dog tired
Tremont is a relatively dog-friendly neighborhood.
You can take your pup in all manner of places, and sometimes find some of the shops and galleries with their own dogs lounging around. Banyan Tree has a small poodle that wears a gray t-shirt and will greet you most days she isn’t snoozing on her own tiny couch. Ginko has an absolutely gorgeous creature named Bubba, a boxer/American bulldog mix who will bring you his toy and stomp his massive frame around the tiny little shop if he senses you want to play. Tucked underneath the bar stools at Edison’s, you are likely to find a pooch or two on any given night. As any lover of dogs big and small knows, it’s a nice feeling to be able to have your pup welcome in your favorite establishment.
With the trendiness of small dogs becoming more and more pervasive, it’s not an uncommon site to see the little things tucked under people’s arms, in cute bags, and riding along side their humans in special car-seats (yes, I have issues-we already know that-shuttup). And while I get that sometimes it would be inappropriate to bring your canine with you-the corner china store is not going to welcome your bull mastiff with open arms, for example, I don’t understand what the issue is with a small dog that is in a bag or leashed and held not being welcome in some places.
Case in point. This past weekend, I was jonesing for a sweet dessert. Lucky’s Café has some really excellent baked goods from Sweet Mosaic and they are just at the end of my street. Perfect. I suited up the pooch and we headed out. I couldn’t decided what I wanted on the way down there, so I planned to just pop in, make my choice, and have my companion (the boy, not the dog) make his selection and meet us outside on one of the picnic benches. The minute I walked in, the woman behind the counter gave me a seriously dirty look, and icily informed me that they do not allow dogs in here. I pointed at the brownie and said that I was just picking out the treat and walking back out. She continued to sneer and shook her head, ignoring my order. My diplomatic response? “Fuck this. I don’t want anything. I’ll see you outside,” said sharply to the boy. He saw the exchange and didn’t order anything, either.
Now I get that there are violations of restaurant codes in play here, but come on. I was in there for two seconds, and made it clear I wasn’t staying. What was the harm? To be fair, Lucky’s has not been known to me for their exemplary service. In fact, with the exception of Sunday Brunch (when the owners are around), I have found the service to be snotty and sub-par. I love Keith, the owner, and it’s a shame his staff is frequently so shitty to customers. But, I digress.
Here’s my biggest problem about not being able to take the pup in places. I could walk in somewhere with my 6 pound pal securely in a bag under my arm, and I am not welcome....In the same place where screaming, drooling, destructive little children are running around wreaking havoc. Oy vay. With the exception of her love of pissing on the floor at Petsmart (she loves to so this, I don’t know why), I would never allow Shasmecka to go anywhere where I thought that it would be a distraction, a destruction, or a violation of decorum.
So why am I being dogged? It’s ruff, I tell you.
hcg
I just got a very nice e-mail from Keith at Lucky's. And he explained to me, in a very nice way, that he would love to allow dogs, but that they would get fined as a health violation. I do get that. And I said before that I really like Keith. He's a great guy-and the fact that he took the time to send a personal e-mail makes me think that I will give the yummy desserts another try. If for no other reason than that...um, okay-the pastries do kick some ass.
I still think dogs are less annoying than children, on the whole. And cleaner.
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Reader Comments (21)
Lady, you belong in Paris.
i totally agree with you though. i'd rather see a gazillion little dogs in purses that even one scraming brat.
altho, the bigger dogs? they scare me unless i know them.
The only thing worse than a Sherrod Brown victory is having to watch chicks with toy dogs dressed up like a doll, carry them around in their disgusting cases.
Or having to watch where I step or I may step on a "rat on a leash" while the owners look at me in disgust for wanting to bring my family into a coffee or desert shop. All I want is to teach my little girls that there are incredible places to find food other than a chain resturant.
ANIMALS ARE NOT PEOPLE. They are future clothing, accessories or food.
I have been yipped at by small dogs more than large dogs. I think these little things are overbred and possiblly crazy. Many people are afraid of both large and small dogs.
I know everybody thinks their animals and children are just the cutest things in the world, but other people usually don't agree.
I have a dog and I have a child, both of whom I love dearly, but I try not to impose them on others.
Avi-Yeah, but MY dog can't give high fives like your pup. That was too cool.
Mike-Ugh. Maybe we should pass a law!
Miss Ann-Yeah, it's gotten so bad I have to scope out the "Oops! Station" as soon as I get there. Little bitch. :-) And Bubba that I mentioned is big, but you would like him. He's sweet.
Snog-You know that I am not one of those. Although I think she would like Lava.
Amy-They are cranky when Keith isn't around. Maybe they miss him? Ha ha.
I am sure you didn't, Nessa. My parents never put up with that kind of behavior either. But you do see it...hopefully your kids see how silly the other kids look when they act like that. (Kids are smart like that.) And don't worry-I am sure that you would not agree with Timmy unless absolutely necessary. ;-)
Let me tell you about the time I came very close to actually stiking a human person. Keep in mind, I am apacifist.
