thank you milly...you totally get it!!

From what I understand is that if a place has fresh produce, butcher dept, etc then you can't. If it's just dry or frozen foods you can. I have seen a lot of people walking in to CVS and other drug stores with their dogs on a leash. Even a friend of mine called Ross' corporate headquarters and they said it was ok since they have dry/canned foods only.

The whole story with what my friend told me was there was a lady who brought in her chihuahua in her arms, no bag, no harness, no vest. They told her she can't bring her pets in the grocery store. She said, this is my seeing eye dog (clearly it isn't!) and they could not say anything or ask her for proof. Again don't know if it's true, this is what my friend told me. She worked at Ralphs

It's funny our Trader Joe's has a sign that says we love dogs out front with a lot of hooks for their leashes and a water bowl. Not exactly my idea of loving dogs, but better than nothing I suppose. I would never leave my girls hooked out front. I'm way too worried someone would take them. Plus, I think they would pitch a serious fit anyways.

Ha ha, another example of political correctness. :D

That makes sense. They would be wise to be more dog friendly. For example the hotels on Universal park in Florida are so pet friendly they have room service where you can get treats and food for your pets and they also have a littlee park for the dogs. Its luxurius type of hotels too. We go out of our way to stay there even if we dont have the yorkies with us to support them. Same for these restaurants that allow the dogs we go there often even if we dont have the dogs. They are also bicycle friendly in this area which we like also

I know I should link it but uall can look it up at least in CA the law per health code is if a place serves food dogs with the exception of properly identified service dogs are banned.

Ace hardware served coffee and popcorn our local one used to allow dogs, the owner brought his...a written warning later...big NO DOGS sign.

Ecven Costco giving free samples counts...weird buy when businesses here participate in an event called arts alive where local artist sisplay their art in local businesses and wine and snacks are served a couple placed received health code violations for community members bring their dogs in on that specific night.

How restraunts evade this with out door patios idk but maybe the outdoor part is exclusive to the law or its just too grey to bother enforcing.


I find it odd the lady who takes her cockatoo everywhere on her shoulder never gets kicked out...

I posted about this before.

Well, Tatiana is designated as a "service animal" based on my doctor's letter (which I carry in her pet carrier). In the letter, he recommends a "service/emotional support animal" for me.

On her pet carrier, I have a patch "service animal" sewn in. Also, on the same pet carrier, I have a plastic tag "service dog" attached like a dangling key fob.

Tatiana has access to all the places mentioned (Trader Joe's, The Home Depot, CVS, all restaurants, etc). She is in a pet carrier, with her head sticking out, at all times. The pet carrier doubles as my purse.

If anybody challenges that Tatiana is a service animal (from the establishment), I GIVE THEM a copy of the doctor's letter. I encourage them to call him, and have him paged. My doctor will vouch for me. Also, it helps that my doctor's letterhead letter is from a premiere medical facility (and incidentally he was recently published as one of the best doctors in our area).

Also, I NEVER had any fellow patrons challenge Tatiana's access. I guess they saw the "service animal" patch and tags on her carrier.

You MAY qualify in having your Bruno be designated as a service/emotional support animal by your doctor. Discuss this with your doctor. If you qualify, you can follow-though with that as I did, and I don't think you would have any access problems for Bruno.

I have to ask.
Did you have your dog do any training?
Did any trainer certify your dog as a therapy dog?

That is odd I would have thought in California it would be in the culture to be more dog friendly. I have evolved in my thinking since we started going to dog friendly restaurants. I used to think why does a dog really need to go to a restaurant or a target. But now I see why people want to take their dogs and I know with me I just like it that this certain area of my City is not only dog friendly it is people friendly. They have made all kinds of walking trails for walkers and bike riders have a nic dog park ad the restaurants are dog friendly. And these resttaurants are always packed busy with people

CA is totally dog friendly but really its about health code for food service.

In my small are we have all dog friendly trails with bag recepticles 2 specific dog parks and dog clean up all post all over the city.

We were one if the first...or were we the first to rule no smoking in restraunts and bars.

Its really all about not imposing on others, your second hand smoke, your dog...etc.

No. My doctor simply recommended a "service/emotional support animal" for my issues. Technically, Tatiana is an emotional support animal, but in my doctor's eyes, that's equivalent to service animal. A service animal assists in PHYSICAL issues (like blindness). An emotional support animal assists in MENTAL issues (in my case anxiety). To my doctor, they're both MEDICAL.

As I tell people, Tatiana is better than any medication my doctor can prescribe for me. No side effects. I think my doctor agrees.

The only "certification" I needed was from my doctor. The proof of certification was his letter.

My Lexie goes everywhere with me. She is a seizure alert dog for me. There is no training involved with this--they either have the ability or they don't. I always make sure that I have her ID tag on her with a vest, or at least the tag is attached to her carry bag. I've never had a problem once the tag is seen.

And yes, its true according to the ADA one is not to be questioned about validity of the service dog, your medical/psych condition.

:animal-pa Lexie's Mom :animal-pa

:eek: LOL omg really?!

When my dh and I went to visit my brother this summer we took Remy with us. On the way up I found a hotel that was pet friendly and paid a small fee. I did not want to sneak her in because it just wasn't worth it.

Eating was a problem though. We stoped at a fairly nice place, we took a booth way in the back and when the serving girl came we told her we had a dog in my bag and we would leave if it was a problem. She said, well if she was a therapy dog I couldn't ask you to leave.. so we will say she is a therapy dog. I said yes.. it is my therapy to not go crazy being married to him (pointing to dh) lol. We had a nice meal.

The next day we stoped at a small local hole in the wall bbq.. when ordering remy was whining and they were looking around. I said, Im sorry I will leave.. and they said "No" Everyone came over to see her and telling stories about their dogs.

We didn't have any problems in Bristol.. but only had her at outdoor places.

Now.. on the way back we were not so lucky.. had to eat fast food:( in the car. But that is ok!!!

btw.. I had her in a jaraden soho bag