Dining with dogs?

[ladymelissa]

Even though people have been bringing dogs to restaurants in France for years - the habit may soon be coming to a restaurant near you! According to the Los Angeles Times, it’s a new trend. And we’re not just talking about accompanying the owner. we’re talking about dining WITH the owner!

Yes, you can order up a little pistou or poulet for your puppy! Chef Didier Durand has spent months developing a doggie menu for his new canine clientele, now that Chicago is about to pass an ordinance that’ll let dogs eat next to people in outdoor cafes. And Chicago isn’t the first city to do this. Governor Jeb Bush in Florida has already signed a “doggie dining bill” which created a 3-year pilot program to allow dogs to dine outside with their owners.

But even though Chicago was named the most dog friendly city in the U.S. last year by the magazine Dog Fancy, not everyone is all aboard this new concept. Some opponents complain that it was tough enough having a smoking and non-smoking section of a restaurant, now you may have to choose between the People or Pooch section?!

But getting back to Chef Durand and his restaurant in Chicago - if the ordinance passes, he’ll be offering a $5 dollar, four course canine menu. But some people are concerned that pampered pooches who dine with their owners are going to suffer the same fate of people who eat out too often in restaurants - gaining weight. But the way things are going, doggie gyms are probably right around the corner.

[ladymelissa]

I think they should be kept to the outdoor café or patio areas. I don't want to hear dogs barking while I am trying to enjoy a relaxing meal and just imagine if Sparky gets out of control and dives at my NY strip steak, tackling me in the process.

[lea m]

I just dont like the thought of dogs being anywhere near my food! (sorry if this offends anyone!)

[jeni740]

Only if they are for the visually impaired do I think they are acceptable. Keep those little Paris Hilton rat dogs out :)

[brewsells]

IMO, absolutely not!! One of my biggest pet peeves are dogs staring at me when I am eating. My dogs at home are not even alot near the kitchen, let alone sitting by me when I am eating.. I know some people think of their pets as their kids, and some may agree with the idea... But, as Melissa said, I really don't want some unruly dog jumping away from their owner and on my table.

[SerendipityCrafts]

No thanks. I trained my dog to stay out of the kitchen when we were eating.

I don't want to see begging doggies while I am eating or think about having doggy hair (or worse yet) in my food. The only kind of dog that is acceptable in a restaurant is an aid dog.

[BriansBride07]

NO way I don't agree with it. As some of the other ladies stated only if the dog is for the aid of the person, could I accept it.

[hummingbird521]

No way. If you want to eat with your dog stay home and fix him a gourmet meal. While I love my dog, he is just that, a dog. I would never take him to a restaurant and subject others (let alone myself) to her. If it is an aid dog then that is fine. Can you imagine eating a meal and having one dog stare at you, another barking constantly and the kids at the other table crying. ughhh

[mariaandmanish]

I'm going to say that other than seeing eye dogs, dogs should only be allowed in outdoor seating areas, and those being the open seating areas, not ones that are enclosed by the restaurant. Pets, as far as I'm concerned, do not belong in restaurants at all.

[nic1124]

Only outdoor areas I think.

[WhiskeyGirl]

I think if you wanna eat with your dog, stay home. I don't paticulary want to see that, and some dogs are pretty smelly, so Iw ouldn't want that greeting me while I eat! lol

[SerendipityCrafts]

I think if you wanna eat with your dog, stay home. I don't paticulary want to see that, and some dogs are pretty smelly, so Iw ouldn't want that greeting me while I eat! lol

LOL now I know it's time to go to bed .... when I first read your post ... I read it like this -

I think if you wanna eat your dog ....

LOL that might just happen if you end up going to the wrong type of restaurant you know :)

[WhiskeyGirl]

LOL now I know it's time to go to bed .... when I first read your post ... I read it like this -



LOL that might just happen if you end up going to the wrong type of restaurant you know :)

OMG that is too FRICKEN FUNNY!!! I was actually crying and sad then I read your post and started killing myself laughing, Matt had no clue what was going on! lol

[ladymelissa]

I think if you wanna eat your dog ....
:rofl: I laughed out loud too!

[lea m]

Ha ha ha whats going on here!! lol first people eating goldfish, then eating their dogs!?!? lol

[SaralovesMike]

No thanks, I don't want to eat with strangers dogs...

"Family" dogs and dogs you know are a different story, and mainly because you are in someone's home. We had a dog that used to sit on a chair at dinner. She never made a sound, just sat there.

[VenusElaine]

Aid dogs are perfectly acceptable, as far as I am concerned. They are also well trained and obediant. They are there to assist their person (dogs are dogs, but I do not feel you can "own" a life).
Purse puppies are another story. This is much the same as "designer dog" replacing "Mutt" as far as I am concerned.
I do spoil my furbabies, but when I am eating, they are laying down. No looking and no begging. IF there are a few scraps left, they go in the bowl. Any vet will tell you that they should not be fed "people" food in the first place. This invites allergies and obesity. Both of mine are rescues, and they receive all the love, attention, and care I have. Restaurants are for humans! And many of them do not behave well!

VenusElaine

[WebLady]

I said other ... if it was a themed place, like one geared towards dog people I guess it would be ok. I don't think it should be like a 'people or pouch section' in a regular restaurant.

Me, I wish I lived in a more dog friendly area so I could take my dogs with me more places. I think it would be nice to be able to take my dogs with me to a nice little patio restaurant in the spring. But I don't think I'd spend the money to feed my dog some gourmet meal like that. I don't even care for gourmet. My dogs are somewhat spoiled, but not pampered in the since that this article is talking. I will feel them at home and give them fancy treats from time to time, but they don't eat at the table.

[MOB Karen]

Either indoors or outdoors, I wouldn't want a dog around while I'm eating out. I don't mind the dogs for the disabled folks though. They are very well-behaved, and don't usually move the whole time their owner is in the restaurant. :)

[SoontobeMrsClark07]

I think as long as the dogs are well behaved, theres nothing wrong with them eating outside. We have a couple of places here where you can take your dog and they have things for the dog on the menu. Its always fun to see the dogs out and having a good time rather than being couped up in the house while their owners are out having the good time.

[EarlyBird]

i know there are a couple places that have outdoor areas where pooches can come with you. in a place where you might be walking around an area and have your dog - its a nice convienance to be able to drop in and eat something even though you have your dog- but i doubt that i would actually make it a point to take my pups with me to eat- i go out to get away from stress. but i know when we drove to NC it would have been nice to be able to stop at a rest. with the pups and eat real food instead of just fast food.