Cat and Dog buy a house in Chicago

A lot of people prefer their pets to humans. They dote on their cats and dogs and don’t mind spending their hard-earned money on designer food, clothing, and bedding. These devoted owners give their pets human names and endow them with human characteristics.

If you accept that premise, let’s go a step further. Let’s imagine what would happen if Lady and the Tramp went house hunting and took those Siamese devils, Si and Am, along with them.

What would Lady and Tramp look for in a house or apartment? And what can you learn about how to make the kind of housing decisions necessary to ensure your best friends are happy, healthy, safe, and feeling the love?

Single Family Homes and Condominiums

Local laws

Tramp: “You know not all HOAs will be happy to see us. They might take one look at me and decide I belong in a kennel along with the other mutts. You on the other hand are well behaved and purebred. The neighbors will fall all over you.”

Lady: “Our humans have to find out if there are breed-specific laws or limits to how many animals can live in a home. In some places, anyone who owns two or more dogs must have a kennel license.“

Tramp: “If they are looking at condominiums, I hope the family isn’t fooled into thinking dogs are allowed just because they saw one during a tour. Sometimes dogs are only allowed if an emotional support dog. I’m not a barker, but our humans need to ask about any HOA rules for pets and if any building or city noise ordinances.“

Si and Am: “Tee hee. We’re flying under the radar on this one. We are small, quiet, and much prefer sneaking around corners.”

Yards and fences

Lady: ”I hope our family will choose a house with a big backyard. All dogs need room to run, play, and exercise. I’ll be soooo disappointed if they decide on a house or condominium with common areas that require us to be leashed all the time. Making new friends will be hard work. Anyway, we already know how to behave. We don’t need leashes.”

Tramp: “Family or not, they’ll have a devil of a time getting a leash on me. Common areas – huh, common is my middle name.”

Si and Am: “Can you imagine us leashed? I’m with the Tramp on this one.”

Neighborhoods

Tramp: “Do you think our humans are taking the need for a safe place to walk us into consideration? I’ve lived on busy streets and had to dodge traffic. I much prefer good sidewalks.“

Lady: “I don’t mind being driven to a park so we have room to play and exercise, but bathroom walks are still a necessity, and the family will need to choose a house or condo that makes it easy for us to get our potty breaks.“

Si and Am: “Our owners aren’t crazy enough to let us out of the house, but imagine what could happen to less lucky felines living in places where wild animals like coyotes and foxes roam or humans that do not follow the rules of the road. Those poor creatures will look just like lunch to the local wildlife.“

Floors

Tramp: “You know I love a good carpet as much as the next dog, but I also know how much trouble I get into for tracking in mud and dirt. After a while, the carpet starts smelling, and nobody is happy with that.“

Lady: “I think our humans know hardwood floors are a better choice. I’ve even heard them discussing distressed or reclaimed flooring. Any scratches we make will blend in and give the floors even more character.“

Si and Am: “Carpet is perfect for scratching. We don’t care how much damage we do.“

Stairs

Tramp: “What do you think about stairs?“

Lady: “I’m concerned about our old friend Trusty. He’s got a lot of years on him. Stairs will be hard on his legs. He might even lose his balance and fall.“

Apartments

Green Space

Lady: “Have you heard that Jock’s family is thinking about moving into an apartment? He’s afraid they’ll forget he needs someplace to run and play.“

Tramp: “I’ve heard that some apartments have green spaces. That would be a great way for Jock to get some fresh air. As long as there’s a pet-friendly park close by, he should be okay.“

Lady: “I hope his humans will be near enough to the apartment to come home and walk Jock during the day. If not, they will just have to find a good dog walker who will do the job for them.“

Tramp: “You know how much Jock loves his toys, his bed, and his food bowls. I hope his family finds a place where there’s plenty of room for his things.“

Si and Am: “Felines and apartments usually work very well. Humans just have to remember that a private place for the litter box is a necessity.“

Proximity to the vet and pet-friendly businesses

Tramp: “All humans should remember that their pets are social animals. For myself, I know how much I love a good restaurant that welcomes pets, and I know how much you love a good plate of spaghetti.“

Lady: “Yum.“

Si and Am: “Human food can end up with a trip to the vet. The family has to make sure a good veterinary clinic is nearby.“

In the event you believe we have spent too much time in isolation and have taken one turn too many down the overactive imagination road, let us remind you that you are the ones talking to your pets like they are professional psychiatrists and have started asking them for relationship advice. Just consider the possibility that your precious pets have preferences when it comes to living arrangements … and choose wisely.

Here at The Dobbs Group, we are passionate animal lovers. Josh is affectionately nicknamed The Dog Whisperer and we all have cats or dogs or both in our respective homes. So when it comes to choosing a home with your beloved pets in mind, we are your people!

Written by Adam Luehrs | Photography: Josh Feeney, Adobe Stock, Pexels

Pet Friendly Apartment Buildings in Chicago

  • 250 E Pearson – across the street from a park
  • 2550 N Lakeview – dog run, no weight limit, cats and dogs allowed, across the street from a park
  • 130 N Garland – dog run, no weight limit, cats and dogs allowed, across the street from a park
  • 849 N Franklin – big posh dog play area, no weight limit, cats and dogs allowed, across the street from a park
  • 758 N Larrabee – dog run, no weight limit, cats and dogs allowed, across the street from a park
  • 500 W Superior – big dog play area, no weight limit, cats and dogs allowed, across the street from a park

West Loop

  • 659 W Randolph – Has a private dog run, built in 2008, 237 unit high rise, 3 blocks to Mary Bartelme Park which is a 1.4-acre park featuring a play area, a sunken dog park, and a viewing hill with city vistas.
  • 210 S DesPlaines – Has a private dog run, built in 2004, 224 unit high rise, 2 blocks to Mary Bartelme Park
  • 1040 W. Adams – Has a private dog run, is a converted loft building, 259 units, 1 block to Mary Bartelme Park
  • 737 W Washington – Has a private dog run, built in 2003, 223 unit high rise, 4 blocks to Mary Bartelme Park
  • 901 W Washington – Has a private dog run, built in 2006, 148 unit high rise, 2 blocks to Mary Bartelme Park

    Lakeview

  • 3930 N Pine Grove – Has a private dog run, built in 1966, 448 unit high rise, 1 block away from the lakefront, 3 blocks away from Belmont dog beach, 4 blocks away from Montrose Dog Beach
  • 655 W Irving Park – Has a private dog run, built in 1973, 901 unit high rise, 1 block away from the lakefront, 3 blocks away from Belmont dog beach, 4 blocks away from Montrose Dog Beach
  • 3520 N LakeShore Drive – Has a private dog run, built in 1924, a post-war era limestone midrise, 166 units. Across the street from the lakefront, one block from Belmont dog beach, 6 blocks away from Montrose Dog Beach.
  • 3534 N Lakeshore Drive– Has a private dog run, built in 1922, a post war-era limestone midrise, 165 units. Across the street from the lakefront, one block from Belmont dog beach, 6 blocks away from Montrose Dog Beach.