California legalizes dogs in restaurants

[Dancind]

Why I don't like dogs in places with food, just my thoughts. We went up the back stairs at a place in CA. Can't remember exactly where it was, maybe Morro Bay? The sun was in my eyes, and I stepped on a dog that was in the middle of the path between two tables. A little one, maybe a bulldog. I felt so bad for the little guy, and the owners gave me those looks that would kill if they could. I'm sorry, honestly did not expect a dog there! If you were going to bring your dog, wouldn't you keep them out of the traffic? Apparently, not everyone thinks that way.

Our biggest Farmer's Market allows dogs, and they are there in spades. Lots of big ones. I've seen them sitting in the middle of the walkway while their owners chat, with their tails just begging to be stepped on. I should mention, there are a ton of people at this market, and the walkways are regular narrow sidewalks through a park. Most people are NOT looking where they are going. I've seen them pee in booths, right in front of the food. And so many fights. Yesterday morning, saw two big dogs in a dust up in the middle of the market, and one of the owners got knocked down. She was still standing there, trying to get her bearings, when we left. Not sure why this is a good idea.

I am not anti-dog. Maybe anti-entitled-dog-owner?

 

[IMissEd]

This reminds me of something I read this summer while in Hilton Head on vacation. I had always wondered why the Salty Dog Cafe did not allow dogs in its outside eating area. So, here it is:

http://saltydog.com/why-no-dogs/

 

[Dancind]

Double post, sorry.

 

[Planogirl]

This reminds me of something I read this summer while in Hilton Head on vacation. I had always wondered why the Salty Dog Cafe did not allow dogs in its outside eating area. So, here it is:

http://saltydog.com/why-no-dogs/

Who can blame them for this? Bad dog owners ruined it for everyone else.

 

[disykat]

When we travel to visit family we bring our dog. On the road, we eat take out in our car or at a park or we bring food to eat at rest stops. On our last trip, we stopped at the beach for two nights on the way home. We found a beach front restaurant with outdoor seating nearby that wasn't fenced in, asked if we could sit with our dog at the farthest table, got permission, and sat with her on the ground between us on the farthest side from any other patrons. It worked out well so we ate there twice as leaving her in the car was not an option in the sunlight.

Normally I'm against dogs anywhere in public where crowds gather or people might be disrupted, but I guess I can't judge any more!

I would still prefer that if a restaurant wants to welcome dogs, there be a separate seating area off the main patio available.

 

[Colleen27]

I find it terribly funny that at the same time everyone is banning smoking and e-cigs out of concern for the health of workers and other patrons, removing peanuts from classrooms and flights to protect the allergic, pushing for fragrance-free workplaces, etc., the trend is towards allowing one of the most common animal allergens to start dining in restaurants with us.

 

[Ceila]

I find it terribly funny that at the same time everyone is banning smoking and e-cigs out of concern for the health of workers and other patrons, removing peanuts from classrooms and flights to protect the allergic, pushing for fragrance-free workplaces, etc., the trend is towards allowing one of the most common animal allergens to start dining in restaurants with us.

As I mentioned upthread, we saw dogs everywhere in Europe, including outdoor seating at restaurants. I wonder how all of those who are allergic deal with it?

Anyway, they will only be permitted outdoors, so if you are allergic you can still dine inside.

 

[Colleen27]

Anyway, they will only be permitted outdoors, so if you are allergic you can still dine inside.

That wasn't good enough re: smoking, why is it any different with dogs? If those who cannot/don't want to tolerate cigarette smoke have just as much right to dine outdoors as smokers, why don't those who cannot/don't want to dine around dogs have the same right?

 

[HunterRose]

HunterRose, trying to explain to people on this board why racial stereotypes are offensive is just going to get you called "politically correct" by people who believe that empathy is a bad thing. It's not worth it.

Regarding the funny comment about eating dogs: I find it interesting that most of the posters read that comment, disregarded it for one reason or another and stayed pleasantly on topic discussing the outside patio dog issue. I didn't see any shred of ******* until one person decided to take issue with it. So is the cause of the ******* the comment itself (which I didn't understand until it was explained further on) or the righteously indignant person leveling charges at everyone except herself/himself?

Hmm...I'll have to think about that one in context of what is really causing the ills of this world: The people saying things deemed "wrong" by some or the people screaming about the things that the other person said.

Thanks for the brain food!

Here's some food for thought...

Posters are not pointing out the elephant in the room because there is a social punishment to accusing someone for making ridiculous and offensive comments. It does not reflect what they actually think. That gives license to those who have objectionable views to not watch what they say since they don't feel they will get called out for it.

I certainly do not believe that most people posting here think in those kinds of terms. I even feel that Jim made the comment to be funny, even though it was really insensitive and not humorous in the slightest. Ill-attempted justifications after the fact does not change the fact it was not well-thought out.

There is room for empathy in the world, and yes, even on message boards on the internet. The person pointing out something that is wrong is not wrong for speaking up.

