Leaving your buddy tied up to a pole while you grab groceries...

[Mr. Frodo]

Ok maybe my mom is a bit protective - so please do voice your opinion about this - but my mom does not like to see dogs (Doods or any other kind) left, tired up to some garbage can, street lamp etc. while their human goes into stores to grab groceries, or a coffee, or baked goods etc.

100,000 dogs are stolen or lost every year in Canada (probably higher in the US) and often the stolen dogs belonged to a caring enough owner who happened to leave their dog tied up and un-attended while they went off to do "Chores".

I am not a CHORE!! My mom makes me her priority. When we go out together it is my time. If she does need to get dry cleaning or something of that nature, she takes me into the shop with her. She believes that it is better to "beg for forgiveness than ask for permission". She knows where I am welcome and in fact will not shop at clothing stores or other shops where I am not welcome!

If she needs to go shopping somewhere that dogs cannot go (Grocery store) she leaves me at home.

I like this because I know when I am with her I am safe and that I am her priority. And if I cannot go I don't have to worry about getting too hot or having random people come up to me without my mom being there.

So, is she too protective? I don't think so but maybe she is...

Many dogs that are stolen are often stolen from front yards of homes where dogs are left out un-attended, or from store fronts where they have been tied up and start to bark or whine.

My mom's heart breaks when she sees a post on a pole or store window that says "dog lost / stolen - last seen tied up in front of 'abc' store"... She does not wish this on any dog owner - but really, you wouldn't leave your toddler tied up out side all alone - would you??

My mom also believes that by taking us into the store with you (unless restricted for health bylaws) the general feeling toward dogs in public spaces will improve. Of course we must be on our best behaviour when we go in...

When I was in Europe I went EVERYWHERE - including grocery stores, cafes and restaurants. Someday this will be our right here too... well, a Dood can dream anyway...

Licks & Wags

MF

[Mr. Frodo]

Thanks everyone for your comments and thoughts! One day we (dogs) will be allowed into all the places our humans can go and this will nto be an issue.

My mom takes me all sorts of places - the Bank, Home Depot (and other types of stores) she even took me into Pottery Barn and the staff gushed over me - how handsome I am etc.

Untill we are officially allowed into all places (Like in many european countries) - remember "beg for forgiveness - don't ask permission!" :p

Licks & Wags

MF

[Lorraine Bromley]

I don't have really strong views on this but realize where your coming from. If only dogs were allowed in stores with us! Ours behaves better than alot of toddlers and likely cleaner too. Don't get me wrong I love babies and kids. I have left Neely in front of the store on a couple of occasions. I have only done this when the store I go into I have a full view of him at all times or for only seconds and if I do go out of site I usually ask the teller that my dog is there and I am just getting the item and right back just so someone is aware he wasn't left alone. I don't really ever have to do this as the stores that I have went into the bank and drugstore are set up well enough for that.

[Nancie & Gracie Doodle]

Mr. Frodo I agree totally with you. Gracie doodle does too! She would never want to be tied up anywhere! I see a lot of it right here in our little beach community and I just want to yell at the owners. Even though they may not have the best looking dogs (most are mutts, pitts and rotties), they still deserve to be treated with some respect. There is absolutely no way I would ever tie up a Doodle...they are too gorgeous, beautiful, handsome, smart, PERFECT and on and on to ever be tied up. For sure, they would be gone when you came back outside.

[Frannie & Callie]

We agree with you and your mom!

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

No way would I leave Webber tied up outside, out of my sight. I couldn't agree with you more. Not overprotective, just safe.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I agree, it seems dangerous to leave your dog tied up outside, even if it is for a small moment. Whether it is someone taking your dog, or them getting hurt... anything could happen. It seems to risky. We take Darwin to our local outdoor mall and if we need to go into a no dogs allowed store, one of us stays outside with him. Perhaps I am too paranoid, but I just can't leave him in cars or tied outside... it's too scary!

[Pat & "Tucker"]

I think your mom isabsolutely right MF. Better safe than sorry. I have thought about doing this once and hestiated- decided not to. Don't think it is safe.

[The Berry Oaks Doodle Ranch]

We also take our Doodles everywhere we can...when we are at home and are tied outside our Mommy is with us playing ball or something...

[Sue & Willy Babe]

My mom takes me everywhere also but does not like to see anyone tied up she would be heartbroken if something would happen to me and I would not like it either!!!!

[Donna K & Quincy]

I would never leave Quincy tied up while I went away from him. I would be too totally heartbroken if anything happened to him. Just the other day my husband had Quincy in the car when he had to run into the grocery store, it was a warm day so he couldn't put the windows up. Luckily a neighbour was waiting outside for his wife and volunteered to watch him, otherwise the groceries would have to wait. I too believe it is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. What's the worst that could happen. They ask you to leave and risk losing a customer forever.