Our Petit Year in Review: 2018

Another year is coming to a close, and so far December 2018 has been a typical ebb and flow of warm and cool weather here in New Orleans - unlike last year when we experienced an early hard freeze that seemed to have set the stage for an unprecedented two more in the weeks that followed. It was a long cold winter, and we were more than happy to see the arrival of spring.

This time of the year, the arrival of cold weather always brings us back to the question of "How cold is too cold for pets?" as well as "Does my pet need a sweater?" In our "Yes, It's Winter," post at the beginning of 2018 we discussed the best way to help your fur baby stay warm and cozy indoors when you're away from home.

Our client, Rufus, was all set for the cooler weather in his cute vest on a recent walk with Christy.

When it comes to pets in cold weather outdoors (think 40 degrees), it's always better to err on the side of caution. Senior pets, those that are short-haired, very thin or small-breed animals, and especially pets without an undercoat, are all more susceptible to feeling the cold. A light layer or even just a set of booties may be enough, but keep in mind that in New Orleans cold temperatures are often accompanied by wet weather so be sure you're BFF's winter wardrobe includes rain gear as well.

With January and Twelfth Night just around the corner many Nola locals are already thinking ahead to Mardi Gras, which in 2019 occurs in the first week of March. (Keep an eye out for PPC's Christy marching with the Pussyfooters throughout parade season!) If your fur baby needs inspiration for their Fat Tuesday costume, be sure to see our Pinterest board, Because It's New Orleans.

As we look ahead to 2019, we'd like to remind everyone that holiday fireworks (and other loud bangs) are extremely loud and upsetting when your hearing is significantly more sensitive than that of a human's. Dogs and cats can both hear sounds occurring at higher frequencies than people and from further distances. To help your companion animal make it through firecracker season, try giving them a calming soundtrack in the form of soothing music or "white noise," keep windows and doors closed and covered, and be sure to see our holiday hints Pinterest board for additional ideas.

Continuing our recap of 2018, in February on the blog, we introduced you to a number of useful apps to help pet parents plan play dates and manage health and first aid issues. We hope having this information readily at your fingertips has helped alleviate worry, answer questions, and even find new friends.

In March, we realized we'd missed one app when we covered the very important subject of Lost Pets and the resources for locating them. While we we hope you never experience the pain and stress of having a pet go missing, we hope the resources provided in that post will prove to be invaluable if you ever need them.

Of course in April we would have been remiss if we hadn't reminded our readers of all the great benefits there are in hiring an In-Home Pet Sitter.

Our client, Olive, taking advantage of Petit Pet Care's taxi service for established clients.

We also hope you found our pre-summer blog post informative and helpful in getting prepared for everything warmer weather brings this past May, including and especially the threats posed by insect pests and parasites. (Did you know it was possible for heartworms to be transmitted to humans?) Of course as summer progresses and the heat wages on there are additional concerns as noted in our July post, Survival Of The Furriest.

Our clients, Pizza and Sunny, enjoying looking outdoors on a nice day behind the protection of a security door.

Special needs pets have become our forte here at Petit Pet Care. A number of our clients require medication that has to be given during the workday while their humans are away from home. In our two-part series in September and October, we introduced you some of our friends who require a little extra care and discussed their specific needs.

Our client, Ramona, gets her hyperthyroid medicine in a blob of cat food.

It has been our absolute pleasure this year to continue to be the "loving care when you're not there" for all of our Nola extended pet family. We understand how stressful it can be to have to be away from your babies for extended periods when work and other commitments keep you apart from them. We are thankful for the trust you have put in us over the past six years.



See also:

Nola's House Call Veterinarians

In Case of Emergency - Pet First Aid

June Means Hurricane Season: Are you Prepared?

Pet Microchips: What You Need to Know

The Special Care of Special Needs Pets

This month at Petit Pet Care we're shining the spotlight on special needs pets, those sweet, unconditionally loving companions that require just a little bit more of our time and attention. Medical issues such as diabetes, behavioral issues such as anxiety, even old age, all present a unique challenge in caring for these very special animals.

One of our special needs clients, Ramona.

