[Lovey2]

P.S. I did meet someone that has a fake "service dog" permit. Again...I own 2 cats, but really love dogs, too, and I just think she's wrong. She started out right, by rescuing it, but won't leave it home when she travels, so she got a fake "SD" permit for it.

[CFrance]

One other thing to consider is how difficult it is to maneuver a cart and a dog at the same time. I've tried it in Petco with Himself. While granted he weighs 88 lbs and this dog did not, it is still very easy for a dog leashed to a cart to get tangled up in something, get sideswiped by another cart or run over if he is too small to be noticed easily.

Still, the owner ought to bring a container to place the dog in before placing him in the cart.

And now that you all have alerted me to the possibility of germs from poopy diapers, toddlers with colds and runny noses, and ladies' purse bottoms, I am never going grocery shopping again.

[Lovey2]

Originally Posted by CFrance

One other thing to consider is how difficult it is to maneuver a cart and a dog at the same time. I've tried it in Petco with Himself. While granted he weighs 88 lbs and this dog did not, it is still very easy for a dog leashed to a cart to get tangled up in something, get sideswiped by another cart or run over if he is too small to be noticed easily.

Still, the owner ought to bring a container to place the dog in before pacing him in the cart.

And now that you all have alerted me to the possibility of germs from poopy diapers, toddlers with colds and runny noses, and ladies' purse bottoms, I am never going grocery shopping again.

HAHAHA!! I get some of my best story telling material from shopping...and the golf cart trip there. I can't give it up!!!

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by CFrance

And now that you all have alerted me to the possibility of germs from poopy diapers, toddlers with colds and runny noses, and ladies' purse bottoms, I am never going grocery shopping again.

Thank goodness - one less person at the Colony Publix!!!

[CFrance]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Thank goodness - one less person at the Colony Publix!!!

Off topic, but I am rarely an addition to Colony Publix numbers!

[PattyCakes]

Live and let live, folks. I work with physically and mentally disabled people and there are many reasons why this person would have a dog with him. If the dog wasn't bothering you, please let the person alone. You never know what crosses a person bears. Bottom line, if it isn't bothering you, let it go.

[Villages PL]

Several years ago there was an article in the Daily Sun about a man who would just suddenly collapse while walking, with no warning. It was like a mystery disease of some sort.

It turned out that this man rescued a stray dog and one day that dog came over to him and started pawing at him. A few seconds later, he collapsed. The man soon realized that the dog was giving him a warning. And the dog had no formal training, as far as anyone knows. He was just a good dog.

That's a great story because the man did a good deed by giving the dog a home and then the dog was able to do something in return.

[duffysmom]

Originally Posted by PattyCakes

Live and let live, folks. I work with physically and mentally disabled people and there are many reasons why this person would have a dog with him. If the dog wasn't bothering you, please let the person alone. You never know what crosses a person bears. Bottom line, if it isn't bothering you, let it go.

[gustavo]

Originally Posted by Denise Frayne

P.S. I did meet someone that has a fake "service dog" permit. Again...I own 2 cats, but really love dogs, too, and I just think she's wrong. She started out right, by rescuing it, but won't leave it home when she travels, so she got a fake "SD" permit for it.

The reality is you don't need a fake sevice dog permit. There is no standardized permitting agency and the ADA prohibits an establishment from asking about what type of service dog or whether they are "certified". If they do, they are in violation of federal law. The fake vest is to keep nosey people from pointing and gawking. The establishment may ask the patron and service dog to leave if the dog is unruly or unmanageable.

[Easyrider]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

I think the store should enforce their policy re: dogs in the cart. My BS meter is going off the scale suspecting that this dog owner is playing games.

[Easyrider]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

You are right of course Parker. As are handicap stickers and disabled stickers on the golf course.

It isn't right to take advantage of things like that.

[capecodbob]

Originally Posted by OBXNana

On our flight home after our preview at TV the middle of October, there was a service dog sitting by us. The young man had the dog because he was a diabetic. He explained the dog can and has saved his life. It's wonderful that dogs can be trained to help in situations that can be life and death. I always wipe down my cart. I've seen where kids put their fingers and then ride in the seat of the cart. They pass germs more than a service dog.

Can you explain to me how a dog can save the life of a diabetic. I have several friends and family that are diabetic and they do just fine. None have a life saving dog. Maybe I should get them one? But what can a dog do to save a diabetic's life?

[Carl in Tampa]

The ADA laws permit food service and grocery stores to ask only two questions when a person claims to be accompanied by a service dog.

1. Is this dog a service dog?
2. What is it trained to do?

If a person with a dog tells you the animals is a service dog, you must allow him into your restaurant or grocery store, even if you suspect the person is not telling the truth.

Apparently there is a distinction between a service dog and a therapy dog, which is becoming more commonplace for former veterans with PTSD, and therapy dogs do not have the same privileges. See more at Laws Regarding Dogs in a Grocery Store | Chron.com

[mainlander]

Happinow,, I know that your question was sincere and I have not seen this particular answer to your question so I will offer it as a means to fuller understanding. "SDs" are helpful for a number of people with a variety of conditions, a common one being severe anxiety which can lead to agoraphobia for example. This dog "may" have been the difference to the blind individual staying at home or attempting a more normal life like many of us take for granted. Of course I do not know what the dog was there for and am only offering a plausible suggestion. I do not care if a few are faking the need of "SDs" if it helps the majority of those truly in need ... lead a better life. There but for the grace.... Regards Happinow

[CFrance]

[QUOTE=capecodbob;776362]Can you explain to me how a dog can save the life of a diabetic. I have several friends and family that are diabetic and they do just fine. None have a life saving dog. Maybe I should get them one? But what can a dog do to save a diabetic's life?[/QUOTE

Try a google search to answer question: "how service dogs help diabetics." They can even be trained to hit a button on a special phone to dial 911.

I know a diabetic who does NOT do just fine. He's narrowly escaped death several times. If his daughter hadn't come home when she did, he would have died last September, according to the doctor in the ER. He could benefit well from one of these dogs.