No Dogs Allowed

[Misty]

*MOD NOTE - This thread is not a discussion of the laws around service animals.

Sometimes customers will come into the shop with their dogs; more specifically, those little yippy dogs you can tuck neatly under your arm. I guess they figure that if their dog's feet aren't actually touching the ground, then technically the dog isn't really inside the shop.

Anyway, today a lady came up to the register juggling a small dog, an oversized handbag and a frozen yogurt. She put the yogurt on the counter and the dog on the floor so she could rummage around her purse to find her money and her loyalty card, pay, and then pack everything up again, all of which took about a minute. She then grabs some napkins and bends over, and when she straightens up she has a waddled up napkin full of dog turds. She walks over to garbage and throws it away, then comes back and says, "My dog made a little mess right here, see?" I have to come around the register to see where she's pointing. "I cleaned it up but you might want to scrub that area."

To which I replied, "Thank you so much for your consideration. I realize how tough it is to be a dog owner these days. It's not like you could have left the little precious at home alone or in the car while you got your yogurt; after all, he's a dog, not a child. And who cares how many health code violations you racked up during your brief visit today; you actually cleaned up the mess, which makes you a saint by today's standards. So go on home and don't give it a second thought. Your furry baby is welcome to befoul our shop anytime!"

Okay, so I only actually said "thank you." The rest were just my sarcastic thoughts. But my thank you was a bit sarcastic. That counts, right?

[cashierbex]

I only take my dogs where they are allowed. My store (dunno bout others everywhere else in the chain) allows me to bring them in. So far anyways. Getting a remodel soon with fresh foods and what not. My DM hasn't said anything about it our meeting except joke and say "Give the damn thing an apple and call it a day"

Someone has complained prolly once to the higher ups, but thus far nothing has come of it. Apparently her kid was allergic. Thats fine. Just don't go calling the poor old lady a word that rhymes with punt in front of said kid. I feel bad for that child. This was at my roomies store, but word got around to mine, which is a totally different district. No one has said anything to me or my coworker who brings her puppy in, also..

[hotelslave]

I absolutely can't stand people who bring their dogs into stores. I even saw some prostatot walking around in a mall with a cat on a leash.

[LillFilly]

We get people with little dogs even in the mall; you know, they can't stand to be parted from Muffin or Mr. Snuffy, but CANNOT leave their precious in the car, oh no!

Actually, my last mall a lady kept bringing her cat. She said it was a therapy cat who visits the elderly. We had to tell her, that's very nice, but the cat is not a service animal for you, so scat!

[bainsidhe]

"My dog made a little mess right here, see?" I have to come around the register to see where she's pointing. "I cleaned it up but you might want to scrub that area."

Me: Oh okay, let me get you something to scrub with!

I can dream, can't I?

And no apology? My urge to kill is rising.

[XCashier]

At least she did clean it up. How many people would just say, "You have a mess to clean up!" and waltz out? Or just waltz out and leave the mess for you to discover later?

Still, it was stupid of her to bring the dog into the yogurt shop. That's a health code violation, is it not?

[Tama]

The Hellmart I worked at was actually fairly liberal about the dog policy--in regards to SMALL dogs, and usually only puppies...or possibly dogs small enough to fit in clothish carriers.

IE, one day a couple came through my line with some teeny mini-dachshund puppies, and they were holding them.

But yes...I agree, it was ridiculous of her to just...oh well. At least she cleaned it up!

[Yurimaru]

I love taking my dogs to places they're allowed to be... Pet supply shops, parks, some home supply warehouses allow 'em locally...

But, if dogs can't go into the store, leave them at home. Home has their dog bed, the couch, their food and water and yard. It's so much nicer for the poor dog. They're not shoved in a tiny purse or forced to poop in a store due to the thoughtless owner. A shopping owner is definitely going to forget the last time they had Little Fido outside to some grass.

No poor clerk should have to deal with a dog mess in a non-pet-oriented store. She did pick it up, but that was rude to the staff and mean to the dog on top of it.

[Jay 2K Winger]

We used to get people doing that with their dogs at the wholesale club. (Probably still do, but since I don't work there anymore, I couldn't say.)

Every time I saw them, I made a point of telling them they can't bring them into the store.

One time, one of them tried to assure me:

Them: "Oh, it's fine!"
J2K: "No, it's not fine. We only allow service animals in the store."
Them: "No one's ever complained before!"
J2K: "That may be so, but that doesn't excuse it. Please don't bring your dog into the store in the future."

One purse-pup owner, after being chastised a few times, got a stroller, completely enclosed with mesh view-ports, and kept the dog in there when they came into the store. It made it harder to catch her, since one doesn't think to check a stroller.

[RealUnimportant]

Gotta agree with Yurimaru here - little Mr Woofers shouldn't be left in the car, he should be left at home where it's safe and he has adequate space & refreshment, unless and ONLY unless the establishment is pet-friendly.

I have to say, when the OP said about the crap-filled napkin, I expected the dog owner to hand it over shit-first for disposal!

[Desk clerk knows all]

We don't allow pets at our hotel, although we do allow service animals. So we are always getting people with those little yappy dogs claiming they are service dogs. Yeah right, I'd like to know what service they provide. By law we can't even ask them about it, we just have to take their word for it, which is a stupid law. As a pet free hotel, after a service dog has been in the room we have to clean every thing top to bottom and flea bomb it, so it cost us to have a pet in the room. If someone brings in a nonservice pet we charge them a $150 cleaning fee.

[Moosenogger]

People take those little yippy dogs with them everywhere because those dogs pee and poop constantly due to their size. If the dogs are left at home their human caretakers would come home to a huge mess after a day of shopping. They'd rather take the dog with them and let it mess up someone else's property just as long as they don't have to clean it.

[PepperElf]

hmm. technically a cat can be a service animal.
although i agree it's not really likely.

knew someone who had a service monkey tho. kinda cool really - monkey could pick things up for her etc. (she was in a wheelchair). and i've heard of seeing-eye-ponies too. well miniature ponies i mean... the ones i saw online were shorter than great danes. (the benefit apparently is a longer lifespan, or if the human is allergic to dogs)

[Squeaksmyalias]

Sigh, these people ruin things for me, because my dog often goes with me to places and people give me dirty looks thinking she will be inside stores. She stays in the jeep unless its in places she is invited in by the owner. Example, the local airport, where she is greeted before I am, and if she isn't there I am asked where she is.

[kibbles]

I can understand not leaving pets in a car (especially on hot days) but I agree people should check a store's policy first