Much to many pet owners' dismay, it is still illegal in most American restaurants to dine out with your dog. This is changing little by little. Dogs are allowed at outdoor restaurants in Florida and in North Carolina. In fact, dog lovers can check out websites like BringFido.com to find dog-friendly restaurants all over the country. Still, what's the big fuss over dogs in restaurants so long as they stay out of the kitchen? (A place we're all supposed to stay out of, by the way)
My dog-loving friends in Switzerland, where doggie dining is legal and common, think this American rule is barbaric and unfair. After all, parents get to bring in their toddlers any time they want. And who's cleaner, dogs or toddlers? Who wreaks more havoc? Who is more likely to listen when you yell "sit!"
Let's compare:
Dog Hygiene Part I: Dogs owned by civilized people are housebroken and will alert owners when they need to be removed from the premises to take care of their business. Health risk low, ick factor low.
Toddler Hygiene Part I: Most toddlers are incontinent and will just poo their diapers right there next to you while you're eating your pad Thai. Health risk low, ick factor high.
Dog Hygiene Part II: Okay, that idea that a dog's mouth is cleaner than a human's is just a myth. Still, a dog's tongue carries mostly species-specific bacteria that does not harm humans.
Toddler Hygiene Part II: Toddlers are walking petri dishes.
Dog Safety Part I: Dogs need to be remain docile and under the table to avoid tripping restaurant servers. They do sometimes startle easily. Safety risk medium.
Toddler Safety Part I: Toddlers can't sit still for more than 30 seconds at a time. Response to words like "no," "come back here," "stop that" is about 50 percent depending on child. Can be strapped down to chair, however. Safety risk medium depending on durability of high chairs.
Dog Safety Part II: Dogs are occasionally given to fighting with other dogs.
Toddler Safety Part II: Toddlers are frequently given to fighting with siblings.
I asked my son, a recovering toddler and now well-trained six-year-old diner, what he thought. Without hesitation he said "It's probably way safer to eat out with a dog than with a toddler."
There you go, from the mouths of babes.
Image via BringFido.com.
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Comments 64
Ick....I live in NC-and noticed a patron dining w/ her pooch upon her lap in the outside section-and while-fine-it's outside-it still was on her lap...
Service dogs-Completely acceptable-they are trained to stay at the fett of those they help,but as far as anyone and everyone else packin up they're dog (and mind you-I own a dog also) and bringing them into a resteraunt-Ugh...hair,possible fleas (I know-people can carry lice),tapeworms,roundworms-no thanks-I don't want or need that where I dine. My dog isn't allowed at the table,why would I want to eat with a dog in the adjoining booth.
But then I'm not thrilled with parents who let their toddlers climb all over the back of the booths half leaning over into my section covered in goo n snot. Sorry-we didn't take our child out and allow that to ruin your dining when she was young-I greatly try not to be seated next to toddlers now. Sorry-truth be told.I can't stand when parents pay no attention to their toddlers while they're in their own little world.
You know, this is what bugs me about being a woman sometimes. Get over yourselves people. It is a humor article. If you question that, look at the stupid picture that accompanies the article. If men were reading this, they would laugh and move on. And for the record, I have raised 2 children past toddlerhood, and yes, they are dirty. If yours are not, then you must have trained robot children. It's what they do.
As someone who has raised two toddlers and two dogs, I think I would prefer eating with my dogs. At least they are never say their food is "yucky"!
Sorry, but even as an animal lover, I find this silly.
Dogs don't belong in restaurants.
Sorry but this article is dumb to me, this is not the first time I've seen this kind of thing were toddlers are pitted agains dogs.Yes, dogs well train are great, but I would be stupid to compare my love of my life daughter who I would do anything I can in this world to a dog.mI was lucky to have a well behave toddler when it came to going to restaurants, my daguhter loves eating out and waiters always complimented us on how well behave she was for her age. I don't expect to be this lucky whith my next child....you know what I'm not even going to argue this articles just say that is dumb, I guess a child is more important to me, my child.
I don't think it would be appropriate to allow dogs, excluding special needs and working dogs, in restaurants. The reason working pets should be, and most of the time are, allowed in social environments outside of the home is because they are disciplined and trained from puppy hood.
If America decided to allow canines in restaurants, restaurant owners shouldn't be judgmental about the breeds. A previous comment stated that she has 3 pit bulls. Knowing how majority of society reacts to the words "pit bull", it wouldn't be fair to her, nor her pooches, when Olive Garden (or what have you) lets Miss Priss and her poodle in yet snubs the pit bulls.
Some toddlers are remarkably obedient for their age, physical and mental. Parents who don't discipline their youth while in public are too worried about everyone else's opinion. They should, however,be more concerned about what is the right disciplinary action for their children. A simple phrase of, "Harry, do we need to go to the bathroom for an attitude adjustment?" could save everyone a headache.
My son will be a year old in 2 weeks, so I know he'll have his temper fits. My husband and I have already agreed on what will happen if such an event rises. Have a plan parents, and take it easy with the comments. The author was trying to have some fun
I don't care one way or another... In Europe it is common to see well-behaved dogs under their owner's restaurant chairs, and especially in bars.
Ok, I'm a mom to both a toddler and a dog.... and I'm not upset. Pretty sure this post was tongue in cheek. Lighten up, folks. :)
Oh, but I did get annoyed with a lady at the grocery store once... She was carrying her dog and throwing a fit about being told she couldn't have the dog in the store. She started talking to me about it and said (while pointing an accusatory finger at my infant) "YOU'RE ALLOWED TO HAVE YOUR BABY HERE!!! WHY CAN'T I?!?!?!" She was obviously so batty that I didn't bother to answer. Haha!