Madison establishment keeps dogs, owners in good spirits

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Liam was quite happy and so were his owners.

The 5-year-old husky mix bounded about with his newfound friends while his owners, Richard and Ashley Weber, nursed a pair of IPAs.

Nearby, Hazel, a lab/shepherd mix fetched a tennis ball from his co-owner, Michelle Malkasian. The other owner, Bill Malkasian, sipped a cup of wine.

This is not your typical beer garden, dog park or redevelopment project.

A former salvage yard in an industrial area on Madison’s East Side has undergone an $800,000 transformation to create a destination that gives dogs their freedom to run while their owners take full advantage of the beer garden and the occasional food cart, on this night El Alegre’s, which served up tacos, burritos and other Mexican fare.

There are scores of dog-friendly bars, beer gardens and breweries in the Madison area where leashed hounds are welcome, but the Boneyard, 1018 Walsh Road, behind the Walmart near Highway 30 and Stoughton Road, comes with its own off-leash area, the Wisconsin State Journal reported.

This is where dogs mingle, do their business and sniff new arrivals. And for those who don’t have a dog, it’s a welcoming place as well thanks to a separate seating area where leashed dogs are allowed, and there’s a large lineup of craft beers, prepackaged cocktails, wine and coffee drinks from, of course, Rusty Dog Coffee in Madison.

There is no charge for those without a dog to enter, but it’s $8 per day for up to two dogs. The Boneyard also offers a 10-pack for $70, and a yearly pass is $230. And with hours that extend until 10 p.m., the lighted two-acre parcel means owners don’t have to rush from work to catch the last few minutes of daylight at other dog parks.

“It’s an innovative idea,” said Bill Malkasian, who made his first trip to the...