Seems simple to me ~ if you don’t like dogs or other animals why would you stay at a pet-friendly hotel? It’s not like they try to hide it, and in the Kimpton case they openly market it as a perk. Here’s Kimpton’s info:
Air travel is another story given allergies, but, from what others have posted, it sounds like the airlines give priority to humans. I’m surprised that restaurants allow animals of any kind, other than service dogs, of course, but the policies must be subject to local or state law.
Actually, dogs that have been taken everywhere–ie, are well socialized–are far less likely to overreact to humans and other dogs.
I used to take my first golden camping with us. I knew he wouldn’t utter a peep. Our second, a rescue, was more of a barker, so she never went. Really, I think it’s a matter of common sense. With pets AND children.
I have no problem with dogs in hotels or service animals being anywhere as they are a necessity for that person. Neither really affect me and as stated upthread you can choose not to stay at a pet friendly hotel. I do have problems with dogs in restaurants and really do not enjoy dining at an outdoor patio with a dog at my feet. There is food everywhere so you really can’t blame the animal for being over excited and even disruptive.
I have a good friend who takes her dog absolutely everywhere. She is divorced with no children and the dog has become the center of her universe. So dining out with her means it is a threesome with her dog. He is actually pretty well behaved and very cute. But the issue is that she attempts to incorporate the dog into the conversation. She talks to him throughout the meal, will order something for him from the menu and pretty much treats him like her child. It is awkward for me as I really can’t bring myself to talk to her dog. I alway greet him but that is about it. Quite honestly I find it a little irritating. I try to be understanding as in the last few years life has not been kind to her and I think the dog has helped keep her centered.
I am a dog lover, and have had dogs all of my life, but I have a really hard time adjusting to people who bring their pets into stores, restaurants, and grocery stores.
I was in a shoe department at Macy’s. A woman had her chihuahua on a leash. Her dog urinated on the floor and I told her that she needed to clean it up, and she walked away. The shoe manager had heard me and he tried to get her to clean it up, but guess what? She didn’t bring any wipes.
He offered and I offered, but she refused and walked away. So he and I cleaned it because I didn’t want anyone to slip and fall from their 9 inch stilettos. That mall was so full of dogs and barking, that I told my husband I wouldn’t ever shop there again and I haven’t. It’s not the dogs creating the conflict, it’s the people.
I have noticed several people now thinking of their dogs as their surrogate children. We have really started to anthropomorphize our pets (ironically at a time in history when most of us have little or no contact with farm, working or wild animals).
On the other hand, you could argue that if your life can’t accommodate a child, it can’t accommodate a dog either. I’ve heard of several examples of 20-somethings acquiring dogs for companionship and then palming those dogs off on their unwilling parents when their lives change (a job change, more work hours, a move, a landlord who doesn’t allow Rover). A bigger problem is the way that some people acquire pets without considering the long-term implications. Why do people get dogs when their lives are not stable? What are they thinking?
A dog at an outdoor hot dog stand type place is acceptable in my mind. It’s casual. It’s just eat and go.
But at a higher end restaurant, the white table cloth expensive type, taking a dog along is rude to other diners. I don’t want to try not to stumble over leashes or step on his tail, or see your dog licking his butt. If it’s a restaurant where you wouldn’t take a toddler, you shouldn’t take a dog.
I’ve flown my son’s cat several times. He is in a carrier under the seat that looks like a gym bag and most people wouldn’t even know it is a cat. He’s quiet and the flights have generally been short. The hardest part is getting through security. You have to take the cat out of the carrier, hang onto the terrified cat for dear life, and walk through the xray screener.>>>>>>>>>>>>>
I’d be terrified that the cat would poop or urinate. We had one do that once in his carrier going to the vet because I guess he was so scared, or we happened to scoop him up to go at just the wrong time.
I was in a shoe department at Macy’s. A woman had her chihuahua on a leash. Her dog urinated on the floor and I told her that she needed to clean it up, and she walked away. The shoe manager had heard me and he tried to get her to clean it up, but guess what? She didn’t bring any wipes.
He offered and I offered, but she refused and walked away. So he and I cleaned it because I didn’t want anyone to slip and fall from their 9 inch stilettos. That mall was so full of dogs and barking, that I told my husband I wouldn’t ever shop there again and I haven’t. It’s not the dogs creating the conflict, it’s the people.>>>>>>>>>>
OMG. So she apparently just allows this to happen and will walk away? OMG. I absolutely would notify Macy’s and the mall. I rarely go shopping and haven’t noticed dogs, but this could truly be the nail in the coffin of in person shopping, IMO. Maybe they should revisit their policies. I will be dipped if I am going to shop in a store that wreaks of animal waste other than Petco, Petsmart etc.
Aaah, that reminds me of a good story! We were flying (relocating) from Atlanta to Miami for a while, and I had a cat at the time. I took her out of her carrier at the xray machine and draped her around my neck. She was a black cat and I had on a black coat, and she was the most chill cat you’ve ever seen, and she had her gold eyes closed-it looked like I had a fur ruff coat.
I sent the empty carrier through the xray machine and when it came out the other side the tsa guy flipped out and thought I had xrayed my cat! At that time she chose to open her eyes and stare at him, and he must have jumped a foot back from me because he didn’t realize I was wearing her :). I thought the tsa guy was going to faint from the entire thing-it was hard to keep a straight face.
lots of people take their small dogs in strollers. There are ones especially made for dogs. Dog Is in a seat and there is a mesh cover which zips over it. If my mom needs to go into a store or restaurant her dog is zipped into its stroller. The dog she has now doesn’t like riding in the car so she doesn’t take her nearly as much as she did her first dog.
That disgusting of that pet owner, aunt Bea. Disgusting.
As for the dog strollers. I’ve seen them on trails. But if a store or restaurant does not allow pets, it won’t, or shouldn’t, matter if they are in a guilded carriage. No pets is no pets.
My mom has never been told her dog couldn’t come in when in a stroller. Even in upstate NY where you rarely see dog in stores or restaurants. IIRC, a NY law that just passed makes it legal for dogs to be in an outdoor dining area. But don’t remember if it’s just a NYC law or a state law…
A dog in a stroller is les of a health or safety risk than one on a leash that can have an accident , trip someone or snap at someone. Many employees don’t know the difference between a therapy dog and a service dog, or don’t want to be a bad guy and kick the offending patron out of the store, potentially angering that patron and any others who might be watching. It’s not a fair position to put an employee in if the store does not allow animals. And I say this as an animal lover.
In my world people and their needs trump pets’ “needs”. (Although I have yet to hear of a dog or cat needing to go to Starbucks for a morning latte…yet there they are) A service animal for someone who cannot function without it has every right to be in public. A faux-therapy pet? That’s where I think the line is drawn. It would seem that more concrete laws need to be made to protect the public and the legitimate service dog needing people. And businesses probably need to put up clear signage either way. That way people can decide whether or not they want to potentially deal with Fido in their dining/shopping space.