Please give me some insight

[Happinow]

Since I am a non pet owner, can someone enlighten me on something? I'm not posting this to be negative or a smarty cat, I just wonder if someone knows the answer. Yesterday while in Sweetbay, we noticed a man with a dog in his shopping cart. It was a small dog so he had it on a blanket in the top front part of the cart, the area you would put your crushables like eggs. The dog had. Service thing on him. (Sorry, I don't know,what these are called) It seemed odd that a dog would be allowed to be in a shopping cart. I went to the manager and asked why the dog would be allowed in a shopping cart and he said they are not, but when they tried to communicate with the man they realized he was deaf. They were not able to communicate that the dog was not allowed in the cart so they let it go. My question is....what could a little dog do for this deaf man that he had to bring him into the store? The dog cannot communicate for him and the dog doesn't know sign language. So why wouldn't one leave a pet home,that to my knowledge, cannot assist him with disability? Is it a comfort thing? I just wonder. Thanks for the insight.

[Bonny]

Since I am a non pet owner, can someone enlighten me on something? I'm not posting this to be negative or a smarty cat, I just wonder if someone knows the answer. Yesterday while in Sweetbay, we noticed a man with a dog in his shopping cart. It was a small dog so he had it on a blanket in the top front part of the cart, the area you would put your crushables like eggs. The dog had. Service thing on him. (Sorry, I don't know,what these are called) It seemed odd that a dog would be allowed to be in a shopping cart. I went to the manager and asked why the dog would be allowed in a shopping cart and he said they are not, but when they tried to communicate with the man they realized he was deaf. They were not able to communicate that the dog was not allowed in the cart so they let it go. My question is....what could a little dog do for this deaf man that he had to bring him into the store? The dog cannot communicate for him and the dog doesn't know sign language. So why wouldn't one leave a pet home,that to my knowledge, cannot assist him with disability? Is it a comfort thing? I just wonder. Thanks for the insight.

He could have other disabilities that the dog could help him with. We never know by looking at anyone what kind of disabilities a person has.

[BettyCrocked]

How Do Service Dogs Help People With Disabilities? (http://www.servicedogssavelives.org/help.html)
Service dogs for the deaf can save their lives. Just because the dog does him no good in the grocery store doesn't mean he doesn't have a right to be there.

[DonH57]

I've noticed just about everytime I've been to Lowes lately I've seen a small breed dog in a shopping cart with a seat cushion for comfort. When we lived up north in Massachusetts or Ohio it's common to see larger breed dogs like labs and sheppards in Lowes, Home Depot, Tractor Supply or even Agway. Beats me why they do. It doesn't bother me anyway.

[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.

[graciegirl]

Happinow, I don't know. I know that dogs make me feel happy wherever I may see them, and snakes and geckos not so much. I love babies in carts and always ask if I can just look at them for a minute.

I have been kindly offered a wipe by a sweet shopper at Publix when I entered the store and got a cart, but I am not worried about people germs or dog germs and have sort of a quasi scientific belief that as long as I am in good health touching things with germs on them builds my immunity.

I know that in many places in Europe dogs accompany their owners to eat. I know that many people are afraid of dogs AND cats and do not like them around them.

The older I get the more I see and the less I know.

[blueash]

The dog may alert to the sound of a honking car horn or a siren to let the owner know of a danger that the hearing person detects but a deaf person misses. Now whether this skill is important within a store .... but it would be useful while the owner walked from his car through the parking lot thus he has to take the dog into the store or tie it to the front door, not really an option

[Parker]

I have read that some folks use the 'service dog' explanation so that they can take their dog anywhere they want without harassment. You can order fake service dog paraphernalia on the internet. Easy peasy. But smarmy, if you ask me. REAL service dogs are a wonder and deserve everyone's respect and admiration.

[Bonny]

I have read that some folks use the 'service dog' explanation so that they can take their dog anywhere they want without harassment. You can order fake service dog paraphernalia on the internet. Easy peasy. But smarmy, if you ask me. REAL service dogs are a wonder and deserve everyone's respect and admiration.
This guy was deaf, he clearly had a problem. I doubt he would be one to get fake papers to take a dog inside.

