Some people are just idiots!

[elegntorchid]

well i guess all will be well with you if you leave yours at home. if that makes you happy then do it. but maybe you should not make personal attacks on those who do by calling them children. and i am sure that you have never as much as driven one mile over the speed limit, that is a law also.

[Dan & Corinne]

I am going to stay out of the debate. But do have a comment.

We all have opinions and there are no right or wrong opinions. Some of you are very passionate about this topic and have every right to be.

One thing about writing vs. talking is you can't hear the tone of the writer and we read things differently then the writer intended.

It was very interesting reading the different views and I have gained new insights from this thread that I need to take into serious consideration.

I'm glad BabyFigette chose to stop instead of adding fuel to the fire. I would have hated to see this get ugly.

[BabyFidgette]

Originally Posted by Dan & Corinne

I am going to stay out of the debate. But do have a comment.

We all have opinions and there are no right or wrong opinions. Some of you are very passionate about this topic and have every right to be.

One thing about writing vs. talking is you can't hear the tone of the writer and we read things differently then the writer intended.

It was very interesting reading the different views and I have gained new insights from this thread that I need to take into serious consideration.

I'm glad BabyFigette chose to stop instead of adding fuel to the fire. I would have hated to see this get ugly.

Thanks.

[hunniebunnie]

i wonder... question to the original poster... was the gnc store a part of a mall or a strip of stores along the same street? perhaps the other individual just didn't want to leave his dog in the car while he shopped if dogs are allowed in the store. so seeing your dog in the store with you made him think dogs are allowed in the store/mall so he went back so that he can have the dog with him have the time to shop casually rather than in a hurry or leaving the dog in the car for too long.

i know if i had left my yorkie in the car thinking he's not allowed in the store, if i've come to realize he is allowed, then i'd go back to get him as well. i wouldn't think that to be an idiotic behavior.



overall, whether you believe your furbaby/pet/yorkie should be allowed everywhere is one thing, but the policy of establishment goes. this would apply to stores, restaurants, malls, public transportation, apartment complexes, even your friend's homes. i never bring my yorkie to visit a friend in their home unless i first cleared it with them.

and unfortunately, "no dogs allowed" means, dogs of any size, great and small. service dogs are considered different because they are allowed everywhere, at no additional fee should pet fees apply, because it's federal law. so we may gripe and complain at times, but having our furbaby with us at all times is a luxury, but not a right.

[SnowWa]

ElegntorChild -- I'm guilty. I have gotten three speeding tickets in the past 6 years. And never once was I deliberately speeding.....just driving along and not paying attention - just as bad.

Anyway - I definitely do not want any more speeding tickets. I am religiously using my cruise control now.. to the point of being ridiculous... And (as you thought), I am now probably doing less speeding than anyone in the city I live in.

We have actually lost some of the privileges that we had with our dogs in my city because people wouldn't follow the rules. We have a beautiful river park in the downtown area where people were allowed to take their dogs. The only rules were that they be kept on leashes and that we clean up any messes they make. Of course, a lot of people didn't do either of these two things - so dogs aren't allowed in most of the park anymore.

And - we have a very large beautiful state park - a woodsy, wilderness type area. Dogs were allowed there - again only if on a leash. But this rule wasn't followed by many people. And, two children were badly frightened by roaming dogs (to the point of running and becoming lost for the better part of the day). The dog's owners were in the park, but had let their dogs run loose --- so dogs aren't allowed in a large part of this park anymore either.

I'm all for taking advantage of all the places our dogs can go and the things we can do with them - and following the rules so we can continue to do these things.

Carol Jean

[luvdorkyyorkies]

I just had a situation about dogs in establishments.
A lady purchased two dogs from me and as requested I met her, they had drove along way and to help with drive time I met them. They picked Mcdonalds parking lot and it was really supposed to be a pick up point and to sign contracts, go over things, we had talked and went over things for months before. She insisted on taking the dogs inside, as I stated "No its against the law", she already was in the door!!!!!! I stood by my car for a few minutes kinda in shock, but then went ahead and got all the info to go over and went inside. I really didnt know what else to do. It was lunchtime and busy. It didnt take long for people to be pointing and cooing, and then some were not happy and gave the look......we were told to leave pretty quick, everything had to be finished up outside. If there had been a rock I would have crawled underneath it. I was really embarassed.
I love dogs, especially yorkies, but not all people do. It doesnt bother me a bit to eat and give bits of food right from my plate to my dogs, but to others this really bothers them. A restuarant is no place for animals, it is not sanitary. Neither is a grocery store. People with allergies, or dislike of dogs, or fears of dogs or small children shouldnt be exposed to it in a public place either. Its disrespectful of others.
I smoke, its alot like me going into a non smoking area and puffing away.........That would be pretty rude.
Yorkies are cuties and small and can be carried but if they let us do it, they have to let all do it. Service dogs are an entirely different story, for heavens sakes most people who have them are very disabled, and maybe totally blind and absolutely depend on these animals for everyday living. That is much much different. It is a necessity.
I do understand that you want to take your doggies everywhere and you just want them near you. Ive done it too in the past but then I thought about the other guy and the way they might feel. SInce the law is on their side anyway, I think Ill just stick to where my dogs are allowed.

