[lovsthosebigdogs]

Originally Posted by tippyclubb

They have a restaurant in Tampa that allows dogs on the patio and we have been there many times. Not once have we seen any problems, no barking, no growling or aggressiveness, and they don't relieve themselves on the patio. This restaurant is always jam packed and those that choose not to be around the dogs simply sit inside. Problem solved.

Originally Posted by CFrance

Thank you, jayhawk. I think there is one other restaurant in TV that has the proper permits to allow dogs on their patio. I think it's Red Sauce. Or Cody's. Hopefully there will be more.

There are many restaurants in the Keys that have allowed this for years. Shoot, we were told by staff to bring our first golden inside one time at The Fish House in Key Largo, because it was too hot outside. They put us in a little out-of-the-way alcove booth. I'm sure it wasn't legal, but that's the Keys for ya.They are their own little kingdom. Key West is full of dog-patio-friendly restaurants, and in the six winters we spent there, we never heard a complaint in the newspaper or on a forum. It was just accepted practice.

Allowing pets on patios is a legal possibility in FL. A restaurant just has to apply for the permits. People will either get used to it or go elsewhere, but I don't think it will cause any of them to go out of business. The hotel industry has been forward thinking on this issue. It used to be impossible to find a hotel that accepts pets. People insisted on traveling with their pets. Lowes Hotels started out accepting pets, delivering a mat and bowls, a menu, and a goodie bag to your room. It was called Lowes Loves Pets. Hilton soon followed. The less expensive hotels started falling in line. Money talks. We will go where they are accepted, as will millions of others.

Frankly, we leave our 90-lb dog at home, for his own comfort, not anybody else's. He gets too hot outside in close quarters. But he would be among the best behaved dogs there. And he would love the chicken and steamed broccoli. Someday we might have a smaller dog, and then look out!

We have been to many restaurants with our dogs and they have never been a problem. I like going places with them and like like being included also. I am not a burger eater or really a meat eater for that matter so a restaurant that claims to be a "burger" restaurant would be one I would never go to. However, one that I can take my dog to encourages me to find something, ANYTHING, on the menu just to help them stay open. One dog lover in and a counter balance for those who dislike dogs and want to make a point by staying away when it's just a statement for them as well since they don't actually have to sit on the patio if they don't choose to. We plan our outings many times according to where our dogs can be included and appreciate it when it can include a restaurant.