 

[Ceila]

That wasn't good enough re: smoking, why is it any different with dogs? If those who cannot/don't want to tolerate cigarette smoke have just as much right to dine outdoors as smokers, why don't those who cannot/don't want to dine around dogs have the same right?

Maybe because inhaling second smoke is harmful to everyone (notably servers), while an allergy only affects a small population of people? The fact is, it would be considered beyond the level of "reasonable accommodation" to ban all allergens from a public space.

 

[Luvchefmic]

As a smoker I want an OUTSIDE area of a restaurant that is far away from everyone that I can sit with my dog. Oh I get it, my car ...no that won't work either. I have been in that position and the window has been open. Lovely people walked by, waving the dramatic can't breathe hand, and throwing looks.

 

[Potato Chip]

As I mentioned, we live in a VERY dog friendly area. I don't know a single restaurant that has an outside patio that does not allow dogs.

Here is a picture of a local bar that not only allows dogs, but has a dedicated dog patio.

Edited to add: There are several of these bars and restaurants that have combined a quasi dog park and the ability to get a drink and some food.

As for the restaurants, there are always dogs on the patios. However, state regulations still forbid dogs inside any establishment (service dogs excepted) that sells food. So, if you are not comfortable around dogs, you can always choose to eat inside where dogs are not allowed.

I have found that allowing dogs in controlled places has minimized the need of many to turn their dog into a fake service dog just so they can bring them along.

In the picture it funny to see that one dog is on top of the table, the middle of the picture dog is running around, and that almost no humans except maybe the camera taking one and a couple in the background are even paying attention to their pets. LOL

 

[Ceila]

In the picture it funny to see that one dog is on top of the table, the middle of the picture dog is running around, and that almost no humans except maybe the camera taking one and a couple in the background are even paying attention to their pets. LOL

According to the post you quoted, that patio is specifically for dogs; I would liken it more to a dog park where dogs are allowed to roam freely. This is different than what is being discussed in the thread, namely restaurants simply allowing dogs in the outdoor dining area. The pic is not the same kind of environment.

 

[Ceila]

As a smoker I want an OUTSIDE area of a restaurant that is far away from everyone that I can sit with my dog. Oh I get it, my car ...no that won't work either. I have been in that position and the window has been open. Lovely people walked by, waving the dramatic can't breathe hand, and throwing looks.

I guess I'm one of those lovely people who have trouble breathing around smoke, and waving hands is a pretty natural reaction to an odor you don't like. I won't throw a dirty look, though, as long as you're not in a non-smoking area.

 

[Potato Chip]

According to the post you quoted, that patio is specifically for dogs; I would liken it more to a dog park where dogs are allowed to roam freely. This is different than what is being discussed in the thread, namely restaurants simply allowing dogs in the outdoor dining area. The pic is not the same kind of environment.

I see the bar area in back so I would say that this is a bar that has a dedicated dog area which is stated in the first quote that I quoted.

 

[Ceila]

I see the bar area in back so I would say that this is a bar that has a dedicated dog area which is stated in the first quote that I quoted.

So I guess I didn't understand your other post. If the bar has dedicated this area for dogs to roam freely as shown in the photo, what's the issue? I think it looks really fun.

 

[Potato Chip]

To me dedicated dog area in an outside bar would be on lease, off the tables, and not free to roam because it is a bar not a dog park. Though I bet a lot of people in Ca are going to interpret the new law that goes into effect next year the same as you and let their dogs do all of the above even though the intent of the law clearly states that dogs must be on leases, not allowed to sit on tables and benches, etc.

 

[Ceila]

To me dedicated dog area in an outside bar would be on lease, off the tables, and not free to roam because it is a bar not a dog park. Though I bet a lot of people in Ca are going to interpret the new law that goes into effect next year the same as you and let their dogs do all of the above even though the intent of the law clearly states that dogs must be on leases, not allowed to sit on tables and benches, etc.

OK, I'm just thinking of it as more of an area that allows dogs that happens to be a bar, as opposed to a bar that happens to allow dogs, even though it's part of a restaurant. Does that make sense? Either way, I wouldn't mind having a drink there!

 

[TLSnell1981]

As I mentioned upthread, we saw dogs everywhere in Europe, including outdoor seating at restaurants. .

We have seen dogs, dining indoors in numerous European restaurants. They were clean, quiet and very well behaved. We had no problem with them at all.

 

[frndshpcptn]

I live in Manhattan and there are quite a few dog friendly restaurants in my neighborhood.

We love taking our dog to brunch or dinner outside in the nice weather. We both work full time, so she's home alone during the day and I often feel awful when we are out at nights / on the weekends as well. She loves to be with us and we love to hang out with her.

She knows what it means to go out to eat - I ask her if she wants to go to brunch and she gets excited and runs to the front door to head out. She sits by my feet at the table, has her water dish and some snacks while we eat.

It's a win all around - we have the chance to go out to eat, she's not home alone. We absolutely frequent the restaurants that allows us to bring her more often than those who do not.