[AsCeNsIoN]

Wow Did I mention that I love this place?

I just wanted to say that I love my little Mitzer. We both love to take her when we go places. They don't tend to put signs up for anything here, so every time we go somewhere, it's 50/50 if she can stay or not. We just have to respect the owner/manager and either stay and keep her quietly content or leave the premises with dignity.

[Brandy101b]

Originally Posted by elegntorchid

Everyone could do battle all day about "should my dog be allowed or not". I personallly do take my yorkie with me when ever possible. We have been to walmart, target, home depot, lowes, and countless other places. If there is no sign on the door..... I to understand that service dogs are needed but, my yorkie stays in her bag and bothers no one, a service dog walks all over the floor panting and slobbering and shedding. I have never seen hair come off of my yorkie unless I am combing her and everything I have read and been told (vet included) says that yorkies do not have pet dander.
But further more I have seen some pretty nasty people in these same stores that are contaminating food where my yorkie does not. These people do not bathe, not wearing shoes or shirts(this make want to not shop), not to mention the ones who go to the bathroom and don't wash. And lets not forget the ones who think my family would like to have their cigarette with our meal or our outing. I would much prefer to sit down at the table with my yorkie who licks her rear from time to time than these nasty people, and I would much rather shop with her.
In areas where "money" rules no shop or store owner would dare tell a customer to take their little dog out. Neither does Pier 1. Every one has their own thoughts.

In the state of florida where I live dogs (unless service dogs) are not allowed anywhere except vets, petsmart and petshops. And people are not allowed to smoke in resturants and shoes and shirts are ALWAYS required in every store. I have never seen someone with out shoes or shirts in a store, and have been lucky enough not to have to dine with smoke, so I am very happy that also I do not have to shop with dogs!

[yougetthesmiles]

This was not a mall, it was just an individual place in a walmart strip, There was no one else in the place, if it would have been busy I would have never taken her in, it was just my luck the guy comes in and has a dog in his car. I have never been kicked out for taking her somewhere with me, everyone always coo's over her, she is pretty cute! hehe
I was talking to my husband about this topic and like he said, what is the difference if we take them into a pet store, most pet stores has dog treats in open canisters where any dog can stick there face and tongue in them, then someone else buys that treat that another dog has "contaminated"
And why don't we have more dog friendly places?
We don't even have a dog friendly park here where we live, I took her to a local park once and they told me she could not be in the park!
Really this is a touchy subject.

[envrobear]

Just my little two cents....service dogs are not just seeing eye dogs. and I'm sure you all know that but just wanted to say it. I am in the process of moose becoming a service dog for me, but my problem is not a seen disablity and I have been warned by other service dog owners to be ready to justify. Most people only think seeing eye dogs and that's it no other type. We are having issues in north florida from businesses saying no to service dogs that are not seeing eye dogs, so I always like to make it known that there is a broad spectrum of service animals.

Like I said just putting in my 2 cents

[Ponyup]

I'm guilty of taking Logan places. We don't really live near a lot of stuff so when we go to petsmart I have other erronds to run also. However, I do not take him into places that sell food. Like if we have to stop at Meijers. My husband or I will run in and the other stays in the car with Logan. If I do think it would be okay to take him in I first check the door real well for any No Pets Allowed signs, if it's posted I won't even try. If there is no signs then I proceed with him securely zipped in his bag so he can't get out and no little hands can get in. I have yet to be told to leave, but if I was I wouldn't make a fuss I would turn around and return to the car with my little one.

[alisonJ]

Originally Posted by BabyFidgette

I can understand the whole "Can't bring dogs into the supermarket b/c of all the food." But get this: I brought Baby into Shoprite (supermarket) once. I know I shouldn't have, but anyway... The manager came up to me and said: Mam, you can't bring a dog in here. It will contaminate the food, and then I'll have to throw out all the food in the place. THEN he goes onto say: Now, if your dog were a seeing eye dog, that would be okay. So, my question is this...if a Yorkie can "contaminate" all the food, why can't a seeing eye dog? I'm not saying seeing eye dogs shouldn't be allowed, I'm just saying, they are both dogs, and he shouldn't have used that excuse! DUH!! Just tell me, "Get your dog out!" I would have had more respect for that!

