Pooches in the Pump: Best Dog-Friendly Spots in the Far West End
While “dog-friendly” might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Short Pump area just northwest of Richmond, during a recent excursion I found that the area has a lot to offer people and their pets.
While “dog-friendly” might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Short Pump area just northwest of Richmond, during a recent excursion I found that the area has a lot to offer people and their pets.
On the hunt for a Thundershirt for our storm- and firework-phobic dog, Sadie, I called around and found that Fido Park Avenue Dog Boutique had her size in stock. I leashed up Sadie and headed out to see if I could manage to turn the shopping trip into a girls’ lunch date!
Fido Park Avenue Dog Boutique has a lot of fun accessories for your dog – especially if you have a small dog. As our dogs are either too big or not at all inclined to wear doggie dresses (cute as they may be), Sadie and I perused the stylish collar and leash offerings before sniffing a few selections from the large display of spa-quality shampoos and soaps. I’ll admit my gaze lingered on the collar-and-bowtie display, but I figured that the dogs would much rather I bring home an array of hand-decorated cookies than some swanky bow tie.
The shop also had some festive (and timely) patriotic gear for pups, beds, toys, and other fun dog accessories. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable; after I told them I was looking for a Thundershirt, they helped me fit Sadie and told me about the 100% guarantee provided by the manufacturer.
After leaving the dog boutique, Sadie and I were ready for lunch. Thanks to some suggestions from Facebook friends, we made a bee-line for Cafe Caturra. The shaded patio was a perfect place for Sadie and I to share a BLT (she only ate the B) while I sipped on ice tea and she enjoyed some ice cold water. Again, the staff was very accommodating – I made sure to check with the waitstaff before placing my order, and they assured me that the fenced-in patio was dog-friendly.
Because we were so close, we had to stop by Ginger’s Eatz and Treatz (which is in the same shopping center as Cafe Caturra). Sadie got lots of attention from the kids who were picking out toys for their new dog, and another family was ordering a new Red Dingo tag for their pup. We picked up a few more treats for the dogs at home before I decided we needed a reward for all of our hard work.
Back down Three Chopt Road to Maggie Moo’s, where it was a small scoop of Cinnamoo ice cream for me, and plain vanilla for Sadie. Although their outdoor seating is dog-friendly, with the sun directly overhead there wasn’t much shade so we enjoyed our treats in the car with the air conditioning.
The take-away? Short Pump can be a great place to shop and eat with your pup, if you know where to look!
Sarah Clinton is the Editor & Publisher of RichmondPetLovers.com, the go-to place for everything about pets in Richmond, where this article originally ran.
-
Recommend this
on Facebook -
Report an error
-
Subscribe to our
Weekly Digest
This article has been closed to further comments.