While waiting for a stall inside of a busy Target restroom recently, I felt something nudge my back.
As you might have guessed, it was a weiner dog.
What surprised me more than the weiner dog, was the utter lack of embarrassment/apology from the weiner dog’s owner. It was clear that this was her special dog and they were on a special outing to Target. I wondered who exactly would be using that restroom.
The Paris Hiltonization of America
My immediate reaction was to come and write a rantastic post on the growing entitlement of dog owners to bring their precious pooches wherever they so pleased – regardless of the feelings, concerns (or *ahem*) allergies of others. I wanted to go off about how one celebrity is likely to blame…
You can blame me.
… but then I took a deep breath, and paused (or “pawsed”). Perhaps that would be a one-sided oversimplification of this issue. After all, I do not own a dog. Never have. In fact, it’s quite possible I have my own hang ups (in elementary school, I once watched a dog run through the playground and proceed to attack a girl).
No, there was no way I capable of telling this story on my own. So I’ve mused on this topic for well over a couple months, took the time to hear from the dog phobic, dog owners, dog trainers, and stores. Turns out there is more to the story than I thought.
The Big Caveat
Let’s just make this 100% clear: I am not talking about service animals. I think it’s also important to point out that service animals are being increasingly used to assist people with an array of special needs.
Service dogs: not just Golden Retrievers
(Image credit – Flickr – hmmlargeart)
While at a McDonald’s last summer, I met a woman who told me their service animal was for her son. He was off playing on the jungle gym, and by all accounts and purposes, seemed like a healthy, happy little boy. Turns out, he’s autistic and that dog lays on him when he begins to panic. While it might sound like a different approach, it completely works and I thought it was terribly sweet that this dog could help that boy in such a powerful way. I also recently saw a Pomeranian wearing the service dog garb at an REI. All this to say, one must be careful to judge the person or dog involved in a situation like this. You truly never know. Bottom line = service dogs good. All others = up for discussion in today’s post.
Caveats Aside
Diana at The Cultured Canine makes an interesting argument for allowing dogs in stores. “In my opinion, children are often less sanitary, cause more disturbances and are under less supervision than healthy, well behaved, leashed dogs,” she says. On one hand, my Mama Bear instincts rear up at her assertion. After all, as moms often we have no choice – we must bring our children to the stores and we’d like to believe for the most part, they’re well behaved. (Except maybe for the occasional outburst involving a car cart.) Carol Bryant, a writer and dog owner, feels similarly to Diana on the point about dogs vs kids: “Meantime, I see children screaming, throwing temper tantrums, moms yelling at their kids, and my dog sits and watches like ‘what is that all about?’”
But are all dogs so pleasant and well behaved? In a word, no. I heard a number of dogs gone bad stories in my efforts to collect opinions on this story:
- One dog bit an employee in the face, causing the store to strictly enforce a “no dogs allowed” policy
- One dog owner shared that her dog managed to mark his territory inside a Home Depot
- One employee told me of a dog that peed in her high end clothing store – and the owner did nothing and the employees were left to deal with it
Another dog trainer who responded to me had a different take than Diane and Carol. John runs the site Ask the Dog Guy and is based out of Toronto. He feels that dog owners are “sometimes insensitive even dismissive of other people that are uncomfortable when dogs enter into their comfort zone uninvited.” He believes that many people here in North America are just not ready to share the stores with dogs.
A gal named Holly who wrote me would be one of those people. “I didn’t grow up with pets, so I never really got comfortable with them,” she explains. “When you’re in your house-let Fido rule, if you so choose. But I have the option of not coming to your home if I prefer not to. I lose that option, when Fido is at the store.”
Doggie Discrimination
Even though many stores around here seem to prohibit dogs going inside stores, some folks still do it anyways.
So what makes one dog OK to bring in and what makes others, well, not OK? Is it size that matters – and if so, what’s the cut off size? A pug is small, but a Welsh Corgi has small legs, so is that OK? Or is it only small enough if it can fit in a handbag? Or does breed or how well the dog is cared for matter? For instance, if he wears Louboutins does he get a free pass? How about puppies? Puppies are soo cute, and everyone ooohs and aaaahs when they see someone walking around with one in a blanket like a newborn, so you can’t possibly kick them out, I mean have a heart already?!
