An enjoyable afternoon of play that is far from chill — 05.25.15

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It was another time at a dog cafe (first was in Seoul – also my first animal cafe experience)  one Sunday afternoon. A cafe I have heard of months ago since it opened late in 2014, it was only then that I finally had time to go see what is first in the Philippines.

BARKIN’ BLENDS DOG CAFE is located in a university area – one that is close to my heart as I used to be spending my days there when I was in college. Having said that, apart from spending time with the dogs, I was extra excited with having to visit something familiar.

The cafe opens at 12noon and since it is on a first come, first serve basis, I tried to be one of the earliest birds. One as when I came, there were already some guests. The area is divided into Humans Only and Dogs  Zones, quite expectedly I spent most of the time in the latter.

Php200 got me in, inclusive of a drink. There are certain types of drink that one has to be pay extra for but my surprisingly delicious peach tea did not require me. As in most cafes, sanitation was a requirement and I was asked to change into their slippers and leave my bag on a designated locker. The basic rules apply too – such as not having to wake the sleeping dogs, not feed them anything and keep the noise down.

This card given upon payment

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First thing I noticed was how different it was the chill in the cat cafe I was in the previous week. Dogs were running around so the first dogs I approached were the two quiet ones on this shelf next to the wall – a terrier and a pug.

Meet SMILE! 

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And now with MILO! 

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When I decided to sit down and had more time to observe the rest of the dogs, it was then I saw how brutal their play was – they were biting each other and bullying the smaller ones! It was a little bit scary because I was scared they would hurt each other or even break the glass they were at times banging into as they were busy ‘playing’.

In heat these dogs

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My yummy peach tea! 

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That dog lovin’ that rub

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It took me a second (and much longer look) before I realized the cafe’s name tucked in between these names

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And then there was more fighting/playing

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Hey there, CHEWY!

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Temporarily not brutally fighting

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And hello there, ROBIN!

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Waiting for the guests to come

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And now with the ‘I-like-to-chew-everything’ beagle PSYCHE

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Thank goodness, they were in slightly relaxed mode now

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Oh PIOLO, was  PSYCHE smelly?

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Quite that tongue, SKYE? 

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Closest to ‘nice’ to me is WOOKIEE

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ELLA the Chiweenie being all naughty! 

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Finally some time with this handsome husky! 

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Oh those eyes

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And he likes licking this chair

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And he actually is allowing him to hold him

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MILO kept on smelling CLYDE

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Told you

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And another joined the fun

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Black with a touch of pink

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The always composed FIONA

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Catch THE BEAGLES

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Make love, not war dog

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Chain playmate

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On his afternoon siesta

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HOW TO GET THERE: 

Barkin’ Blends is at 91 Rosa Alvero Street, Katipunan, Quezon City, Philippines.

To commute to there (just like I did), from Cubao, take LRT2 Train to Katipunan. Take the exit nearer Katipunan (opposite PSBA’s), walk for 5 minutes to the convenience store where the tricycles going to Katipunan are parked. Ask driver to take you to Rosa Alvero (which is the same street where McDonalds Katipunan is).

Cafe is open from 12NN-9PM except Tuesdays. Php 200 gets you in, with one free drink (some options require minimal additional fee).

For more information, you can visit their informative site here.

OTHER PRACTICAL TIPS: 

Based on my experience, the dogs were playful between 12 to 1PM then they started to get all sleepy as it was approaching 2 in the afternoon. I am not sure if it is the same for most days, but maybe timing is important depending on what mood you want the dogs to be in.