[kittygilchrist]

This guy was deaf, he clearly had a problem. I doubt he would be one to get fake papers to take a dog inside.

Respectfully, how does one know another person is deaf? I would have used sign language as a test...but I have a background rehabilitating disabled peeps.

[lightworker888]

Perhaps he was an epileptic and the dog would warn him of a coming seizure. Perhaps he needed to be alerted to fire alarms or some other less dramatic audio alarms or situations.

From my perspective, Gracie is correct about keeping your own immune system up so that anybody else's "germs" won't bother you. That is why we all don't get the "flu" or "outbreak" of the day when it is going around.

I use a dog stroller if I have to take the dog anywhere. And I don't take a dog into a grocery store. But a service dog has a right to be there whether we can understand why or not.

LW888

[kittygilchrist]

Online Service Dog Certification and Materials (http://www.servicedogsamerica.org/certification/)
This is a high priced package. All you really need is a vest.

[Happinow]

Thanks for your thoughts. I have no problem with a disabled person bringing an animal wherever they go, but the grocery cart should be for our groceries....it's a germ thing for me. He could have had him on a leash walking beside him and it would have been different. I am glad these animals are so helpful to humans who need them.

[duffysmom]

Happinow, shopping carts are full of germs. Think about meat and fish pkgs leaking. The other day I noticed a woman putting her unpackaged veggies in her cart before she went to get a plastic bag. YUCK! What about babies in diapers sitting in the cart.:22yikes: The only way to avoid germs be it doggie or human germs is to be in a full body condom.

[kittygilchrist]

Happinow, shopping carts are full of germs. Think about meat and fish pkgs leaking. The other day I noticed a woman putting her unpackaged veggies in her cart before she went to get a plastic bag. YUCK! What about babies in diapers sitting in the cart.:22yikes: The only way to avoid germs be it doggie or human germs is to be in a full body condom.

LOL! I love swabbing down with those wipies. I start with me!

[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.

[kittygilchrist]

One never knows the animal is a service dog or not. If we at TV had half of the claims for service animals verified, we'd be doing well.
there must be a need for understanding service animals, for allowing beyond question and for allowing with no hassle....I can help make a group come together if we need this to happen.
Kitty

[Bonny]

I have 2 relatives that need service dogs. You would not know by looking at them they they had severe disabilities that their dogs could save their lives ! I get very upset when people question service dogs. You can't always tell tell by looking at a person that they have disabilities !!! Just sayin' !!

[kittygilchrist]

I have 2 relatives that need service dogs. You would not know by looking at them they they had severe disabilities that their dogs could save their lives ! I get very upset when people question service dogs. You can't always tell tell by looking at a person that they have disabilities !!! Just sayin' !!

Bonny, exactly as you say, one never knows by looking. I've been to the training facility outside Gainesville where dogs are trained to relieve vets of PTSD and heard how just touching the dog brought a man into the present moment. He had not been out of the house in four years, but with the dog for therapy came out as a spokesman to the public to say how effective the dog was in helping him.
(Moral of story, I do not know without the whole story, and no one can.)

[tainsley]

[QUOTE=duffysmom;775537]Happinow, shopping carts are full of germs. Think about meat and fish pkgs leaking. The other day I noticed a woman putting her unpackaged veggies in her cart before she went to get a plastic bag. YUCK! What about babies in diapers sitting in the cart.:22yikes: The only way to avoid germs be it doggie or human germs is to be in a full body condom.[/

So true! Those carts are nasty!

[gomoho]

Happinow - you have been sufficiently beat up on this. I agree with you that if the dog truly was a service dog he would have been trained to walk with the man and able to do his job from ground level - didn't need to be in the cart.

[mickey100]

Happinow - you have been sufficiently beat up on this. I agree with you that if the dog truly was a service dog he would have been trained to walk with the man and able to do his job from ground level - didn't need to be in the cart.

I agree with you as well Happinow. I'm sure we all are in favor of a legitimate service dog being allowed in the grocery store to assist a disabled person. But allowed in the grocery cart where we place food items??? I think not. I can't imagine that would meet state health codes.

