I need a man!

Oh, rubylady I understand your pain. I don't have a car and have come up against taxi companies that won't take dogs (which I can understand, up to a point) but it used to leave me very anxious when I did have a dog, about what will I do if I REALLY have an emergency…a huge fear since a couple of years ago I had to carry my dog in my arms to a vet because no taxi companies would take a dog and she didn't fit into my bike basket

Thank you boh I can't just keep taking her for a walk around the block, that would get very boring for us both. Plus there is a lovely garden centre close to me which doesn't mind dogs going into so we go there and have a bit of breakfast, sit and overlook the flowers etc. and stroll round at our own pace. I did sort out a great gent who was kind and took us but he's moved areas now and works for a different company.

She (my dog) is lovely to have as company when I don't want to go out on my own. I have no problem when I go on holiday. Where we go has taxi firms where they don't have any problems at all carrying dogs. It makes the holiday feel so special and welcoming. I am not racist but most drivers here are Asian, that is a fact whereas on holiday they are white British. Maybe it's more of a cultural thing but then again they are in England and we all know we are a nation of dog lovers.

I sympathise but why does it need to be a man ? Surely you just need a friend with a car.

Sorry nina just a term of phrase. I was the friend with the car, used to take people all over. Now when I need one, no one is around. I don't like to put on people though, rather pay my way so that's why it's a kindly taxi driver I need and they do all seem to be men here, not seen any women.

Taxi drivers are allowed to refuse to carry dogs - although they must take guide dogs. It seems a bit unfair to me but, as the taxi is their property, I'm not sure how you get round it. Perhaps this is a "gap in the market" - taxi firms that guarantee they will carry dogs! What about ordering a return taxi for a specific time and then the firm can ensure that they have someone available who is willing to take a dog?

I had a similar problem on public transport. A few years ago I went to a local town with my mum, and took my dog too. It was a very cold day and it had been snowing. On our return, we went to the bus park and were relieved to see our bus at the stand. The bus driver refused to allow us on the bus because "I don't like dogs". I was very angry and said that it was a public service, there was no one else on the bus, and my dog was gentle and well behaved. Despite seeing my elderly mum standing in the cold, he absolutely refused to let us on. I wrote to Transport for London and was assured that drivers were not permitted to refuse to take dogs just because they didn't like them and if it happened again I should take the driver's details and report it. I have been reluctant to repeat the experience but at least know that it is within my rights to do so.

Very frustrating all round. I have never tried taking a dog on a bus or in a taxi. I have taken one on a train a couple of times with no problems.

Some people with allergies could not use a car if a dog had previously been in it!

The title of this thread made me smile as that is the cry that goes up from our 3DDs if there is a spider in the vicinity!

I didn't think of the allergies aspect kitty.

Despite being regular customers at the minicab company in our area for airport trips etc - we've had the following: A cab driver taking a childseat out of his boot and throwing it into the back seat of the car and saying "You do it" when we had booked one for a family member with a toddler; when my sister-in-law struggling to the cab with her suitcases asked for help, the driver strolled past her (he had come to the door to let us know he was there) saying "You booked a cab driver, not a porter". Er, no tip for you then.

There are some lovely cab drivers too at the company, but you never see the same person twice.

It may be worth looking into someone who specialises in transporting pets i.e. to the vet etc, there is at least one near me who does this but I don't know if he takes passengers as well.

It must be very difficult for you, but I can understand where the drivers are coming from. I often go in my friend's car and it sticks of stale dog and the seats are coated in hairs - it is not a great experience!

Maybe Guide Dogs for the Blind have a list of dog friendy taxi companies; even though taxis have to take guide dogs some will be more accomodating than others. And there are local organisations that offer lifts to people [for a fee]; when our village surgery shut down they [kindly ] gave us a list of local lift givers..I'll see if I can find it. Age Uk might have a list also. It won't be cheap but probably not more expensive than a taxi.

It's not like that on the London Underground, there's a sign at every escalator that says "dogs must be carried"

What do you do if you don't have a dog?

If an animal/child/person is sick in a taxi, said taxi has to go in for an all-over clean. This can take a few hours. So that is money not being earned during that time. I'm not excusing the driver's rudeness but perhaps that's why he refused to take your dog.

Just pretend....

I need a man too, for doing the garden, taking care of the car, painting the house, fixing things that are broken (including the washing machine at present), securing the tv. aerial, etc... the list is endless.
But I would like him to live in the cupboard so I could just bring him out when I need him. Any volunteers?

Good luck with the dog walking/taxi problem. Could you take the dog on a bus? We often see dogs on buses around here.

Thank you for all your kind responses. I understand when you say about allergies but my dog is non moulting and I point this out when trying to order a taxi. She will not shed hairs all over their car nor will anyone be affected by her fur.

I have phoned round a few since yesterday and found a couple who take dogs but I do think it will be within time limits, when a particular driver is on.

I did take her on the bus yesterday and that is ok if you are on a bus route. I mainly go to garden centres or to parks with her that are not on a bus route as they tend to go off the beaten track. I will find someone, I will not be beaten by the society we seem to live in.

I would much rather have my dog in the taxi than a drunk on a weekend throwing up all over the place. But then that's just me.

phoenix

Just a thought, how about putting a card in your local vets? You might find a like minded person who would enjoy such outings, and provided you and the dogs got on, it could open up a whole new world?

We have no problems with taxi's in our area they will take you & your dog but you are informed that if for any reason the dog is "ill" in the car you are responsible for the cleaning up which is fair in my opinion,but this is not going to happen often I would expect.
As for buses we have only once been spoken to about taking Poppy on the bus when the driver said "keep the dog on the floor" he was a pleasant soul I must say !!
Good idea phoenix I feel maybe friendships could be made there.

If a taxi driver is self employed he might be happy to give you his business card so you can contact him directly.

poenix good idea, I will try it and see, thanks.

cressida I have done this before but the guy whose number I got told me recently that he has moved companies and no longer covers my area.

I did manage to find a company who will take dogs but they only have eight drivers so I'll probably have to pre-book. I'll try it for now and try phoenix's idea too, see if I get any response. Thank you all for your kind input.