He would research and write an article he said, on the best of everything that the southern suburbs had to offer.

So, Tiger, his sister, Zooey, a border collie, and I piled into the car and headed for adventure. We searched for the best parks, food, and schools — everything a dog might want.

Tiger was very fussy. Here are some of his selections, all rated with his paws. Four paws being the highest rating, one paw, the lowest.

He wants me to tell you, that this is merely a sampling and is by no means completely comprehensive. There's just too much cool stuff around here.

Let's face it, being a dog is the greatest. We are man's best friend after all. But I live with three cats. I know it's crazy, and I didn't do it on purpose, believe me. Anyway, these cats think that they are, well — just, the cat's meow.

But come on. Let's be serious for a moment. They never get to go Out of the house and Do anything. My Mom takes me and my sister everywhere while the cats only watch through the windows with longing in their yellow feline eyes. I can only say, "HAHAHAHA."

But here's the catch. If you want to socialize, you have to go to Obedience School. At school you learn how to get along with the rest of the human and canine world. Otherwise, no trips to the bookstore, the park, the beach (my personal favorite) and all those other cool places. Politeness counts for a lot out there. As for the cats, school has helped me learn how to be nice even to them.

There are so many places to choose from. One easy solution is your local park district. And here's a big secret. Those park district folks all train dogs there because they really love us doggies. They are super nice. Your humans will like tshem too because they're often not pricey and they're so close to home.

If your park district doesn't offer doggie school there are loads of other options. Here're a couple I checked out and were pretty darn good. The most important thing about these guys: they help you become a good citizen without being mean. All dogs learn better through kindness than getting whacked or pulled. And if you have to go to school, isn't it better for everyone if the teachers are nice?

K9 Guardians, 16843 W. Bruce Road Lockport. Phone: 815-838-4406.

Every dog wants to be the champion of its family — the dog that stands between the beloved humans on one side and the bad guy on the other side of the door. Nno matter how small in stature dogs might be, whether a Great Dane or a Miniature Poodle, this is the place to go.

Gary Tippett is the school's owner and he's very nice (the Humane Society recommends him). But the first thing a dog learns is to obey commands —like how to "sit" and "stay." They give beginner and advanced lessons. Learning how to give a command correctlyis not as easy as it looks. Puppies can start school at three months and all ages go train together. Tippitt varies the training method with each owner and type of dog. He also offers agility training (lots of fun jumping over fences and wriggling through tubes and running).

Search and rescue classes will be available later this month too. Tippitt also trains Cook County Sherriff Department dogs and the detection dogs, who are used to sniff for drugs and explosives.

Fees run about $85 for an eight-week class. Boarding also is available at $10 a day. Some people bring their dogs as a last resort when they have problems and the dog is at risk for being put down.

Rating: 3 PAWS.

Canine Obedience College, 4667 W. 120th St Alsip. Phone: (708) 389-3110.

If you've ever been to obedience classes you know there are places where they're really mean and pull on your neck too hard, and that's not only painful but embarrassing. So you have to go somewhere nice, that's where Canine Obedience College comes in. Sandy, the lady who runs it, is really nice. And most important, gentle. She makes me want to be a better dog. Plus it's cool to say you went to "college."

Rating: Three paws.

Elizabeth A. Conkey Woods, 135th and Central Avenue, Crestwood.

I found the best place to play when my mom took me the Conkey Woods, part of the Forest Preserve in Crestwood at 135th and Central Avenue. Back by Grove Four there are huge oak trees and in the woods there are great paths and a stream. My sister Zooey and I like to run up and down all the hills and through the water. Oh, and there's also ducks to chase. for fun.

But this is a Forest Preserve and there are certain "rules." Dogs must be on a leash.

Rating: Three paws (I would give four since it's so cool but there is that leash rule).

Rover's Run, Center and 191st Street, Apollo Park, Homewood; (708) 957-0300.

Rover's Run has three gorgeous acres — all for dogs! The place is brand new and very posh. Members only, you know. Gotta have those shots. But such a deal: $10 a dog for residents and $15a dog for non-residents (additional dogs $1).

The money goes for new stuff for dogs to play on. There's water for humans and canines, agility stuff to climb on and jump over. And lots of dog pals to run around after. And you can't lose your human because it's all fenced in.

Rating: Four paws

Three Dog Bakery, (773) 388-2599; www.threedog.com

A dog's gotta eat right? Well, sure, you can send the human to Petsmart for the usual stuff, but if you want something sent right to your own dog house here's what you. Pick up the phone or boot up the computer and order healthy, delicious treats from Three Dog Bakery, on Halsted Street in Chicago. Yeah, I know, they're not exactly from the neighborhood. But they'll deliver by UPS for just five bucks. And they give some of the money to help dogs who don't have it so easy. Their stuff is all natural, no chemicals, preservatives, yet it tastes good.

