By Mandy Feder
I don”t recall exactly when it happened that small dogs became accessories and owners were given some secret permission to enter grocery stores, malls, banks and any other commercial business; unless of course, the dogs were designated as seeing-eye dogs or for another medical purpose.
I have two dogs; a German Shepherd/Lab mix that fancies himself a lap dog at times. Sometimes I share the couch with him and we watch a movie together. Buck sleeps on my feet and serves as a large dog blanket. Blondie, the spring-loaded yellow Lab mix spends a scant amount of time in the house. She enjoys frolicking in the yard more. My children and I care for the small zoo, which also includes two cats and a rabbit. Sure, my animals are a part of the family. As far as I know, none of them have any banking to do or groceries to buy.
I had a conversation with a woman who went to a drug store in Lake County a couple of months ago. She was sick and picking up her prescription. She is also allergic to dogs.
There was not one, but four dogs in separate carts perched in the child seats.
I wonder at what point the dog owners thought it necessary to encroach on someone else”s health. It is also potentially unsanitary. Is it now standard practice to allow animals in businesses? If it is, I wonder if it would be as cute if my 115-pound friend Buck joined me wherever I shop or do business.
A cab driver in New York City told me a story that went international about a couple who wanted to bring their cats on the airplane on a flight from New York to Arizona. The cab driver told me he was told that other passengers complained as the cats howled and defecated prior to take-off.
The couple was told the cats would have to fly in cargo.
The couple refused.
Bob and Betty Matas said before departing they didn”t want to force their two cats to ride in the cargo hold of a plane and the idea of a road trip appealed to them. The end result was the retired New York couple paid cabbie Douglas Guldeniz $3,000 plus expenses to drive them to their new home in Arizona.
They must really love those cats. I would have patted Buck on the head and said, “See you in Arizona buddy.”
It”s all about time and place. My mother used to say there is a time and place for everything. Places animals might go include, veterinarian”s offices, some pet stores and designated dog parks or walking with their owner on a leash, of course.
Pet owners are putting business owners in an awkward position. Nobody wants to offend a customer. Banking can often be done in a drive through, online or by phone if the animal cannot be left alone.
It is inconsiderate and self-important to impose your pets on others when it is not necessary.
Mandy Feder is the Record-Bee news editor. She can be reached at mandyfeder@yahoo.com or 263-5636 Ext. 32.
