Can a gremlin be a service animal?
Bummer, only dogs and miniature horses. 
I guess that makes sense. There is the whole “don’t get it wet, don’t feed it after midnight” thing.
I don’t understand dogs that shed being around new clothes that they’re trying to sell. ???
I was going into a TJ Maxx dressing room (San Diego) and saw a man bringing his dog into the men’s side, chatting with the store employee. After he went in, I asked the employee if dogs were allowed. She smiled and said that the store was pet friendly. I said too bad, I was trying to find stores where dogs weren’t allowed. She was surprised and a bit dismayed at my attitude. To be honest, just about everywhere around here is dog friendly - Trader Joe’s, other grocery stores, Home Depot, et al. Many many restaurants have dog friendly patios. Recently I saw a man bring his “support dog” on the paths at Cabrillo Monument, where signs clearly say no pets. There are always dogs walking past the “service animals only” signs at farmers markets.
But so far only dogs.
I can’t imagine why Nordstrom’s would allow dogs! I don’t want to buy an outfit a dog rubbed up against or peed on. II have a lot of allergies as well, I would complain, then leave. I don’t get why pets are more important than paying customers.
I spend a lot of time in Home Depot. There is a trend of contractors or homeowners bringing their dogs into the store. It is just plain dangerous. The dogs get underfoot while I am trying to load or push a cart with very heavy materials.
I really do not get it. Someone or some dog is going to get hurt. I was checking out and a leashed dog got all tangled up on my lumber cart under my feet.
Your “Emotional Support Dog” can be a source of “Emotional Distress” for others. If you are sitting next to me, I’ll demand to switch my seat. It’s just very rude and inconsiderate to force your issues on others.
My painting class was doing outdoor landscape painting at a local park, and some guy let his off-leash dog wander all through my stuff-his dog’s nose touched my wet painting, it drank out of the water that I was rinsing my brushes in. I just sort of sat there, because I was sitting on the ground and it was a BIG dog, and I really couldn’t believe the guy was letting his dog just stomp all over my stuff. I glared at the guy and he just ignored me. It was a rottweiler-type dog, and frankly I am afraid of dogs that big.
Joke’s on him, though. The dog stuck its nose in some red cadmium paint, which is a carcinogen. Have fun with those vet bills, jerk.
I would have expressed my displeasure, @MotherOfDragons.
I like dogs well enough but I’d say the majority of dogs aren’t properly trained to be in public life.
Normally I’m pretty verbal, but I was just aghast. And scared.
I had a dog run toward my kayak when I was on a shallow water. It was a friendly lab but I was afraid it will turn the boat over. I had to yell at the owner to call the dog back.
As the mommy of a King Charles (first small…ish dog that we have ever had) she is naturally a sweet, comforting and loving puppy. (only negative…they are challenging to toilet train). Our puppy is in training to help me navigate the outdoors. She is allowed in local businesses. Delights families and singles.
Teriwitt: our dogs…the best.
Wow…to wish cancer on a dog because the dog touched your artwork…left me speechless. Your painting can be repaired. But to wish cancer on a living creature…because the owner didn’t call his dog back (his bad)…I am disgusted.
And horrified. What would you have said to a child? Or to the parent? Or to your own child?
BTW: I am not just a collector of our kids’ art. We collect some good stuff. During the earthquakes I ran for my kids. We collect books as well. All of this is fragile…and as the world starts shaking I run for my husband, kids and dog.
@MotherOfDragons What an awful experience. The owner should have been taking care of his dog and not let it invade your space.
Settle down, Francis. I’m not wishing cancer on a dog. You’d have to eat an entire tube of it.
And I’ve been a dog owner all my life, many of them rescues. I don’t let them lick my paintings, because I’m a responsible dog owner.
If you think I’m going to reach out and push away a rottweiler-ish dog that I don’t know that’s right at my face to protect him (and put myself at risk), to save him, you’re right that I’ll let him take the hit of cadmium over the possibility of getting bitten.
Francis?
It’s an expression from a movie, but it’s actually, “Lighten up, Francis.”
I’ve owned dogs most of my life although we are pet-free now and intend to stay that way. So, I understand people’s pet love.
Two questions:
Explain to me, though, why one needs to take them everywhere?
Do you think most people’s dogs are sufficiently well trained? Or as well trained as most of their owners think they are?