Pet-Friendly World - People UNfriendly?

[JustJo]

Originally Posted by Corkey

If someone comes to our home we tend to vacuum first, but that wont get rid of the allergens, so forewarned, we have cat. She stays.

We have 2 dogs and 4 cats, and my son's best friend is allergic to both. We've found that Febreeze allergen reducer sprayed on everything fabric, followed by a good vacuuming, seems to do the trick when he's coming to visit. It's not perfect, but it helps alot.

And cats on the counter...they're not allowed, but they're cats...so I don't trust them to follow the rules when I'm not watching. I never prep food directly on the counter as a result...I just use a cutting board and pop it in the dishwasher. Then I never have to worry about kitty feet...even if I don't see any evidence of them.

[Random]

Originally Posted by JustJo

We have 2 dogs and 4 cats, and my son's best friend is allergic to both. We've found that Febreeze allergen reducer sprayed on everything fabric, followed by a good vacuuming, seems to do the trick when he's coming to visit. It's not perfect, but it helps alot.

And cats on the counter...they're not allowed, but they're cats...so I don't trust them to follow the rules when I'm not watching. I never prep food directly on the counter as a result...I just use a cutting board and pop it in the dishwasher. Then I never have to worry about kitty feet...even if I don't see any evidence of them.

Fabreeze allergen reducer is the bomb... Love it, love it.. love it..

Random, who is allergic to cats and has five of those babies..

[bigbutchmistie]

I used to have a friend who is passed on now, but she had four cats. Im so highly allergic... She tried everything. I would have to sit on a breathing treatments just to visit her... (She was a nurse and would administer them)

And when I was little even though its not the kitties fault, I witnessed my best friend killed before my eyes. She was coming over, her mom was driving and my friend had snuck the cat into the car. Driving in the country where we lived coming down the two lane road in front of the church next to our house. A diesel truck was coming one way and she was coming the other and the cat got spooked and jumped on her shoulders scared the crap out of the mom and she swerved and drove head on to hit the diesel.. Killing my friend, and injuring severely her mother.

So, I guess that and the fact that Im highly allergic would be why I simply dont go to my friends houses who have cats. Its understood why and no offense is taken, and why I dont date anyone with any cats. Not even one.

[Jett]

I love animals... I was really grateful when my mom was in hospice care for the little dog that was the "resident" smile maker. He'd make the rounds with the owner to see all the people and my mom just lit up when he'd come around and she get to hold him.

I'm also a huge fan of the same programs in hospitals and nursing homes for those who desire them. It's been seen that some people can make better and faster recoveries or just have better quality of life due to these programs.

I don't see animals as just "pets"... not to me, and to some people they are their "children". I also think some people don't have anyone and to get to bring their companion to the store probably means quite a lot, and maybe not just for the companionship alone, but also for the contact and conversation it may provoke too.

Just some additional thoughts...

Metro

[Soft*Silver]

my dog is to me what I am to her. companions. I do not see her as a pet. I use to be a pet owner then I got my first newfie and learned how to love animals. Really love them. That girl was a Delta dog and we went to hospitals and nursing homes together. My old girl now, is the sister of that first newfie. She goes where I go when she can. I dont take here where there is food. I dont take her where there is danger to her or another life form. But yes, she has gone into tractor supply with me. She goes into the pet stores. She use to hang out at used book store too. She has gone to many an AA meeting with me too. And she always goes to my family outings too. We all bring our dogs as well as our kids. I have taken her to college campuses for workshops too. But you have to understand...she is attached to my side...always approaches people gently and waits for children to come up to her. She nudges them softly with her nose rather than lick them...usually. LOL. Depends on if they just ate soemthing....LOL. When i sit, she lays down. She doesnt move. She doesnt bark. And she is timid to other animals and would NEVER approach an animal. In fact, a mini doxie bit her on the nose once and my girl ran behind my legs and trembled back there...I use to take her to work too, when I taught in NY. And she would do sessions with my kids when I was a children's therapist. They loved laying on her and feeling her warmth and acceptance. I have not taken her places when people have asked me not to. But usually she is accepted and even encouraged to come. When Dawson comes to live with us (he is a 10 year old black newfie of 200 lbs) I expect to take him around too. But he needs to be with me for several months before I take him to schools, nursing homes, etc. I need to know the dog and he needs to know me too. Story stays with me, beside me and looks to me for her safety and signals. Dawson needs to learn those and that takes time...

[Kobi]

I would much rather deal with someones well behaved, leashed pet in a public place then I would their unruly, obnoxious children.

I do understand that there are people who are afraid of animals, some who have allergies, some with sanitation concerns.

I would trust a responsible pet owner would use their judgement accordingly.

[Darth Denkay]

Gretchen, the dog I used to have (may she rest in peace) was extremely well-behaved. I took her with me everywhere. One of the places she went was where I get my hair cut. They loved her there, and frequently told me that she was better behaved than most of the kids there.

So apparently animals are more germy than kids????? Yeah, right...