You will love me, because I am cute.
(Image: Amazon’s Mr. Winkle Complete Collection)
I decided to ask Diane and Carol above about their feelings about sneaking dogs into stores that have a clear “no dogs allowed” policy. Carol said she absolutely abides by that, but Diane had a different story to tell: “Elliott has visited many places, sometimes out in the open, other times incognito in his bag or stroller. And yes, this includes the grocery store, hidden in his carry bag. I try to limit those visits to when I desperately need something and can run in and out quickly.”
Am I to blame, too?
A couple weeks ago, I was chatting with my mom about this story and she made a very good point. Grocery stores have worked to make themselves more convenient to shop at than ever. Consider:
- Many stores are now 24/7 and offer store hours even on major holidays
- Some offer in-store coffee shops, such as Starbucks
- A few may even offer childcare (my Fred Meyer does)
- Some offer online shopping
Has all this convenience groomed us to think of the grocery store as an extended part of our living room? My husband and I have been known to sneak up to the QFC at 10 or 11 at night for “essential snacks” before – not gonna lie. I’m also going to admit there are times I justify wearing sweats or not doing my hair because “oh, I’m just going in for a few minutes, no biggie.” Maybe you’ve done similarly or at least entertained the idea (against your better fashion judgment!) of wearing yoga pants, PJs, slippers, rollers, or what have you. Maybe that’s not too dissimilar to Diane thinking she can run and out of the store with Elliott stowed away in her handbag, before anyone notices.
What the Stores Think
Of course, I also wondered: “um, what about the stores?” I mean, for as many times as I’ve seen folks bring dogs into “no dogs allowed” stores, I have never seen a store manager or employee escort a pup out of a store. So what’s going on here?
I decided to try to find out.
I contacted a grocery chain I’m in contact with who has a very clear “no dogs allowed” policy for their take on it. Since this is not an official statement, I can’t quote them or name the store, but suffice it to say, here’s a summary. The store will enforce the “no dogs allowed” policy, but they do so very carefully, and here’s why. Service animals are not required to wear a vest or have paperwork. What’s more, the ADA regulates what businesses can do/not do when approaching non-identified service animals. So this particular store operates under the assumption that the dog is a service animal, in compliance with the ADA. That sure opened my thinking on this issue A LOT.
I did tweet Target, by the way, and here was their response:
Final Thoughts
So where am I after all this musing, and searching? I still think there are reasons for some stores to not want folks bringing their non-service animals into the store. Goodness knows here in America we’re lawsuit happy – shoot we’ll sue Nutella for lying to us about telling us their product is healthy (what?! it’s not?! shocker.). Supposing another customer sues the store for something another customer’s dog did? (Yeah, I know it sounds far fetched, but it could happen – and all puns intended there.) Supposing there are insurance or other legal considerations at play?
Some of the folks I chatted with suggested there could be some options like having dogs screened and tagged so everyone will know they’ve passed the AKC Good Citizen test. Another person suggested special carts to push the dogs around in (but seeing that there are often a shortage of car carts for kids these days, I have little faith in that suggestion). I’m going to go on a limb and guess that stores have bigger fish to fry right now.
Seriously. You wouldn't mind US at the store though, would you?
(Image credit – Flickr – DomiKetu)
No matter what side of the fence you’re on (and I better quit soon as I’ve maxed out the pun quota on this post), it’s easy to see why this is a complex topic with many considerations. I mean after all, we’re talking about man’s best friend. Even the contact at the grocery store I exchanged emails personally admit to being torn on the issue as he happened to be a dog owner himself.
And I now think I’ve thought and said enough about dogs in stores to last me a long, long time to come. And I’m out.
Except, I do also wonder about that one man who sometimes brings his parrot to the QFC…..
