This week, we will touch on various subjects, including some upcoming events.
First, we want to acknowledge the comments we received after last week’s column, “Where you can take your dog: Pet-friendly businesses.”
We appreciate all the comments we received, and we understand the concerns readers expressed. We are aware that some people are allergic to dogs, some people are worried about diseases transmitted by dogs in an eating establishment and just people that don’t like dogs in and around them when they are in a public setting.
If a dog’s owner is not following their ethical responsibility when in public spaces, you have every right to let the management be aware of any situation in which you feel uncomfortable or if a restaurant is in violation of the law regarding health issues.
All restaurants that allow pets (there are very few) have outdoor seating. If they have inside seating, the area for sharing with pets is separated away from customers for that reason.
This should alleviate the problem with most dog allergies and unwanted contact with dogs. There is, in all the outside seating we have noticed, another entrance and exit.
As far as bars, taverns etc. that don’t serve meals, but only snacks, we don’t think that constitutes health concerns.
In defense of dogs and their owners, we have never heard of a dog transmitting a disease in this kind of situation. We would be more concerned about people coughing and sneezing or walking out of the restroom without washing their hands. Remember dogs did not transmit COVID-19.
Another point we must make is that we have never seen a dog allowed to roam free without being on a leash and sitting next to an unrelated person in a public establishment where you would be seated. Most dogs, not just service or comfort dogs and their owners, seem to know how to behave and act around people and pets.
We are not saying this has never happened; we have just never witnessed terrible behavior from a dog or owner inside of a business. Most people know how their pets will react with people and pets, and if they aren’t suitable to be included in inside or outside seating, they generally leave them at home.
By no means are we dismissing concerns some people have about dogs, but I guess we are a little biased towards pets. After all, we wouldn’t be writing this column if we didn’t love them, one and all.
I’m sure we will have more comments regarding our article this week, but that’s alright with us. We want to hear from you.
We put Fluffy & Floyds Pet Supply, Mud Bay, Petco, Petsmart and Tractor Supply on the wrong list. They belonged to the Retail list, not under Restaurants – and we’ve corrected this. We would also like to add a business we had missed mentioning in last week’s column. Irish Alana Salon in Tumwater is very dog-friendly. They have a sign on their door – dogs are welcome- and would rather have the dogs inside instead of the heat or cold of waiting in the vehicle.
Friends of JAS is a newly established 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Its mission is to support the incredible work of Joint Animal Services, our local public animal shelter, as it serves the needs of the pets and people of Lacey, Olympia, Tumwater, and unincorporated Thurston County, through dedicated fundraising efforts. The fundraising enables the shelter to provide exceptional care, resources, and support to as many animals and people as possible.
We will be doing an article soon in much more detail on FRIENDS OF JAS, but if you don’t want to wait, you can go to their website, www.friendsofjas.org, to get more information on all the good things they are doing for Joint Animal Services, and maybe you will become a Friends of JAS member also.
Pet owners will be glad to hear that the national chain of pet hospitals, Blue Pearl, will be opening in Olympia's west side later this month. They've scheduled their grand opening for September 25 at their brand-new location at 2432 Heritage Court SW. We have been invited for a sneak preview and we will give you more details before the opening.
Trish's daughter had to take one of her dogs, Bella, up to Blue Pearl's Lakewood location. She said they were very thorough, very professional and explained everything so we could understand exactly what the diagnosis was and what the next step was to give Bella a better quality of life.
Mark your calendars for the 18th Annual Concern for Animals Toast for Tails fundraiser! This year’s event includes a week-long online auction, leading up to an in-person fun-filled evening at the South Sound Community College-Lacey Campus. This event is 21+. The Toast for Tails virtual silent auction runs from October 14-20, with the in-person silent and live auctions starting at 5 p.m. on October 19th at the South Puget Sound Community College – Lacey Campus. Ticket Details Coming Soon.
We will also be doing an in-depth article on what Concern for Animals is all about before the event in October. We were so impressed with how many projects and services they give to pets and their owners. You will be amazed also.
“One cat just leads to another.” -- Ernest Hemingway
Thom Donitz and Trish Lynn are neighbors and close friends who share their love of animals and wildlife. Trish and Thom are residents of Tumwater. Contact them at pets@theJOLTnews.com.
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