Over the weekend, Penny and I visited friends in Detroit.

It was a weekend of firsts. She climbed the stairs effortlessly herself - yay and such - AND my sweet pushover of a dog (in the best possible way) protected her food plate with a short, closed-mouth growl at Tessa, a feisty growler herself.

Granted, pellets of food fell out of Penny's mouth while she tried to chew and growl at the same time, but, y'know, I'll take it.

The coolest first of all: I found an outdoor shopping center … where dogs are welcome. As long as they're "well-behaved" and on a leash no longer than 6 feet, dogs can roam the walkways and go in stores (dog-friendly shops had decals on their doors).

You'd think this place would be some giant, poopy-sidewalked nightmare, but it wasn't at all. Just like at a pet store, there were wastebag dispensers around the mall - right, sorry, The Mall at Partridge Creek.

There were also "drinking stations" for the dogs. And coming soon? A local store called I (Heart) Dogs. It all really blew my mind.

So, ehh, why hasn't Jefferson Pointe gotten in on this? I'm sensing even more summertime foot traffic if dogs were welcome. And while I'm soap-boxing: Why not a local pet bakery? Or a specialty store with leashes, sweaters, food, shampoos, books and art? (Believe me, there's a market for that.)

I'm not saying a Weimaraner's tail needs to be anywhere near the glass fest at Yankee Candle, but man, set a few simple rules (leash a must, manners a must, fountain a must-not) and the Pointe could have a fun new dynamic.

(See it all for yourself at http://www.shoppartridgecreek.com/infodesk.)