Newsflash! Your dog doesn't have to go EVERYWHERE with you!

[Lisa loves Pooh]

True, but I said some of the comments you could replace the word because in some situations there should not be small humans either. However many feel that is ok.

Small humans can go to a place that sells food or has a sign that forbids dogs.

So no, you cannot substitute small human.

 

[aprilgail2]

I am sorry but if you (a general you) cannot go buy dinner or clothing without your dog - unless you have a real disability not some made up nonsense- then I think you have issues that would best be dealt with by a therapist. I had dogs all my life. Not once did they read the Sunday papr to see what was on sale. Not once did they insist that they had to come to Macys with me because they had a coupon. Never did they even want to come to the mall to take a look around. Maybe other people have gifted dogs?

If your dog cannot bear to be separated from you while you grocery shop etc. then again, some kind of therapy is in order. Until you get that squared away please use a grocery delivery service.

If it is a store like Petsmart where your dog is allowed then by all means have at it. Any other place where they clearly don't belong - like Kmart, the bank, restaurants etc. please keep them home. While I love dogs I don't love having to dodge them in places they shouldn't be in.

Yes! I totally agree with you!!!!
I actually feel very badly for people that treat their dogs/cats like kids....
must be sad to only have that in your life.

 

[Talking Hands]

I was at the grocery store today and saw one of the most disgusting things I have seen there. A couple (who weren't terribly clean themselves) had 2 small dogs (mixed breeds I believe, pug sized) IN THE SHOPPING CART- there was a blanket in the cart that was so nasty I wouldn't even let my dog sit on it. Now I have seen folks bring in little dogs before- one lady in particular who comes to the store in her power chair has her little dog on her lap and I've seen others with them on leashes..... but these were riding in the cart where you put groceries. Only service dogs are allowed in the store, but nobody has to prove their dog is a service dog or what kind of service it provides (it's actually illegal to ask). It seems to be common now that people with smaller dogs think their dogs should be allowed everywhere- I just don't get it.

The dog that is with the wheelchair user may well be a service dog. That one seems reasonable to me. Most service dogs were a vest indicating they are a service dog. But in a grocery cart. No way is that acceptible.

 

[Talking Hands]

I used to be bothered by this. I have decided not to let it bother me (or my allergies, or my children's allergies, etc), and am going to stop at a pet store tomorrow and get a good dog whistle. That way, if I see an dog which is almost certainly not a helper animal (no, I am not going to buy that your teacup Chihuahua is "helping" guide you around the store), I can simply pull out the dog whistle and see if I can whistle a jaunty little tune on it.

Actually Chihuahua's are often trained as hearing dogs. And they can go anyplace a guide dog is allowed so be very careful in deciding a dog is not a service dog

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Well, our dog passed away so I can say for sure that in 10 years of taking her with us she never bit anyone. At 115 lbs we were not toting her around in a purse or trying to sneak her in anywhere obviously.

Most places we took her had water bowls set up and treats for the dogs, so obviously the stores and restaurants were fine with them being there.

It's common in my neighborhood, it's not really up to you to decide whether or not my dog enjoyed going on a stroll with us and making some stops. We knew she enjoyed it, since she was always happy as long as we were there. Her enjoyment came from just being around us. (well, mostly dh, she was insanely attached to him) We didn't allow her to go up to people, she stayed right by our side, didn't bark and never had an accident. Again, she has passed away so I can say for sure that she never bit anyone or had an accident.

We did not sneak her inside. The stores allow it, even encourage it by providing for them. My bank has dog treats right up on the counter and water bowls as well. Why should we have left her at home when we were not doing anything wrong? If the mere sight of her across the store may have upset a person here or there, or they did not understand why we would bring her, that's really their issue. Lots of people would come up to her and pet her and chat with us, so there are people out there not bothered by it. Anyone that didn't like her was free to ignore her, why should we not do something that is permitted for a few people that don't agree?

I make no claims of having a service dog, she was just our pet.

Having just been in NYC--I was surprised (and thought it was neat) to see all the unleashed dogs in Central Park that not one person had a problem with. Then I saw a sign that said they had to be leashed.

