That's your personal feeling, but it isn't the way most of society views it, so it's not surprising if there are rules in place contrary to that.

I do love to take my babies places - most notably pet stores and to play at parks. I do tend to be against taking any animals into places with food - I understand the laws, and I totally agree. I don't want dogs peeing on stuff, chewing on stuff, or even worse, people taking in puppies and spreading diseases and such in a place that's not like the petstore who knows dogs come in and clean regularly *for that type thing*.

I will however say this: I have recently taken Pixie in MANY more places that I would have ever dreamed, and I was astonished some of the places that allowed it. I never hid her in a carrier or anything - but after our house burned, we didn't have a choice but to take her WITH us - we no longer had a home to leave her in.

She went to the dollar store (we knew better than to try wal-mart), and really, I'm against that, but we didn't have a choice. They do sell food (we were there to buy food - couldn't go to walmart!), and I don't really like that we had to do that, but they were OK with it, they talked to her, pet her, and were really supportive of us. But then again, look at our situation: sometimes maybe it should be ok on a case by case basis.

We also took her to Target - another place that I am *very* against a dog going. But we didn't have a choice. She rode in the buggy, she sat quietly, and lots of workers pet her and talked to her. Honestly, I don't know what else we'd have done if some people hadn't let us taken her - we wouldn't have been able to buy food anywhere. We have flipped schedules, so it's not like one of us could stand outside with her all the time or something, either.

She went other places too - Lowe's, etc. When we went to eat, we ate lots of Sonic because we could eat outside and get her chicken. She was happy sitting beside us eating chicken. She also went into my daughter's school - without a leash and collar - while the house was still burning. They initially threw a fit that no dogs allowed without leashes, etc... when I explained look, my house is on fire, I can't leave her, I can't get her leash, I need to talk to my daughter NOW... they were very, very understanding.

I'm not making this to really stand up for either side - I do understand the rules and the reasons behind them. I respect the rules and think they are great the way they are... I do however think there are certain times that rules should be bent. What if I'd had a lab instead? I don't know. I really don't. It probably wouldn't have been as welcome, but we now regularly use the places who welcomed us in our time of need.

And as a further note - now that we DO have a home again, our dogs are once again limited to only going to the pet stores, parks, and other places that dogs are welcome.

Just some thoughts.

YES! It should definitely be allowed for us to take our lil babies into stores with us. I dont mind staying away from food but for the rest...they should be allowed in if we carry them in a doggie purse. I understand its not fair to those with big dogs cause they cant take their pets in, but....I just wanna be able to take mine in. call me selfish. LOL! :p I have taken mine to the mall with me before but I went in garden center of walmart and was just looking at the flowers and this old lady fartknocker kicked me out and said "This is Walmart not Petmart..NO Dogs Allowed! :mad:

The issue was settled between these people. They agreed to disagree on this issue. Lets not start conflict or insult anyone, hmm?

Thankyou for the info, let me tell you that lady that I was talking in Petsmart had two toy poodles very nice taking care of, and she was very wealthy looking beautiful lady, I don't know if she was visiting here in U.S.A or just move here but she was very upset about the all thing I :idontknow what to tell her I just listen to her complainst and desapointments, you can tell she love her dogs very much, but it just make me wonder about all the allergies issues and other stuff here:rolleyes:

Im sorry i started this thread. I didnt mean to start trouble. I guess what i meant when i started it was i wish they would make more dog friendly places cause i miss my baby when i have to leave...

I don't like sneaking Lacy in. I take her almost everywhere with me..I just carry her right in where anyone could easily see her. I've only been asked to leave a place twice (once a crappy mall that is way behind the times and once at Target after they stopped allowing dogs..I used to be able to take her in). I've taken her in so many stores and no one has ever asked us to leave. I don't take her in grocery stores or restaurants because I know their are health codes. I have snuck her into Target a couple times before because it was inconvenient for me to take her home and then go back. I didn't go near the food so I don't see the harm in it...we actually were mostly in the dog section. I would rather not sneak her in anywhere...I leave her at home if I have to run to the grocery store or am going to a restaurant. But if I have her with me, and I need to run in somewhere real quick (like Target), I will sneak her. Almost everywhere I go is fine with me taking her in with me. If a non-food store asked me to leave because I had her, I would probably never go back...I would just think it's stupid that she couldn't be there with me and I would not spend my money at a place that wouldn't let me have my baby in there

No need to be sorry! :) I think everyone here understood what you meant. But, I think others let it get out of hand. I agree, they should be allowed in places if they are in a carrier, but, no where that sells food. I hate seeing people bringing dogs into the grocery store or restaurants. Just something about it.

