRAE, CAROLINA BEACH STATE PARK, and GREENFIELD LAKE offer walking opportunities. Also check out the woods behind UNCW for room to run.

Etiquette: Whether you are a dog owner or not, there are certain rules of etiquette everyone should follow when dealing with pooches in public. Owners should clean up after their pets and keep their pets under their control at all times. If your dog is barking, whining, or doing anything else that could be frustrating to the people around you, stop the behavior or remove your dog from the situation. Dogs and humans alike should avoid approaching unfamiliar animals without verbal consent from the owner – some dogs may be sick, aggressive, or scared and should not be approached. Never feed a dog anything without the owner’s consent. And, of course, if you stop to chat with canines, don’t forget to greet their owners as well!

To view more of photographer Bryce Lafoon’s work, go to www.brycelafoonphotography.com