Disappointed at Lowe's

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

Had to run to Lowe's today to finish up a few things on our bathroom remodel.  The girls always get to go along on that because Lowe's has always let us bring them in and they get a chance to practice manners.  We took care of some returns, the girls at that desk talked to the my girls, another employee came up and asked about them and wanted to pet them.  Moving on, we went to look for the rest of today's needs and another employee came up and told us unless they were service dogs they couldn't be in the store.  I asked him when that policy changed and he told us last week after another visiting dog attacked a child.  I apologized and took the girls straight to the car, I understand the circumstances and would not argue that.  I am really disappointed that yet another dog owner has gone in public and not had their dog under control...or another parent has not had a grip on their child or maybe even a combination of both.  I WISH that any of the first three employees that say us and played with our dogs would have been advised of the new policy and let us know before we were that far into the store.  Sad that this is a place I have to cross off the list that the girls got to go to, they love meeting people and showing off a bit.

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

I always ask if I can bring Hurley in the store. He is a 55 lb fluff ball. He goes with me into Home Goods, Lowe's, Home Depot, Eddie Bauer, Pier 1, etc. We sit on the patios of Restuarants where dogs are permitted.

I hope this does not come across wrong but what kind of gets to me is when I see a person bring a little dog in a store but a big dog is not allowed. There is something wrong with that picture to me.

Also, I don't like to see any dog in a grocery store but have seen people bring their little dogs in.

[Stella]

My friends husband carried their golden retriever into a store that was supposed to be no dogs after he watched someone allowed in carrying a small dog!! He actually carried that dog around the store just to make a point!!

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Haha. Now that's funny! But, good point!

[Diane, Hurley and Sidney]

LOL. I LOVE IT!!!

[Julie and Charlie]

I would bet that Charlie carries less germs that would make people sick than a small child. Or maybe I just don't have the "ick" factor that some people do. That said, Charlie rarely gets to go anywhere indoors except the pet store. It's too hit and miss if he'll be welcome, so he stays home, or on cool days for a short trip, in the car.

[Richard Crowe]

There "could" be another reason that some dogs are allowed to be carried in a store while bigger dogs are not allowed to walk in a store - POTTY.

I certainly would not take Holly into a store if I did not trust her bathroom habits but, other people would. Little dogs in the arms of the owner or pushed around in a shopping cart are less likely to soil the store; even if not perfectly house trained.

There are lots of places that exclude dogs because some inconsiderate owners do not pick up the waste.

Maybe it is a cultural thing but, when we were in Athens Greece at the Acropolis Park, below that famous monument absolutely no one cleaned up after their dogs.  It was a hot day with no breeze and the smell in that park would have gagged a maggot!

[Marianne Kay]

You are lucky you could bring your dog into the big box stores. Where I live, we never see that. On the other hand in the old village, the small store owners all have treats and put water bowls outside their doors to let you know they are dog friendly. Its great training for socialization when they are young. And yes, doodles love the attention from their audience! At our community dog park a new sign now reads, something like this: parents need to be aware that dogs get excited and may become rough in a dog park and it may not be a safe place for a child. Also, parents should teach their children to ask the owner if it is okay to pet their dog. Common sense in writing.