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{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
I work at a dental office and we have a pt. that has a parrot as a service animal. It sit perched on his shoe while he has work done. After seeing that I thought ‘now I have seen about everything there is to see in a dental office.’ It could be the same guy….with the same parrot.
Great post! I did not grow up with dogs either and am always a bit uncomfortable anytime I’m around them. I have noticed more and more people bringing their dogs into stores and it is annoying to say the least. I have family members who are terrified of dogs and if they’re with me I have to spend the rest of the shopping trip trying to make sure we don’t cross paths with the family pooch again. To each his own, but it would be nice if people would respect the store’s policy on pets and not try to sneak Fido in just because he’s cute and “wouldn’t hurt a fly”. That’s my opinion anyway.
So…I really enjoyed this article. Here is my take from a business standpoint. The no pet policy is in place for a reason…to protect the stores & the patrons. Allowing dogs in stores creates liability. If a dog attacks someone in the store, it is a potentially huge problem.
Think about it, the store ha a not pet policy, but doesn’t enforce it. A patron gets attacked by a pet in the store. The store could be held liable because if failed to enforce a posted policy and potentially put patrons at risk.
Plus, there are health issues that stores sometimes aren’t equipped to deal with, like pet messes the floor. My ex-husband worked at Home Depot and hated that people brought their pets him. Cleaning up after pets was very difficult for him because the store did not enforce the no pet policy. It is a health hazard to have to clean fecal matter off the floor, but if the owner doesn’t then the store is forced to.
I understand that pets are very precious to people, but they are just that ….pets.
I work in a grocery store which also has other departments. We have signs that say only service animals allowed. We can tell people their dogs are not allowed in the store unless they are service animals but the store does not ever kick people out because of their dogs. I really dont mind people bringing dogs in as long as they are in a carrier. I was checking one day and someone put their dog on the belt. That is disgusting to me and they put their dogs in the carts where people put their groceries. It is not very sanitary.
I’m sorry, but peoples’ love affair with their animals has gotten out of control. Children may be pesky sometimes, but they are human. They should be in training, in stores, to function in public. Hopefully, they (children) don’t have fleas, don’t smell other creatures private parts, don’t lick everything in sight, don’t walk around the poopy yard barefoot/barepawed, etc.
Growing up, dogs and other family pets had a place in the family, and it wasn’t at the table. I’ll enjoy your dog, at the park on a leash, at your home if you’ll keep it from jumping on me.
Your little pawser may be precious to you, but to me it no more belongs in the stores than my neighbors chickens, cats, and cows do. They are ANIMALS. Shall we next allow someone’s pet snake or rat in the store?
I was once in a high end tea shop/restaurant. Someone came in with their little dog, who at first step inside pee’d and pooped on the gappy, rustic hardwood floor. That floor is marked for life. The dog’s owner giggled about it and left without scooping her steaming pile.
It seems most of the dog people bring them to stores for attention…for themselves! Why not take them to the park or pet store? You’re more likely to find dog lovers there.
I do have a dog, as well as various other critters and I would never take them into a store that doesn’t allow pets.
Here’s one more perspective on why you should leave your pets at home:
My husband uses a guide dog as he is blind. The havoc that untrained pets can cause when encountering a service animal on the job is huge. My husband’s dog has been attacked by other dogs before, and if it happened enough or got vicious, the service animal might lose confidence and not be able to work anymore. It also distracts the service animal if a pet approaches jumping and friendly. Though guide dogs are trained to ignore other dogs, it makes it very hard to work and endangers user of the service dog. It takes a lot of time, energy, and training to match up a service animal with a partner, so don’t be an irresponsible pet owner.
We do not take the service dog to pet stores or dog parks as the risk of disease is also higher since many pet owners do not keep their animal’s vaccinations up to date. These places are too high of a risk to the service animal.
People who take their pets inside stores also do a disservice to service dogs. We’ve actually been denied service (even though it is illegal) because of people bringing in pets that misbehave. Pets and service animals are different.