Once upon a time there were limited options for just about everything from what pets ate to the type of medical care they received. Fortunately, today's modern technology and the many advances in veterinary care mean that our furry, feathered, and finned family members can live longer and enjoy a much better quality of life than pets of the past.

Finding someone to care for your special needs pet when you have to be away from home presents yet another unique challenge. You need someone comfortable with administering medications, able to read body language, identify signs of distress, skilled at calming anxious animals, patient enough to manage potty accidents with compassion... the list goes on.

Senior pets may have issues that make boarding a non-option. Companion animals that require medication need someone patient to drop in on them who isn't squeamish. Dogs are easy; hide the pill in some food and they don't even notice it's there. Cats are a different story; they may require some coaxing, and because of their fast metabolism, those with certain illnesses will likely require a dose of medication during the workday.

Our client, chad who requires an insulin injection twice a day.

Most medication comes in pill form, but some animals may require an injection. At Petit Pet Care we have attended to a variety of special needs animals including Christy's own beloved Gonzo who suffered from cancer and had to have her leg amputated. If you have perused our web site at all you may have read that Christy started pet sitting for others while training to be a Veterinary Technician, and early on worked at Zeus' Place as well. 

Though Christy decided to leave the Vet tech program to be a full time pet sitter, she is pet CPR certified and has a wealth of special needs pet experience including bottle feeding, administering medications in pill form as well as topical creams and injections, pets with dental issues and mobility problems, as well as those with incontinence issues.

Our client, Winnie, had mobility issues and had to wear a diaper indoors.

In-home pet sitters minimize stress for companion animals and provide peace of mind for their pet parents. In New Orleans in particular, where we live with the ongoing threat of storms, flooding,  and the possibility of power outages, having a sitter who can accommodate pets with special needs is a huge bonus for anyone who works long hours or travels often.

At Petit Pet Care we understand a little extra time and effort may be required in taking care of a special needs pet, "Loving care when you're not there," isn't just a slogan. We can also give our established clients a ride to the vet if needed.

For more information on the health, needs and care of special needs pets please visit:

Special Needs Pets
Pet Health and Safety
Senior Pet Central
Pet Adoption, Training, and General Care


Useful links:

Pet Sitter Instructions: What They Need to Know

Understanding the Special in Special Needs Pets

Nola's House Call Veterinarians

An animal doctor that makes house calls? You bet! The greater New Orleans area now has a number of veterinarians that will come to you in your time of need to treat your pet with a range of services from annual exams to vaccinations, and even hospice-type care.

This growing trend in pet health care is a huge advantage for non-drivers and others who have difficulty getting their animals to a veterinary office. It is also of particular benefit for households which have multiple pets. Older animals, particularly those that are arthritic and have difficulty getting in and out of a vehicle can benefit immensely from a vet that comes to them instead of the other way around.

Any number of things from illness to managing kids, to tight work schedules can make it difficult to get an animal to a non-emergency clinic appointment in a timely manner. Having the option of your pet being seen at home is more than just convenient, it's practical and efficient.

Visiting a patient in the comfort of their own abode allows the vet to get a firsthand look at the home environment and easily asses lifestyle, usually at a time that is more convenient for the pet parent. Not having to struggle to get an animal into the car, and then inside a veterinary clinic in turn, makes the house call option a lot less stressful for everyone as well.

House call veterinarians tend to have more flexible schedules than clinic-only pet doctors. Because they work solo or within smaller practices, you and your animal will most likely see the same care giver at each appointment.

Ready for a veterinary house call visit? (See the sampling of local providers below.) Confine your four-legged child to a small area such as a bathroom just before their scheduled appointment. This will save time as you won't have to spend the beginning of the session corralling them. Budget an additional thirty minutes in your calendar just in case your care provider gets delayed in traffic (or Nola street construction!)

New Orleans area mobile vets:

Metairie Small Animal Hospital

Canal Street Veterinary Hospital

Fur de Lis Mobile Veterinary Service

Healthy Paws Mobile Veterinary Service

Pamela Doskey Mobile Vet - Gretna


For more information on pet health and veterinary care, please be sure to see the Petit Pet Care Pinterest boards, Pet Health and Safety.


Useful links:

Is a House Call Vet Right for You?

