If you’re the kind of pet owner who baby talks your furry friend, spends money on him or her more than yourself (seriously, my dog’s shampoo and haircut are twice the price as mine), and can’t stop making the googly eyes at whatever they’re doing (as simple as my dog chewing on a piece of treat is the cutest thing ever!), chances are you’re the kind of obsessed pet parent who treats your dog or cat as your own, and loves to bring them around everywhere.
I’ve been an obsessed pet parent ever since the day I met my dog, Booboo (he’s a 7-year old clingy and anti-social Shih Tzu who sometimes thinks he’s a cat and loves climbing sofas and tables). For as long as it’s possible, I bring him with me wherever I go, and I’m so thankful that nowadays, most malls and a number of establishments allow pets inside, for as long as
they’re managed properly.
Before leaving the house, I make sure to pack his essentials like food or treats (if we’ll be out the whole day), his water bottle, recycled paper and plastic (to clean up his pee or poo in case nature calls), tissue, baby wipes, and a detangling brush like Pet Angel’s.
Just recently, I got a dog stroller from the best online shop where you can buy dog and cat essentials, Pet Warehouse, that makes bringing Booboo around even easier
So for those who are wondering where the best pet-friendly places are in and around Metro Manila, here are establishments I’ve actually been to with Booboo:
Every year for his birthday, I order a liver cake for Booboo that he loves gobbling down and sharing with our other dogs at home. Aside from being a pet bakery (I highly recommend checking out their menu of treats and goodies for dogs), they also have a small and quaint restaurant in the heart of San Juan, where you can go on a doggie date with your buddy! It’s the perfect place to bring both your dog and special someone if you want them to bond and get to know each other. Plus, if you’re looking to throw an intimate birthday party for your baby, you can have the place closed down and it can accommodate about 10 people and their pets comfortably!
I’ve brought Booboo here a few times to walk him around, and I love that the restaurants nearby are totally open to letting us dine in their al fresco areas. A lot of places and establishments in Bonifacio Global City are actually pretty pet-friendly, like Bonifacio High Street and Serendra. Just be sure to keep your eye on your dog at all times, because the place can be pretty busy with pets and humans alike.
The first time I witnessed a dog walking around in Greenbelt, he had no leash and was literally just following his mommy around. So the following week, I did the same with Booboo, because if there’s one benefit to him being so clingy to me, it’s that he can walk around without a leash and never run away—because he’s too scared to be left behind! Greenbelt’s restaurants are also very welcoming to dogs. One time, I dined in TGI Friday’s and their waiters kept wanting to play with Booboo. Another time, I had dinner in Motorino and they even brought out a bowl of water for him (without me asking!).
Eastwood Mall, as far as I can remember, was one of the first pet-friendly malls to welcome dogs as long as you register them at the concierge and bring their vaccination records (for precautionary measures). The newest dog park on the 4th level, Bark Central, is an all-in-one establishment that houses an indoor, fully air-conditioned dog park where your dog can roam around leash-free. You can have a slice of cake and a cup of coffee at their dog café, while watching your dog being groomed through the glass panel windows.
They charge an hourly rate (P400 for one hour use of the dog park and P500 for two hours). Grooming rates depend on the size of your dog.
After hearing mass every Sunday, I bring Booboo here almost all the time. Like Eastwood, dogs are allowed to enter practically any establishment or restaurant (with an al fresco area). There was even one Sunday during a family dinner where Gringo allowed Booboo to stay inside their restaurant because he was so quiet and behaved! (Am I being too much of a stage pet parent right now?)
Tiendesitas holds a special place in my heart, because this was where I picked out Booboo many years ago in a crate with his other siblings. They improved their facilities recently by adding air-conditioning, and because they have a Pet Village, naturally it’s totally okay to bring your pet!