By Christopher Gomez | Little Italy News

We all love our four-legged furry family members and nothing beats being able to take our little sidekicks with us around town. The Little Italy neighborhood makes taking your pup around a piece of cake for pet owners. It is the one of the most pet-friendly neighborhoods in the city, and the Little Italy Association (LIA) makes it a priority to cater to these little guys and create some doggone fun for everyone!

Over 50 businesses are dog friendly in Little Italy, so having to leave your dog at home is out of the question! It’s not hard to walk around the neighborhood, leash in hand, on the extra-wide sidewalks that leave plenty of room for you and your pup to stroll down the streets. All around the 48-block district, visitors will see water dishes and doggy treats left outside business and restaurant doors for their dog pals to get a little snack and sip to keep them energized and hydrated.

There are also multiple open public spaces throughout the neighborhood — all dog friendly of course. From European inspired piazzas to the future Amici Dog Park —you can find plenty of space for your four-legged friend to run around in.

Plus, with all of the outdoor dining options, your pet can stay by your side at all times — breakfast, lunch and dinner!

If the day has just been too tiring, pups can enjoy a doggy wash and socializing at Hairy & Merry’s Pet Spa, or if Fido just isn’t feeling well, Amici Pet Hospital is also located in the neighborhood. And don’t forget the LIA has made it extremely convenient for dog owners to clean up after their pets, by having biodegradable doggy-bag dispensers on every corner to keep up the cleanliness of the community.

Little Italy makes traveling with four-legged furry friends relaxing for all pet parents and a cozy place for the over 1,800 dogs that call this neighborhood their home.

Check out what a dog’s life is like in Little Italy firsthand, at Little Italy Association’s YouTube channel: Little Italy San Diego.

For more information about the Little Italy neighborhood visit littleitalysd.com, follow us on Instagram and Twitter @LittleItalySD and Facebook/Little Italy.

—Christopher Gomez has been Little Italy’s district manager for the past 15 years. Reach him at [email protected].