Heals on Wheels

Mobile Veterinary Service For Dogs and Cats

Frolic Under the Oaks: New Orleans City Bark

Continuing with our spotlight on New Orleans' dog parks, this month we're taking you on a visit to Nola's largest dedicated, off-leash, canine space, City Bark.

Modern dog culture is steadily transforming the way people live with their animals, and New Orleans is no exception. Over the last decade, the city has seen a significant rise in dog accessible venues, and when it comes to dog parks, City Bark is top notch.

Prior to hurricane Katrina, there were a number of unofficial spaces that people were using to exercise their animals off-leash, but only a few of these were actually fenced in, and many lacked any type of significant amenities. In addition, the use of these unofficial spaces was often a source of tension for surrounding neighborhoods.

Seven years after the storm, city officials made a commitment to create several new dog parks and runs throughout the area. That plan was scaled back to half, however, and only a fraction have actually been realized, the first being the Wisner Dog Run uptown on Laurel Street, which we featured on the blog in November of 2015, and the second being The Crescent Dog Run in Bywater/Marigny, which we told you about this past summer.

Fast forward to 2017, and the city now boasts four sanctioned off-leash dog parks (with number four being Little Paws downtown, which we posted about on the blog this past November), with hopefully a few more on the way.

New Orleans is a gorgeous city with plenty of green spaces, and as parks go, City Park - the home of City Bark - is as lush as they come. Sitting on a 4.6 acre plot of land just off Zachary Taylor Drive on the Marconi side of the park, City Bark first opened it's gates in 2010. Since then, it's been voted the favorite dog park in the city (though to be fair, there isn't much competition), and upon visiting it's easy to see why.

Unlike the city's three other existing dog parks/runs, however, entrance to City Bark requires a keycard. This security measure limits who can enter the park at any given time, as in order to obtain a card, you must first purchase an annual permit from the office in order to use the facility, and in order to obtain a permit, your dog(s) must be properly vaccinated as well as spayed/neutered.

While the permits are good for a full year, keep in mind that it's a fiscal year with a calendar end date of March 1. If you'd like to check out City Bark with your fur baby and are not sure you want to spend the $48 on the permit  ($53 for two or three dogs), you can get a temporary two-week pass for $15.

Hours for permit registration and pick up are 8 am through 4:30 pm, Monday - Friday. The office is located at 1 Palm Drive in the City Park administration building, which is just across the 610 expressway from the dog park (near Tad Gormley Stadium).

Signage stating dog park rules is clearly posted on both the front and side gates, as well as park etiquette and operating hours. It's a good idea to read City Bark's Safety Information page before visiting the park for the first time, as it has some great tips such as the best way to enter the park and what to do if other dogs are near the entry gates. It might also be prudent to have the dog park coordinator's telephone number handy (504-483-9377) in case of an incident.

Once inside the gate, you'll notice there is ample shade in the park for when you and your BFF find yourselves needing to take a break from the sun via the many trees and the large shade pavilions. There are also wading pools and a hydrant fountain for cooling off.

The very spacious park has plenty of grass with room for dogs to romp, roam, and run, including graded areas which allow for running uphill. All dogs inside the fence are expected to be off-leash so you'll want to teach your dog appropriate ways of interacting with other canines.

City Bark has a separate fenced in area about the size of a dog run specifically for small dogs under 25 lbs. The entrance to the smaller section is on the Diagonal Drive side of the park.

Amenities offered by the park include restrooms, benches, fountains, an agility course, a quarter mile paved walking path, wading pools, a washing off area, and of course, poop bags.

City Bark is open daily from 5:30 am to 9:00 pm year-round, however the park is closed weekly on Tuesday mornings until 1 pm for regular maintenance. The park's Facebook page is updated regularly with information about happenings and accessibility.

Important City Bark Safety Rules:

-- Smoking is NOT allowed

-- No children under the age of 8 years old.

-- Food and drinks are NOT allowed in the park.

-- Minimal cell phone use only.

-- Full attention must be paid to dogs at ALL times.

-- Only three dogs per household allowed at one time.

