[Erin]

Originally Posted by robbin

I understand where you're coming from. I don't HAVE to have Mugzy with me, but I really like to take him along. In the colder weather it was easy, because I just tucked him under my shirt. Again, as one person noted, I don't even try to take him into restaurants or grocery stores, but just about every other place I take him without asking. FUNNY STORY>>>When I first got Mugzy, I took him to Walmart late one night and about four different workers said, "You can't bring a dog in here". To every one of them I said, "But he's a seeing eye dog" (mind you I'm holding this 2lb pup) and they all said, "Oh, okay, no problem"

If I am asked to leave, I do, but most people LOOOOVE the puppy, especially if he is all brushed out and has a bow in his hair. I went to visit a relative who was in the hospital for depression, and ALL of the other patients, nurses, staff, etc. just loved him and told me to bring him back any time. He's also been to Crystal Cave, Home Depot, yard sales, etc.

I think that rather than trying to do the service dog thing you should consider working towards getting him certified as a therapy dog and then you could do everything from go to hospitals to let kids read to him at the library. Plus, it's a legitimate way to bring him to some places. When Loki and I were going through CGC we would go to the outdoor malls and just sit and watch the people. Part of CGC is not learning not to jump up on people and to sit while they pet you. So if people asked why were were hanging around I just explained it was part of the socialization for his training classes.