I personally don't think pets belong in food stores with the obvious exception of service dogs, which are always trained and well-behaved in my experience. I love my dog, but we don't take him everywhere with us.

Most stores have signs that say no pets, just service animals. I don't like strange dogs coming up to me. I'm surprised the store manager didn't intervene.

Carryings dogs around is very popular. My 18yo DD wants a dog she can take everywhere. I tell her once she moves out she can get one.

Considering she is about 65 lbs or so, no.

Aren't there restrictions on such things?

There are a few outdoor cafes where we can take her, but being a golden retriever she is pretty mellow.

Our biggest issue is travel. When we travel great distances she goes back to stay with the "rents (the family breeder). If it is a local driving trip, we stay at hotels that take dogs. But she is really difficult about doing her business out of state. She must think her dog license is limited to Connecticut. It's very worrying; she will go 20+ hours and then finally deign to go ... and then very nonchalantly.

It has become more common, but is not acceptable. In my state, and I'm sure most states it is not legal to bring a non service animal into a grocery store.

I would never take my dogs to a grocery store. They are beagles, I'd be afraid they'd eat something.

This is a Paris Hilton and celebrity thing, dogs in backpacks. I don't like it, and I often think it makes an unhappy life for the dog because people forget that they are animals. These little dogs can also become prone to bite because they aren't properly treated like dogs.

MtnRdRedux, LOL, we take our dogs traveling with us and they do not like to do their business in unfamiliar places either. Sometimes, my Molly will not go #2 for like 2 days. I don't get it... Bailey seems more relaxed about the whole thing although he will take forever to find an appropriate location to do any type of potty-ing. But he's quite selective here too...

As for your dogs not wanting to "go" in unfamiliar places, they are not that different than people. Many people don't like using bathrooms outside of their own house. When I was a kid I had major issues being able to urinate in a public bathroom.

beagles, I'm LOL thinking about beagles in a grocery store. For one I doubt they would stay in the cart. I love beagles, had one once, but they are too hyper for me.

I expect dogs outside walking and leashed at sidewalk cafés and service dogs are a given OK anywhere. This was an at least 55 year old not Paris hilton aged woman and she seemed to be seeking attention , maybe loneliness, but it was a market.

We have one icecream parlor which has a sign that states they welcome dogs inside. I think it is a bit against health code but at least they warn their customers who maybe do not wish to lick a stray dog hair in their $10 cone.

I take my precious 14 yr old beagle few indoor places and although he is completely housebroken, other places aren't his house. He loves to ride in the car though (errands) and we go walking at parks and such often.
He would adore a trip to Lowe's or Home Depot where it's permissible to bring dogs, but I fear he would lift his leg continuously. (yes, he's fixed)

We have 3 big dogs, and no, we never take them shopping. I can only imagine the carnage!

As far as little "purse" dogs, I think some people think it's ok to take them everywhere because they're so small and mostly controllable. Sounds like the woman you saw did not have hers under control, however!

I have a cousin that has a litter box trained bunny, and she takes it almost everywhere. And she dresses in little outfits. She does live in Hollywood :-) LOL!

Beagles and bumble, are you thrilled with a beagle winning Westminster? Such a cutie. We had friends once who had two beagles named Nip and Tuck. They always made me laugh the way they ran around like crazy kids!

No, we don't take our two maniacs anywhere except on walks once a day, to the vet, the groomer (double coats and they hate being brushed), and out to wild places for adventures. I would love to take them to school b/c the kids would have so much fun with them, but that's not allowed.

debrak_2008, I can guarantee that my two would not stay in the cart! Mine are 7 and 8 now but they are still really hyper and run around like crazy puppies when they get excited.

cyn427, yes I was super excited to see Miss P won!

I remember when Uno (who I gather is related to Miss P) won in 2008. It was the first time since 1907 that a beagle won best in show and it was right after we got our beagles. Bailey watched the whole thing on TV. He was staring at the screen when Uno was on and did not look away. And Uno bayed so much (including on the morning show the next day when some host or another got down on the floor next to him) and Bailey bayed right back at Uno.

LOL to Nip and Tuck, very cute names!

And more and more people are claiming they need their dogs with them for therapeutic reasons and taking them everywhere, including planes.....I wouldn't be too happy sitting next to (or even near) a dog on a long flight....and can you imagine if they up and do their business in the aisle?

Did you hear about the woman who brought her "emotional support" pig onto a plane?!

Pigs on planes

And this whole "therapy" and "emotional support" animal thing can make being a landlord extra tricky as people force landlords with a "no pets" policy to accept them. It's pretty easy to get the designation for many pets, and people are really abusing it.