For the full list of park rules see: 

City Bark Permits and Rules

To stay abreast of updates on the park visit:

City Bark on Facebook

Please note: If you are visiting City Bark from out of town you MUST have a visitor pass to enter the dog park. Information on obtaining a temporary permit can be found here:

Tourist/Temporary Permit

Useful Links:

Yelp Nola City Bark Review Page

5 Tips for Socializing Your Dog

22 Dog Park Etiquette Tips

For more info on dog parks, socializing, and other dog culture topics, be sure to see our Pinterest board, Doggie Domain.

April - LASPCA profile & Pet days

Spring is a very busy time in New Orleans with an increase in outdoor activities, including a plethora of festivals. For many it's also allergy season, and this year the oak trees were producing super early because of the lack of any real winter weather.

For pet parents, the month of April is also chock full of special awareness days for the health and safety of fur babies, including the ASPCA's Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month, The Red Cross' Pet First Aid Awareness Month, as well as The American Heartworm Society's Heartworm Awareness Month.

It may seem silly to have a bunch of "made up" holidays dedicated to animal welfare, but these are all very important issues for everyone as information such as dog bite prevention (awareness dates for 2017 were April 9-15) has an impact on all members of a community.

While April seems to be the unofficial kickoff to festival season locally, two events this month included fur babies - The Freret Street Festival and the LASPCA's Brunch Fest. Petit Pet Care's Christy Bracken Hackenburg took part in the Freret Street Festival (held the first Saturday of the month), handing out treats and helping pups cool off at the Doggie Pit Stop.

Remember when we asked Has New Orleans Gone to the Dogs? Anyone visiting our city during this month could easily think so. Brunch Fest, a fund raiser for the LASPCA, was originally intended to be held in March, but had to be rescheduled to April 22 because of bad weather. Leave it to New Orleanians to turn festing into a fur baby pastime.

As mentioned above, April is Pet First Aid Awareness Month. Would you know what to do if your pet had a first aid emergency? Christy is Red Cross certified for cats and dogs in both first aid and CPR, but for those times in between sits, we've compiled information on a number of  topics to help maintain your fur baby's well-being on our Pinterest board, Pet Health and Safety.

For Heartworm Awareness Month, the American Heartworm Association wants you to know that heartworm is a serious concern for both dogs and cats that threatens their health in just about every state in the U.S. (It's an issue outside the states as well.) Heartworms are spread by mosquitoes, and millions of dogs are known to be infected

The top five states for infection in 2016 were Mississipi, Louisiana, Arkansas, Texas, and Tennessee. On the gulf coast we know all too well what a nuisance mosquitoes can be. In addition to talking to your vet about preventive care, be sure there aren't any areas around your home where standing water can provide a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

It is also Lyme Disease in Dogs Prevention Month. Most people know that lyme disease is carried by ticks. Specifically, it's cause by a bacteria called Borrelia Burgdorferi; an infected tick can transmit the disease within 12-48 hours, though symptoms may not show for 2-5 months. Keep grass cut and check your BFF thoroughly after spending time in wooded areas. See the link below for more information on Lyme Disease and prevention.

National Pet ID Week is designated for the third full week of April. A disturbing number of pet parents do not put ID tags on their pets. Even if your fur baby stays indoors or is never off-leash, things happen and you need to be sure they can be recovered.

If you follow Petit Pet Care on Facebook and Instagram, you've no doubt seen the "Cute Pet of the Day" and other photos posted. Christy has long had a love for photography and regularly volunteers at the LA-SPCA here in New Orleans photographing pets that are up for adoption.

The Louisiana SPCA has been committed to animal welfare since 1888. It is the oldest organization protecting companion animals in the state, and besides offering animals for adoption, engages in a variety of programming including a community clinic, pet lost and found, humane law enforcement, and a feral cat program. They also provide training assistance and conduct workshops to assist in improving the lives of animals and their humans. Recently we've been sharing weekly dog training tips from the LASPCA on our Facebook page.

While the SPCA's mission is year-round, April has been designated to amp up efforts to prevent animal cruelty across all communities. Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month is a time for supporters of animal rights to make a collective effort to raise awareness about the important issues related to animal welfare.

Three other important pet days in April are International Guide Dog Day, celebrated the last Wednesday; Hairball Awareness Day, celebrated on the last Friday; and National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day, celebrated on April 30.

