Wow, I'm glad I didn't read this thread till after I took Krystal to Redding. I have taken her to a few local restaurants that I frequent where I live. Even if the wait staff notices, they have been really nice about it. She only got real fussy once in Olive Garden. In Redding she was an angel for me. She was never noisy. I put her in the booth next to me and she might pop her head out to see me and see if she can get something to eat. When I had to put her on the floor, I guess she slept. I gave her quite a few yougurt drops last weekend. :D

I forgot sammy's kennel easter sunday, and his bag, so I had to take him with me to church and brunch (chinese buffet :) ). My sister had a canvas tote bag, so i put a soft blanket in the bottom and we went right in... Of course, sammy thinks he was born to be in a bag, so he just lays there. as long as he can either see or hear me, he doesn't move. No one, including the people I was eating/churching with, knew he was there! (and my kwigy-bo should arrive in a week or so!)

I took our dog to church in Arkansas once, nobody knew she was there. Today we walked around the lake and I decided to stop by Target while we were close and of course picked up an item with no tag. The lady in charge of the cashiers almost sat a bag on top of my bag with my Yorkie in it. She said oh kind of surprised, and put the bag in another spot in the cart. That was it no big deal or lecture on no dogs allowed.

I wanna take Genghis to church with me!! I almost did Easter Sunday, but thought the music might get too loud. My church has gigantic speakers, it's the only place my grandmother can actually hear the Pastor, hehe.

This church is so tiny they don't have speakers, if they do I don't think they use them. LOL

Our chuch is loud I'd never take her there.

I should probably keep my mouth shut on this because I know this is not going to be a favorable response. However, having only had a puppy a very short time, I can see the other side.

In my mind, when you take your puppy/dog into a restaurant against health regulations, you are imposing on the rights of others...quite like someone lighting up a cigarette in a no smoking area. Even now as a dog owner, I would not be pleased to go into a nice restaurant with the expectation of enjoying an "expensive" meal with someone's dog (albeit in a carrier/bag) at the next table.

I think there are certain responsibilities that come with being a dog owner and one of those is to not impose your animal on others. To me it is a mixture of both health regs and courtesy.

For you see, our Yorkies may be pampered and spoiled but the dog loyally following the homeless guy is no less loved. Some diners in nice restaurants would be appalled to see that man eating beside them not to mention his dog!

I just don't believe in all these double standards especially those rules we "bend" to suit our middle/high income status.

Undoubtedly many of you disagree but I find the sense of "entitlement" distasteful in any form or fashion and as much as I love our Yorkie, I hope I can always remember she is just a dog to the rest of the world.

I have never taken our Yorkie to a high end restaurant. I also know the little church I took her too would welcome her if she were noticed. Actually she was noticed by one woman on the way out and she just thought she was the sweetest little thing. My dog is far cleaner than a street person and his dog. Has more manners than some people I've met and doesn't smoke.

As an ex smoker I have had to deal with others smoke for the last 25 years, it was my problem I could stay home if I didn't like it. My dog makes no noise in her bag to bother anyone, they don't know she's there.

Wow that was news to find out dogs are everywhere in Seattle, when we were toying around with the idea of moving there last year I could not find many apts or houses for rent that were dog-friendly.:(

Rentals allowing pets can be hard to come by everywhere as it's expensive to repair pet damage so less and less places welcome pets.

You are not alone. I tend to think along those lines too. I have no issues when dogs are in stores where they are allowed...I know that ahead of time and expect it. It's when dogs are "smuggled" into places where they are strictly not allowed that I would have an issue...like in a restaurant, or supermarket, etc. In those cases, the "if you don't like it stay home" line just doesn't fly with me.. :rolleyes:

I've been to some high end restaurants and hotels where screaming children ruined the atmospher for everyone. If anyone complains they say we're sorry but..............I've yet to have a dog do that. lol

That's kind of a random statement.... In that case, the parents are to blame for not controlling the children. Yes, often times you encounter children who are not well behaved...point being? Sorry, just not understanding the relevance here...

I've had children ruin a special dining experience but never a dog. I guess is the point I was trying to make.

However as I said before I have never taken a dog into a high end establishment of any kind. I too feel only service dogs should enter them.

As far as the children go some times it's children who are not well behaved, some times I wonder if it's parents putting children into circumstances they are just to young to handle yet.

As a matter of fact a very loud, rude man at the next table ruined our Honeymoon dinner at the Camelback Inn in AZ. Trust me, we as well as everyone else in that room (judging by the looks and whispers) would have much preferred to sit next to a quiet well behaved dog.

some people are just bafoons and stupid, like the guy you mentioned, My dogs never do any damage, heck they don't even color on the walls!!!!!! LOL