Pet-Friendly World - People UNfriendly?

[suebee]

Originally Posted by Medusa

Just curious:

Do folks who feel like bringing pets to public places is a hardship on folks with allergies also feel that perfume and cologne-wearers should leave their scents at home?

The reason I ask is because the lady at my job who complained about "bring a dog to work day" also has asked that everyone in my unit stop wearing perfume and cologne and also asked the campus building supervisor change out the "smelly" soap and air fresheners in all the bathrooms.

I have problems with airborn allergens; both allergies and sensitivities. Scents of any kind can trigger a migraine that effectively ends my day. It's not that I don't "get" it - I used to wear perfume myself. It's just a health thing. And as an aside, I don't have any kinds of scents in my house, because many of them (mostly the oil-based ones) can be lethal to birds - they can die within minutes!

I think the difference with the presence of animals is that most people have to actually touch the animal to be in contact with the dander before they have a reaction. So while I have great sympathy for allergies, I find a lot of people over-react. Maybe not all, but many.

Originally Posted by June

Cats are another thing though, I don't want anything that can and will get up and walk on my counters and tables. Ick. Sorry, I know we have a lot of cat lovers, but it squicks me out to have them on the counters, especially.

I totally agree. Our cats don't have many rules, but kitchen counters are OFF LIMITS!

[Jett]

I love animals... I was really grateful when my mom was in hospice care for the little dog that was the "resident" smile maker. He'd make the rounds with the owner to see all the people and my mom just lit up when he'd come around and she get to hold him.

I'm also a huge fan of the same programs in hospitals and nursing homes for those who desire them. It's been seen that some people can make better and faster recoveries or just have better quality of life due to these programs.

I don't see animals as just "pets"... not to me, and to some people they are their "children". I also think some people don't have anyone and to get to bring their companion to the store probably means quite a lot, and maybe not just for the companionship alone, but also for the contact and conversation it may provoke too.

Just some additional thoughts...

Metro

[Soft*Silver]

my dog is to me what I am to her. companions. I do not see her as a pet. I use to be a pet owner then I got my first newfie and learned how to love animals. Really love them. That girl was a Delta dog and we went to hospitals and nursing homes together. My old girl now, is the sister of that first newfie. She goes where I go when she can. I dont take here where there is food. I dont take her where there is danger to her or another life form. But yes, she has gone into tractor supply with me. She goes into the pet stores. She use to hang out at used book store too. She has gone to many an AA meeting with me too. And she always goes to my family outings too. We all bring our dogs as well as our kids. I have taken her to college campuses for workshops too. But you have to understand...she is attached to my side...always approaches people gently and waits for children to come up to her. She nudges them softly with her nose rather than lick them...usually. LOL. Depends on if they just ate soemthing....LOL. When i sit, she lays down. She doesnt move. She doesnt bark. And she is timid to other animals and would NEVER approach an animal. In fact, a mini doxie bit her on the nose once and my girl ran behind my legs and trembled back there...I use to take her to work too, when I taught in NY. And she would do sessions with my kids when I was a children's therapist. They loved laying on her and feeling her warmth and acceptance. I have not taken her places when people have asked me not to. But usually she is accepted and even encouraged to come. When Dawson comes to live with us (he is a 10 year old black newfie of 200 lbs) I expect to take him around too. But he needs to be with me for several months before I take him to schools, nursing homes, etc. I need to know the dog and he needs to know me too. Story stays with me, beside me and looks to me for her safety and signals. Dawson needs to learn those and that takes time...

[Kobi]

I would much rather deal with someones well behaved, leashed pet in a public place then I would their unruly, obnoxious children.

I do understand that there are people who are afraid of animals, some who have allergies, some with sanitation concerns.

I would trust a responsible pet owner would use their judgement accordingly.

[Darth Denkay]

Gretchen, the dog I used to have (may she rest in peace) was extremely well-behaved. I took her with me everywhere. One of the places she went was where I get my hair cut. They loved her there, and frequently told me that she was better behaved than most of the kids there.

So apparently animals are more germy than kids????? Yeah, right...

