[CFrance]

Originally Posted by rubicon

Comfort dogs don't comfort some people. If a person is not inclined toward dogs then they will not be comfortable with a dog in a restaurant and at a hotel. We made reservation for a weekend at a hotel recommended by our hosts for a celebration for some friends. I was not a happy camper when people started showing up with their dogs when checking in. so the next time I make reservations for an overnight that is the first question I am asking them So three large dogs inside a restaurant would drive me out. It would have been more considerate had these three women remained on the outside patio with their darlings.

And I suppose people in wheelchairs should also be more considerate and not eat in restaurants lest their wheelchairs block the way of some customers. This is the reason for the ADA laws to begin with--people were according those with disabilities second-class status, refusing them access with all of their support services. If these dogs were service dogs, and I'm going to assume they were because the manager told Barefoot they were, they had as much right to be there as anyone else in that restaurant. If they were in training, they still had that right, and also a need to be experiencing inside venues.

As you would not frequent again the hotel that takes dogs, so you could walk out of a restaurant and eat somewhere else. The dogs had the right to be in that hotel and in that restaurant. You have the right to go elsewhere. Nobody's doing the wrong thing in these two situations.

[NotGolfer]

Originally Posted by perrjojo

Funny that this post came up tonight. We just had dinner at Fiesta Grande at Colony and we sat next to a lab with a service vest. The handlers had no visible disability but that doesn't mean they did not have one. Another poster mentioned that you may NOT ask questions to the nature of a service dog and that is correct. I also know that anyone may buy a service vest for their dog. The dog at our restaurant was well behaved and unobtrusive.

The handlers may have been training this dog! They're to take them everywhere to help the dog learn in most, all situations!

[KeepingItReal]

Originally Posted by Cobh521

Next time I will ask the manager. These dogs did not have service dog gear on. They specifically had "comfort/therapy" vests on. From everything that I read on this, the dogs should not have been inside. Also, no hand cleansers offered or mentioned.

It is clear comfort and therapy dogs are not allowed inside or outside at restaurants. The City Fire manager either did not know the difference, really didn't care, or was willing to accept anything to justify letting them in rather than having to tell them no and take the heat even though it is the law and for good reason.

[perrjojo]

Originally Posted by NotGolfer

The handlers may have been training this dog! They're to take them everywhere to help the dog learn in most, all situations!

I don't think the dog was in training as their "vest" usually states this and he was quite old, however it really dosen't matter as the dog was unobtrusive, well behaved and I had NO problem with him being there. My dog lays by our table when we eat, so I see no difference. I guess some people just don't like dogs or then again some people seem disturbed by anything out of the ordinary. Who knows?

[gomoho]

Originally Posted by perrjojo

I don't think the dog was in training as their "vest" usually states this and he was quite old, however it really dosen't matter as the dog was unobtrusive, well behaved and I had NO problem with him being there. My dog lays by our table when we eat, so I see no difference. I guess some people just don't like dogs or then again some people seem disturbed by anything out of the ordinary. Who knows?

Am I crazy or did you just contradict your original post???

[tommy steam]

Originally Posted by graciegirl

The dogs and the children in Europe always seemed better behaved than ours.

I asked a cabbie why that was so, in Paris.

He answered in perfect French. "We beat them.".

Lol

[bluedog103]

Originally Posted by gomoho

Am I crazy or did you just contradict your original post???

Perrjojo has been consistent throughout this thread. Maybe crazy is extreme. Perhaps you're having a senior moment.

[gustavo]

Originally Posted by bluedog103

It's pretty much impossible to visually determine if a dog is a service dog. Tags are not required nor is documentation. The establishment is even prohibited from asking the nature of the disability of the owner of the service dog. The ADA is very specific about this.

Absolutely true, basically if the dog is well behaved, the establishment cannot question the type of service therefore it will be with you for your dinner.

[jblum315]

I think if I saw large dogs in a restaurant I would just quickly walk out. I have never seen a dog larger than a Yorkie inside a restaurant.

[Monkei]

I have a friend who has "money". He recently took his Sheltie to Las Vegas and had him certified as a "service dog". It was merely a money transaction, the dog is in no way a service dog but know they are able to take the dog anywhere, slap his vest on and carry the certification papers wans walla. Flights, malls, dinners, etc.

[jblum315]

Makes me wonder how many"service" dogs are fakes LOL

[buggyone]

Originally Posted by Monkei

I have a friend who has "money". He recently took his Sheltie to Las Vegas and had him certified as a "service dog". It was merely a money transaction, the dog is in no way a service dog but know they are able to take the dog anywhere, slap his vest on and carry the certification papers wans walla. Flights, malls, dinners, etc.

I just returned from a 14 day Caribbean cruise on Celebrity. There was one older lady who had a Maltese dog with her on the cruise. She had it on a leash and would walk throughout the ship. When we disembarked the ship, I saw that she had the dog in a stroller. That was the first time I have seen a dog on a cruise ship. No, the dog did not have any "service dog" vest; no, I do not know if the dog came into the dining rooms; no, I do not know where the dog went to the bathroom; no, it did not bother me at all.

[Happinow]

Originally Posted by ilovetv

There are plenty of "crowds" and "public situations" at the three town squares every night with loud music booming, and on the patios of the bar-restaurants surrounding each of the squares as City Fire has in both locations.

There is no need to have three big dogs inside a restaurant here, to accustom them to being in public, crowded or noisy/busy foot traffic situations here!!

Agree...a restaurant, indoors or outdoors should never be allowed to have pets unless it is a service dog....not a comfort dog. There are enough outdoor venues like ilovetv said to acclimate the dogs to these type surroundings. I would have gotten up and left the restaurant and asked to speak to the manager for clarification on why the dogs were there.

[justjim]

Originally Posted by Monkei

I have a friend who has "money". He recently took his Sheltie to Las Vegas and had him certified as a "service dog". It was merely a money transaction, the dog is in no way a service dog but know they are able to take the dog anywhere, slap his vest on and carry the certification papers wans walla. Flights, malls, dinners, etc.

And we all complain how folks on Various Government programs beat the system. People do somewhat the same with handicap placards. However, what goes around also usually comes around.

[Bonny]

Originally Posted by buggyone

I just returned from a 14 day Caribbean cruise on Celebrity. There was one older lady who had a Maltese dog with her on the cruise. She had it on a leash and would walk throughout the ship. When we disembarked the ship, I saw that she had the dog in a stroller. That was the first time I have seen a dog on a cruise ship. No, the dog did not have any "service dog" vest; no, I do not know if the dog came into the dining rooms; no, I do not know where the dog went to the bathroom; no, it did not bother me at all.

We have been on 49 cruises. We have seen service dogs many times. We just came off the Independence Of The Seas. There was a woman who had a beautiful golden retriever service dog.