There seem to be lots of rude and stupid people out there!
Cali is small and the big dog owners are Lways making cracks about her being a mouse or a ferret. Like you I done let her on the floor or around the possibly sick animals - I chose to not expose her, plus Cali is reactive if she feels me tense up and she wants to fight everyone - all 3.5 pounds of her. She was the sMe way in doggie school - if everything was calm, no problem, but if it gets tense she is ready to rumble