[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy1

That is the difference between you and me then….I do care about your opinion and why you do it. I’m not trying to be argumentative here….I’m truly interested in why people bring their dog or dogs to events where there are a lot of people. If your only reason is because ‘it’s my choice and I choose to do it’ then so be it but it seems like there are other reasons people do and I’m interested in knowing why. Educate me on this. I have a dog and I would never take him to an event like Saturday night at brownwood and truly want to know the reasoning why people do. Carry on.

Perhaps I can give you a reason . . . We have a dog . . . a very large dog. If we had taken her to Brownwood that night with that amount of people, truthfully, we would have left. I don't think it would have been fair to anyone, dog included, to be in such a mob scene with a dog. I think it is selfish to bring a dog to a wall-to-wall people event and regardless of what a person's reasoning is, it is wrong.

However, we will take her to Lowe's or Home Depot because they do permit dogs. We will go to a square at night to listen to the music. We will sit in the back or somewhere where she doesn't interfere with the crowd, but if it is somewhat crowded, we move further out. Our main reason for taking our dog to people places is for exposure to different places, sounds/noises, people, etc. In other words it is to socialize her and give her exposure so she doesn't get spooked (we hope) to different places and things.

Unfortunately, I do not think our reasoning is the same as others; I can't account for what others do and very often I am tempted to say something, but don't.

[mikempp]

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?

Why do you bring your wife or kids? If the dogs are permitted it simply is none or your business. Why so many old folk have to be so bossy?

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Velvet

Dogs’ body language is easy to read if you are an interested observer. Loud sounds do hurt dog’s ears without question.

I just did an experiment with my cat; played Handel’s Messiah to him. When the instruments and singers hit a really high note, the cat lowered its ears. When the instruments played mid-range, the cat’s face relaxed. The cat showed me which pieces he liked to listen to.

Would you mind having your CAT peruse this week's scheduled entertainment at Sumter Landing Square, so I know which bands my DOG will like?

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by Pairadocs

Like many replies, NOT a dog "hater", had many, treated them all very VERY well but.... I don't know if there has just been a huge "shift" in a very subtle area, but the lines have seemed to become more and more blurred (between human and pets, particularly dogs) in the last decade or so. I can't think of a better home than my parents provided for my dog(s)(had several growing up), mindful of their health, need to play, exercise, attention and touch (petting, ear rubbing), but (and this is difficult to adequately portray) never have I met so many people who seem to not even recognize a line between a human and an animal. I (sadly) will use an example of a dear relative. I want to make clear, no, this person absolutely is not in dementia or pre-dementia, but many reading this will think my family and I are just in denial, so be it. This relative just retired and is still actively teaching on a major campus, he retired about two years ago. The dog absolutely must go everywhere with them, everywhere. In our phone conversations and emails, she tell me " we want to go to ___ but ___ (the dog !) was just maddening, he pouted, he whined, he made us feel so guilty we just stayed home !" So if you are reading this, at this point you are saying, "she's demented of course". But it gets worse, since she is still teaching some classes, her husband is now in charge of the "play dates" for ___ (dog), driving him to and from the play dates with his friends. They are not in need of finances, but said they did "reschedule" a planned canal cruise in '23, until '24 because ___ (dog) dental bills were absolutely astronomical. It has just become a way of talking for here, "I am almost done with my Christmas shopping, such a relief, except for a few more things for ____(dog). He has way too many coats and sweaters now, but, he was shopping with me at ___ just to get his dog food and he kept going to this one "toy" and a sweatshirt that he just loved, and when I said, no, no treats today, he just got so stubborn I had to pick him up, NO easy task as you know, and literally carry him out."
This goes on all the time, taking about having to get his present to take to his friend's (other dog) birthday party ! These people don't even go out to dinner with friends and leave the dog home ! Amazing, they will eat at their local country club (not in Florida) on the patio because they don't want to deal with the dog's anger, upset, pouting, or punishing if they leave him. People in their social and professional circles would never dream they had such a "mental" problem (a dog who rules their life... they THINK !) And yes, they have three, grown, well adjusted, very successful children so they once KNEW the difference. The money they spend because (dog) must fly in coach or they can't go anywhere.... is it something in the water, they are not the only people like this. When we went from companion dogs for the disabled, to "emotional" support dogs, something happened in this world ! ? Saw one eating at a table from same dishes human customers eat at in a village restaurant... never went back... I know the dishes are sterilized, I know in my rational mind, but it's just too much to sit and have animals sitting like humans consuming from the same table. Oh will I get hate for that... oh well, won't change that I DO love animals and always have, but I know they differ from humans, that's all.

