Restaurants like Norm’s walk a fine line balancing these issues. Owner Steve Habecker says Norm’s runs smoothly because most customers follow the rules and any unruly dogs are kicked out immediately.
He also makes sure the restaurant is impeccably clean; he says most people enjoy the atmosphere and complaints are few.
“There is something special about dogs,” he says, after talking about his own golden retriever, Norm, now a pseudo-celebrity. “You don’t see people carrying cats around.”
Seattleites do love their felines, it’s true, but there is something special about our relationship with dogs that seems to transcend all other species. “Last weekend we had a request from a guy who was standing in the doorway with a goat,” says Habecker. “We said…no.”
Seattle Magazine | Lifestyle | Seattle's Dog Obsession