Dogged pursuit of fun

Lakefront jogging dog
He has a need for speed, so let your pup relish the wind in his fur while zipping around Lake Michigan at 35mph aboard Seadog Cruise. Be forewarned: You’ll have to endure the camera-toting Navy Pier crowd to get to the ship, stopping every three steps so eager tykes can pet him (when we went, canines were a novelty on the pier). Once you get to the boat, pint-size pups can perch on your lap. Captain Justin Tate recommends arriving early to snag a spot at the roomier front of the sleek, yellow vessel. “Dogs are our mascots, and we love when guests bring them along,” he says. While your pooch finds his sea legs, take advantage of the narrated tour—either a 75-minute lake and river cruise that passes the locks and the Loop’s skyscrapers, or a 30-minute lake-only ride that speeds between the Museum Campus and the Mag Mile. 600 E Grand Ave (888-636-7737, seadogcruises.com/chicago). Tours daily, $19.95–$31.95, dogs free.

Couch-potato dog
On Joe’s Wednesday film nights throughout the summer, laid-back canines rule the sprawling 6,100-square-foot patio outside the sports and music mega-bar. Get there early (the place was hopping on our recent visit) to grab a seat in front of the 20-foot outdoor JumboTron, and treat yourself to free popcorn and cheap brews while your dog loses himself in the story (flicks change weekly; typical offerings are Lady and the Tramp and All Dogs Go to Heaven). After the movie, chat up folks from a pet boutique, training facility or the week’s sponsoring animal charity, while Fido sniffs out the canine crowd and laps up water and free treats. 940 W Weed St (312-337-3486, joesbar.com). Wednesdays 5–9pm.

Super-social dog
He’s already the most popular pup at the park, so let your canine scenester work a new crowd on the five-table pooch patio at Meson Sabika, a Naperville tapas eatery that is, by our estimation, the most dog-friendly resto in Chicagoland. Your pooch can nosh on grilled chicken, raw or cooked beef tenderloin, and salmon from a special $6 dog menu (general manager Noushin Shirazi says his bichon frise, Ninja, is partial to the chicken entrée). The doggie dining patio faces four acres of pristine, oak-tree-studded grounds and utilizes a spacious area that’s separate from a main patio (for diners who might not want to spend a meal guarding their croquettes from hungry hounds). Complement his main course with a toothsome after-dinner biscuit from the nearby pet boutique Two Bostons (103 W Jefferson Ave, Naperville), and watch as he slips into a blissful doggie food coma. 1025 Aurora Ave, Naperville (630-983-3000, mesonsabika.com). Mon–Thu 5pm–10pm.

Swimming dog
He’s a water dog who doesn’t mind getting his paws wet, so hightail it to the Chicago River for a tandem canoe outing. The laid-back crew at Chicago River Canoe & Kayak will equip you—it’s BYO life vest for your pup, and whether he sports one is your call—and send you upstream while your pooch (hopefully) hunkers down in the middle of the vessel and you paddle from the rear. Opt for a short out-and-back jaunt or, if your canine co-captain’s up for it, make a day of it with a 14-mile round-trip trek to the lake. Along with a North Side launch spot, there are two suburban options. Guide Kyle Jones recommends the Winnetka location, with its six man-made lagoons, woodsy backdrop and calm waters. We enjoyed the city location’s easy parking and dog-friendly park surroundings. Sure, the river is murky and a little malodorous, but between fishermen, floating debris and scavenging seagulls, there’s plenty to bark at. Locations include 3400 N Rockwell St (773-761-8663) and Tower Rd at Forestway Dr, Winnetka (847-414-5883, chicagoriverpaddle.com). Hours vary by location, $15 per hour, dogs free.

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