I don't dislike kids in principal, but to be honest I frequently find them annoying in public. I shouldn't have to listen to a kid scream and yell in a restaurant. Don't understand why folks don't keep their kids in their seats instead of running around in a restaurant and such. I say if kids are allowed then dogs should be too, and BOTH should be leashed

[wolfwalker]

If I had my chose. there would be way more animals in stores and way less humans.

[The_Lady_Snow]

Originally Posted by wolfwalker

If I had my chose. there would be way more animals in stores and way less humans.

Does your pet know how to run a cash register too???

[diamondrose]

Working in retail, I have found there will always be someone who is unhappy with something.

[MsDemeanor]

Originally Posted by diamondrose

Working in retail, I have found there will always be someone who is unhappy with something.

No shit.....

[theoddz]

I am allergic to cats, for one thing, but I generally don't have to worry about having a big reaction if they're in a store or somewhere where their fur is not in my face, or I don't have to have my head on something where they've been.

I, personally, like the idea of having animals around, as long as they are friendly and won't bite, etc. Heck, if it were practical, I'd take my two White's Tree Frogs, Myra and Ivan, with me when I went out, but they probably would not enjoy themselves.

I could totally see myself driving down the road, or in a Home Depot with Ivan on one shoulder and Myra on the other.

...and, I've never heard of anyone being allergic to frogs.

~Theo~

[cuddlyfemme]

I have 4 cats who don't travel any place with me...they wouldn't like it even though I'd love to take them with me. But, when I go to a store and see people with their pets, that always makes me happy, unlike seeing people's kids which always makes me crabby when they are yelling and running around. I do understand about people with allergies and how being around pets can trigger allergies/astma attacks. I think the places that are pet friendly are great and I frequent those stores. Hopefully more places will become pet friendly...although I understand about restaurants and cafe's not wanting pets in the area.

[DomnNC]

A few resources for finding pet friendly places when you travel:

http://www.fidofriendly.com/

http://www.dogfriendly.com/

http://www.petfriendlytravel.com/

http://www.puppytravel.com/

http://www.pettravelcenter.com/

http://www.pettravel.com/

http://www.petswelcome.com/

[Words]

We've just arrived home from a week long visit to Somerset in the West Country. Not only were W/we able to take O/our two Yorkies with U/us - W/we stayed in a beautiful, 400 year old thatched roof cottage located in the prettiest of villages - but they were allowed into every single bar/restaurant that we went to, both there and in neighbouring villages, and would have been allowed into the majority of those that W/we didn't, judging from the 'Dogs welcome' signs outside. (Equally surprising was the fact that W/we could even take them into the Caves at Cheddar Gorge (free of charge) and on the Lynton/Lynmouth water powered cliff railway (again, free of charge).)

I tell you, there's a lot to be said for country living.

Words

[MsTinkerbelly]

Originally Posted by Words

We've just arrived home from a week long visit to Somerset in the West Country. Not only were W/we able to take O/our two Yorkies with U/us - W/we stayed in a beautiful, 400 year old thatched roof cottage located in the prettiest of villages - but they were allowed into every single bar/restaurant that we went to, both there and in neighbouring villages, and would have been allowed into the majority of those that W/we didn't, judging from the 'Dogs welcome' signs outside. (Equally surprising was the fact that W/we could even take them into the Caves at Cheddar Gorge (free of charge) and on the Lynton/Lynmouth water powered cliff railway (again, free of charge).)

I tell you, there's a lot to be said for country living.

Words

We just came back from two weeks in Europe (primarily Yorkshire, and Stow-on-wold)...amazing how everywhere (pubs, stores, Castles) allowed dogs! They are such a part of the culture and family in the country,

[Sparkle]

I live in a very pet friendly area - our "dog park" is a 7 acre bit of land owned by the city. They recently had a doggy halloween parade up there.
Its beautiful and a great place to take dogs. And there is an enormous bike-trail network that runs through all of the neighboring towns which, again, is fantastic for dog owners.

Both of my current work-places have an open-door dog policy; though dogs only come to work in the summer months at the school due to allergy issues during the school year.

Provincetown is also a fabulous dog-friendly town. I think it was voted 'most dog friendly town' in America in 2010. A huge number of hotels/motels/b&b's and cottage rentals allow dogs. Public beaches allow dogs (on leash), there is a dog park and many restaurants allow them in the al fresco dining areas.

Having traveled cross-country one way with two cats (so *not* fun for anyone, btw) and then back the other way with one dog....I was very impressed with Starwood Hotels (W, Westin, Sheraton etc); each place accommodated my pets graciously.

[Words]

Originally Posted by MsTinkerbelly

We just came back from two weeks in Europe (primarily Yorkshire, and Stow-on-wold)...amazing how everywhere (pubs, stores, Castles) allowed dogs! They are such a part of the culture and family in the country,

I agree. Very different from town/city living. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that out in the country, dogs are such a necessity in terms of warding of feelings of isolation? Plus, of course, dogs are also used for work purposes.

Either way, it's going to be hard to adapt to returning to an area where so many restrictions apply in terms of dog accessibility.

Words