Your "dear relative" seems to have way more psychological issues than most dogs. If they're so "dear", perhaps you should arrange for them to get some professional help?

[Blackbird45]

I love dogs they're good companions and they're loyal, but people do not own dogs. Dogs own people. My neighbor could not leave their dog home when they went out because when they got home there would be a surprise.

[banjobob]

I agree with this post , pets should not be included in crowded situations , big dogs I agree could be seen but some unthinking pet owners bring small dogs on a leash to crowded venues which in my opinion is begging for your beloved pet to be injured. Most of all leave your dogs at home ! Nobody enjoys your dog.

[Worldseries27]

Originally Posted by mikempp

why do you bring your wife or kids? If the dogs are permitted it simply is none or your business. Why so many old folk have to be so bossy?

never saw a class of people dragging their animals everywhere other humans are congregating. How bout a local farmer brings his herd to brownwood. This cry for narcissisic attention is beyond the pale. I think the next time any of these needy individuals are having say, open heart surgery, the whole medical team should bring their pets to watch daddy and mommy work with the room full of horses, pigs, chickens and cows
if its a dental treatment leave the chickens home bring the rest.
This did not happen in our society till the 90's.
There has to be a showdown in congress. These are people infringing on our rights to the pursuit of happiness. Some constitutional lawyer should get crackin on it. Science officer spock speaking at the academy stated " the needs of the many outweigh those of the few. The villages should build them their own village and stores
entitled dalamation village 1001 bexley bridge trail

[Travelhunter123]

Originally Posted by JSR22

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

Does not answer the responders question

[Travelhunter123]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

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

Children grow up, so do some parents

[RiderOnTheStorm]

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 dog make better companions than most people.

[Travelhunter123]

Originally Posted by Papa_lecki

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.

Is it good for the rest of the people on the square?

[Travelhunter123]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Because they're selfish, and don't care that their dog is probably only behaving itself because it's overwhelmed and unable to do anything else.

They don't care that the loud music coming from multiple speakers from the square's nightly entertainment is likely painful to their VERY SENSITIVE ears. They don't care that the only thing their dog sees when he's being walked through the crowd are legs and feet and it's likely one of the last things it actually wants to be doing. They will insist that their dog loves the attention, loves being out with mommy and daddy, loves the crowd, loves the music.

No - they don't. Your dog doesn't love it. Your dog loves you, and to the detriment of its own health, will obey you willingly and with a wag on his tail. You are damaging your dog's hearing. This is cruel, not love.

I love dogs and I would never EVER subject a dog to large crowds with loud music, unless it was my service dog. And even then I'd probably do it minimally, out of respect to the dog.

I say this about large dogs and small dogs. Pets don't belong in large crowds with live music. Add to this for the small dogs - they endure all of the above, but they also run a greater risk of being stepped on, dragged around, and "hounded" by well-meaning people who don't know any better and insist on "oooooh looka how cuuuuuute!" grabbing and petting.

There's one lady who -literally- drags her dog around - this pooch is probably 15 years old, can barely see, is lame with one REALLY bad leg and three somewhat bad legs. And gets - I kid you not - dragged. She walks faster than the dog can walk, and it can't keep up with her and falls and she just tugs it over the concrete square. That's the worst of them.

Wry well said

[Travelhunter123]

Originally Posted by JSR22

I have had dogs for 6byears and owned a dog business for a number of years. Your opinion and I disagree. I take my small dog and carry him. The loud e music does not bother him!ensitiv I feel badly for the older dog, but it is the owner's choice not yours! ArMYOB

I think dogs do have sensitive ears, perhaps your dogs hearing is damaged from being subjected to loud music and crowds

[Pmota]

Originally Posted by Sportsguy1

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

Yes, most service dogs will have a vest or some type of ID to show they are working dogs.
No. Some animals don’t go through the service animal program but act/service the same way.
Here is the thing, not all Special needs are visible and not everyone can afford to put their dog through such training.
We know someone that got a Jack Russel pup for their son (anyone with such dog knows how full of energy they are); long story short - our friends wife started getting some issues and that dog got on her side 24/7, he would let her know when an attack was about to happen. This dog had not special training and if you look at my friends wife you see nothing wrong with her.
“Large dog” or small dog, if someone has one with them who are we to judge on why they have it? If the animal is well behaved, the owner has total control and feels like having them there, great.

[BoatRatKat]

Originally Posted by tophcfa

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

And they never judge you for your choices or lecture or admonish you when they don't agree with your actions. We could all learn a lot from dogs.