I don't dislike kids in principal, but to be honest I frequently find them annoying in public. I shouldn't have to listen to a kid scream and yell in a restaurant. Don't understand why folks don't keep their kids in their seats instead of running around in a restaurant and such. I say if kids are allowed then dogs should be too, and BOTH should be leashed

[Kimbo]

Originally Posted by Medusa

Just curious:

Do folks who feel like bringing pets to public places is a hardship on folks with allergies also feel that perfume and cologne-wearers should leave their scents at home?

The reason I ask is because the lady at my job who complained about "bring a dog to work day" also has asked that everyone in my unit stop wearing perfume and cologne and also asked the campus building supervisor change out the "smelly" soap and air fresheners in all the bathrooms.

Medusa, like Random, I am also very sensitive. When I get the slightest whiff of a smell that I am sensitive to I can feel my throat start to close, most often I will find myself in an asthma attack. What if someone came to work smelling like dog crap because that was a good fragrance to them, would you tolerate it? To me some of the fragrances people wear smell worse than dog crap, they make me physically sick, although unpleasant, the smell of dog crap does not. There is a wave of companies in Seattle that are creating fragrance free workplaces. I completely understand why and support them fully.

Several years ago a potential employer asked be if I had issues with animals in the workplace, of which I don't. He brought his dog to work everyday. I asked if employees were allowed to bring their dogs to work and he said no. He was allergice to dogs, the breed of dog he had is one known to be good for people with allergies. I didn't think it was a fair policy.

I am a big softie when it comes to animals but there are places animals should not be for human safety or the safety of the animal.

[MsDemeanor]

Originally Posted by Random

I don't believe that peoples pets need to allowed in public buildings... Pet stores, yes... It's a store for pets.. But stores that have nothing to do with animals... Why do they need to be there?

See, I'm just the opposite. I would write the above as: I don't believe that people's children need to be allowed in public buildings....children's stores, yes...It's a store for children. But stores that have nothing to do with children...Why do they need to be there?

I'd much rather be around people's animals than people's kids, especially in this era of overindulged children and under-disciplining parents. Many of the department stores in my area allow dogs, and I've yet to see one cause 1/10th the disturbance that screaming brats cause every day.

As for the woman online who was complaining about pets in shopping carts and the germs, I refuse to put anything in that pop-open seat in shopping carts, and slam it shut when the bag boy at the grocery store tries to put groceries in it. People put kids with nasty diapers in that thing, I don't want my food there!

I loved seeing dogs everywhere in Europe

[Gemme]

I love pets, but they shed. If they come into my lobby and they scratch and lay around or are petted by some folks and shed and then an allergic child comes in and gets their hair on his or her hand and then injests it or breathes it in, then that could potentially be a very bad situation. People don't just go around slapping a 'no pet' sign on a door because they want to (most of the time). It's usually a general public safety and/or health concern.

I believe that pets should be allowed in some places and not in some places. Only seeing eye dogs are allowed in my post office. I'm assuming it's the same with other government buildings. If your pet can wait for you at the post office, then they can wait at the store too. Or at home. If a pet is so traumatized with abandonment issues that they can't be left alone when you run a few errands, you have bigger fish to fry than whether someone else approves or disapproves of your pet being with you. You need a crate and the Dog Whisperer.

I have always worked with the public and very often, especially in this state which is very pet friendly, the pets have better manners than the children. Personally, I'm fine with pets being just about anywhere, but I know a lot of people who are either afraid of dogs, allergic to cats or dogs or both, and there are always going to be safety and health concerns when mixing species.

It doesn't hurt anyone to think of someone other than themselves in the big picture. You get to go home to your pet and get all the loving you want, but if something happens because of your pet and because you couldn't leave them at home for half an hour... *shrug*

As for scents, I am not scent-sensitive but I know some who are and coming into contact with an unfriendly scent can make them absolutely miserable. Going into known situations (a friend's house with pets or your workplace where Mary will invariably spritz all day long), there are usually preparations that can be made. As some have mentioned...Febreeze, vacuuming the softa and floor, taking Benedryl, etc...but it's those unforeseen moments that seem to cause the most discomfort.

If someone I spend more than a mere blink of time with mentions that I'm wearing too much fragrance, I have no problems with putting on less in the future. If it's someone I am unlikely to see again, I will try to put some physical space between them and myself and help them to feel as comfortable as possible.

