Where Calgary Magazine Where May June 2017 | Page 17

Gone to the Dogs:
21 CANINE-FRIENDLY PLACES
AND THINGS TO DO
We’ve sniffed out 21 canine-
friendly walks, off-leash
areas, shops, and doggy
spas in and around Calgary.
BY MEGAN KOPP
Unleashed
Rotary Park (Centre St N & Samis
Rd NE) both have spectacular city
views. Laycock Park (5979 - 6 St
NE) dishes up open runs next to
Nose Hill Creek.
PET-FRIENDLY BISTROS
Yoda enjoyi
ng a
puppuccino
from
Starbucks
BARKING LOTS
Calgary is top bark with 1250 hectares of
off-leash freedom. Nose Hill Off-Leash Area
(5620 - 14 St NW) has a large network
of trails. Bowmont Park (85 St & 48 Ave
NW) offers river swims. Edworthy Park
(Edworthy St SW) has a nice mix of aspen
woods and grassy play areas. Sue Higgins
Park (Southland Dr & Deerfoot Tr SE) is a
popular riverside stroll in the southeast. Tom
Campbell’s Hill (25 St & George’s Dr NE) and
Outdoor benches provide sipping
spots for humans at Caffe Beano
(page 47) while dogs lap up water
from handy bowls. Hats off to Ranchman’s
Cookhouse and Dancehall (page 32) for
being Calgary’s original licensed dog patio.
New for 2017, both Vin Room locations
(page 53) now have approval to welcome
pets and their owners to their patios
on Sundays and Mondays. Starbucks in
Kensington (1122 Kensington Rd NW) offers
an unadvertised cup of whipped cream for
dogs on request, the “puppuccino.”
services. More
than basic bath
and dry, they
include paw
massage, nail
trim, cologne
spritzes and
bows or
bandanas!
Leashed dogs are
welcome to ride
free of charge
with their humans
on Calgary
Transit (page 57).
Hop on, hop off,
and explore all
of the city’s 150
off-leash parks.
FOUR-PAW ADVENTURES
OUTSIDE CITY LIMITS
West Bragg Creek (page 56) in Kananaskis
Country offers leash-free adventure.
Fullerton Loop and Nihahi Ridge are popular
on-leash hikes found along Hwy 66, west of
Bragg Creek. Easier summits can be found
via the Banff Gondola (page 56), where
leashed dogs can ride with their owners for
mountain views.
SNIFFING OUT DOGGY
BOUTIQUES AND SPAS
AtomicDog (page 38) is a pet boutique,
“beastro,” and grooming spa. For 11 years,
Bon A-Pet-Treat (page 39) has been baking
up all-natural, wheat, corn and soy-free pet
cakes, muffins and treats. Locally-owned and
independent Paws Pet Food (page 39) has
been part of Calgary’s canine community for
30 years. Tail Blazers (page 39), dishes up
everything from raw bones to PFDs – code
for pet floatation devices. Unleashed (page
39) has a great selection of dog beds. Check
out BowDog (page 39) puppy primping
MAY/JUNE 2017
where.ca
17