Meet Mr. Ming. It’s been a long, harsh winter for this pampered Pekingese. The weather has been rainy. The squirrels are all hibernating. He hasn’t had a hair cut in months.
But now that spring has sprung, it’s time for Mr. Ming to head out on the town for a day of fun, sun and luxury. Is your dog feeling the winter blues? Let’s follow in Mr. Ming’s paw prints as he checks out some of Austin’s most dog-friendly spots during his best day ever in the ATX.
Getting His Fur Did at Lucky Dog
Mr. Ming is looking slim and trim after his Lucky Dog hair cut
Before he hit the town, Ming had to get a haircut. He looked entirely too unkempt. And what better place to go than Lucky Dog Grooming? For the same price as the big chains, Ming got a summer cut, luxurious bath and a fresh mani-pedi.
And the good grooming comes with a smile. Ming is a big fan of the people taking care of him. No complaining as he went in, no sulking as he left. The groomers and caretakers at Lucky Dog treat your fur baby like a member of the family. They also groom cats, so your feline friends can get some love while your dog gets his fancy on.
9414 Anderson Mill Road, Ste. 300 – Yelp
Buying New Duds at Lofty Dog
Feeling fancy after a visit to Lofty Dog
Once Ming got his summer trim, he realized his wardrobe needed a little sprucing up. That meant a trip to Lofty Dog on West Anderson Lane. A mecca of locally-made toys, treats and all things fancy, it was just what the veterinarian ordered.
After several minutes of sniffing dog toys and begging for snacks, Ming, with the help of Lofty Dog’s friendly staff, picked out a sharp bowtie/collar combination. While a few of the other dogs wandering around thought it was too big, Ming didn’t care. He called it a “statement piece.”
Upon filling his social calendar with Lofty Dog’s regular adoption events and parties, Ming left his favorite puppy boutique feeling fresh and looking sharp. Time to get his bark on!
2700 W. Anderson Lane #402 (same lot as Alamo Drafthouse) – Website
Socializing at Yard Bar
Just one of the friendly faces Ming will meet at Yard Bar (Credit: Yard Bar)
After his shopping spree, Ming wanted to spend time hanging out with his furry friends. A quick scan of his Facebook check-ins showed all of his buds were at Yard Bar, Austin’s newest puppy playground.
As Ming pranced around and chatted with his pals, his owners relaxed with a couple of drinks from Yard Bar’s expansive in-park bar. And thanks to Yard Bar’s staff of “Bark Rangers,” a team of doggie pros tasked with watching the fun and making sure it stays safe, his people were more than content to let him roam around.
Since Ming just had his fur done, he wasn’t interested in running around. He was perfectly happy catching up with friends, sniffing around and doing some puppy-watching.
Eats, Drinks and Live Music at Banger’s
Mr Ming reviews Banger’s extensive menu
As the sun began to set, Ming decided to finish his day with dinner and a show. His choice? Banger’s Sausage House & Beer Garden on Rainey Street. One of the pet friendliest joints in Austin, Banger’s offers everything a fuzzy socialite and his less pampered parents could ever want.
While his mom and dad were perusing Banger’s incredible craft beer list, Ming lapped water from his private bowl and ordered up a plate of sausage made especially for dogs. And after dinner, while his humans were watching a bluegrass foursome pluck guitars on the outside stage, Ming toured the off-leash dog park. Within the hour, he had ten new Twitter followers and plans to come back next weekend.
End to a Perfect Dog-Friendly Day
As his parents drove him home with the setting sun at his back, Ming yawned. It had been a long–but amazing–day of pampering, playing and partying. The only thing left to do was go home, plop down on a pillow and have a nice, relaxing nap.
Mr. Ming is exhausted after his best day ever
Mr. Ming’s best day ever covered just a fraction of what Austin has to offer. We’re lucky to live in one of the most dog-friendly cities in the country, so there are hundreds of things to do.
The next time your furry friend is antsy for extra attention, take her on an Austin adventure like Mr. Ming’s. It’s guaranteed to be her best day ever, too.
@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:
What are your favorite dog-friendly businesses and activities in Austin?
I loved Mr. Ming’s day out! Offers great places to go that are dog friendly! I would love to follow him on other outings!! Thank you for sharing your day.