While you have a point about a dog being in a carrier vs. a dog walking around, I know I would be really pist if my dog wasn't allowed in a store because of his size, yet another dog was just because they are in a carrier. It's not fair.

I completely agree with londonteattime. But I hope I can share this story with you without causing offence to anyone.

I used to run a UK charity for blind and partially-sighted people some of whom had conditions that caused hearing loss as well. Many of the members had guide dogs, several of them had hearing dogs and some of them had both. There have been some very heated debates about dogs in public places especially food shops and the lack of consistency in enforcing our laws here.

One chap was told to leave a food store because of his hearing dog, yet he was smoking a cigarette at the time and nobody mentioned that. Another had a guide dog that used to sniff, but not mouth, fruit (his favourite treat) in an outside market-stall, where produce is stacked from the ground up, yet nobody objected. It confuses many that they are often allowed to enter places where food is sold/prepared with their current guide dog, yet, when they also have their retired guide dog with them they are told to leave the old guy outside. "There's a hook by the entrance for dogs you know, Sir".:mad:

A third decided to try an experiment at his local ASDA store. This chain was taken over by Wallmart and is gradually erm... Wallmart-ising itself. He has a huge labrador guide dog and a pet-only Yorkie that must tip the scales at around 4lbs. On walks, the Yorkie is usually to be found trotting happily underneath the lab. (All against the rules so, shhush, please :D). Anyhoooo, he decks "Ivan" out in his guide dog harness and "Goliath" sports an official-looking "I'm his hearing dog" label on his collar that points up to the labrador's belly. OK so it was me who made the label. The ASDA greeter, grinned and turned his back, the staff laughed and called the manager - he cracked up :yelrotflm and allowed the three-some to go about their business.

Mikey your original post brought about a wide-ranging discussion. I would be pleased if one of mine did that. BTW I only arrived at this thread having read Jakes' story and decided to read more of your posts. You are a lovely "hooman bean" and any dog would be privileged to have known you.:thumbup:

I agree with SnowWa. It is against the rules so why break them. Some may think it is cute to sneak them in but it isn't. Things like this make it harder on those of us who take our babies where they are allowed. Doesn't matter if the dog is 4 pounds or 400 pounds. No dogs allowed means just that NO DOGS period!

Michelle

My apologies if the irony of the situation did not travel well to the USA.

Fortunately, UK ASDA/Wallmart appreciated the point the chap was trying to make. Now, rumour has it, they are even thinking about allowing "small" dogs in provided they are in a back-pack or somesuch. Just image the problems they are going to have deciding on what is a "small" dog. It could get like the arguments at airports over the dimensions and weights of carry-on luggage ;)

Please be assured that was a truly one-off situation albeit part of an ongoing campaign to point out inconsistencies in the UK Disability Discrimination Act. We are talking about sight and hearing impaired people who come up against far, far more discrimination, than discrimination against their dogs, in their day-to-day lives. They have no wish to make matters worse for others, be they pet-dog owners with no disabilities or disabled people who have no dogs.

Rules change and occasionally change can be brought about - just needs a heads-up in the right quarters from time to time (in our experience).

SnowWa- I agree with you totally!

Mikey- just because people didn't agree with you, you want the moderators to lock this thread? Come on, be a grown up!

Wow, this comment was totally uncalled for and not very "grown up" in my opinion.

Sorry but I think it's ridiculous to want moderators to close the thread because some people didn't agree with you! Don't post a MB if you expect everyone to agree with you. It's not going to happen.

Maybe Mikey feels the thread has grown away from what he intended. Things have a way of getting a life their own on here. But I think telling someone to "grow up" is kind of rude.

I agree.

i never sneak austin in anywhere i walk right in with him in my arms (not in food places) drug stores kmart if they ask me to leave then i will otherwise im shopping

i hate that everything thread lately turns ugly goodness look at the cute yorkie and have a laugh its not the end of the world cause he took his yorkie inside a store

can we get back the the original topic the cute picture !!