Finally, NEVER lie and pretend your pet is a service animal. That is so disrespectful to people with disabilities. It is immoral and wrong.
Leave the pets at home.
Denise H. You just made the best argument there is as to why dogs should not be allowed in stores where they don’t belong!!! I’m actually a dog lover, I have 2 dogs right now. 2 well trained dogs, and one has passed her AKC Good Citizen Test. She responds to immediately to any command given to her (that she knows). But, she doesn’t go with me to stores she doesn’t belong in. 2 years ago I became disabled after brain surgery and began training her, on my own, to help me. So in my home she is becoming a little bit of a service animal, but, I would NEVER dream of taking her out somewhere and claiming her to be a service dog. But, the arguments you gave are absolutely the reason that only service animals should be allowed in stores! It’s sad to think that service animals, and their owners that they help and protect are put at risk because people think they are above following a stores rules.
Leashed dogs in stores bother me a lot less than unleashed dogs surprising me in places I don’t want to be surprised by dogs…though I wouldn’t be thrilled about the dog nudging me in the back at Target. Last week we were driving up to our house and I saw an unleashed dog halfway up the block and across the street. The owners were in their garage, and they couldn’t really see the dog from where they were. I didn’t think much of it. I pulled in my garage and got out of the car to go around and unbluckle my kids to find this dog had followed our van and was now right at the rear of my vehicle. I’m easily startled and scared of big dogs, so I yelped loud enough to scare the dog and it made some defensive noises that sounded like growls. I don’t want to be scared like that in my own garage! I can understand how it could happen, and it’s probably a friendly dog, but I am definitely one of those people who want to be able to opt out of dog contact.
I work in retail too. My boss won’t allow customers to bring their bikes in even when its raining because its “dangerous” to have them leaning up against the wall.
But we are not allowed to say anything to customers with dogs. We have had dogs (clearly not service animals) chasing children around the store. Thank goodness no one has been bitten yet.
I wish it was different, but I don’t have any idea how to influence a change.
I am a pet owner and animal lover. That being said, unless you have a service animal, leave your pet at home. I watched one woman’s dog poop on the floor in a grocery store. When I pointed this out to her she looked at me like I was crazy for bringing it up and possibly bothering her in the process. Ugh! And when I worked at a Veterinary office I had a man ask me how to get a service animal vest for his dog. He told me he had no need for a service animal, he just wanted to take the dog to the movies with him. Yeah, I’m sure Fido really needs to see Avengers on the big screen.
I’ve had pets including dogs growing up and in my adult life and truly like them. However, as I’ve gotten older I’ve developed allergies to animals and as ours pass away from old age we won’t be adopting anymore. I don’t want to be somewhere that my allergies will kick in because someone can’t run to the store without their pet. The only place our dog ever went was to Petco or Petsmart. Never in a regular store. Why, because we would never want to trigger someone elses allergies that may be severe.
As for kids being more unsanitary than animals, I have yet to see a kid lick their own behind and I’ve never had a child trigger an asthma attack like dogs do. Sorry, humans over canines every time.
If it’s a true service animal it should be required to have a vest regardless of whatever condition the animal is used for.
Holly, I kind of agree with this. I was surprised to learn that service animals aren’t required to do so. Perhaps I don’t know all the ins & outs, but that was certainly new news to me.
I do not suffer from a disability that necessitates a service dog, and for that I am truly thankful. Similarly, I do not have such limitations that I benefit from a parking space close to a facility entrance. I have a personal responsibility to not commit fraud by bringing a pet into an establishment where they are not permitted nor parking in a space clearly marked for use by those with a permit. Why make it more difficult for business owners to discern a legitimate service dog from a pet? Why park in a disabled parking space when there are those who genuinely need the assistance? Those who attempt to deceive store owners by bringing pets into the store should spend more time being thankful they do not have a legitimate need for a service animal and enjoy their pets elsewhere. I realize the topic of this post isn’t necessarily about disabled parking, but in my mind they both (bringing pets into stores and illegally parking) show disrespect to persons with disabilities.