So I thought--hmmm, that's weird. Then two dogs encountered me--and while it was no harm no foul...I do have to "defend" myself so that I can get them away from me without touching them or my allergy would start.

So just b/c "people" or "places" are okay with it--it doesn't mean that you are handling your animal appropriately in public.

And while restaurants may be okay with it--if the health dept is not, then it isn't up to the restaurant to decide.

If a pet is allowed some place and I'm aware--it isn't a big deal.

But if you are breaking the rules or the law--then you can and will be judged for your actions. So it is up to me--b/c if I witness it and am familiar with the law, I will report the establishment. Especially now that I know that dog owners feel especially entitled to do as they please and then tell me that I don't have a right to say a word.

Wasn't going to do that in NYC on my weekend or anything.

But where I reside, I very much will in the future if someone takes their beloved dog into an establishment where it doesn't belong.

 

[CathrynRose]

Yes! I totally agree with you!!!!
I actually feel very badly for people that treat their dogs/cats like kids....
must be sad to only have that in your life.

Wow!

Don't feel sorry for me, please.

 

[LisaR]

Having just been in NYC--I was surprised (and thought it was neat) to see all the unleashed dogs in Central Park that not one person had a problem with. Then I saw a sign that said they had to be leashed.

So I thought--hmmm, that's weird. Then two dogs encountered me--and while it was no harm no foul...I do have to "defend" myself so that I can get them away from me without touching them or my allergy would start.

So just b/c "people" or "places" are okay with it--it doesn't mean that you are handling your animal appropriately in public.

And while restaurants may be okay with it--if the health dept is not, then it isn't up to the restaurant to decide.

If a pet is allowed some place and I'm aware--it isn't a big deal.

But if you are breaking the rules or the law--then you can and will be judged for your actions. So it is up to me--b/c if I witness it and am familiar with the law, I will report the establishment. Especially now that I know that dog owners feel especially entitled to do as they please and then tell me that I don't have a right to say a word.

Wasn't going to do that in NYC on my weekend or anything.

But where I reside, I very much will in the future if someone takes their beloved dog into an establishment where it doesn't belong.

We live 5 minutes from the beach. When we first moved here, it was very hard for my kids to understand why we couldn't bring our dogs with us to the beach. The reason was simple. The signs clearly state that dogs are not allowed on the beach. We have never once been to the beach where we haven't seen multiple dogs. Most aren't on leashes. Last weekend there was a German Shepard retrieving a Frisbee that the owner kept throwing into the water. There were many little kids playing near the dog. It drives me crazy when people blatantly ignore the rules. I really don't want your dog taking a dump or peeing where I am going to walk in my bare feet. And yes, I recognize that the ocean is a cesspool already but I do my part not to add to it. I wish others would, as well.

 

[handinpocket]

We live 5 minutes from the beach. When we first moved here, it was very hard for my kids to understand why we couldn't bring our dogs with us to the beach. The reason was simple. The signs clearly state that dogs are not allowed on the beach. We have never once been to the beach where we haven't seen multiple dogs. Most aren't on leashes. Last weekend there was a German Shepard retrieving a Frisbee that the owner kept throwing into the water. There were many little kids playing near the dog. It drives me crazy when people blatantly ignore the rules. I really don't want your dog taking a dump or peeing where I am going to walk in my bare feet. And yes, I recognize that the ocean is a cesspool already but I do my part not to add to it. I wish others would, as well.

That is one thing I really appreciate about Hilton Head Island, pets are welcomed on the beach. There are also numerous pet-friendly hotels there. That is one of the main reasons we travel there so frequently, I love that my pets are welcomed.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We live 5 minutes from the beach. When we first moved here, it was very hard for my kids to understand why we couldn't bring our dogs with us to the beach. The reason was simple. The signs clearly state that dogs are not allowed on the beach. We have never once been to the beach where we haven't seen multiple dogs. Most aren't on leashes. Last weekend there was a German Shepard retrieving a Frisbee that the owner kept throwing into the water. There were many little kids playing near the dog. It drives me crazy when people blatantly ignore the rules. I really don't want your dog taking a dump or peeing where I am going to walk in my bare feet. And yes, I recognize that the ocean is a cesspool already but I do my part not to add to it. I wish others would, as well.

