We all love our pets, but...

[Lorna]

... the line must be drawn somewhere. And this is something you will usually only see in major cities such as NY or L.A.

Today a friend of mine was ranting about people (NOT seeing eye dogs leading the blind, mind you) but able rich folks bringing their dogs into stores & restaurants.

There was the story of the rich eccentric nutjob who sat his dog on the chair, at the table of a 4-star-restaurant, and ordered for his dog as if this was a person. Geez.

And as a New Yorker I totally believe this absurdity. I have seen it firsthand on more than one occasion. It's a "Paris Hilton" thing, plain and simple.

These wealthy but arrogant and demented folks also buy these expensive "carrier purses" to tote around their damn dogs to places where they would otherwise NOT be allowed. And then they have the nerve to act all "shocked and offended" when they are told that no dogs are allowed. Sheesh!

Again, I will stress that I LOVE dogs as much as the next person, but stores and restaurants simply are not the place for them. Hey, we love our kids too, but we don't bring them into bars and clubs, do we? (I hope not!) Plus what about those poor folks who paid good money yet they happen to be allergic to animal fur?

These dog-in-a-purse-toting idiots all deserve a major SLAP across the face.

[SilverLady(SO)]

I agree with you, Lorna, and I've heard of this happening in the Tampa, Naples and Miami areas, too.

These dog-in-a-purse-toting idiots all deserve a major SLAP across the face.

I was thinking they also deserved some applied education to the seat of learning, which is something they've apparently never received while growing up, but should have.

[Lorna]

I was thinking they also deserved some applied education to the seat of learning, which is something they've apparently never received while growing up, but should have.

Hear Hear hon!!

[Carol B]

I totaly agree with you Lorna. It doesn't seem to be proper to bring your dog to a restaurant.

However in some European countries I have found it to be very common in a cafe type of setting. Many a time I have seen a dog under the table lying quietly as their master eats. I specifically remember this in The Netherlands and maybe in Northern Germany.

Not that I agree with it. I say keep the pooch home.

But different cultures have different ways.

[GalicianGirl(SO)]

When I was in Spain it is very common for people to bring their dogs to outdoor cafes which I think is cool. I wish they had more places like that in the U.S. I would love to bring my little pooch to sit outside with me at an outdoor cafe.

Now don't take this the wrong way because I have two kids of my own, but I feel small children shouldn't be allowed in some restaurants also. They are more destuctive and less behaved then most dogs that I know. I'd rather sit next to a well behaved pooch then a screaming kid... Nothing ruins your appetite more...

Sharon(SO)

[Jessie]

My best friend and I where just talking about this when he was up her LA. He says it seams to be the rage down there in Hollowood. (AGAIN Paris Hiltion is to blame). I Think dogs small or large should be allowed at outside cafe's and such but NEVER inside. There is one exception (as it is the law and Lorna has pointed it out) the seeing eye dogs.

[DonnaT]

I agree, outside is ok, but not sitting in a chair or eating off the table, inside is out.

[SilverLady(SO)]

I do agree with Lorna's initial post, and I am an animal lover - of both dogs and cats. However, I firmly believe that only aide dogs (seeing-eye dogs, etc.) should ever be allowed inside a restaurant, or stores. I have no problem with pets at outside cafes, as long as they are well-behaved.

Sharon, I have to agree with your statement about children - I've seen more unruly children in restaurants lately, and several times I've left the restaurant - letting management know exactly why I was leaving. On the other hand, I've been in restaurants where the children were so well-behaved that I had to compliment the parents and/or grandparents, which they really appreciated!

[Lorna]

Now don't take this the wrong way because I have two kids of my own, but I feel small children shouldn't be allowed in some restaurants also. They are more destuctive and less behaved then most dogs that I know. I'd rather sit next to a well behaved pooch then a screaming kid... Nothing ruins your appetite more...

Oh boy hon... rambunctious kids?! Now that is a definite meal killer.

I'll never forget this one time there was this family seated at the table next to ours (my friends and I were at a Japanese restaurant - very sophisticated atmosphere) and here are these 4 kids screaming, fighting, spilling food & drink every which way, and just acting as if they were at their local Applebees. One of the kids (about 4 or 5 years old) was running around the damn dining area while the family was eating. Meanwhile the parents were totally oblivious to this hyper child who was running around like he was possessed. The parents simply continued their meal, all the while this little twit was running amok, bumping into people's chairs and knocking over dishes and silverware at the empty tables.

Why they chose not to contain him was beyoned me. My dining experience was ruined because of this.