This is a pet peeve of mine. I recently saw a woman walking a puppy-ish blond lab on a leash in the grocery store. It appeared to be a training exercise with minimal shopping involved. I think if it was a service dog in training it would have a vest, yes? When questioned, the store manager said employees are not to address owners directly about their dogs. But OMG why can't we require service dogs to be identified clearly?! Okay, rant over. thanks.

I have two small dogs that go to work with me every day. They love our customers and for the most part that love is mutual. I am extremely cautious of putting the dogs in my office if someone is uncomfortable with them. I do not and never would consider taking them to the grocery store with me. I do think though that my dogs are cleaner than many humans I see grocery shopping, still grocery stores and restaurants are not meant to be open to four legged critters.

I really wouldn't mind seeing or being near a dog indoors (even a market) as long as they were well behaved and controlled. I have two 70lb. Boxers, so that's out of the question for us!

Before we moved, any time my DH went to our little local lumber yard/hardware store, our Cajun went along. He had the run of the store, cookies were kept for him (ok, for all the dogs that went there!) behind the contractor counter and the front register. Other than that, we never bring him into a store - not even pet stores, but that's because I don't have a lot of confidence in other pet owners.

We don't take our dog out very often. I definitely would never take him to the grocery store. This week I had to take a quick trip to the bank, and he's been trapped inside with the snow, so he came for the ride and had a grand time. I even let him eat the Milk Bone. I'm super paranoid that someone will steal him if I leave him in the car anywhere and even then the temperatures have to be just right. He's a bulldog and can't get too hot. Or cold. He's a princess with a squishy face.

I have noticed in the past few years people take their dogs out more often. One restaurant I worked in has an outdoor patio, and several times people would bring their dogs and expect them to be able to be on the patio while they dined. Of course, the health department didn't agree. So then he dog had to be outside the fenced area. Then the dog was nervous, I had to go get the dog water, the couple were in a super hurry..it all seemed a lot less fun than it seems on TV.

However, if I have the choice between a shop that has a resident dog and one that doesn't, I'll always shop at the shop with the dog.

I know of a few proprietors who keep their dogs at their places of business, and i like seeing their dogs (as do my kids). Dogs are especially great for the elderly and kids. The mom of one of DD's friends has a therapy dog she took to Newtown after the tragedy there, for months on end. My DH's nephew has a little boy that just got a golden retriever therapy dog; the little boy has seizures and apparently the dog is trained to lay on the boy when a seizure occurs, which keeps him safe and stops the seizures. How wondrous is that? And what a godsend to parents vs having to drug your child to achieve the same thing.

PS If you are looking for a good family movie (my kids were I think about 8-11 when we saw this), this documentary about service dogs is an unusual choice but one my kids enjoyed and learned from. Through-Dogs-Eyes

I think it was the food out in the open part of it that I found shocking and it was not well behaved at all. A guide dog is different and necessary.

I love my local garden shop more for their german sshepherds than their selections but there are no health codes being violated there.

I love seeing dogs everywhere but haven't run into one at the grocery store yet! As long as they're leashed, I'm in. I wish we had dogs at work.

Somewhat unrelated story: when I moved back to Halifax I took my cat in a special carryon bag on the plane (this was permitted). He was nervous so a large part of the flight was me bent over to chat to him or pat him in the bag at my feet.

I got up and picked up the bag and my seatmate said: "OH! You had A CAT down there!" I can only imagine what thoughts must have been going through their head at the crazy lady bent over muttering in the seat next to them.

I knew he wouldn't find the bag that comfortable but my vet said he'd like it a lot better than the cargo hold in with the dogs.

Side side note: it's pretty nervewracking to have a 20 pound cat in your arms going through the metal detector at security and praying he doesn't decide to bolt.

I don't think dogs, or any animals but bonafide service dogs belong in stores - or purses! My cousin is office manager for three women lawyers. One of the lawyers always took her dog to the office. It bit a client, and the bite cost the lawyer plenty!

The only thing about dogs or cats at work or loose in public areas is that although we love dogs and cats many do not out of phobia,allergies or just plain dislike and it is not fair to think and act like everyone likes what we do. I think bringing children to certain places is not ok under this same premise. In public areas we should always act societal not like individuals and I find this bringing my pet in a purse without a leash everywhere to be very egocentric I guess. It is such a new phenomenon and I think is a symptom of the all about me society we now live in.

I notice so many people bringing their pets with them on vacation too. It's bad enough when you're in a hotel dealing with human detritus, but pet leavings too?? Ugh.

