[CFrance]

I think it depends on the personality of the dog. We could take our golden to restaurants in Europe but rarely did so, unless it was outside. Most did not have a lot of room, and he struggled a bit to fit himself in. Even though the restaurants allowed it, we mostly left him at home, with a couple of exceptions. (He liked sitting outside for after-dinner wine.) We wouldn't take him into big crowds for his own safety.

Our rescue beagle mix is skittish around noises. So no go to any outdoor gathering with her. Walks and dog parks.
Most people know their dogs. If I saw a big dog in a crowded situation, I would assume the owner knows the dog is good in that situation, knows how he will act. Was that big dog the OP saw jumping up on people? Truly freaking out? Really, I've never seen a dog jump up on strangers in outdoor markets or other venues. I can't think of one time I've seen that. I give people credit.

As for anthropomorphizing pets, I have to mention this: we anthropomorphize many things, God included. So what. Does that mean we're crazy or something?

Finally... I may not always have a husband, but I WILL always have a dog. (Although at 52 years together, husband is pretty safe.)

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Byte1

I rarely agree with Orange, but this post was right and I agree. I'll tell you how one knows about dogs. Experience and advice from experts. I've had dogs for decades and also trained them for the military. Professionals make it their business to know as much about a subject as possible.
Folks in the Villages are selfish in the manner they treat their pets. Yes, many animals love to ride in a car with their owner. Yes, animals love to go with their masters when they go ANYWHERE. That does not make it right. Some folks are allergic to animals and don't appreciate having your pet forced upon them. Some folks are scared of animals. Some folks do not want your pet sitting in a shopping cart where food is carried. Some animals do not enjoy loud music, large crowds, being stepped on, having a stranger pet them, etc. Most of that should be common sense, but some idiots have total disregard for their pets and just want them as a security blanket. Get a stuffed teddy bear.

I sense a trend in your post..."Some"...

Some idiots want to turn "some" into "all"...

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Drakeswood

Why dogs of any size? Animals get anxious too. Of course I am biased b/c epi pens are expensive for folks like me with allergies. As the dog owners say “my rights”…but treading on mine as well!

Yes, just seeing a dog at a crowded event will cause someone to go into anaphylactic shock...

[Heytubes]

Difference between cats and dogs:
Dogs have masters and cats have staff.

[jmpalladino]

Originally Posted by JSR22

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

But the question is why would you bring a dog to such a large event? You did not answer the question posed by the OP.

[JSR22]

Originally Posted by jmpalladino

But the question is why would you bring a dog to such a large event? You did not answer the question posed by the OP.

People bring dogs to events because the events are dog friendly. It is the owner's decision to bring their pet.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by jmpalladino

But the question is why would you bring a dog to such a large event? You did not answer the question posed by the OP.

And multiple people have answered his question.

You may not like the answers given, and that's fine...

[jimmy o]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy1

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?

Because dogs are allowed and the owner can bring them if they want to. There does not need to be any other reason than they want to. The Villages is a very dog friendly place, that is one of the appeals of living here. A couple of reasons that might answer your question: "I love my dog and want to be with him"; "I love my dog and my dog loves me and she wants to be with me"; or one more.... "I want to annoy some people by bringing my dog." Any of these answers are reason enough to bring a dog to an event.

[ThirdOfFive]

Originally Posted by CFrance

I think it depends on the personality of the dog. We could take our golden to restaurants in Europe but rarely did so, unless it was outside. Most did not have a lot of room, and he struggled a bit to fit himself in. Even though the restaurants allowed it, we mostly left him at home, with a couple of exceptions. (He liked sitting outside for after-dinner wine.) We wouldn't take him into big crowds for his own safety.

Our rescue beagle mix is skittish around noises. So no go to any outdoor gathering with her. Walks and dog parks.
Most people know their dogs. If I saw a big dog in a crowded situation, I would assume the owner knows the dog is good in that situation, knows how he will act. Was that big dog the OP saw jumping up on people? Truly freaking out? Really, I've never seen a dog jump up on strangers in outdoor markets or other venues. I can't think of one time I've seen that. I give people credit.

As for anthropomorphizing pets, I have to mention this: we anthropomorphize many things, God included. So what. Does that mean we're crazy or something?

Finally... I may not always have a husband, but I WILL always have a dog. (Although at 52 years together, husband is pretty safe.)

Your dog liked wine?

Had a German Shepherd once who liked beer...

[Weiserj]

Most dogs are very social and if trained to behave, they have just as much a right to be there as you. So why don’t you just stay home if this bothers you so much. I currently don’t have a dog and I LOVE getting to greet and pet them all💗🤣

[Tripngirl]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

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

Just saying…
1. Dogs don’t get drunk at events
2. Dogs don’t drive the golf carts into walls
3. Dogs are more handsome than most Villagers
4. Dogs are more behaved than certain Villagers
5. Dogs don’t save “spots” in the bleachers for their friends.
Just kidding….. happy holidays to all!

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by sportsguy1

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?

waiting for the article where someone gets bit, sues the owner for his village home and/ or the venue/ store for millions in pyschological damages. You'll really need your service dog then

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy1

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?

Don't have a dog (been there done that many times, but wanted a retirement dog free life, selfish but, want to be able come and go with out so much responsibility. Since so many seem to give such, well, rather nasty type replies, I'll try to give you an honest answer. Have a cousin who takes her dog everywhere, and I mean everywhere, if you invite her to lunch at your home (and I have), you also get the dog. It goes to all the stores, she does take a pad she puts in the shopping buggy, and she constantly tells us how "even at stores that tend to discourage you from bringing your dog inside, just fall in love with our Hunter, they just flock to him everywhere we go". I have never understood why people would just flock to this dog as she always relates they do... it's not a small dog, medium mixed breed from a shelter, not "snippy", seems friendly enough when we're around him, but he's quite a load for a shopping cart or in a restaurant, etc. She claims HE will not allow her to go anywhere, even on a quick errand, without HIM or he pouts and is angry with her for several days ???? I gave up trying to figure it out. Apart from this odd behavior, she has NO other odd behaviors or talk ! ? All I can say is, from what we have observed in our home, in her home, and out at public events, she just firmly believes the dog IS AN ACTUAL HUMAN PERSON with the same range of emotions, desires, and demands ! ?

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

I'm thinking Congress will definitely take this up in the new session. What else do they have to do, that's more important?

Not much that's for sure, well, they do seem to know how to spend other people's money very very well... both parties...LOL !

[Pairadocs]

Originally Posted by Byte1

I rarely agree with Orange, but this post was right and I agree. I'll tell you how one knows about dogs. Experience and advice from experts. I've had dogs for decades and also trained them for the military. Professionals make it their business to know as much about a subject as possible.
Folks in the Villages are selfish in the manner they treat their pets. Yes, many animals love to ride in a car with their owner. Yes, animals love to go with their masters when they go ANYWHERE. That does not make it right. Some folks are allergic to animals and don't appreciate having your pet forced upon them. Some folks are scared of animals. Some folks do not want your pet sitting in a shopping cart where food is carried. Some animals do not enjoy loud music, large crowds, being stepped on, having a stranger pet them, etc. Most of that should be common sense, but some idiots have total disregard for their pets and just want them as a security blanket. Get a stuffed teddy bear.

Nice to know there are are animal/dog loves here who are also able to view pets in a rational way, and realize that while we should always treat animals with kindness and respect, they are not "equal to" human beings. You expressed some rational thinking, nice to see !