Dogs aren't allowed here either on the beach. Many dog owners would like it changed--but until it is, I wish the rules were respected. Here you are supposed to pick up after your pet, but you cannot pick up pee.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

True story....

Yesterday, I stopped at a restaurant to pick up some lunch and there was a lady with a BIRD on her shoulder. Ummmm....really? I kept watching to see if it let loose on her but no such luck.....

I wonder if it was a "service bird"?

Actually, our bird vet is over an hour away from my house, they do not have restrooms that they let ANYONE use. Once I had to go and it was too hot to leave the bird in the car (he was safely in a cage). So I told him to be quiet while I went into a Dunkin Donuts (there was absolutely no place else but a food establishment to go in) which had a bathroom close to door and he would not come in contact with food and the place was empty of any customers. As soon as I walked in the door, wouldn't you know he said "Hello...whatever...whatever..." so I asked the girls there if they minded if I brought him in, I really needed the restroom. They were very nice and came out behind the counter and met him and talked to him.

Other than that, I would never take my little birdies anywhere, although I must admit, they love it when we go through the Wendy's drive-in after vet visits for a little "treat".

 

[goofyernmost]

Actually Chihuahua's are often trained as hearing dogs. And they can go anyplace a guide dog is allowed so be very careful in deciding a dog is not a service dog

Then the person with the dog would have to speak Spanish wouldn't they?

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I am sorry but if you (a general you) cannot go buy dinner or clothing without your dog - unless you have a real disability not some made up nonsense- then I think you have issues that would best be dealt with by a therapist. I had dogs all my life. Not once did they read the Sunday papr to see what was on sale. Not once did they insist that they had to come to Macys with me because they had a coupon. Never did they even want to come to the mall to take a look around. Maybe other people have gifted dogs?

If your dog cannot bear to be separated from you while you grocery shop etc. then again, some kind of therapy is in order. Until you get that squared away please use a grocery delivery service.

If it is a store like Petsmart where your dog is allowed then by all means have at it. Any other place where they clearly don't belong - like Kmart, the bank, restaurants etc. please keep them home. While I love dogs I don't love having to dodge them in places they shouldn't be in.

Um, of course I can shop and eat without my dog. It was nice on the weekends when going for a stroll to bring her along. If we were going to be be sitting outside eating on a nice day, why leave her at home alone? If we wanted to do a couple of errands on our way to or from Central Park, and the businesses were fine with her being there, why does anyone else get to decide that we should not and need therapy because of it.

She is welcomed at the restaurants, stores and bank we bring her to. They have water bowls out and treats at the counters. It's a little presumptuous and just plain nasty to say someone needs therapy because you don't agree with something someone does. Just because you may think the dogs don't belong somewhere, does not at all make it so. If the businesses didn't think the dogs should be there, they wouldn't have things available for the dogs. It is merely your opinion, but again, as long as the business owners and management allow it, and even encourage it I don't see why anyone else should have an issue with it.

It is only your opinion that they don't belong somewhere, but they are allowed. If the store, restaurant or bank did not want the dog there, we wouldn't have brought her there. It's not up to an individual to decide what another person may or may not do, thankfully.

My dh is in Afghanistan for the next year, I will be sure to write him and let him know that you think he needs therapy because he brought his dog to the bank.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Yes! I totally agree with you!!!!
I actually feel very badly for people that treat their dogs/cats like kids....
must be sad to only have that in your life.

Lovely.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

Having just been in NYC--I was surprised (and thought it was neat) to see all the unleashed dogs in Central Park that not one person had a problem with. Then I saw a sign that said they had to be leashed.

So I thought--hmmm, that's weird. Then two dogs encountered me--and while it was no harm no foul...I do have to "defend" myself so that I can get them away from me without touching them or my allergy would start.

So just b/c "people" or "places" are okay with it--it doesn't mean that you are handling your animal appropriately in public.

And while restaurants may be okay with it--if the health dept is not, then it isn't up to the restaurant to decide.