I actually usually pre ask now for a non pet room or hotel just because I am very sensitive to wet dog smell and other people's dogs always smell different to me.

Just like I often like to vacation sans kids I also like to leave the pets behind too. When I bring kids or pets on a vacation for me as a SAH it feels more like a business trip not a holiday,

I enjoy going into,a shop where the owner has their pets there. My local hardware store owner keeps two darling Cavs at the store. Everyone pats them. The pet stores always allow leashed pets and I get a kick out of seeing them, although I'm not in there often. It seems every antique store has a cat. Many years ago my library had a cat. She was a real liability since she was likely to hiss and scratch. All she wanted was some peace and quiet, and people fussed over her all day. I would not want to see a pet kept in a food store or restaurant. On the other hand, I loved seeing dogs in some restaurants in Paris. In general, I think dogs are better off left at home.

we raise service dogs, so I often have a puppy with me wherever I go... they are required to wear their identifying scarf (and later vest), are physically marked to identify them, and I also have an identifing card. it is unbelievable how well behaved even young puppies can be when raised with that expectation! but, if the puppy is barking or being a nuisance to those around him in any public place (store/movie,etc,etc) it is my responsibility to leave if I cannot stop his behavior! I have even flown with them and they have been perfectly behaved. almost everyone I meet is very tolerant and kind!

unfortunately, there are ignorant people who take advantage of the ada law and even purchase 'fake therapy/service' vests, etc on the internet ... they sell them just like they sell fake IDs! and, some store managers are wary of crossing the line and won't question some people and let them go... I really haven't seen 'fake service dogs' where I live, but have heard of some areas where this is a problem.

bottom line- even if it's a service animal, a dog should be removed if it is being loud or being a real nuisance to people around him!

I enjoyed taking my dog on vacation with me whenever I could and was grateful for the hotels that allowed it. There are plenty of hotels that do NOT allow pets, so luckily there are choices to suit all of us. The fact that someone else's dog may have been in the room previously doesn't bother me any more than another human having been in there.

Our dogs love a ride in the car when weather permits. They stay in the car for short errands, I would never take them into a store. I have three, and getting them all in the car is quite a production----we have to take their invisible fence collars off, put regular collars on, and carry them over the front boundary they're too wary to cross on paw. So I choose just one for this special treat, but then the others look very sad and confused when left behind. Mr. Fluffy is the one I really like to take because he is so well behaved and interested in his surroundings. He is a perfect gentleman and attracts a lot of attention wherever he goes. When DD and I stayed at the Kempenski in Munich she remarked it was a shame Mr. Fluffy wasn't with us because he would have really enjoyed the hotel!

I don't mind pets in certain stores either (Home Depot, hardware stores, small book stores, etc). As long as the 'store dogs/cats' are pretty much lying around, not a bother to customers, and not a threat to anyone, that's fine.

The 3 owners of the Pilates studio I go to are all dog people and frequently bring their dogs to the studio. I don't really mind except during spring & summer they shed and often I have dog hair on my workout clothing when I leave. They keep the floors pretty clean, but it is annoying and I don't always like the smell. One of the dogs is a therapy dog so I know the instructor often comes by after an appointment with her dog. They have recently moved to a new, larger location so I'm hoping this will be an opportunity to keep the dogs away from the common floor workout area and this won't be such a problem as in the past.

I really don't like that airlines will just put someone next to you with a pet carrier, not knowing if you have a pet allergy. On a long overseas flight, I had someone sit next to me with a stinky, barking/whining dog in a carrier. I was in first class, and asked the flight attendant to either move me or the person next to me as I wasn't sitting next to that dog whining for 9 hours. They moved her.

I was on a flight once where the gentleman behind me kicked my seat repeatedly for the entire flight. I wish someone had put him in a carrier under the seat!

DH's dentist's wife starting working in the office and bringing her dogs in. One jumped up on me in the waiting room, and even though she could see I wasn't happy, she didn't even apologize. DH changed dentists as he felt it was unprofessional.

people with food (especially peanut/nut because of the high incidence of anaphalaxis associated with it) allergies, it's up to the allergic person to make sure they have their epipen, etc with them at all times in case there is contaminant residue on the seat or carrying on their own pb&j sandwiches, trail mixes, etc, etc-- they can't control their environment totally. I think the same goes for people with animal allergies because there's often going to be dog/cat fur and dander on some passengers. and there will be passengers wearing strong/offensive perfume/cologne. there will be people with strong body odor or terribly bad breath sometimes. if something is truly making you ill, I think it's appropriate to ask if there is another seat for you...

you have to hope that a person with a pet carrier has a well behaved pet just like you have to hope that a person carrying on a baby or young child has a quiet or well behaved child-- and hope that that person will do what they can to soothe their pet/baby/child. ideally you could ask to be moved. but if it's a full flight, and you ask that they be moved they could only be moved someplace where they're annoying someone else!! most planes are full these days!

it is SUPER annoying when people choose to let their kids or animals act up and do nothing about it...it's really really annoying if you are near a loud/rude adult!! managers can ask them to leave most places, but not a plane!

