Why? Honest question…..
 

Saturday I was at the Brownwood Paddock Square with some family and friends for the Christmas tree lighting. The place was absolutely packed. Thousands of people were in the square. The bleacher seating area was full, the chairs were full, the dance floor was full, the blocked off area for vendors around the square was packed with people. So serious question….why do you insist on bringing your very large dog to this ‘packed with people’ event? Now before you accuse me of not liking dogs, I love dogs! I have a dog but would never take him to a crowed event like I was at Saturday and would love to know why you feel you have to bring your dog or dogs to this type of event. If it is a service dog that is one thing but I saw dogs there the size of goat or a small horse and they were not service dogs. I really don’t think dogs care one bit about the ‘lighting of a big Christmas tree’! I have discussed this with a number of people and for the life of us we can’t come up with why people do this. So please enlighten me….why do you bring your dog to a jam packed people event?

and to lowes, walmart,restaunts and any place they can get away with.

How do you know they were not service dogs?

Lowes allows dogs. A number of restaurants allow dogs on the outdoor patios. Dogs are allowed at the squares.

Some people think dogs are their children and most always be with them

Because a dog never gets angry with you or tells you what you can’t do.

So at Marshals, dog in cart drinking water from a bowl owner took off the shelf. Lady told the manger I have to bring my dog everywhere if I don’t

“He will ignore me for a week, and refuse to be in the same room”.

Thinking dog is good, but owner should not be out by themselves, if she truly believes the dog would ignore her for a week. Bet if she missed one feeding, dog would be right beside her.

Because a service dog has a vest on that says ‘service dog’ and none of these had on a vest.

What does ‘ermiied’ mean???

You are incorrect. Service dogs are not required to wear a vest. Actually, most of the dogs wearing a vest are not service dogs. The owners buy them on the internet

allowed lol

Gee, this is a novel post & discussion. I don't think it's been brought up on this page, in at least a week or two.

& people bring their dogs, for the same reason people bring their grandchildren ... gets them out of the house, they get some exercise, they're not at home, playing video games and like my Mom always said when she was throwing me out of the house ... "the fresh air will do you good" !

I am not saying they are not allowed, I’m asking, seriously, what is the reasoning for bringing a large dog or any dog to an event that is elbow to elbow with people? Would love to hear the ‘why’ from people who actually do this….bring their dog to an event like Saturday night at Brownwood that thousands of people are at and there is limited space.

This is a good point. I believe, one of the benefits of The Villages, is getting out of the house, being active. Active could mean golfing, playing pickleball or walking around the square.
If taking Fido to the lighting ceremony gets Mrs Habberdashery (fictitious name) out of the house, then that’s good.

True….service dogs don’t HAVE to wear a vest identifying them as such but many do. Also you could tell they weren’t service dogs because they would get distracted, bark and their owner was allowing people to pet and talk to their dog. THAT is a pet not a service dog.