I think this post demonstrates the problem with discussions of this kind.
Sweeping statements about dog owners being selfish and entitled and calling people dim are unhelpful. Sorry, but this says more about the person writing these statements than it does about those it is intended to refer to.
Whatever your feelings on dogs, the comments about their bottoms on the floor are bizarre. Dog bums don’t automatically get wiped along the floor when the sit down. Even if they did, peoples shoes must carry all manner of grot and bacteria; imagine what you pick up on your shoes when walking in a public loo, the tube or around the town. The footfall of these places must mean that floors are truly filthy, even if they look clean. However, neither dirty shoes or dog bums really matter much on this context as we don’t normally eat off the floor!
Interestingly, contrary to the suggestions of ‘filthy’ dogs, there are actually now known to be considerable benefits to immunity from having a pet.
It isn’t selfish for dog owners to take their dogs to places where the proprietors actively welcome their custom. Likewise, it’s ridiculous to suggest that dogs are a retrograde step for
disability rights and access. Whilst I would appreciate the challenges that multiple dogs might pose to a wheelchair user, this isn’t insurmountable. My husband is disabled so I am aware of how challenging access can be generally. Its down to businesses to ensure that all customers can access their business safely. Disabled customers should absolutely be a priority consideration doing so doesn’t mean that dogs have to be excluded.
Some people love dogs and some dislike them. There are responsible dog owners and appalling ones that allow their dogs to be dangerous or a complete PITA. Likewise, some people love small children and some don’t, some parents are considerate to others and others allow their feral children to ruin it for others. Some people have allergies to all kind of things and others don’t.
Everybody will hold their opinion and has a right to express it in a respectful way. In life, any one person exercising their rights will inevitably mean that others are affected, positively or negatively. We cannot all be satisfied at the same time.
We have a beautiful, intelligent little cockerpoo, who is well trained, dearly loved and gives us so much joy. She is very much part of our family and yes, she is my baby. I am a carer for my husband, who is disabled and has a life limiting disease; it is isolating and cruel and she gives me much joy at what is a very difficult time. We take her out and about, including to cafes and such places. She gets lots of love and attention from others out and about. I enjoy her company and she is a confidence boost to my husband, who is disabled. We don’t allow her to outwardly annoy others, but of course we can’t tell if someone has an allergy to her.
Reading through mumsnet, some posters feel that this makes me selfish, self-entitled, incompetent and emotionally unintelligent. It is shocking that some posters feel entitled to make such judgments on people who are complete strangers to them.