If a pet is allowed some place and I'm aware--it isn't a big deal.

But if you are breaking the rules or the law--then you can and will be judged for your actions. So it is up to me--b/c if I witness it and am familiar with the law, I will report the establishment. Especially now that I know that dog owners feel especially entitled to do as they please and then tell me that I don't have a right to say a word.

Wasn't going to do that in NYC on my weekend or anything.

But where I reside, I very much will in the future if someone takes their beloved dog into an establishment where it doesn't belong.

The Parks Department officially allows dogs in Central Park off their leash during certain hours. Once that time has passed, the park rangers will give you a ticket. I'm not sure what time you were there, but it's possible that you saw them during the allowed time period.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

The Parks Department officially allows dogs in Central Park off their leash during certain hours. Once that time has passed, the park rangers will give you a ticket. I'm not sure what time you were there, but it's possible that you saw them during the allowed time period.

I see...

It was morning on a Sunday. I really didn't mind much--as I said, it didn't "bother me" until a saw the sign...then of course after I read the sign, the doggies start befriending me. There were no hours listed on the sign and at the same time all of this was going on--a 4 mile fundraising run with hundreds of people was about to start.

I was actually impressed with all of the well mannered dogs--but just couldn't figure out why the sign was getting ignored.

But if they are allowed there during certain hours--maybe that coincided with our visit.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

She is welcomed at the restaurants, stores and bank we bring her to.

***

It is only your opinion that they don't belong somewhere, but they are allowed. If the store, restaurant or bank did not want the dog there, we wouldn't have brought her there. It's not up to an individual to decide what another person may or may not do, thankfully.

Well, we can only go by what goes on in our area and what the rules and law are--which I imagine is the point of the OP's vent and many of our "opinions".

I'm curious as to what the Health Department's position on dogs inside restaurants is.

I know things often get overlooked--but I would be curious if it were a health code violation.

ETA: Found this for NYC--do you know if it is up to date?

§81.25 Food service establishments and non-retail food processing establishments;
animals prohibited.
No live animal shall be kept, housed or permitted to enter into or remain in any food
service establishment or non-retail food processing establishment. This section shall not
apply to edible fish, crustacea, shellfish, fish in aquariums, seeing-eye dogs accompanying
sightless persons, hearing or service dogs accompanying and assisting disabled persons,
or patrol dogs accompanying police officers

Found this interesting tidbit as well:

IT’S THE LAW. New York State law requires that dogs be vaccinated against rabies, and the New York City Health Code requires every dog owner/attendant carry with them proof of current dog license and rabies vaccination while in public. Dog owners may be fined for violation of these laws. To obtain an application for a dog license, contact the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene or call 311. You may also obtain an application from a veterinarian, animal shelter, or pet shop

 

[chloelovesdisney]

We never took her inside a restaurant. Nearly every place in my neighborhood has outdoor seating during nice weather and that is where we would sit, along with many other people and their dogs. Along with our drinks, they always bring a bowl of water for the dog.

 

[chloelovesdisney]

I see...

It was morning on a Sunday. I really didn't mind much--as I said, it didn't "bother me" until a saw the sign...then of course after I read the sign, the doggies start befriending me. There were no hours listed on the sign and at the same time all of this was going on--a 4 mile fundraising run with hundreds of people was about to start.

I was actually impressed with all of the well mannered dogs--but just couldn't figure out why the sign was getting ignored.

But if they are allowed there during certain hours--maybe that coincided with our visit.

The dogs are allowed by the Parks Department off leash in Central Park till 9am.

 

[Planogirl]

Since dogs hanging out in businesses seems to be getting more and more common, I wonder if some businesses will decide to allow dogs and others won't? That would solve the problem for both those who want to bring dogs and those who don't want to be around them.

 

[SundaeAfternoon]

I wonder if you really mean that? If yes, then I am sorry that all of the people in your life have failed you to the point where you feel like animals are better than human beings.

I hope things get better for you and that you get back some of your faith in humankind.

Thank you for proving my point about SOME people.

Please don't feel sorry for me. You don't even know me and I don't need your condescending "pity." I have plenty of love in my life from good people.