There is cat people, there are people that hold birds, snakes or those that can easily do without animals all together. And yes, there is plenty of dog people. My girlfriend and I belong to the later: we <3 dogs. Dogs rely heavily on people, they are, like us, social animals and live in packs. That means that when you go out for a drink, coffee or gym session: you’re dog likely will want to come with you wherever you go. Especially in urban areas where the apartments are small and neighbors hear all, it is hard to leave your dog at home.
So that’s challenge 1: you will want to bring you dog as much as possible to achieve the happy smile(s) above.
Now once you arrange your life to fit a dog, the next challenge becomes finding the right places where you are allowed to bring them… Because believe it or not: in Amsterdam some parks ban dogs. More logically, some coffee shops, cafes and restaurants do too. But there is no way to find out where you can or cannot walk in with your happy companion.
Now for Amsterdam these are some solid places I like to visit when bringing the dog. They’ll have a dog water cup available, sometimes even have dog food and are quiet enough for the dog to not get stressed due to music and crowds.
Parks
- Martin Luther King park
- Rembrandtpark
- Oosterpark
- Vondelpark
Coffee spots
- Broers (Waalstraat)
- Bruist (Trompenburgstraat)
- Bouwmeester (Rijnstraat)
- Vrijdag (Vrijheidslaan)
- Lokaal de Pijp (Rustenburgerstraat)
But I’d love for Google Maps (or a custom product…?) to help us dog owners on our way. A simple dogs banned/ allowed filter (searchable item) will do. What do you think? Can the life of dog owners made more convenient? Are there solutions in your local markets that achieve just this? I’d love to hear!
