Chicago's lakefront is forever open, clear, and free–unless you're a dog. If you want a beach where your pooch can run off-leash, there are two options: the dog beaches at Montrose Harbor and Belmont Harbor on the city's North Side. We sent photographer Pat Nabong to capture the bond between dogs and their owners (or whoever the dogs happened to take interest in).
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Coconut wears a shark-like floater at the Montrose Dog Beach.
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A dog shakes off water after taking a dip in the lake at Montrose Dog Beach.
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Aliyah Animashau with her dog Blue at Montrose Dog Beach.
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Jose Torres and his dogs Al Capone and Tiffany play at Montrose Dog Beach. Their game goes like this: Al Capone bites on the wooden stick that Torres is holding. Torres swings him around, kisses his head and throws the stick into the lake.
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Josy and Gizmo
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Josy and Gizmo are wrapped in a blanket to protect them from the chilly wind.
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A woman who was introducing herself to different dogs at Montrose Dog Beach plants a kiss on Josy's head.
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A woman says hi to a dog at Montrose Dog Beach.
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A dog in a pink dress basks in the sunlight at Montrose Dog Beach.
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Pablo Blancas and Delila Blancas with their dogs Coco and Peaches at Montrose Dog Beach.
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Bailey and Tahli take a dip at Belmont Harbor Dog Beach.
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Genesis Vega laughs as Abraham Rodriguez reacts to Lola's sloppy kiss on his face.
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Dogs interfere with humans sitting on the bench at Montrose Dog Beach.
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Hiro, who is not a fan of water, pulls at his human, Mando Ramon, to bring him back to the shore of Montrose Dog Beach.
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A dog shakes off water after diving into the lake. Montrose Dog Beach is usually swarming with dogs and their humans, especially during weekends.
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Montrose Dog Beach is located north of Montrose Beach. A fence separates the two beaches. Dogs are free to run around and take a dip.
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