I am a dog owner, but I would never bring my dog to the store with me, however she is a larger breed. What gets me these days is not so much dogs in the stores, but dogs roaming loose in the country. I have had to out bike a few huge dogs each summer. As a runner, I am also not a fan of invisible fences. I know they are great for a dog, but I think the owners need to post a sign up saying the dog has one on, because it makes me nervous when I see a dog running up to me, so fast that I can’t tell if it has one of those devices on or not, and well the last one that didn’t put a nice hole in my thigh!
First of all, I really enjoyed this well-balanced, well-written article.
We had dogs growing up, but I’ve never been a “dog person.” I am a cat-lover, though, so I understand the bond people can have with their pets. If you want a house full of dogs — or other pets — fine with me. But they’re animals. Keep them in your home or the dog park or some other animal-appropriate place.
No, I wouldn’t leave my young child at home alone if I had to run to the store for a few minutes. I wouldn’t leave him at home alone if I had to go to work all day, either. Pets can stay by themselves.
I’ll admit to being old enough to remember when dogs lived in doghouses in the backyard, not in a crate in a house. I’m willing to bet that most children these days don’t know what a doghouse is.
OK, a couple of things. First off, I have a dog adn am not afraid of dogs, however, unless I am seeing a service animal, I do not feel like I should be in the grocery store with a pet. The only store I take my dog to (and only when I have her with me due to vet appt or picking her up from the sitter) is Petsmart or Petco. Those are the only two stores I would even CONSIDER taking my little pup to.
On the note of service animals, I love that there are so many ways that service animals can be used and your example of the autistic child is really neat! However, I think that service animal owners should be required to carry identification that the animal is a service animal and that, at the very least, the animal should have to wear a tag on his collar that says he’s a service animal. This would greatly help stores enforce their no pet policy as well as helping other patrons feel more at ease around the animal knowing it is trained adn there to help the owner.
I am an animal lover! However, I hate seeing animals in the grocery store!! I have seen little dogs licking the fresh vegetables/fruit as their owners scan the opposite direction- seriously, put them in a closed bag- if you have to bring them to the store- that solves the issue of them getting loose, spreading germs on the floors, licking food products, biting anyone, etc. I love my dogs, at my house, and places where they are welcomed- on a leash or chain. Our society has lost all sense of propriety. I also work with a lady who trains and uses a service dog, many of them would like service animals to be required to wear/carry identification as well, because of all the people who pretend/cheat the system and give true service animals a bad name.
As a mom and dog owner, I have to sigh and say yes… My dogs was always much better behaved then my kids. lol 3 yr olds, have opinions and let you know them. While the dog is just happy to have your company. Dogs are also so much easier to care for. Can’t leave the kids home alone now can we? However my pooch was a well trained 136 pound Rottie/Shepard that I would NEVER consider taking to a store other than PetSmart. (and that was only for special treats like letting him pick out a new toy.) He was no purse puppy. And those Purse Puppies have no place in stores. They are not children. Sure they will miss you, but they’ll survive. Service dogs, regardless of use, have gone through a great deal of training to wear that vest or tag. The risk for the store is minimal with that training. (plus legally they have to allow them). The problem is with the dog owners. Animals are not accessories, and many do not put forth the proper time and training for a good doggie citizen. For those, and the in store issues you mentioned above, blame the owners.
I have a dog, he is my buddy, and if it was not for my husband being against it, he would sleep in the bed with me. That being said, I find it horrifying that people bring non-service animals to grocery stores. One of my daughters has a severe allergy to dogs (ours is a poodle mix, and as long as we keep his hair short he takes after the poodle side and is hypoallergenic). This particular daughter is still only two, and therefor is often in the cart. I am so sick and tired of coming home and finding out my poor child has broken out from sitting in the store cart, likely from a dog sitting in the CHILD SEAT, and this happens pretty regularly. I also find it disgusting when they are put in the actual basket, as my food goes there, and sorry, but dogs are NOT clean and NOT sanitary. (Oh, and I also find it offensive that people would say their dog is cleaner than my children, sorry, they don’t walk in their own “mess”, are bathed regularly, even my one year old knows how to wash her hands)
I think it should be required that service dogs wear the vest, and I also think it should be required that you keep service dogs out of carts. Furthermore, I think that stores should strictly enforce the no dog policy. My child should not have to suffer because your dog can not stay at home (or in appropriate weather in your car).