[Random]

Originally Posted by MsDemeanor

See, I'm just the opposite. I would write the above as: I don't believe that people's children need to be allowed in public buildings....children's stores, yes...It's a store for children. But stores that have nothing to do with children...Why do they need to be there?

I'd much rather be around people's animals than people's kids, especially in this era of overindulged children and under-disciplining parents. Many of the department stores in my area allow dogs, and I've yet to see one cause 1/10th the disturbance that screaming brats cause every day.

As for the woman online who was complaining about pets in shopping carts and the germs, I refuse to put anything in that pop-open seat in shopping carts, and slam it shut when the bag boy at the grocery store tries to put groceries in it. People put kids with nasty diapers in that thing, I don't want my food there!

I loved seeing dogs everywhere in Europe

I have to agree with you... Personaly I don't think it's necessary to bring children to all the places that people bring children... Unfortunately, sometimes a parent can't afford a baby sitter and if they need to get something done, then they have to bring the child.. It's sort of the law...

Most people are saying.. *responcible pet owners* Unfortunatly not all pet owners are responcible... and not all dogs are as well trained as they could be..

[MsDemeanor]

Originally Posted by Random

Most people are saying.. *responcible pet owners* Unfortunatly not all pet owners are responcible... and not all dogs are as well trained as they could be..

Again, same could be said for child owners...not all child owners are responsible and not all children are as well trained as they could be.

[Kobi]

Originally Posted by MsDemeanor

Again, same could be said for child owners...not all child owners are responsible and not all children are as well trained as they could be.

Two words.....duct tape.

Apply liberally to both.

[SuperFemme]

I tried to buy a plot and headstone for myself at the local pet cemetery.
They always have MILLIONS of flowers and it's so pretty there.

I was turned down for me, but offered a package for my dogs. Dammit.

The people cemetery is not nearly as well visited or adorned. I want to play catch with all the happy pet zombies. They have it far better off.

[The_Lady_Snow]

Wow...

So you think it's ok to duct tape a kids mouth?

Wrap them in shrink wrap and put them over head?

I have dogs, they are members of our pack

I also have children

Both my animals and my children are well behaved.. Frankly *I* don't need a leash for either

I would think though that if I said something to the effect of anything most have said about a dog all hell would break out..

Sometimes it feels people give a tiny shit more about animals than kids..

That's just my POV though

[SuperFemme]

I'd also like to point out that one cannot leave a child at home in a cage/crate. Definitely illegal.

Dog sitters = $0 when you are going for short trips out to the store.

Babysitters = $5-20 per hour.


So other than guide dogs, and the PetCo/PetSmart it's a lot more feasible to take ones germy bratty child out than ones dog.

[wolfwalker]

If I had my chose. there would be way more animals in stores and way less humans.

[The_Lady_Snow]

Originally Posted by wolfwalker

If I had my chose. there would be way more animals in stores and way less humans.

Does your pet know how to run a cash register too???

[Kobi]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

Wow...

So you think it's ok to duct tape a kids mouth?

Wrap them in shrink wrap and put them over head?

I have dogs, they are members of our pack

I also have children

Both my animals and my children are well behaved.. Frankly *I* don't need a leash for either

I would think though that if I said something to the effect of anything most have said about a dog all hell would break out..

Sometimes it feels people give a tiny shit more about animals than kids..

That's just my POV though

Kobi reads above. Kobi ponders. Kobi is thinking no matter how I answer this, it will come back to bite me in the hiney. So, Kobi opts for the wisdom of the past.....so people can get pissy with Mark Twain instead......

"If you pick up a starving Dog and make him prosperous,
he will not bite you.
This is the principal difference between
a dog and a man..."


Mark Twain

[Random]

Originally Posted by MsDemeanor

Again, same could be said for child owners...not all child owners are responsible and not all children are as well trained as they could be.

Ya.. but unfortunately, there is this law about living kids home by them selves.. Sucks, but what cha going to do...

[MsDemeanor]

Originally Posted by The_Lady_Snow

Sometimes it feels people give a tiny shit more about animals than kids..

I absolutely do. I like animals a whole lot more than I like most people, and I like kids even less than I like adults.

[SuperFemme]

What would you eat first?
A baby or a puppy?