As we said, April is a busy month! How did you spend National Pet Day? Comment below and let us know!


Helpful links:

April: Pet First Aid Awareness Month

Protecting Your Pet From Lyme Disease

National Pet ID Week: Everything You Need to Know About Microchipping

Louisiana SPCA

Heartworm Basics

Walking in a NOLA Wonderland

Audubon Park uptown provides a great space for a winter afternoon walk.

When we think of winter pet care, what immediately comes to mind (besides shivering) is images of animals outdoors in the cold encountering snow, rain, and other horrors of frigidity, but for those of us living in the deep south in the U.S., the reality of winter is something altogether completely different.

Believe it or not, New Orleans averages just six nights of freezing temperatures per year. Because our subtropical climate generally spares us from harsh temperatures and snow, it can be easy to forget that in many places, this time of year winter really is winter. It can also be easy to forget how to be prepared when real winter does happen. For us in New Orleans, winter is a constant cycle of do we wear a sweater today or a T-shirt?

Ironically, January is National Walk Your Dog Month. While the average daily temperature this time of the year is 61F for New Orleans (our coldest month), it's not nearly that pleasant in most of the rest of country. That leads to the question, who decided that January should be walk your dog month? Had to have been a southerner.

Our client, Lulu, pausing to brace herself in the wind.

Since New Orleans is green year-round, taking walks in winter when it's not oppressively hot is great for both dogs and humans (especially on those days when it's in the 60s). Regular walks allow dogs of all ages to get exercise as well as learn about and interact with the world around them.

For most dogs, outdoor temperatures in the 50s don't pose much risk, but for small breeds there is some potential for unsafe conditions beginning at about 40F. All breeds are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia so don't take it for granted that your BFF doesn't need a sweater or booties. Also, don't forget about the potential effect of wind chill on your fur babies.

Some older pets, puppies and kittens, as well as animals with health issues can all have trouble regulating body temperature. When it's windy out, the natural body heat given off at the skin's surface will be reduced, making it harder to stay warm enough. In extreme cases, strong winter wind can even cause eye damage.

Our client, Sam, all bundled up for his outing on a chilly day.

We covered a number of important winter pet care tips in a previous blog post, but there a few points worth repeating: Never leave animals in a car for any length of time. Just as a car can heat up to oven temps on warm days, it can get refrigerator frosty during cold snaps.

Make sure pets are able to stay hydrated both indoors and out, and keep them away from space heaters which can cause serious burns. Not everyone has central air and New Orleans is full of drafty old houses so if you must use a space heater, purchase one that automatically shuts off if tipped over.

Provide beds with sides for both cats and dogs, and consider adding pads that use the animal's own body heat to help them stay warm without electricity. Special pads and extra blankets can be especially useful for older pets with mobility issues or those with short legs.

Our client, Biscuit, chilling out on his nice comfy bed.

We've already mentioned the benefits of walking at any time of year - and we'll continue to do so in the future - but if your New Year resolution was to exercise and be more fit, your four-legged BFF couldn't be a better partner. Who better to keep you motivated than someone who always wants to go out?

While fitness is essential to good health, the second most important reason for walking your dog regularly is the mental stimulation it provides. Dogs who aren't bored during the day and who get to burn off excess energy will automatically be better behaved, especially when you have to be away from home for several hours.

Our client, Benny, all set to explore.

Be sure to change things up on your route from time to time to provide different sights and smells. If time allows, consider venturing to another part of town. Your dog will be in ecstatic with an entire new set of sights and smells to experience.

Whether it's National Walk Your Dog Month, or any other time of the year, taking your dog (or cat) out for an ambulatory excursion is a great opportunity to get in some real quality time. If you and your BFF have a favorite place to hang out in the New Orleans area, we'd love to know about it! Leave a comment below and tell us your favorite place in the area to explore, walk, run or play.

For specific information on winter protection, be sure to see our Pinterest Board on Winter Pet Care.


Useful links:

Winterizing Pets Can Take the Chill Away

Keeping Your Indoor Cat Warm in Winter

5 Ways to Protect Pets This Winter

Cats and Cars in Cold Weather

An Explanation of Wind Chill

2016 Year-end Pet Care Roundup

December in New Orleans is wholly unpredictable. You never know if you'll wake up to snow or if you'll be walking around in shorts. Of course warm weather is usually followed by rain and the return of cold air, but it's a cycle we in the Crescent City put up with gladly as fall transitions into winter.