When I was younger I tried taking the family dog in to Walmart in a bag I was told he had to leave. Years later at the same Walmart I was walking behind a lady that had brought her new puppy in with her and the dog vomited all over the place. It was gross. I love all dogs and spoil my own but I have to agree they should only go in the pet stores. I have taken my dogs in to thrift stores but it still just doesn’t feel right. I think more of the safety of your pet. Dogs carry diseases that are passed to each other. You don’t want your dog to get or pass anything. Your dog may get hurt or may hurt someone else. It’s just not a good idea. Think about your pet not your self I’m sure they are happier left at home.
I love dogs – in fact ours goes wherever she’s allowed – But the grocery store!? I would like to assume the groceries I’m buying are cleaner than the items I pick up at Petsmart. My dog is small and spoiled, but I don’t consider her clean enough to eat off of.
The larger problem seems to be a lack of consideration/selfishness on the part of the owners.
What about allergies though? People are frantic about getting a peanut free zone in schools and other public areas. I am desperately allergic (even if i dont touch them) to dogs and wish people would respect that.
I’m a dog lover and have both a house dog and my outside dogs who are duck/upland hunting dogs. I don’t particularly care for other peoples dogs. I don’t want them in stores where they do not belong, unless of course they are a service animal. Our house dog goes camping with us, but we are always very careful to curb any barking/annoying habits and to clean up after her. She is either on a leash or in a pen/kennel. They are dogs after all, not children, keep it in perspective.
I find the lack of respect people have anymore for policies distasteful. As an former manager of a popular coffee chain I took this policy very seriously for the fact that there are reasons why no pets are allowed in establishments. Anytime a person brought a pet in the store I would politely ask if the animal was a service animal, if the person answered no I would immediately inform them of the no pet policy and ask them to leave and come back with no pet. Most times they would comply and figure out how to get a drink another way without bringing in thier pet. Occansionally I would be ignored and had to take other measures to get them out. I personally have no tolerance for disrespectful people and if they think they are better than everyone else and can do whatever they feel like, then yeah I will stand up for myself and others.
I think it’s ridiculous when people equate dogs as the same (or better than!) children. I think that is where the problem lies. Dogs are animals. I grew up with many different animals but always understood them to have a certain unpredictablity about them that you don’t take lightly. Dog owners should be aware of other people’s allergies or uncertainity of the animals disposition. Now that I have a small child I am frightened by how many dog owners will say that their dog loves kids. I believe I will start telling them that there is always a first time!
I love dogs… though I don’t currently have one, but I can tell you if I did, I would follow the rules; not bring a dog in the store or have it off leash when I shouldn’t, pick-up it’s poop, etc. This is one reason I don’t have one now, too much extra effort! My kids are finicky around dogs, what I dislike most is people trying to convince my kids that their dog is harmless and sweet. Whatever… any animal with teeth, BITE! It is my job as a parent to teach my children about animal safety, not the dog owner… they do not know the history of dogs around my kids and I do not owe them an explanation if my child is fearful. Now… if we could keep the cat lovers from allowing their cats to roam the neighborhood, pee in my sandbox, sleep and hide under my porch and car, and from scaring the living daylights out of my mother when she comes to visit. It is your PET, keep it in your home/yard. Just because it is a cat does not mean it is not a threat… URRGGHHH!!
I’m so glad that I’m not the only one who is uncomfortable with people taking their non-service dogs everywhere. I live in a rural area that has alot of street fairs, community parties and those sort of get-togethers. I am always amazed at how many people bring their large dogs to these small community events. I once saw a child who was holding a hotdog get attacked while at one of these street fairs (kids with food + dogs = trouble).