The only place I've ever taken my pups into that I know is technically not allowed, is my dad's sub shop. I've taken them in right on leash, but I always go at off hours and if it is busy I wait outside.

But obviously, this is my dad and if he isn't worried about the health inspector, I'm not either LOL. Now that I have 4, it's rare I take them most places other than petsmart or petco, or to dog friendly parks. Even if they were allowed, it is way too hard on me and I feel guilty only taking one. Although sometimes I rotate who gets to go places.

I've been to a jewelry store, fabric store, bike shop, and a few outdoor cafes in Boston. Actually Bentley has been in Saks Fifth Avenue with me -- they are dog friendly, which I find surprising since they have such expensive merchandise -- but it was fun and Bent did great!

Pet friendly stores...
 

My store is pet friendly...but there have been a few times when I wasn't really happy about a dog that was brought in. One shih tzu barked the whole time and drowned out all the other customers. One guy walked out because it was just so annoying. But most are great!

New Law in Florida that just passed:
Florida's New Dining Bill
Canine companions will now be allowed to join their people for al fresco restaurant dining in Florida. A new "doggy dining bill" was just signed into law allowing individual counties to determine whether dogs may be permitted on restaurant patios. A state law previously forbid all dogs except service dogs in any area of the restaurant. It will remain the restaurant's perogative to allow dogs at outdoor seating, even if the county decrees it legal. In a statement befitting his brother's eloquence, Jeb Bush praised the bill for allowing dog lovers and their pets to "have a brewski together, have a hot dog together or whatever they want outdoors."

I take my yorkie to work with me everyday and many times my golden retriever as well. I live over an hour away from my store, (and out in the country away from most stores) so if I have to make a stop and couldn't bring the dog in, I'd have drive into town (20 minutes), then drive back home again before heading out. So, I've found a bunch of stores that are "pet friendly." Some will only allow dogs that can be confined to the carriage while others allow larger dogs as long as they are well behaved and are cleaned up after. The stores include Home Depot, Lowe's, Office Max (Staple's said no), my bank (they even do doggie treats), my pharmacy (very small town shop) and many others. I always call first and ask. I've been surprised how many say "yes." Florida is pretty pet friendly. We have lots of dog parks, most hotels allow dogs, and even some stretches of beach allow dogs on leash. I would never bring a dog into an establishment that doesn't want them there. Just find somewhere else that does.

Just for the sake of interesting conversation...
 

OK, let's change it for a minute, just for fun. Let's say someone wants to bring their pet snake with them into a store. Seriously. Say someone has a pet python...lot's of people do and they decide, "Hey, I think I want to take my snake with me shopping." How would you feel about that? Should that be allowed? How would you feel if you were in a store and someone had one on their neck, or wrist...would that be OK?

Well, it wouldn't be okay with me because snakes scare me to death!!!:eek:

got the boot
 

my local walmart has found my hidden girls in my soft carrier and givent me the boot two times :p i still sneek in garden section its only when people spot them management always seems to here OH what a cute puppy and im out on my ear lol

Oooh, what if it was a COTTON-mouth?:p I'm sorry, I couldn't resist.:D

I don't consider snakes pets...snakes and bugs are not pets to me....they should not be kept as pets. So obviously since I don't think snakes are fit to be pets I don't think they should be allowed in stores. I wouldn't mind if someone brought their cat in, their hamster, their ferret, their bird, their monkey (haha), anything with fur or feathers...well, I wouldn't mind iguanas or turtles I guess. As long as it's a well-behaved pet, I'm fine with them being there. I would like to see more store managers ask parents with disruptive children to leave their store...I get so sick of screaming kids running around stores and restaurants, kids throwing tantrums, etc. I think those bad kids should leave and my well-behaved pet should stay