Along with the official calendar start of our coldest season, December is a festive time filled with a multitude of celebrations and holidays. All that fun and festivity can mean stress or potential hazards for your baby. (Did you know there are almost two dozen internationally celebrated holidays in the month of December?)

Our client, Max, pausing to pose out on a walk.

Christmas trees, decorations, and gifts, Hannukah and Kwanzaa candles, as well as holiday foods and drinks, all need to be handled with mindful care in order to avoid unnecessary pet distress and expensive emergency vet care. Be sure that visiting guests in your home know about these risks as well when they come over during the holidays.

Our client, Winnie, posing near her Christmas tree.

We've covered pet safety around poinsettias and Christmas trees in previous posts, as well as some of the potential dangers when we deck our halls with boughs of holly, etc., but while poinsettia are only mildly toxic to companion animals, ingestion of holly or mistletoe can be much more serious. 

Our client, Chester, hamming it up for the camera in true holiday spirit.

Always keep the number for the pet poison hotline handy in case of emergencies: 1-800- 213-6680. For specific tips on how to have stress-free holidays in December as well as during the rest of the year, be sure to visit our Pinterest board Having Happy Holidays.

Last month we took you on a visit to Little Paws Dog Park in the upper 9th ward to continue our series on local dog parks (we started the series off last year with a visit to the Wisner Dog Run uptown). Earlier this year it was the Crescent Dog Run in the Bywater, and in spring of 2017 we'll be visiting City Bark.

A view across Little Paws Dog Park from the shade. 

Recently we also shared some Fall Safety Tips with you to help keep your fur babies healthy and happy throughout the autumnal season. As we're now heading into winter, we'll be sharing cold season care tips next in January for taking care of pets both indoors and out.

We've mentioned the importance of play before, and last spring we told you about some of our favorite toys. According to the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, 58% of cats and 54% of dogs in the United States are overweight or obese. It might also surprise you to know that obesity is the number one health problem in birds.

Our client, Benny, out for a walk in the fall air.

Obesity in pets can cause arthritis, diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, heart and respiratory disease, and even some forms of cancer. We touched on feline fitness in the October blog post, and how to judge the exercise level for your dog in our June post on dog walking.

Last, but certainly not least, a few months back we playfully asked if New Orleans had gone to the dogs, and told you about places around town from coffee shops to big box stores that were not only pet friendly, but kept treats on hand for four legged visitors.

These pups were out shopping for wine in the Marigny with their mom.

There are a surprising number of bars around town that allow dogs - mostly during the non-busy hours. Then again, it is New Orleans...

As we approach the end of 2016 - a year for the history books - we'd like to take a moment to remind you that Christmas trees and pets don't mix! Be sure any lit candles in your holiday decor won't come in contact with fur or be knocked over, and that all holiday food and drinks are kept well out of reach.

Happy December!

Exploring The Upper 9: A Visit to Little Paws Dog Park

Situated slightly off the beaten path in the upper 9's historic Bywater neighborhood, Little Paws Dog Park is easy to miss if you aren't looking for it. In fact, if you happen to glance to the right instead of diligently keeping watch on the left, you'll most certainly drive right past it.

Located at 4517 N. Robertson, two blocks below Poland Avenue, Little Paws sits adjacent to the on-ramp of the Judge Seeber (industrial canal) bridge, between Kentucky and Japonica Streets. The small park, which first opened in January of 2015, is for small dogs only 40 lbs or less.

Conceived by Tia  Torres of Pit Bulls and Parolees fame, Little Paws became New Orleans' fourth off-leash dog park when it opened last year. It is the result, in part, of a successful bid in the 2014 Propeller and New Orleans Redevelopment Authority sponsored PitchNola Lots of Progress event by Little Dawgz in the Hood, which garnered a second place win and $2,000 award (provided by Entergy).

Villalobos Rescue Center runs the park, which is open daily from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm.  Unlike the other parks/runs we've looked at thus far, Little Paws has a good amount of shade.

