At the end of 2009, the Knoxville City council approved an ordinance to allow dogs on patios of restaurants in Knoxville! This is a huge step for making Knoxville the Most Pet Friendly Community! What? You didn’t know that Knoxville, TN is going to be the Most Pet Friendly Community in the USA? YES WE ARE! Check out www.petfriendliestcommunity.com for more information on this movement! The French Market, on Gay Street in Downtown Knoxville, was the first restaurant to sign up to allow dogs on their patio, and as a way to thank them, we decided to bundle up and take our dogs out to lunch! Despite the cold weather, there was about 6 dogs there with their owners, enjoying Downtown Knoxville at lunch time. I highly recommend the crepes – they are wonderful! And my Ellie Mae loved the sampler platter of cheese and meats for the dogs! The media also came out to see “Who let the dogs out”! Sorry, I couldn’t resist!! =) Here are some photos from the day:
The French Market’s permit to allow dogs in outdoor serving areas posted proudly in their front window!
Here’s my Ellie Mae in her winter coat wondering why we can’t go inside?!?!
Robin Hawn, PetSafe’s Brand Manager, and her dog Buckley getting interviewed by WBIR’s Abby Ham:
Owner of The French Market, Allen Tate, being interviewed about allowing dogs on the patio of his restaurant:
Mindy, Kristin’s dog, posing by an official French Market coffee cup:
Randy Boyd, Owner of Radio Systems/PetSafe, and his pug, Spanky. I think Spanky might have just gotten a piece of cheese! His favorite!
View from inside The French Market – Mindy is showing off for the cameras!
Buckley and Mabel are warming up by the nice heater!
Beau is feeling right at home on these downtown streets! Word on the street is that he can’t wait for the new Downtown Dog Park to open! 
Thanks to The French Market for going to the dogs! If you are a restaurant owner in Knoxville and want to allow pets on your patio, you can apply here.
To find out more about restaurants that allow dogs and how to help make Knoxville more pet friendly, go to www.petfriendliestcommunity.com or email dogfriendlyknoxville@gmail.com.
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