Rating: 3 Paws.

http://dogsaregods.hypermart.net/recipe.htm

Get your human to boot up the computer and go to this site for fabulous recipes for canine treats that are healthy and delicious. There are recipes for Sunshine Liver Brownies, Breath Biscuits, Peanut Butter Biscuits and many other goodies.

Rating: Four paws

Orland Park Boarding Kennel. 15701-B Wolf Road, Orland Park; 708- 349- 9424

It says "Boarding," but what really gets me is their snacks. Crunchy, chewy, beefy. They have more all-natural doggie treats than I have ever seen in one place. When your person doesn't have time to bake or you have a taste for a rawhide, this is the place. Premium white rawhide, $1 to $4, comes knotted, twisted, braided, donut, baseball and football shaped. Also there are rawhide flavors such as peanut butter and bubble gum. Plus they have all-natural bones and chewies, pig ears, pig chips (low fat pig ears) for diet conscious dogs. They also have gigantic sow ears, cow ears, cow hooves, smoked pigs feet, (it sounds like a deli doesn't it?). They also have exotic stuff you can't get anywhere else, and all kinds of toys

Rating: 4 Paws

I hate baths, but sometimes you need one, and it's best to go out of the house. Less mess at home. Here's where:

Doggie Wash: 6120 S.Cass Ave Westmont; (630) 241-1669.

This is a first-rate, self service, flat-rate, doggie bath house that's been in business 11 years. In fact, they were the first guys to do it, trademarked it and everything. It's only $17 an hour and $3 for each 15 minutes after that, which is a good deal because some places who offer "do-it-yourself" dog washes charge by the pound. They also sell pet products.

Rating: 3 Paws

Every dog has to have toys to play with. They keep us happy, entertained, and out of trouble. The pet super stores are fabulous because they let dogs in and you can personally sniff every toy before heading to the register. But if you have tired of the megastores, here's a good alternative, big enough to have a good assortment but a little more intimate.

Pet Supplies Plus, 15 W. Ogden, Westmont; (630) 719-9090.

This place is great, especially for variety. If you want to be the dog on your block who always has the newest, latest thing, get your person to take you here. There's monthly featured toys. Which means cool new stuff each and every month. The one problem I have with this store is that they sell these really swanky nice coats made by a company called Foggy Bottom. They are very high end and expensive; $40 to $60. These guys also carry a pretty complete line of Kong products, which are indestructible.

Rating: Three paws.

Dogs rely totally on our humans emergency situations.

Will County Humane Society, 24109 W. Seil Road, Shorewood; (815) 741-0695; Cruelty Complaint Line: (815) 741-1008

One of the best is the Will County Humane Society. It is the only no-kill shelter in Will County, which is good because it means you won't have a giant stop watch strapped to back if your people don't show up for you right away. Ringbauer is the director and he is a bona fide, certifiable nice guy. His facility has quite a constellation of services. Check it out. Low cost spay/neuter. Any animal can be spayed or neutered for $35; $10 extra for dogs over 50 pounds. Vaccinations are $10. For an appointment or more info, please call them.

Rating: 4 paws.

TLC Shelter, 13016 W. 151st St., Lockport (708) 301-1594; hours 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.

Janine Carter is the director and usually her husband Dennis can't be far away either. These folks are true animal pals. TLC is an adoption center, taking all animals. And while they are not strictly a no-kill shelter, they only will put them down only if they can't find a home for some very serious reason. Show up and give a lovely furry animal a good home. The fee covers shots and all, so for cats, it's $35 to $50 depending if the animal needs to be neutered or spayed. Dogs are $55 to $75. TLC has a few paid employees, but all rest are volunteers. To raise money for the shelter they do all kinds of things like hold craft sales, bake sales. They also have an amazing cookbook with more than 400 recipes, all from the volunteers and adoptive families. Eeach book costs $10 to cover shipping. Send your orders to T.L.C. Animal Shelter, 13016 W. 151st St., Lockport IL 60441. Tell which cookbook you want (Vol. I or Vol. II), how many, and where to mail them. Include a check for $10 a book.

Rating: 4 Paws.

The internet can be an amazing source of information for a dog and people too.

http://www.petwalk.com/

A cool site with a links to everything. Shopping, pet care, pet news, special events. The links work and it's easy to use.

Rating: 4 paws

http://www.planet-pets.com/index.htm

Just like the address sounds. Planet-pets, OK, it isn't as dog-centric as I would like, but it is very comprehensive.

Rating: three paws

http://www.petloveshack.com/Illinois.html

Even if you never listen to the B-52s you gotta love this site. It's full of animal-friendly info and it's So Cute.

Rating: 4 paws