There is ample open space for little fur babies to run around and play on and off of grass.

There are a number of benches around the sides of the park...

As well as a water pad...

On the day of our visit the recycled toilet drinking fountain in the front of the park had been dismantled, but there was a spigot and hose just inside the gate along the front fence.

There is a bathroom for the park's two-legged visitors (though it may be a good idea to bring along a pocket pack of tissues and some wipes when visiting).

One thing to note about the park is the presence of at least one oak tree - specifically the tree at the park entrance, that had littered the ground with acorns. Both oak leaves and acorns can be toxic to dogs, so keep an eye on pups prone to chew.


Our previous dog park posts:

NOLA Dog Parks Part 2: The Crescent Park Dog Run

A Glimpse at the Dog Run at Wisner Playground


Useful links:

Neighborhood Eyesore to Gathering Place

Dog Parks in New Orleans

Dog Park Etiquette

Has New Orleans Gone to the Dogs?

For anyone in New Orleans who is not a pet parent, visiting a boutique, coffee shop, cafe, or even a big box store lately, it may seem, as the saying goes, that New Orleans is slowly "going to the dogs." All the things that make the city of New Orleans a great year-round travel destination contribute to making it an even better place to live, especially if you have a dog.

Dogs are no longer "just animals" relegated to the background of our lives. They are cherished family members with an important place at the center of the existence of their humans. As a result, pet parents are looking for more ways to include their fur babies in their active lifestyles.

Dogs have been welcome at Nola coffee houses for some time, and modern pet parents are starting to choose their outings based on where their four-legged family members will be warmly welcomed, as evidenced by comments on sites like Yelp and PetFriendly Restaurants.com.

Increasingly, more and more New Orleans businesses are allowing people to bring their dogs in with them to dine, shop, and even drink. Everywhere you look these days someone is out in public with their dog.

Window sticker at Santa Fe Restaurant in Esplanade Ridge

The list of dog-friendly venues in New Orleans is surprisingly long; some are well-known such as Dat Dog and the Bulldog, and some fall in the best kept secret category. A few of the places around town to get your caffeine fix with Fido at your side include. PJ.s, Fair Grinds, Morning Call, Croissant d'Or, and CC's.

Pooch patiently waiting for her Dad to return on the Patio at PJ's Maple St.

Many Nola restaurants with outdoor dining happily allow pups on their patios and even set out water bowls for them. In the Warehouse District, Lucy's Retired Surfers Bar & Grill is not only dog-friendly, it offers a separate dog menu for canine visitors. In uptown, Cafe Freret's A La Collar menu, is vet approved.

Dog treats on the counter at Satsuma on Maple St.

In a place where much of leisure time revolves around drinking, it's no surprise that several bars allow dogs inside. In fact, the phrase, "Yappy Hour," was probably coined right here in New Orleans. We're not sure it's a great idea to bring your dog to the bar with you, but at least in this town in you have options.

Swirl Wines, not exactly a bar, has always been dog-friendly, even before you could purchase wines by the glass, and Leora Madden's own petite pup is often seen running around her Mid-City Pearl Wine Company location.

Shop sign at Swirl Sensational Wines on Ponce de Leon

While there are an abundance of places around town to sit and drink with your pet, probably the best known is The Bulldog where on the third Thursday of each month. 20% of Yappy Hour sales between 5-7pm are donated to a local animal-related charity.

Nola local, Eric James, at the bar with his dog.

Visitors and locals alike are often surprised while out shopping to learn that dogs are allowed in certain stores. Many Nola area businesses keep treats at the counter for visiting pups, including at least one big box store.

Of course, all this begs the question, "Should dogs be allowed?" Not all patrons are as open minded about dogs being out in public, especially at restaurants, so please be considerate. If you do decide to take your dog with you to run errands or have a quick bite, be sure to take them on a long walk first to do their business. You may also want to call ahead and double check that your pooch is welcome, as policies often change.

For more on where you can bring your NOLA fur baby, please see our Pinterest Board, NOLA Local.


Useful links:

Pet Friendly New Orleans Louisiana

Pet Friendly Do's and Don'ts of New Orleans

Dog-Friendly New Orleans