Responsible pet ownership

We all love our dogs a lot. On sunny summer days, we like to take our dogs to the park or the river and just enjoy the weather with what many consider to be the canine member of the family, and a good time is had by all. Except, perhaps, the guy at the coffee shop who just had his scone stolen by your beloved Scooter.

In a city like Portland, it’s not uncommon for people to bring their pets with them to public places. For the most part all are well within reason, such as a farmers’ market, parks or a restaurant with a nice patio, and generally people have enough sense and courtesy not to bring their dog anywhere that may prove to be problematic.

Where the problem lies is with the growing trend of people attempting to push the limits of where it is appropriate to bring their pet. A tiny dog such as a Chihuahua or pug is no less of a dog than a Lab or Retriever; however, a tiny dog fits into a purse or one of those terrible stroller things.

Now just because your dog fits into a bag that you can hide under your jacket doesn’t mean you should sneak Fido into a movie like you do a bag of gummy bears. Although I have only heard of one instance of someone actually taking their dog into a movie, it helps bring to light the trend of people toting their pets around more frequently.

The problem is with larger dogs as well. The moment you bring a Great Dane into a public place, the poor guy with the phobia of dogs may wet himself. Big dogs may also have the capability of taking food off tables. 

When your dog is small, in public, it is perhaps safer to keep them off the ground and in a tote rather than to let them walk around where they may not be seen. As for big dogs, the people with phobias can’t always be helped, and typically all dogs brought into public have had a little bit of training.

Business owners are also pretty good about making it clear if dogs are welcome or not. And pet owners are—for the most part—good about making judgment calls.

We love spending time with our pets, whether it’s the family dog, or maybe you like taking your cat on walks. The point is that just because nobody says not to, does not mean that it’s always okay to bring your pet with you. So be a responsible pet owner and be mindful of where you bring your pet.