Take Your Dog On A Super Date!

Do you remember how your life changed when you first got a dog?

There’s this one memory that always comes up for me: our first walk in the park. It’s the moment I realised I suddenly became part of a secret club no one ever told me about. Here I was, talking to every dog owner, asking for advice and playing with their dogs – my whole world opened up. I could talk to anyone, as if my confidence grew overnight.

Dogs create instant connections we wouldn’t form otherwise - we find common ground, community and belonging. Connection becomes simpler.

So here it is for me, the day before and the day after, I felt like I had gained a whole new community in just those 24 hours. I didn’t know it then, but for the next four years, I would never walk into our local park without being greeted with a smile, getting muddy paw prints on my trousers or having a conversation with strangers who would become friends – that’s the hidden magic of having a dog.

This feeling, one of belonging and community, is one that I wanted to capture in this newsletter and for you to experience in my soon-to-be-revealed dog event – watch this space.

In the meantime, the next five spots in this edition are designed to be enjoyed as part of a super date – if your pup loves a day of adventure – or in smaller bites. I hope you love them as much as Hank, my Frenchie, and I did. Don’t forget to let me know how your life changed when you first got a dog, I’d love to hear your story.

Start your day at Pawsitive Café ?? Notting Hill

This is the first ever dog café Hank and I visited, and it did not disappoint - especially because we walked right into a Frenchie birthday party and Hank immediately found his crowd! Upon arrival you’re greeted by Domino, the owner’s Dalmatian (pictured above) and a genuine sense of joy and community. Pawsitive Café was born to celebrate the positive impact dogs have on our mental health and create a calming space for dog lovers to unwind and connect. Their doggy menu features healthy and indulgent favourites like pancakes with yogurt and strawberries and their glorious afternoon puppy tea spread. The human menu on the other hand mixes well-loved brunch classics with Malaysian dishes in honour of the owner - making this the perfect spot for both you and your dog!

Grab brunch at Los Mochis ?? Notting Hill & Liverpool Street

Named after Mochi, founder Markus Thesleff’s beloved Yorkshire Terrier, Los Mochis, where Tokyo meets Tulum, offers the ultimate brunch experience for Japanese and Mexican food lovers. Their restaurants, located in the heart of Notting Hill Gate and Liverpool Street (opening April 11th), perfectly blend the vibrancy and flavour of Mexican ingredients with the elegance and taste of Japanese cuisine. What’s more, Los Mochis is 100% dog-friendly as well as gluten, nut and celery-free, without compromising on any of the texture or flavour! For the perfect brunch, try their delicious seabass ceviche and spicy salmon on crispy rice and don’t miss their one-of-a-kind cactus tempura tacos and artisanal mochi!

Spend the afternoon at Coal Drops Yard ?? King’s Cross

Next on our list is Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross - the perfect spot to spend an afternoon with your pooch. This area is home to over 25 dog-friendly restaurants, cafés and bars to explore, so why not start with grabbing a latte at Notes Coffee, as you make your way down to Regent’s Canal for a beautiful river-side walk. Up next has to be Longboys, perfect for an afternoon treat. Their finger doughnuts are a must-try in King’s Cross – don’t miss their Peanut Butter Jelly, Tiramisù and Raspberry Rose Lychee flavours! Looking for a spot to play and rest now? Head to Wharf Road Gardens, Gasholder Park or Lewis Cubitt Park, for a game of fetch. Fancy a bite to eat? Check out my top picks, Canopy Market (Fri-Sun), Drake & Morgan, Barrafina, Vermuteria and Casa Pastor!

End the day at Love My Human Townhouse ?? King’s Road

Located in the heart of Chelsea, on beautiful King’s Road, heading to Love My Human Townhouse creates the perfect opportunity for a relaxed evening walk with your pooch (but hurry, they close at 6pm). Be prepared because you’re about to walk into dog heaven! Their lower floor is entirely dedicated to their luxurious and cosy dog café while the upper floors are reserved for their doggy day care, grooming and wellness treatments. But let’s talk food now! From their mini afternoon tea to their three-course birthday meal extravaganza, their fluffy eggs, beef wellington and puppuccino, each dog-friendly dish comes in a small, medium and large size to perfectly match your dog’s appetite. Don’t forget to try their dog biscuits (pictured above from our first visit) and freshly baked doughnuts - according to Hank, they’re to die for! If you’re a dog lover but not a dog owner, their human menu will still surprise and delight you, including classic sweet and savoury dishes like French toast, Scones and Eggs Royale while featuring some unexpected small bites – try their dumplings’ selection!

Take your dog to the cinema ?? Picturehouse Cinemas

The perfect treat for you and your dog on a rainy day! Visit one of the many Picturehouse Cinemas’ locations – from Greenwich, Clapham and Hackney to Fulham Road, Crouch End and Piccadilly Circus – and enjoy the show. You won’t need to buy a ticket for your dog, but they’ll still get to enjoy their very own blanketed seat, along with snacks and water at the ready! The movie volume will be dipped in every dog-friendly screening to cater to their sensitive ears, so what are you waiting for? Find the next show near you here!

Dogs are an endless source of joy and happiness and it’s beautiful to see the sense of community they’ve helped us create. If you’ve enjoyed this newsletter edition, why not share it with a friend or take a few minutes to discover two wonderful organisations on a mission to make dogs’ lives better while improving dog lovers’ mental health?

?? Paws In Work, founded by Ashley Fry, is a mental health focussed company organising mental health training and one-of-a-kind puppy therapy events in the UK. As the UK’s only licensed puppy therapy specialists, they’ll come in to transform a corner of your office into a puppy-safe summer garden, creating the perfect space for your employees to decompress while they interact, cuddle and play with adorable puppies. They’ll help them learn to socialise while in turn restoring their mental health and reducing stress and anxiety levels.

?? The Wild At Heart Foundation is on a mission to reduce the global stray dog population - helping over 75% of dogs who don’t have an owner to care for them. Their ‘Be Kind Programme’ helps children understand the positive impact dogs have on our lives from a very young age, building kindness and empathy towards them. While their ‘Sponsor a Dog Programme’ enables dog lovers to sponsor vulnerable stray dogs, ensuring they receive the care they deserve. Learn more about their projects and ways to support them here.