As far as allergies go (to anything)..... some people have mild allergies and some people have more severe allergies.

My girlfriend at work is allergic to most dogs. She has trouble breathing and breaks out in hives (without touching or holding the dog)....and her eyes and nose run. I have another friend who can't go to her parents house (ever) because she is so allergic to their cats....breathing (sometimes almost like an asthma attack) , itching, runny eyes, sneezing, and really feeling terrible.

Allergies to anything can cause a person to be very very uncomfortable. You don't need to go into anaphalytic shock or almost die to feel miserable. And, as far as peanuts go -- again, I know some people who have only a mild allergy to them and others who would have a very severe reaction.

I don't suppose we would run into many people out and around that have severe allergies to dogs - there really aren't that many - but, a person with allergies should be able to go to public places without being exposed to what shouldn't be there in the first place. Then, there are, of course, things that people can't avoid ---- like grass!

I have never had any bad allergies, but I have been around enough people with them - and know how bad they can be and really feel sorry for them.


Carol Jean

Speaking of service dogs, I think a yorkie could be a hearing dog for the deaf. Hearing dogs warn of people approaching the outside of the house or car, babies crying, kettles whistling, unusual noises of any kind. Most deaf people have lights that flash for door bells, phones, alarm clocks, even babies crying, but many feel more secure with a dog because dogs can discriminate between normal and unusual sounds. Also dogs are useful for travel when deaf people visit relatives or stay in hotels, usually these places don't have as many (or sometimes any) assistive devices) as their own homes. So I can see how a tiny dog would be very useful for a deaf person. Howver, I'll have to admit I've never seen a hearing dog under 15 or 20 lbs or so and even at that size the deaf person is often stopped and asked to prove that their dog is a genuine service dog -- a difficult challenge considering the communication barrier. So I can see why they'd prefer bigger ones.

I think the problem is not everyone takes care of their dogs and would let them have the run of the store. Also I happy that a blind person have right to enter a store with their dog so they can have help buying food :animal36

I think it was during the Westminster Dog Show that I saw a Papillon working as a service dog and it was remarkable!!! The dog was taking the clothes out and putting them into a basket!

I'm amazed by the strength and intelligence my yorkie Bobby has! (He weighs 9 pounds.) He has been gleefully pulling around a medium-sized round dog bed. When I asked Bobby where my son is, he got off the couch, went to my son's room and barked in front of the door. And he's only been with us a week and a half!

I have little doubt that he could be taught to pull open a cupboard (they attach a small towel to the handle), put things in a small basket and bring them to me. That would be a big help when my joints are hurting badly!

Julie

I am going to let SnowWa do all my talking, because she keeps saying exactly what I want to say, before I say them, and in a better manner than I could have put it.

:yorkiesar :yorkietal That's great! :animal36 Sounds like you have a special little guy.

Wow, this is the new never ending thread!

While it is great to hear (see?) different opinions nothing will ever change my mind about this. I will continue taking my dog where ever I want, whenever I want. I realize I am breaking rules but nothing can convince me that a dog zipped in a purse will hurt anyone. The hands and feet of most humans have more germs on them than my little dog. The diaper of the drooling infant sitting in the highchair in a restaurant is closer to food than my dog, sitting enclosed in my purse. Stores? Dirty kids touching fruit and vegetables then putting them back. ick. (my dog doesn't do that) And allergies? Anyone that is THAT allergic to dogs shouldn't go out in public b/c service dogs (legal) would kill them.

Most of my life I have been a rule follower. I am over 50 and I have never even been stopped by a cop. I actually go the speed limit. I don't steal, even my employer's time. Anyone on this website during business hours is probably breaking a rule. Harmless? Maybe.

That's the way I feel about taking my dog. She is totally harmless to everyone and no one even knows she is there. Except me. And her being there makes my life better and easier.

Am I breaking a rule? yup. do I care? not at all.

Do I think she is human? heck no. better than most.

Carol Jean,

I couldn't have said it better. It is very immature, rude and I will add in selfish to take your dogs where they aren't allowed. I adore all my dogs, but we only go to places that allow pets. As far as people who are disabled and have to have these wonderful, special dogs, to enable them to live a full life and enable them to get out on their own. I am happy for those people who can have them. Not being rude, just being honest. I love YT. God Bless.

Jan

I couldn't have said it better myself...you took the words right out of my mouth!

Just as a sideline, please remember not all Yorkies will fit into a purse. Many of our little Yorkies are 6, 7, 10, 12, or 14 pounds. My is 6 1/2 pounds. I wouldn't sneak him in anyplace - but also, I couldn't if I wanted to - which is the category most breeds fall into.

The end result of this long long thread is that many of you will continue to take your dogs where they aren't allowed and shouldn't be - and some of us won't do this.

It's either "Do I break the rules. Yes - and I don't care." OR I won't take my dog places where dogs aren't allowed.

I think this about covers it......doesn't seem like many of us are going to change the way we behave with our little guys.

This has, indeed, been a very interesting thread.

I've enjoyed everyone's input!!!!!

Carol Jean

I don't think that your dog is harmless, but not quiet sure about you. Anyone who contunie to break rules is sending the wrong :bulb: :bulb: message. If you sneak you dog in the store knowing it's not right, Maybe those dirty little kids will think it's ok to sneak something out.

Pardon me....I responded to you, but I never twisted your words. :confused:

I'm surprised to hear Home Depot kicked you out. I called the store where we live and asked if I could bring Susan and they said it was fine. I didn't want to break the rule because my husband works there. I asked him, but he didn't know what the rule was.

My havanese, who weighs 10-11 pounds, is a hearing service dog. He is also a licensed therapy dog for children (we go to the local children's hospital and to the local reading program). My hearing dog warns of people approaching me outside of the house or car, babies crying, kettles whistling, unusual noises of any kind. Bailey tells me of door bells, phones, alarm clocks, microwaves, and washer and dryer, just for starters. We/he spent 6-9 months in training to be my service dog.

My 10# yorkie will also complete training for service and therapy work but she is not as settled at 6 months as my havanese was.

Hi Scrapindee, That's neat. I haven't seen a service dog in ages, especially not a hearing dog. It's interesting to hear of small dogs as hearing dogs. It seems like a good idea to me, but I think hearing, so what do I know about it?