I'm a dog guy. I have nothing against cats, but 10 years and three months ago, I met and adopted my best buddy in the entire world, Charlie. I have met some cool cats, but none are as cool as my dog. He was even the ring bearer at my wedding.

Credit: Chris Kelly, TSM
Credit: Chris Kelly, TSM
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Now that I'm married with kids, I feel like Charlie and I don't get to spend the same quality time we used to when he was a pup and I was living the single life. He used to come a lot of places with me, but now he mostly chases or gets chased by our girls, who are 3 and 1-year old respectively. He's not getting any younger, though he doesn't act like an old dog, by any means. But he is slowing down a little bit, and I feel like it's a good time to plan a day out for Charlie and I, just a dog and his dad.

Most people would say, "take him for a walk." But that's not special. I want him to think we're doing something special!

So I turned to where I turn for answers to all of life's burning questions, that of course being Reddit. And wouldn't you know it, there's an ideal thread started by u/EvelynIsReal for the exact question I had.

Here's some of the best ideas people came up with.

Home Depot To Release Fiscal Year 2003 Earnings
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Take your dog to Home Depot.

Genius, really! I always see dogs wandering around Home Depot and never thought to take Charlie there. He'd probably really love the outing, with all kinds of crazy smells and lots of people fussing over his gentleman-like behavior. He's quite distinguished.

Take your dog by Wagz Pet Market to shop for some new toys.

Charlie does love some new toys. But he always seems to pick out things that squeak and are destroyed within about eight minutes of arriving at home.

Ginger and Baker
Google Maps
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Take your dog to Ginger and Baker, sit on the patio and order off the dog menu.

To be fair, I've never noticed the dog menu, but this is worth some additional investigation on my part. Snacks for me, snacks for Charlie and a friendly place to hang out and dine together a while. I like it.

Credit: Equinox Brewing Facebook Page
Credit: Equinox Brewing Facebook Page
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Take your dog to a brewery. Water for them, a cold brew for you.

Makes perfect sense to me. Charlie loves watching me drink beer. And according to several users on Reddit, Equinox, Maxline, Snowbank and Crooked Stave breweries are all very dog friendly, some are even allowed indoors and not just on the patio. Definitely call ahead to any brewery if you're not sure about their dog policy before you take yours.

Google Street View
Google Street View
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Take your dog for a "pup cup" from Churn at the Exchange. Or many other places.

Going to let you in on a little secret. Charlie is addicted to Frosty Paws ice cream. I mean, seriously addicted. Barks until he gets it. Several businesses that do ice cream or coffee will give you a little pup cup full of cream or something dog friendly if you ask. What kid, er, dog doesn't like going out for ice cream?

TSM
TSM
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Take your dog for a slow walk around Horsetooth or along Poudre Trail.

Kind of a no brainer, but like I said, Charlie moves a little slower these days. Fortunately, you don't have to run and there are plenty of flat areas to walk the Poudre Trail or even some areas up around Horsetooth.

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This Fort Collins Bride Walked Down the Aisle With Rescue Dogs

In an effort to make her Colorado wedding more personal, Stefanie Hutchinson decided to walk down the aisle with the adoptable animals of Big Bones Canine Rescue. All photos were provided by the bride and were posted with permission from the photographer, credited at We The Light Phototography. You can also check out their social pages: @wethelightphoto (IG) or @wethelightphotography (FB).

 

 

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