The Happy Hour for Your Dog

She's one stinky bitch, my Rhodesian Ridgeback. Eighty-five pounds of pooch, and some days I swear half of it must be gas. When the junk itself starts getting good and smelly (there's no question that humans aren't the only species susceptible to fishy odors), I walk Bromley to Rub-a-Dub Dog, the DIY dog-washing station up the street. Yup, that's right—I cough up a 20 so I can wash my own dog. The whole process is much less traumatic for both of us: I walk her in, use high-test treats to lure her up a ramp and into a waist-high bathtub, and tie her in with a rubber leash that she doesn't seem to mind. She stands for the cleaning with much less drama than she does at home. I use Rub-a-Dub's towels to clean the dog's ears out, and she comes home smelling like Tide. So, the other day I slapped down my Jackson, and the nice lady behind the counter, owner Carrie Schenken, said, "Actually, it's only $17. It's yappy hour." Yappy hour? Yes, folks, every Thursday from 6 to 9 p.m., Rub-a-Dub discounts its bath fees and, as always, offers an endless supply of free (and apparently high-quality) dog treats. No word on the baked goods in the case, however. Now, if someone would just get that place a liquor license.... 6826 Greenwood Ave. N., 789-5311, www.rubadubdog.biz. PHINNEY RIDGE