As a society of canine-obsessed humans, we spend a lot of time and cash when it comes to our dogs. Today in the United States, somewhere between 70 million to 80 million homes have at least one canine resident, according to the ASPCA.
Our dogs lead lives of loving privilege: They shop with us, dine with us, and hang out as we relax and unwind. This year, it’s estimated by American Pet Products Association that Americans will spend nearly $60 billion on products for our four-legged friends.
As the bona fide group affectionately known as Generation Rex, it’s a fact that Americans are unabashedly pet-crazy. Dallas is on board with this trend, as many retailers, restaurants and even luxury apartment communities cater to our city’s canine population.
The place for dog lovers
For those who love their furry friends, finding a home with pet-friendly amenities is often one of the strongest factors in deciding what apartment community will earn their residency. After all, they’re not just seeking an apartment complex that allows pets; they want a community that loves animals as much as they do.
All around the city, dog owners rejoiced when ilume Park® was constructed in the Cedar Springs neighborhood earlier this year. This luxury boutique apartment community was specifically designed for discriminating residents and their pets. (Or maybe it’s the other way around.) In addition to stylish design and beautiful décor, ilume Park® prioritizes canine-friendly perks, such as enclosed walking trails that wind through a 700-foot private dog walk and park that has two off-leash play areas and a bone-shaped splash lagoon created exclusively for dogs.
ilume Park® also offers a professional dog wash/groom studio and dog lounge. For people who pamper their pets, ilume Park® has it all. And for humans, plenty of details are taken care of too. From everyday wants such as a high-end gym, community lounge, media room and dry cleaning services to proximity to five-star dining and salon services, ilume Park® was built as a place for residents and their furry housemates to live, relax and indulge.
For people who adore pets, ilume Park® is not only the place to live, it’s the place to be.
Out and about
Bread Winners is one of many restaurants around the city that allows al fresco dining with your pet at the Inwood Village and Uptown locations. Here, the servers will even bring your pet a water dish upon your request.
And if your dog has gourmet tastes, he’s in luck: Bread Winners makes and sells its own line of organic dog treats called SoleMates. Other dog-and-dine patio hot spots around town include The Quarter Bar, Henry’s Majestic, Katy Trail Ice House, Cafe Brazil (Cedar Springs), Dish and restaurant/dog park Mutts Cantina.
Canine couture
Dallas boasts an impressive array of dog-focused stores and online boutiques, including Jack & Jill Pet Market, located in Uptown, and DallasDogs.com, which features canine accessories such as sweaters, scarves and hats. Baby Bow Tie, an online retailer that initially designed and sold bow ties for children, branched out to handsome hounds by popular demand. Each bow tie has a magnetic closure to ensure a fur-friendly experience.
As more people insist on being tailed around town by their favorite companions, retailers and dining establishments have evolved to serve every customer — and that most certainly includes the tail-wagging kind.
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To learn more about culturally sophisticated living options on Cedar Springs, visit the ilume Village website.
ilume Park was made for dog-loving residents. The community features a bone-shaped splash pool.