I also hate it when people bring their dogs to my yard sales. I don’t want my stuff covered in dog hair, broken or have dog poop in my yard.
We just got back from a trip to the coast with our 3 year old. We were playing in the sand on a nearly-deserted beach when 2 large unleashed dogs bolted for our son. I jumped up and stood in front of him to put myself between him and the dogs. The dogs finally backed off but the owners who were more than 100 yards away just shrugged it off.
Well, I work with pets at a spay neuter clinic and I see the dogs in the grocery stores. My concern is a bit different. We see lots of little dogs at work and quite a few big ones. The part that concerns me is that the dogs that I see in the stores are little dogs, the type most likely to bite. The number one dogs for bites are Dachshunds, Jack Russell Terriers and Chihuahuas. When we get a Pit Bull or a big Shepard in, the concern for bites isn’t nearly as big as it is with the little dogs as they are often not properly socialized. We’ve had clients tell us their little dog is very friendly then promptly bite staff. The exclaim “Oh look, Poopsie gave you a love nip”. Well, that doesn’t help the staff person who now needs stitches and may miss work. So I wonder how this works in a store setting. Does the store get sued or the owner? Or both? I really would like to see just service animals in stores, ones that are there for a real reason, not just because you want him there. I think for those with emotional or mental health issues that are helped by having a well trained pet with them, that should be OK too with a DR note and some training or approval. A fully trained service dog is out of reach cost wise for many with disability’s and probably not necessarily for some disabled folks.
If I saw a dog using the floor as a bathroom I think I would tell a manager and then explain until they keep non service dogs out of the store, I wouldn’t be shopping there any longer. Super Gross!!!
That’s just my two cents. This is a great topic, I love seeing all of the responses.
Hey, I don’t hate dogs–I love all animals. You want to know what I do hate? STRANGE dogs. If I don’t know your dog, I don’t want it near me. Dogs are unpredictable and having been bit twice in life by dogs that did not belong to me, I can tell you that I harbor a little bit of fright from them.
I think dogs belong at home, or outside on leashes. Not in the grocery store.
One reason we do not own a dog because I do not think it is fair for the dog to be home alone all day while we work and the kids are in school. Dogs belong at home, not in store or at a public event. If you are not home enough to the point that you need to take your dog shopping with you, then maybe you need to give your dog to a home where it can be taken care of properly.
(p.s. my sister works at a food store and a lady came in with a huge cat on her shoulder and was very upset when she was asked to leave.)
As a non pet owner and a person with no kids, I find it amazing that so many of you think that your children are better than some of the dogs I’ve seen sitting in carts. How about the child who has his finger stuck up her nose and then grabs onto the the handle. Ever grabbed a cart where a child with a leaky diaper was just sitting because the mother just had to run into the store quickly? The slobber and sticky handles left by many a kid is just awful. The other thing I can’t stand is the diaper changing tables in the restroom. I don’t appreciate having to be exposed to you cleaning up your child’s mess. Talk about unsanitary. It’s just gross. How about when your kid throws up and you leave it for the staff member to clean up or you kids dumps their snack on the floor. Sounds an awful like some of those piles of poo several of you mentioned. And to every mother whose hackles are rising because their perfect child would never do such a thing or they would never do such a thing, think again. It’s just another perspective.
Leave your dog in the car!!! Seriously!! Crack the window and leave it in the car!! It’s Washington not Arizona.. It’s not 100+ for most of the year!!
The only thing I found shocking in this – PUN QUOTA.
What do you mean, there’s a QUOTA?!
Great points in the article and accompanying comments. I have a dog. I love my dog and having rescued her from the shelter, am very protective of her. She is fabulous. So fabulous that when one of my fifth graders asked to do a study on the effects of dogs at school, my dog was allowed to come in. Abby carries her own toys to and (sometimes) from her basket, she does her business away from the house, she will sit and play and do all the other good dog things. We don’t have kids yet (not for lack of trying!) and when people say “she’s JUST a dog” it cuts deep with me. She is my baby. Even if she does have four paws.