PET FRIENDLY Rice University

We think Rice is all kinds of pet-friendly college awesome for one reason—the best reason in the whole world. Rice University's Fondren Library is an official repository of cat videos. Be still, my meowing heart! In interviews, cat video librarian Anna Shparberg has shared her standards for deciding whether a cat video rises to the level of being worthy to include in the repository: it has to be funny and it has be respectful of cats. The repository does not include commercials or cartoons. But it does include one of our absolute favorite youtube videos, Henri Le Chat Noir ("the white idiot," "the white imbecile"), in its Starz category, along with Grumpy Cat, The Versatile Maru, Nora the Piano Cat, Lil Bub, and Colonel Meow. Other categories include Talking Cats, Simply Cute, Ninja Cats, and Cats vs. Technology. Oh happy day!

If you're looking for a place to take your pup off leash, Houston has a ton of dog parks and we have to say they really do their dog parks up right. Many of them have spraygrounds, shade canopies, and dog wash areas for cleanup after play. But the best of them all is Congressman Bill Archer Dog Park, which has TWO bone-shaped ponds for your canine to go swimming in. That, my friends, is dog friendliness with a capital D!

And after Fido has worked up an appetite running agility courses and doggy paddling to his heart's content, check out one of Houston's many pet friendly restaurants and bars. If you're feeling fancy, we suggest Presidio Restaurant & Bar for its Lamb Shank with Roasted Figs or Smoked Beef Tartare, enjoyed on their spacious dog friendly patio. If you want to go the super casual route, nothing beats Axelrad Beer Garden. They've got a gorgeous garden seating area where you can grab a chair (or a hammock) with your best friend and order a beer. There's no food but you're welcome to order a slice from Luigi's Pizzeria next door.