Shoppers unleash tirade against pets in stores

Ihita nerve.

Last week, I wrote that I’d had enough with pets in stores and that Publix, airlines and other businesses have begun to crack down on this annoying phenomenon. I received a tidal wave of comments via email, Facebook and Twitter.

Some of the hundreds of notes were nasty, but a majority agreed that animals in stores and restaurants — especially grocery stores — is out of control.

A totally unscientific poll I ran on Twitter even showed 69 percent of 154 responding agreed with me.

Here are a few of my favorite responses. Keep ’em coming!

Dear Doreen: You write a column with tips on savings and freebies. It is even occasionally helpful. However, this week you wrote an opinion column that has no place on the front page of the business section of a real newspaper. If you have an opinion about emotional support animals in stores, save it for dinner parties or the Opinions section. I strongly disagree with your opinion (as do most other people) and am as disgusted with you as you are with dogs in stores. — Anonymous via email

Dear Anonymous: At least I have the courage to sign my name to my opinions. I’m a columnist and the newspaper pays me to give my opinion. (After I sent that reply, I got this response: “No. You are paid to give tips for saving money and freebies: “Doreen’s Deals” not Doreen’s opinions.”) I’m giving you extra credit for trying to have the last word, but that’s a tough fight to win with someone who has space to fill each week.

Dear Doreen: First, you need to get your facts straight about retailers before you make public your rude comments. Lowe’s and Home Depot, and many other retailers, DO allow pets in their stores !!!!!! Because they do NOT sell food & beverages. I would think before you write scathing generalized remarks you would at least get your facts correct !!!! I have an emotional support dog who was certified by a licensed medical professional for my anxiety. I do not abuse this privilege, and I am offended by people who do. But this article was written with pure hatred. Lighten up sister!— A.C. via email

Dear A.C.: Please reread what I wrote. My facts were not incorrect. The example I used about Lowe’s pointed out that a man entered the store with an UNLEASHED dog. There is nothing pet-friendly about that.

Dear Doreen: Iwasata The estate, at 4567 Pine Tree Drive, sits on nearly 1 acre on the Indian Creek Waterway, with a dock that accommodates a 90-foot yacht.

Ross and a couple’s dog decided to poop. It was gross. — S.S.Y. via Facebook

Dear Doreen: Lowe’s is pet friendly. I live a block from one and took my dog to just walk the isles. All the employees loved him. — E.H. via Twitter

Dear E.H.: Yeah, about that. Unless your dog is extremely handy with a hammer, I imagine it would find a nice visit to the dog park much more enjoyable. Read on.

Dear Doreen: My husband works in Lowe’s. Last week he said two dogs got into a fight and the owners had to pull them apart! Do we wait until a person is bitten before we ban all dogs from stores? He also says dogs have pooped in the store and the owners just keep on walking! Ewwww. Enough is enough. — D.L. via Facebook

Dear Doreen: My husband has an emotional service dog. Buddy is a Boston terrier. When we go anywhere, we take his dog stroller so he doesn’t invade anyone’s space. He sits in there politely, without barking or being annoying. Why can’t others be considerate? Buddy keeps my husband calm and we take pride in his behavior. Some people need to get a clue! — P.K. via Facebook

Dear P.K.: Bravo! You have found a good solution with the doggie stroller.

Dear Doreen: Do you lick the outside of your yogurt containers? Is that why you decided to skip that purchase? I guess a dog’s mouth is dirtier than the roaches, mice, and other various insects that crawl over all the containers in a store? Or worse than a worker stocking the shelves that wipe/pick their noses, scratch their butts/crotches. — M.D.W. via Facebook

Dear M.D.W.: Where do you shop, at the barnyard?

Dear Doreen: We have witnessed people bringing their beloved dogs in baby carriages into bars. There is a particular restaurant that we frequent where dogs have their own seat at the table with their owners while having dinner. There is one customer who brings in a 200-pound Pyrenees mountain hound. The dog is very well disciplined but, since the aisles are small, it is hard to get around him. Hopefully, your courageous reporting will nudge government regulators into correcting this unsafe and unsanitary situation. — B.E. via email

Dear B.E.: I didn’t know they had a happy hour at the pound! Did you hear the one about the Great Pyrenees who walks into a bar? He looks at the bartender and says, “Hey, I can talk. Have you ever seen a talking dog before? How about a drink?” The bartender says, “Sure, the toilet’s right around the corner.”

Dear Doreen: Thank you for your article about people abusing the noble concept of service animals. My sister raised two puppies with Canine Companions for Independence. One became an aide to a boy with cerebral palsy and the other became an explosive detection canine with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms. My brother and his family also raised a puppy who is in the advanced training program. It is infuriating when selfish people feel their pets deserve all-access. They probably can’t fathom the dedication that actually goes into making an animal fit to be of service. Hours of training is necessary while an able-bodied person is tasked with desensitizing a dog to the outside world (so they don’t jump, bark, etc.) among other skills. Then comes the pride and heartbreak of giving these wonderful animals away for the greater good. Compassion for people who legitimately need service animals is significantly compromised by frauds who abuse the system. Online sites with counterfeit capes and bogus registries are despicable and should be shut down. — L.G. via email

Dear L.G.: Thank you for so eloquently explaining how pet owners who abuse this privilege end up penalizing those who truly need the help of these wonderful animals.