Whatever the stars may say about the season, everyday is a Dog Day in Downtown Columbus…

1.  We’re home to Lots to Wag About (405 E. Mound St.).  Owner Marcie Radell is a vet tech, and she’s got plenty of advice for how to keep cool:  “It’s not really a good idea to exercise dogs during the hottest time of the day.  They can overheat and the pavement can hurt the pads on their feet…  Dogs can get sunburns too!”  The store carries great tools to help manage the heat – like bandanas that stay chilled for six hours and cooling mattresses.

2.  But if you still want a hot-dog you may have heard that Dirty Frank’s Hot Dog Palace is open (bad transition, we know).

3.  Heidi’s Homemade Pet Treats is a local bakery that uses certified organic ingredients in its pet treats (yes, for cats and horses too).  Found at the Pearl Market, the concoctions go over great with our four-legged pals; we just wish that the bakers would throw a bone to us peeps.

4.  If you are looking for a safe place to park a pet, you can try one of two great downtown doggy digs – The City Dog (510 E. Main Street) and Doggie Daycare Center (401 E. Mound Street).  Both offer pet spa options (ok, grooming), daycare (all day party for dogs) and sleepovers (ok, boarding).  Bonus points to The City Dog for offering 25% off services, merchandise and food in August and to Doggie Daycare Center for valet drop-off service.

5.  That lovely little spot at the corner of Fourth and Spring is reserved for hounds in the ‘hood.  It’s the Columbus Downtown Dog Park, a space designed to stretch those four legs year-round.