I'd love to take my newest furbaby, Sasha, with me more places . . . although NOT to a food store! I don't take her with me, though, if I would need to leave her in the car. For safety reasons, when the weather is warm, but also because I'm afraid that even in cool weather when she'd be ok in my car for a short time, someone might break into my car and steal her. She is so darn cute and cuddly looking that she tends to draw a lot of attention. At 11 pounds she's convenient enough to carry around with me places, and she's so sweet-natured, mellow and quiet, but there are places where dogs are welcome and places where they just shouldn't be, and I respect that.

In California you cannot take a dog (except service animals) into any indoor area where food is served or sold. Only recently did Sutter Brown (the gov's Corgi -- check him out on Twitter ) successfully lobby to get dogs permitted on outdoor patios. Thus now you can see restaurants and cafes (legally) with pets in the sidewalk eating areas. (In France, I recall, it is quite common to see dogs everywhere, including the grocery store, which I find off putting). BTW, Sutter Brown goes with "Dad" to work.

Some hotels that I've been to allow dogs; these are generally only in predesignated rooms that are used regularly for pet reservations. We've taken Jake to these select hotels (in Carmel and Tahoe, where there are lots of outdoor activities and plenty of animals around), select stores (usually just Lowe's/HD, PetSmart, etc) and restaurants/cafes. He's received special 1:1 training from his trainer on how to behave at restaurants.

My daughter would like to take her dog places but I feel the dog is not trained well enough for it, not to mention, if all of us go out, there really is not enough room in the vehicle for the dog too. I am one who is not fond of dogs in Home Depot/Lowe's. Often times when I am there, I am pushing/pulling a large cart/flat bed that is difficult to maneuver with poor brakes and I do not want to injure anybody's pet in the close quarters. In my area though, the larger problem is people not keeping their pets properly fenced. Many are too just too lax because they consider it "out in the country" but that still comes with responsibilities.

I don't think that dogs, except service animals, should be allowed anywhere that might be a health violation, like a grocery store or inside a restaurant (for some reason, being on a patio doesn't bother me). I'll even go so far as to say that if you are out with your pet and need to make a grocery store run, you either should have planned better or should leave your pet in the car (with it running). My dogs go with me only if I'm not getting out of the car for an extended period of time. I'll leave them in the car when I'm getting gas or running into CVS for a couple of items, but would rearrange my day to avoid having them with me if I'm going to the grocery store.

My dogs LOVE to ride, so they get to go TO the grocery store when it's not too hot or cold for them to wait briefly for me in the car.

A local grocery store (large chain - Shaw's, for those in the northeast) has a hearing impaired cashier who brings his service dog to work with him, and the dog sits quietly right beside him at the register, wearing his service dog vest.

Just after Christmas last year, I was in another large grocery store and saw a man with the tiniest dog all bundled up in a blanket in the child seat area of his cart. You could barely see the dog, who was beautifully dressed. I asked if I could pet the dog, and he told me her sad story.

He was a retired state trooper who had a 'friend' adopt this sweet pup, and proceed to crate it and completely ignore it. Long story short, he told the friend he was either going to report the treatment to authorities, or turn the dog over to him. He got the dog, and told the person that if he ever found out he had another dog, he would report him, as I guess he had this history with them.

I could tell that this tiny dog was going to be loved so much by this man, as when I asked if I could pet her, and we talked, he was speaking to the dog too. It was so cute to see this big man talk to her and say, 'Daddy will never let anyone touch you who wouldn't love you.' Since she was covered and only her tiny head stuck out, and she was quite shy, I don't think many people would have even noticed her, but he wanted to acclimate her to public places.

Since we rescued our Bingo 5 years ago, he has been DHs constant companion. Though he hasn't done it (to my knowledge), I'm sure he would love to bring him into the grocery store. Other than Petco, the only stores that I have brought him in is Lowe's and Home Depot, where he sits in the cart. This was a trip to buy boxes for our move last May.