Because Lacey has mvd and needs meds and food we never get to go places anymore. We live about 45 min from most stores so by the time i drive there its time to get bk home to give meds again, no shopping time for us. and if i go food shopping or out to eat we have to get a sitter for her, or one of us sits in the car with her while the other one shops, and we eat in the car most of the time. for us it would be a good thing to be able to take her into stores, but i dont think i would take her near food at the store or into resteraunt.

Well, maybe we should all work to raise animal ownership to what the standard is in Europe. I know they don't really have the overpopulation there as we do in the States. Once people began to see themselves as the guardians of their pets rather than just owners, I think more stores/restaurants would be happy to accept our furbabies, because they would be true family members, not just some "dog".

At Christmas, DH and I went to Ponte Vedra to see his sister. I forgot to bring a pair of black shoes with me and we were having a dinner one night and I needed to run out and get a pair. We took Scooter with us - dressed in his Santa Claus jacket, and went to Rack Room to pick up a pair. Mind you, he was in my arms and he's tiny (not quite 4 pounds). Anyway the manager came up to me and said "Mam, dogs aren't allowed in the store". Rack Room Shoes for goodness sake!!!! Hubby took him outside - he told some ladies that came by what had happened when they stopped to say how cute he was and they were appalled! The funny thing is that when I was checking out, the girl at the counter turned around and saw Scooter through the window and said what a cute baby he was. I said he's my little boy - she asked his name and when I told her "Scooter", she said "Oh, that's our manager's name and then proceeded to holler across the store to tell him. He didn't even look up! I won't be going back to Rackroom!!!

I agree - but in order to do that, laws need to be passed. Personally, I think dog training should be mandatory. Dog not trained, dog stays home. That way, the problem of "discriminating" is solved and the truly good furbabies aren't punished by the lack of parenting of other useless pet owners. ((Hoping that just made sense -- I need a nap))

Truthfully, I think more animal protection laws need to be passed than this; but realistically, it'll never happen.

There is a huge difference between letting a small dog in a carrier or stroller inside a restaurant/store than letting a huge dog on a leash in. I think the problem is that they can't or won't differentiate between the two. I have taken Kalina inside restaurants (where they invited me in) and in almost any store in Philadelphia (center city). On the other hand, I have been asked to leave outdoor restaurants with her, which I think is crazy.

I don't think the allergy thing holds water - they let dogs and cats on airplanes don't they? I would think that would cause allergic people more problems than in a big store for example.

I completely agree with you guys. Our babies deserve more. They deserve to be treated better...
I think its RIDICULOUS for you to have been told that you couldnt have your dog in a SHOE STORE!!!
Many ppl who truly don't care about their dogs, leave them at home anyways...
You can tell that I love and care for my dog. She is so well behaved, clean, always brushed (especially when we go out), and she has NEVER caused ANYBODY to have an allergic reaction. Ppl who have allergies meet Roxy & I tell them that Yorkies don't cause reactions because they have hair like ppl, and not "coats". So then they all want Yorkies.
My mother has terrible allergies, can't even be NEAR our Chihuahuas, but she LOVES Roxy. She even holds her right near her face! and nothing!!!

i agree and dissagree with the kid thing im sorry if i offend any1 but if kids cant bahave when there out u gotta blame the parents and as for allowing our dogs although some of ours are beautiful small and well behaved not all are and you cant have 1 rule for 1 and not the other i would be so annoyed if i was out and some1 could not controll their dog and it was jumping up at people barking etc

I would be annoyed too, but I am also just as annoyed when someone brings their loud bratty kid into a restaurant... but they let all them in...

If my furbaby is in a stroller, and she isnt making a ruckus, and half the ppl there are going to think its a baby anyways in a stroller...
I really don't see the problem.

Plus, why is it okay in other countries??? They don't have problems over there...
If ppl take their dogs or children somewhere and they can't control them, they should just be kicked out...
simple as that.

But for the responsible parents and dog owners... the rule is unfair.

GET OUT!!!!!! ick. And your lil nephew is unbathed in restaurants...his mama needs to make him take a bath! thats unhealthy for him, weather he likes it or not.

These threads come up quite a bit and I still don't understand. You are comparing a human child to an animal and there really is no comparison. Children are people and should be allowed in public places. I understand you love your dog (I love mine too!) but comparing it to a child to me is wrong. Many people are talking about "bad, bratty" children and how they should be kicked out of places or how the child is acting is a reflection of their bad parenting skills and I think that is unfair. Heres a scenario for you guys that cant stand bratty kids and think they should be removed from a restaurant. You are having dinner and theres a family at the table next to you, child is screaming because she doesn't want to eat. Loud screaming and crying and just acting "bratty". You obviously get angry and start thinking the parents have no control etc. you think they should be asked to leave because you are trying to have a peaceful dinner. come to find out that child has ADD and/or some type of mental issues.You think that child should be banned from a public place because of their sickness? so you passed judgment on those parents and its not their fault! sorry its long but you really have to sit and think before you pass judgment.

Well, I think since service dogs have been allowed into restaurants and stores and there has been not ONE report of someone dying of allergies, it would be possible to have other dogs in restaurants/stores without causing a problem.

The problem is how do you determine the good, well behaved dog from the bad dog? I think you are right, we could have training and your dog would get like a "doggy license" which would give them access to public places. It would state that the dog has been trained and passed some sort of test that determines they are well behaved. No license, no entry into the store/restaurant.

I think that maybe in the future as more people becoming educated about animals and how to care for them, we can get more animal protection laws.

isnt that the AKC's Good Canine Citizen test?

I work with kids with ADD/ADHD every day, and many other mental illnesses... And I would not get mad at all, as long as I can take my dog in there, I dont have any problem with their children disturbing my meal. Plus, many ADD/ADHD kids don't act like that, its a misconception. As long as they are well balanced and given the proper time to "act out" in other ways, they are more calm in public settings... I have been working with kids with ADD/ADHD, DS, MS, MR, and many other different afflictions since I was 18. Plus, my sister has brain cancer and she is at a 11 year old level.

So I understand that kind of stuff... Now ppl should understand I love my dog like MY child.

as long as you can take your dog in there its ok? so if your dog isnt allowed in...the child shouldnt be either?

This is correct. If I have to put up with a kid (btw, a kid can have a problem & still be clean... I was mostly talking about dirty children...) then I should be allowed to have my dog in there...
If I was Paris Hilton they wouldnt say a thing...
And in France, its completely acceptable...
Nobody complains there...

Besides, whats the difference between them having a child in the restaurant and me having my child in the stroller? Just cause I didnt give birth to her does not mean I love her any less... In fact, I think I love her more than some parents love their own children.