How much is that doggie in the window affecting business?

     A Tribune was accidentally delivered Tuesday along with my Sun-Times. Since there was no point in giving it back, I took a peek at what the competition is up to.
     Most of the front page was dedicated to the proposed City Council ordinance to permit dogs in restaurants. The headline, "Dogs in restaurants?" betrayed the Trib's notorious bland literality, while the Sun-Times mustered our usual flip wordplay,"DOG DAYS OF BUSINESS?"
     The Tribune's Jake Sheridan kept up a tone of solemnity throughout, indulging in a bit of levity only toward the end, noting, "Sorry, cat, turtle, bird and koala owners, the measure would only apply to pooches." (Certainly capable of my own grim literalness, I couldn't help but note it would be illegal to bring a koala into a restaurant no matter what the City Council does, as koalas are protected animals, illegal to privately own in this country).
     My colleague, the indispensable Fran Spielman, punned right off the bat, "A City Council member from Lincoln Park wants to throw a financial bone to Chicago restaurants fighting for survival ..."
     But neither the Tribune nor the Sun-Times delved much into the key question: How's this going to work? Sure, leashes will be required, but a dog on a leash can still maul another dog. Will hot dog stands echo with the barking of hot dogs? Or will a sweetly slumbering Muffin become a welcome feature at every corner bakery?
     We don't have to guess, as I like to say: We can just find out. Plenty of Chicago watering holes advertise themselves as dog-friendly, and I set out to take their temperature. How much is that doggie in the window affecting business?
     "We love having dogs on the patio," said a bartender at the Harding Tavern, 2732 N. Milwaukee, which announces "Our Patio is Dog Friendly" on its website.
     "It's nice for the neighbors to be able to come in," continued the bartender, who did not want to give her name. "We've never had issues with any dogs."
     Chicago's most canine-welcoming bar might be Cody's Public House at 1658 W. Barry. Named for the original owner's dog — a bloodhound — the West Lake View neighborhood tavern keeps a glass jar of dog treats on the bar and prides itself on its dog-friendliness.

To continue reading, click here.