Dining with Dogs

Dining with Dogs

Have we all gone dog crazy? Well I admit I have! And from what I see in Southern California, everyone else has too.

Friday nights we usually go out to dinner. After a long week, it's just a reward to do something special. This past Friday night we were dining al fresco, when I noticed more doggies' dining than usual. Big dogs, small dogs all laying quietly around the table of their owners.

I mentioned to David (my husband) that all the dogs were so well behaved (unlike our Jack who cries, begs and barks at other dogs in public).

Dogs are a big part of the dining experience in SoCal. Most all restaurants welcome them and even provide water and snacks. I've seen dogs laying on the ground, sitting on their master's laps while dining. I've also seen their master's feed them from their plates.

Dogs are on leashes, in ladies purses, some are being carried. No boundaries on where they can be taken. Some are riding on the laps of their owners while driving. I've even seen them in baby strollers! Funny, if you are talking on the cell phone, you can be ticketed, but as far as I know, you can have your dog helping you drive, no ticket for that! They can be taken into church, the hospital...have we gone dog crazy?

What amazes me is that I rarely see a dog misbehaving, you know like a child would. No these pets have been trained to stay quiet. For the most part they sit and just mind their own business! All are well groomed; doggie spas are huge here. I have to book weeks ahead to get crazy Jack a bath!

Leaving the restaurant, we stopped at the local ice cream shop. Dogs are everywhere. Some had their own ice cream and others were performing tricks or just peacefully watching the foot traffic.

Then I remembered an experience with Jack at the Vet's office.

I had taken him in for shots and of course the waiting room was full of dogs and cats. While waiting to be called back Jack was pulling, crying and barking at the other animals. They weren't the least bit impressed with him and ignored him. So I'm talking to him nicely to please sit down and be quiet. He continued to misbehave to the point I broke and screamed at him, I think my exact words were, "just you wait till I get you home to your dad, you will be sorry!"

Everyone in the waiting room got a huge laugh at my expense! Needless to say I embarrassed myself. Now I insist David take him to the Vet! And I confess, we too are dog crazy!