I have never understood why a concealed dog cannot be in a grocery store or restaurant. In Europe, they are more dog-friendly and allow dogs in restaurants WITHOUT being concealed. I've seen dogs sitting under the tables, beside their owner, and one AT the table. I walked into a store one day in Germany and found a huge dog laying under one of the display tables.
Recently we stopped in at a fast food restaurant, and Logan was in my "bag." A girl who works there saw him (first time this has happened) and told us it was OK for him to be there. They didn't mind at all. On the other hand, one day when I was at Wal-Mart in the card department, a worker spotted him and told me dogs weren't allowed because they sell food, although seeing-eye dogs WERE allowed. This makes sense, of course, but a seeing-eye dog is NOT contained and still has the same risk they associate with "pet" dogs. The Wal-Mart worker did not ask me to leave but wanted me to know. At that time, I had no choice but to bring Logan in with me (in his bag, of course) as I was traveling and it was too hot to leave him in the car.
I would love to see the laws change in our country. Our biggest food problems in this country come from bacteria-laden foods (now tomatoes) that has nothing to do with a pet in a carrier getting near the food.
OK, I'm stepping off my soapbox now