[Parker]

Service dogs are amazing, I think we all agree. The trouble lies with those who fake it, which is becoming such a problem that laws are being considered to penalize those who do it. Fakers have caused such skepticism with the general public that real service dog owners are being challenged when they enter a public place.

[graciegirl]

Service dogs are amazing, I think we all agree. The trouble lies with those who fake it, which is becoming such a problem that laws are being considered to penalize those who do it. Fakers have caused such skepticism with the general public that real service dog owners are being challenged when they enter a public place.

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.

[bimmertl]

Fake service dogs create problem for disabled - Orlando Sentinel (http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-08-07/features/os-fake-service-dogs-20130807_1_service-dog-dog-walk-service-animal)

[Happinow]

Happinow, shopping carts are full of germs. Think about meat and fish pkgs leaking. The other day I noticed a woman putting her unpackaged veggies in her cart before she went to get a plastic bag. YUCK! What about babies in diapers sitting in the cart.:22yikes: The only way to avoid germs be it doggie or human germs is to be in a full body condom.

You are correct that carts are full of germs. But, this is something that can be avoided. Pets are not humans and therefore should not be treated as such. I cringe every time I have to put my groceries in the cart and them put them in my fridge/cupboards. I see parents put kids in carts with their shoes on and little baby bottoms sitting where my eggs should go. Short of wiping the entire shopping cart down with a Clorox wipe I guess we have to suck it up. I guess there are a certain amount of germs our bodies can handle. We can't live in a bubble.....oh wait, we already do!

[Lovey2]

Hi! A store is NOT legally allowed to ask a disabled person to remove their service dog. They are not considered pets and must be given access. While I agree that maybe seeing the dog in the cart was disconcerting, the owner can't leave the dog in his vehicle. 1- he needs the assistance to and from the store 2- it's not safe for the animal. Deaf assistance dogs alert the owner to many things...i.e. cars beeping, forklifts moving, alarms sounding, even someone calling the owner's name. As far as the placement of the dog, that's exactly where poopie diapers would be sitting...hahah! I read that once and have stopped using that area for my groceries. Also, many women put their handbags there, and who knows what floor they may have been sitting on. You know I am a pet lover but still believe animals have their place....except assistance dogs. I marvel at their intelligence and training. Do you know they even have assistance dogs for impending seizures? Remarkable!

[Lovey2]

Thanks for your thoughts. I have no problem with a disabled person bringing an animal wherever they go, but the grocery cart should be for our groceries....it's a germ thing for me. He could have had him on a leash walking beside him and it would have been different. I am glad these animals are so helpful to humans who need them.

You are right there. I took too long to couch my reply. Maybe he thought leaving it on the floor at the end of a leash would be bothersome to other shoppers. I, too, once asked a manager in Publix to oust a dog, but it was clearly a pet, and a big, sloppy looking one, at that!

[Bogie Shooter]

You are right there. I took too long to couch my reply. Maybe he thought leaving it on the floor at the end of a leash would be bothersome to other shoppers. I, too, once asked a manager in Publix to oust a dog, but it was clearly a pet, and a big, sloppy looking one, at that!

Was the dog ousted?

[Lovey2]

Yes!! The woman just cavalierly (sp) walked in with it like she was in a park. Again...I am a true animal lover, but there was no need for that pet to be in the store...near the open vegetables and such.

[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]

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!!!:D

[gomoho]

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!!!:D

[CFrance]

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

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

[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]

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.

:BigApplause:

[gustavo]

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]

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.

:BigApplause::BigApplause:

[Easyrider]

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.

:BigApplause::bigbow:

[capecodbob]

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 (http://smallbusiness.chron.com/laws-regarding-dogs-grocery-store-60614.html)

[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.

[Happinow]

I am amazed that dogs can assist so many people with such a variety of needs. I guess I just was in an old way of thinking in that people, for the most parts, had seeing eye dogs. That's what I grew up knowing. With the needs of people changing, so has the training of animals to aide with their needs. I am going to do more research on animals who are trained to assist humans. I now find it fascinating. Thanks for all of your thoughts.