If I want screaming kids, I'll go to my local Fuddruckers. But when one goes to a classier restaurant, crazy hyperactive kids are the last thing one should have to put up with.

[CJ]

Hi all,

Well, this one is, quite literally, a pet peeve for me. Animals ought not to be allowed wherever food destined for human consumption is served. Neither inside nor outside. It's that simple.

I've worked in restaurants for twelve years and I've seen my fair share of attitudes, both from customers as well as from management, regarding the presence of animals on the premises. People often believe that animals aren't allowed merely because of the potential "stinky business" an animal might "doo" on the premises or of patrons finding stray Black Lab hairs in their gaspacho, thereby incommodating them (to say the least); while that's certainly a consideration, the basic fact is that animals aren't bound by the same hygiene restrictions we impose upon ourselves. Anyone who can follow the the trail of, say, an E. coli bacterium knows this (and the trail looks like this: dog licks or chews or walks in excrement; dog then paws or licks people and furniture it finds in restaurant; service staff come into contact with such people and furniture; service staff then inadvertently spread bacteria to other patrons).

The government passes public health laws (two of which are: "no animals allowed" and "staff must wash hands regularly" in order to prevent this kind of potentially harmful bacterial spread, and anyone--be she Paris Hilton or not--who insists on bringing their pooch to a restaurant jeopardizes the health of other people.

I love dogs, too. I love all animals. But I wouldn't bring one with me to a restaurant any more than I would to a hospital's operating block if I were in need of surgery.

Many times, I've seen the kind of situation Lorna refers to and, if I'm a customer there, at that particular restaurant that seems not to care about having an animal on the premises, I never fail to go talk to management and remind them that not only are they endangering public health but they're exposing themselves to a $2000 to $10000 fine as well. If, as a result of their warning that animal-owner, they lose him or her as a customer, then so be it. E. coli (along with Strep A. and Strep B. and a host of other invisible critters) can kill. And they often do. That matters more, it seems to me, than any affection someone may have for their pet. It's a matter of mere common sense. Maybe Paris Hilton just isn't particularly endowed in this regard.

Kids are another matter altogether. Unruly behaviour puts nobody's health at risk even though it may ruin other customers' paid-for dinner experience. Here, there are at least a couple of options (and I've done both in my own time); one is to just talk to the parents--politely and tactfully--and ask them to get their kids to calm down a little and the other is to tell management that your dining experience was ruined by the chaotic atmosphere. If a manager is worth his salt (and I've been a restaurant manager, too, so I know what I'm talking about), he or she will make sure that a way is found to placate and satisfy a miffed patron (my own technique was to give such a customer a gift certificate for a free dinner for two on their next visit if I thought the complaint was justified).

Going to a restaurant is something you have to pay for. If your experience there is unsatisfactory--for whatever valid reason--you must speak up. It's just a matter of putting your bite where your bark is.

Love,
CJ

[Kathy]

Well said CJ!

Kathy

[Jessie]

Although they are allowed anywhere by law has anyone been to a restuarant with a seeing eye dog or other helping dog. I have to say from personal experince I have not. I wounder if just the fact of where I live.

[SilverLady(SO)]

Jessie -

I have seen several aide dogs in shopping malls and restaurants, both here in FL and MI, and while the dh and I were out west for a vacation 3 years ago (visiting 17 nat'l parks in 5 wks!) we saw numerous aide dogs, as well, throughout our trip. Maybe since the dh is disabled we are more aware of others with disabilities, too.

Lorna - - I am sooo glad you took my advice and changed your avatar to this current, totally awesome pic of you!!




- SL

[LeftyRainbow(SO)]

I remember working in the fashion and beauty indusry and in certain upperclass establishments in the 80's and 90's (before Paris Hilton's time...more like Joan Rivers and SPIKE..LOL) where we were instructed not to make a mention of animals who accompanied higher class patrons..I've also witnessed seeing eye dogs just about everywhere (you are not supposed to pet or feed them while they are working BTW).
Nowadays I work in Human services/Healthcare and I run programs with pet therapy animals but they are not allowed in areas that serve food.

I guess I'm a sucker for animals and unruly kids which I think are a hoot....even at places they should not be and at times when they should be sleeping. I play with them and try to help the parents out.
I can certainly understand other's points of view on the matter though.
I have a friend from another country who likes to bring his oldest son (preteen) to the sportsbar to view football games and he was boggled at why most establishments in the US asked him not to sit at the bar.

Different cultures and different social circles seem to find certain behavior acceptable I guess.
Personally I feel that if someone whom is not as socially and economically well off would be asked to leave for the same behavior then I would never think of doing it.