Since when is it acceptable to bring your dog EVERYWHERE?

[Anonymous]

Yesterday I had a bunch of errands and shopping to do and there were dogs all over. They weren't service dogs or purse-sized either. At Lowe's a guy was having a hard time getting his large young dog to behave (there were several other dogs there too, but this one really should have been at home) there was a couple with two medium sized dogs in Sephora, one at Pier one, etc.

When did this become okay?

[Anonymous]

A few years ago. Dogs are the new children, yo.

[Anonymous]

Where were you? I've never seen dogs inside retail stores in this area unless it was a pet store.

[Anonymous]

I flew out of Dulles a few months back and there was a couple with a dog (not a service dog) on a leash wandering throughout the airport. I know people fly with pets but usually they are in pet carriers right? I was early for my flight so I grabbed a quick dinner at the wine bar in one of the terminals and the couple plus their dog were sitting right behind me... the dog peed all over the floor of the wine bar, about a foot from where I was sitting with my bag on the floor. They weren't even remotely apologetic; I felt so bad for the waiter who did all the cleanup, I gave him a big tip. I'm not a pet person so maybe I'm overly sensitive about this stuff but having a dog wandering an airport restaurant seems pretty strange to me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where were you? I've never seen dogs inside retail stores in this area unless it was a pet store.

I have noticed this in more affluent urban areas of Virginia and DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I flew out of Dulles a few months back and there was a couple with a dog (not a service dog) on a leash wandering throughout the airport. I know people fly with pets but usually they are in pet carriers right? I was early for my flight so I grabbed a quick dinner at the wine bar in one of the terminals and the couple plus their dog were sitting right behind me... the dog peed all over the floor of the wine bar, about a foot from where I was sitting with my bag on the floor. They weren't even remotely apologetic; I felt so bad for the waiter who did all the cleanup, I gave him a big tip. I'm not a pet person so maybe I'm overly sensitive about this stuff but having a dog wandering an airport restaurant seems pretty strange to me.

Something else I have never seen. I find it hard to believe that airports and retail outlets allow this openly.

[Anonymous]

Don't know when. It's aggravating to those of us who love animals and also have allergies. I'm happy to take a Claritin and visit your pet in your home, but I don't expect to be bringing dander into mine on new items from a store. Blech.

[Anonymous]

Since 'Murica became AWESOME.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where were you? I've never seen dogs inside retail stores in this area unless it was a pet store.

I have noticed this in more affluent urban areas of Virginia and DC.

Bizarre. I live in DC and have a dog, but I would never take my dog anywhere except the outdoors - hikes, Eastern Market, maybe a restaurant patio - but never a retail store. I don't know what to say. These people need perspective.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Where were you? I've never seen dogs inside retail stores in this area unless it was a pet store.

OP here--I'm not in the DC area anymore, but should it matter? Especially at Sephora. Yuk. It's not like there is a Petsmart next door to it or anything either.

[Anonymous]

I'm a real estate agent and have had people try to bring their dogs into open houses three times in the past year. Bethesda and Chevy Chase.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where were you? I've never seen dogs inside retail stores in this area unless it was a pet store.

OP here--I'm not in the DC area anymore, but should it matter? Especially at Sephora. Yuk. It's not like there is a Petsmart next door to it or anything either.

Yes, it matters. This is completely common and accepted on the West Coast.

[Anonymous]

Is it against health code regulations to bring pets inside a grocery store? Just saw a woman in the Bethesda Giant last week with her little dog. She was holding it but still, it did seem wrong. I'd like to try walking around a grocery store with my pet snake and see what happens.

[Anonymous]

"Therapy dogs". You can basically buy a certificate that says your dog is a therapy dog-- the qualifications are minimal-- and then use it to bully your dog into all kinds of places. Enough people still don't know the difference between service dogs (highly trained) and therapy dogs (didn't jump on or bite the "tester" for 10 minutes) that you can get away with it.

All kinds of crazies out there saying they need their therapy dog with them to lower their blood pressure or ease their anxiety or some BS. Having extensive experience with actual service dogs, I hate these people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Where were you? I've never seen dogs inside retail stores in this area unless it was a pet store.

OP here--I'm not in the DC area anymore, but should it matter? Especially at Sephora. Yuk. It's not like there is a Petsmart next door to it or anything either.

It doesn't matter - I'm just curious because I DO live in DC and I have never seen this.