Look, it is a matter of scale. Of course a seeing eye dog (I call them "working dogs") can contaminate food, as a Yorkie can. The difference is that there are a gajillion pet dogs and only a few working dogs. Just think if EVERYONE brought their dog into a supermarket. As much as I love my dog, I would be grossed out.

Let common sense prevail, please. The manager of that store didn't give you a great explanation, but his intent was good, I think.

[londonteatime]

Envrobear,
I am really interested in training one of mine to be a service dog for me, too. I have Lupus and scleroderma; my hands are weak and I have difficulty lifting and grasping at times.

Would you mind either starting a thread to explain how that's done or sending me a private message? I think there might be others out there who would find it interesting, too!

Julie

[Brandy101b]

Originally Posted by yougetthesmiles

This was not a mall, it was just an individual place in a walmart strip, There was no one else in the place, if it would have been busy I would have never taken her in, it was just my luck the guy comes in and has a dog in his car. I have never been kicked out for taking her somewhere with me, everyone always coo's over her, she is pretty cute! hehe
I was talking to my husband about this topic and like he said, what is the difference if we take them into a pet store, most pet stores has dog treats in open canisters where any dog can stick there face and tongue in them, then someone else buys that treat that another dog has "contaminated"
And why don't we have more dog friendly places?
We don't even have a dog friendly park here where we live, I took her to a local park once and they told me she could not be in the park!
Really this is a touchy subject.

I agree this is a really touchy subject. We don't have many dog friendly places here either, our dogs are not allowed at state parks or even in homedepot or walmart. They are very strick here and I have to say I am glad. Because a lot of people will let there dog off its leash at a park and not clean up its poo, and that ruins it for all of us who are responsible with our dogs. But I have to say I agree 100% with dogs not being allowed for that reason. If by chance a dog came at my child even to just run up and say hi I would be scared and probably hurt the dog, I carry peppersparay and he would probabbly get a spray of it. It only takes one bite for a dog to kill a child. And I would be pretty peoed if my daughter fell or steped in dog doo... So I guess the park thing is a good thing.

As for the whole store issue, I will always believe people are people and dogs are dogs and I think people sometimes try to treat there dog and pretend that there dog is a baby or a person and thats fine for them, but not all of us think dogs are on the same level as people and others should respect that. I believe that a dog should never be left in a car not even for a second and if animals are'nt aloud in stores then why bring them, people should have the common sense to say I have errands to run and my poor dog is'nt aloud in there so I better leave her at home becuase god forbid I have to leave her in my car alone.

And for all those who say "I look on the door for signs that say no pets", it is NOT required for a bussiness to post no pet signs, however I looked this up and I will find the link and post it, in 93% of cities and states it is a law that NO PETS are allowed in establishments not based around animal care ( Pet stores, pet smart, petco, vets offices etc) So even if its not posted that does'nt mean your dog can come in. It just means that teh state does'nt require them to post a sign.

I mean personally if the dog is zipped in a bag no biggie however that is unfair to all other dog owners who don't like small dogs and choose to own big dogs. You can't discriminate due to size. I have a yorkie who I love dearly but I also have a great dane I love to death and if your yorkie can go in I feel my dane should be allowed as well. Period!

[d4nimal]

I am impressed with the depth of dialogue that we've had on this thread already without people's emotions getting the best of them. Let's keep it up.

I agree Brandy and Carol Jean (among others). Though we can all see your perspective on the issue, you simply cannot make exceptions for one dog and not another. Personally, I don't even understand the allure of trying to sneak your dog into places. It reminds me of middle schoolers trying to sneak candy into a theatre. I certainly don't see an adult reason for doing it. Why can't you just leave your dog at home when you are running errands?

While I don't think the guy w/ the big dog handled it correctly, I think he was correct in wondering why you got to bring your dog in when he didn't. "But my dog is small and I was holding her." That is not the point at all. I think it is disrespectful, though not intentionally, of people not to consider that others don't want to have a dog or animal in places they shop or eat for health or personal reasons. No one but you knows that your dog is well behaved and isn't going to mess up anything. No one but you knows that your dog is healthy and isn't going to potentially be a source of disease for others. And not even you know if someone in that store is severely allergic to dogs. The one thing we do know is that the store could get in serious trouble for your dog being allowed in. This is why it isn't supposed to be left up to you to decide if you want to follow that law.

The catalyst of this event was not the guy who brought his big dog in. I don't mean to sound condescending, but it started when you decided to bring your dog into the store.