I drove from MN to MA. It's a few days drive. I had the late Catzilla with me. It was August. It was so stinking hot I was melting.
I had to eat and pee and stuff like that. Well, ain't no way in this life that i am leaving a 6 lb kitty in a scorching car...which is illegal in many states, dontchaknow.
I took her into the little food stops and such with nary a second glance til I got to NY. I went in to pee. I decided to have an ice cream and I put her, in her carrier, onthe seat next to me and fed her.
I got up, left and then remembered I needed to get a coke. I walked in with her in the carrier and went to get my soda. some dude comes up to me and tells me I can't have her in there...dumbshit. I was in there with her for an hour. I told him I was getting a drink and leaving. he told me i couldn't. I told him to get out of my face and call the cops if he wanted. i was getting my drink and leaving.
He actually called the cops. I saw them pull in as I was pulling out. dickhead.
I want to know why you can't bring a crated kitty in a service plaza when it's 9000 degrees out?
PS I'm on the laptop so mie teypin es knot gud. i haf trubbl wit teh keyz n stuf.
While they are not specifically welcomed, we've never run a pet out of the store I work at. We have two regular's actually, Bullwinkle the Silky Terrier and Angel the Dachshund (I never spell that right).
I can understand not wanting pets in an eatery, where they could possible get into trouble for having said animal there, but there are nice ways to go about saying the pup coudln't be in there.
Some dogs shit and pee where they want to...even if they are well trained. Kids do not...although my son went through a phase in the second grade where he peed behind my couch because he didn't want to miss Sponge Bob. Dogs are not cleaner than kids. Ask your vet about that one. Dog SALIVA is cleaner than human saliva, but not right after it's licked its ass
Some dogs have fleas. Fleas jump. Sure...some people have lice, but lice aren't very athletic animals. Neither are crabs, although crabs are great at pole vaulting, which is why you should never throw a toothpick in a public toilet.
Dogs shed. A lot. I'd love to see your reaction of a big black curly dog hair in your tart. Better yet...half a big curly dog hair.
Dogs smell funny. My dog smells like a cross between hound and Fritos Corn Chips.
And my dear hot coffee girl, a 6-pound dog is not a dog. It's a big furry rat that wags its tail and licks your face.
A few other responses...
Mike - the dark ages had animals and people together all the time. Cleanliness wasn't a big concern, much in the same way it's not a concern today with hippies and some Europeans.
Timmy is right - comparing an animal to a kid is just plain immature and selfish. And placing a dog in a cute little bag does nothing more than make it the laughing stock of the canine community...more of a Paris Hilton fashion accessory than the noble beast it really is. Fucking cats could kick a dog in bag's ass.
hcg - we're not a blue state yet, toots. That will be determined by the electorate in the '08 presidential election.
Here's what I get. A six pound dog in the arms of an adult woman is no threat to anyone or any place, least of all some place as bohemian as a coffee shop. And yes, some dogs piss and shit where they want but… If my dog or your child pissed, or god forbid shit in my arms, there would be reprocussions. As to the cleanliness issue, let's skip the comparison to kids and move right over to the help...have you seen the employees at these bohemian establishments? Talk about fleas, smelling funny, and big black curly hairs.
As to HCG's (as you so politely put it) bitching - it's her blog and her prerogative. And you should talk about bitching. She's a woman who comes by it naturally, what's your excuse? (And don't call her toots.)
May I call YOU toots, instead? Honestly, hcg seems more than able to speak on her own behalf. But it's cute - you sticking up for her and all that.
The issue is not JUST harm - it's considered, right or wrong, to be unsanitary. Change the laws if you disagree with them. A few more reasons animals are not allowed in restaurants (aside from service dogs):
Allergies - many people are allergic to dog dander.
Fleas and tics - not all pet owners are conscientious about grooming their pets.
Feces/Urine - Both accidents and dingleberries.
Bites, barking, aggressive behavior - The establishment may be held liable should dogs get into a fight and/or bite another patron. We
live in a litigious society.
Children - many children are afraid of dogs.
Space - blocking wait staff and other patrons.
Dog/pet hair - Pet hair on food is unappetizing for most people.
Diseases - Ringworm, hookworm, staph infections, mites, salmonella, etc.
And bohemian coffee shops are considered restaurants in the eyes of the law - there are standards they must maintain. Granted, hcg's cutie of a pooch is only 6 pounds. Where's the cutoff? 10 pounds? 15 pounds? Breed? (No pitbulls or rottie's welcome). Next thing you know someone with a 150 pound Great Dane will complain because he can't bring his dog in when there's a toy-yappy dog in that girls handbag wagging its tail and eating a scone.
The good news is it's legal to take a dog to a restaurant if they have an outdoor patio or street cafe. And in some parts of Chinatown on both the coasts, dogs are most welcome into fine dining establishments...as long as they're on the plate and warmed to a temperature of 150 degrees.