Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

City Dog Goes to Franklin, Tennessee

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Hey party peeps, it’s Ella here. And if you think I look much wiser than I did last time I checked in, you’d be right—I turned seven last weekend!

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

And to celebrate, the fine folks at Mars Petcare threw me a city-wide birthday party in downtown Franklin!

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead
Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

More than 1,000 dogs and 4,000 of their humans came out for the occasion, too, donning their Sunday best in my honor!

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

OK, OK, perhaps it wasn’t all for me, but the president of the company was there to wish me well talk about why you humans should be embracing more of my kind (ahem, something I’ve been telling you for ages), and how the folks at Mars Petcare are making it their mission to spread the love across the United States.

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

“Pets can’t speak for themselves, so it’s up to people and communities to advocate for them and the many ways they make our lives better,” Mark Johnson, president of Mars Petcare North America, told us. “The BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™ initiative was created to bring together people, governments and organizations to represent the voice of pets and create change toward more pet-friendly cities—and our intent is for other cities to adopt the model we’re creating, taking this effort nationwide.”
Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

I couldn’t have said it better myself, Mark.

In fact, did you know that more than 84 million homes have pets in them? And that my kind is proven to relieve stress, encourage activity, help you develop empathy, boost your mood and increase social media activity?

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

I mean, I thought this was all common knowledge, but you humans are slower to pick up on scientific cues than us of the superior, lupus breed, so I won’t fault you if this is new information to you.

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Mars Petcare’s headquarters in Williamson County is a pet-friendly work environment, and in addition to teaching businesses like shops and restaurants with patios how to be more accommodating to animals like me, the company also is trying to encourage more offices across the country to implement a pet-friendly workplace policy.

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead
Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Seeing as they work out of my house, I go to work with Mom and Dad every day and fully endorse this idea. (I’m an excellent office manager, no big surprise.) Hope your own fur friend gets to tag along with you to your job on occasion, too!

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

The kick-off for BETTER CITIES FOR PETS™, which was hosted by everyone that matters in the state, took over all of downtown Franklin last Friday afternoon and part of Saturday, as well.

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead
Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

As I’m a proud born-and-bred Tennessean (other than that quick blip of a year living in San Francisco), I can’t believe that my parents kept me from Franklin for so long—they absolutely love my kind there.

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead
Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead
Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead
Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead
Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Ninety-one local businesses participated in this pilot program—that saying “it takes a village” proves itself accurate once more—and if you’re following in my pawprints down through Franklin, you can figure out which ones will allow your own fur friend inside as they wear their “Pets Welcome” designation proudly (as well they should).

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead
Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Mom and I shopped for pillows in Anthropologie. Dad and I picked up some things for the house in White’s Mercantile. We all poked around the historical strip of cute shops and local businesses and had a grand old time!

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead
Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Mars had a sweet set-up right at the silly circle at the end of Main Street, and a number of the pup nation within were milling about, sniffing butts, finding remnants of treats on the ground and rabble rousing as we’re known to do.

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead
Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

There were pet behaviorists on site, adoptable dogs, a photo booth, a pop-up mini-dog park designed by the Nashville Civic Design Center and so many animal lovers that I couldn’t stop smiling.  I made new friends, big and small, and even humored a puppy or two by not eating them like a microwaved bean burrito.

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead
Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead
Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

Once I was all tuckered out, I took Mom and Dad down to Frothy Monkey for yappy hour. We sat outside the coffee shop and shared a few beers before heading home for the night.

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead

It was basically the best birthday a girl could ask for.

Pup out,

Ella

Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead


 

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Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead
Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead
Why Franklin, Tennessee is the Most Pet-Friendly City in the South — and How Mars Petcare is Trying to Train Other Cities to Follow Its Lead
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COMMENTS
  • June 23, 2017
    Mister Sister

    I should have gone!!!

    That bulldog puppy 😍😍

    • June 27, 2017

      Ella says you are forgiven, so long as you join her next time.

  • June 24, 2017

    OMG this is CUTE overload! Have years with Jessica the cat, Mr. Misadventures and I are finally going to be getting a pup and I can’t wait. Maybe one day they can meet you Ella!

    • June 27, 2017

      Whaaaaat! This is HUGE news! Ella did tell me that Oregon is one of her favorite states of the 25+ she’s visited, so perhaps we’ll have to pay you and that new puppy a visit =)

  • June 24, 2017

    Oh. My. Gersh. Best post EVER. Woof!

  • June 24, 2017

    This post made me smile and giggle so much! Happy birthday Ella! Glad you had lots of like-minded friends to celebrate it with 😝

  • June 25, 2017

    Can I say I came here just for the pictures? Haha just kidding! Kinda. Couldn’t love this post more and my cousin who lives in Nashville just got a pup so I’ll be sure to pass this along 🙂

    • June 27, 2017

      Nashville is surprisingly not accommodating of pups, so you’ll have to be sure and tell her to take her new fur friend to Franklin—it’s just 20 minutes down the road!

  • June 27, 2017

    well this post right here just made my morning! so many adorable doggies!!! we’re dying to get a dog but have to wait until we buy our own place. Looks like you had a wonderful day here!

  • June 27, 2017
    Erik Smith

    There are not sufficient words to express how much I love this post!

  • June 27, 2017

    Such adorable pictures and a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing!

  • June 27, 2017
    papri Ganguly

    Cuteness overloaded. Lovely initiative. Wish that we also will have such even in India.

  • June 28, 2017
    Ophelia Tang

    I love your post. The event sounds awesome and it has such a great message. Thanks for sharing.
    XOXO//SINCERELY OPHELIA | NYC Petite Fashion Blogger

  • June 28, 2017
    Janeen Smith

    The problem with this is, Mars is one of the largest animal cruelty businesses out there. Please don’t support them.

  • June 28, 2017

    Such a fun post!! I totally agree about dogs being able to go to work. Alexandria, VA, where I live is SUPER dog friendly, but there’s still a lot of progress to be made.
    Cheers, Sarah Camille // SCsScoop.com

  • June 28, 2017
    Melissa Bernardo

    What a bunch of cute pups! They all deserve great homes!

  • June 29, 2017

    Hello,

    This is very interesting and useful article.Thanks for sharing deep information here.
    Really loved this…Thanks

  • June 29, 2017

    Hi,

    User generated content is really so helpful to bring more value to your content which is helpful to your readers.

    Thanks

  • June 30, 2017

    I can’t deal with this post, there are too many cute dogs. It’s mean that you throw in a pup in the mix every now and then too 😉 I would’ve loved to be present at an event like this only my parent’s dog would hate it – for her there is a thing like too many dogs 🙂

  • August 13, 2017

    Great post and the photos are fantastic! Pet’s are great companions who quickly become part of the family 🙂

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