Shopping dogs... By Dixie Rhodes April 16, 2014
I, for one, don't want to have to follow you through the store so that I can be sure to not pick up any of the things that you and your pet have touched. Because I don't know the status of your pet. I don't know if you have recently dewormed your dog, or if you use monthly flea control, or if your dog has recently had a bout of doggy flu and has been vomiting or sneezing. The fact is that I shouldn't have to worry about it in the first place. Grocery stores are not appropriate places to bring our pets. Period. And, as for the grocers themselves, I understand that you are limited in what you can ask people that are in your store with pets. However, using a small amount of common sense will tell you that a young person walking through the store with a little fluffy puppy tucked into a coat probably isn't a service/therapy dog scenario. There are plenty of stores that are more than happy to have dogs visit. Even going so far as to hand out treats! So, take the dogs to the places where they are welcome, not to places where they may be endangering others. Dixie Rhodes About: "I have been working in veterinary medicine for over 15 years, 8 of them locally. I recently switched careers, but still keep my hand in the animal industry with dog training through Parks and Rec." Received April 10,, 2014 - Published April 16, 2014 Related Viewpoint:
Viewpoints - Opinion Letters:
Representations of fact and opinions in letters are solely those of the author. Your full name, city and state are required for letter publication.
|