Who let the dogs in?

DEAR ANNIE >> First, may I start off by saying I love animals, especially dogs. I have had several dogs and loved them, as they loved me, unconditionally. But when did it come to be that all dogs are service dogs? When did it start being OK to bring a dog into a grocery, a pharmacy and even a restaurant? Today in a department store, there was a little dog that growled whenever anyone got near it.

Some people have allergies to animals, and I don’t think it is OK to expose everyone to dogs. In your home or car, I get that. It’s your space, and you have every right to keep your best friend by your side. But is it me, or has this gotten totally out of hand? When I was growing up, you would never dream of bringing an animal of any kind in a food store.

I have contacted people at the headquarters of the grocery chain, and they tell me that the only thing an employee can do is ask the customer whether the animal is a service dog and, if so, what the nature of its service is. No documents are required.

People, leave your animals at home. If you can’t, then go to a grocery that delivers your groceries to your car in the parking lot. There is no charge for that. I am fed up with having to worry about whether my grocery cart will be full of pet hair. Perhaps the food industry should take into consideration those of us who don’t bring their animals inside instead of catering to those who do. DEAR FRUSTRATED >> You’re not the first person who has written to me about this. Whenever people lie or break the rules so they can bring their pet dog around town with them, it negatively impacts the many people who really do need service or therapy dogs for medical reasons. So to anyone out there faking it: Shame on you.

That being said, as a bystander, you can’t know for sure what the situation is. It’s not always clear when someone has a condition that necessitates a service animal. So withhold judgment. It’s better for your blood pressure. DEAR ANNIE >> This message is for “Still Interested,” who says his wife’s sexual thrill is gone.

Perhaps it is his thrill and not hers! Has he turned into a grumpy old man who complains and criticizes? Did he never complete the job she asked him to do last week or last year? Did he fuss about what she cooked for supper? Did he get irritated when she talked to him? Perhaps her thrill would return if he started treating her with love and respect.

My advice to him: Finish those jobs. Enjoy that meal. Just listen when she talks. Give her hugs. Help her around the house. Appreciate what she does. And stop complaining! When you thrill her with your actions, perhaps she will, in return, thrill you! DEAR HAPPY >> I didn’t see any indication in the letter from “Still Interested” that he is treating his wife poorly, so I feel you may be drawing that conclusion based on your own experiences. In any case, indeed — a happy wife equals a happy life, and those little gestures of affection can go a long way.