Dog friendly? What would you do?

And it's got nothing to do with loving the dog! It's about consideration for the dog OWNER, especially if there was an option that would have worked for everyone. Leaving that group would not be about punishing anyone (although maybe one or two would have the grace to feel guilty!) - it's about kindness to self and making space in your life for more empathic contacts.

I have seen far dirtier humans in restaurants than dogs! Men who pick their noses at the table, women applying makeup, combing their hair and spraying perfume, children wiping their runny noses with their hands then wiping them on the tables or chairs YUK!!

The only 'animal' in a restaurant that I objected to was a very large spider that a woman was wearing like a brooch on her jacket. It was attached to her lapel by a chain and it crawled over her shoulder and arm. I'm terrified of spiders, but I was more worried that it was cruel to the spider! We noticed other diners kept their distance too.

We only take our dog into restaurants or pubs that have dog friendly areas, and only if there are no other dogs there. I'd never leave him tied up outside (anywhere), he wouldn't understand why we'd left him and he might be stolen. He always gets right under the table away from moving feet and chair legs and doesn't bother anyone, in fact we've often had to stop people (especially children) from bothering him because he looks so friendly and strokeable.

3 for sure....and I would vote with my feet and join another walking dog friendly group as soon as.... That is no way to treat a friend.. They must have known how much your dog means to you and chose to ignore it. There is a lot to be said by the saying...I wouldn't trust a person who didn't like dogs but I would trust a dog that didn't like a person. Don't let it get to you for too long... It's their loss. ????? forever.

Bromley

Your ‘friends’ are dreadfully unkind and rude. I would have walked off with my real friend, and never ever walk with them again.

Well maybe it was because they knew that in the scheme of things, their friendship was only second best to that of the dog, that they assumed she would be happy with her “best friend”

And that meant they were free to go and sit with other people that they felt were their best friends.

If you put your dog first, you can’t complain if the people you put second put you second too. People just chose where they wanted to be and who they wanted to be with.

Just like you would chose your dog over your friends, they chose their friends over the dog and it’s owner.If you can do that, why can’t they?

I would probably have done the passive-aggressive option, 2! But I'm just wondering how clear you made your position and whether your 'good' friends really worked out what was happening? If you normally tend to slip into the background, the ones who know you might have moved off, chatting, to others who don't know you, and it might just have 'happened" - and maybe if you'd shouted they would have said 'Oh, sorry,' and fallen in line. Just a thought. I would never leave my dogs outside unsupervised, and anyone who thinks you should is thoughtless, at best. You can find better - doggie! - friends who would love to walk with you and lunch at a pub. Pity you're not near me! (Cotswolds)

Well Original Poster seems to have gone she’s probably having lunch with some doggy friends as we speak

I don’t think the friends dissed her, probably didn’t even notice she wasn’t with them for dinner It was a big group remember they probably each thought she’d gone straight home after the walk finished

Your ‘friends’ are dreadfully unkind and rude. I would have walked off with my real friend, and never ever walk with them again.

PS Some of my best friends are dogs. They can be relied on.

I think it says everything that all those people who are saying “leave and never have them as friends again” actually think that that is some kind of punishment for the other people.

As if they’re being deprived of something by not having the dog and it’s owner with them any more. A sort “there, look what you’ve lost by not putting us first”?

I suppose it’s all part of loving your dog so much you can’t comprehend that others might not feel the same.

Love me, love my dog. I’d go home and find a new circle of friends. Because they aren’t.

I love my dogs sarahcyn but I don't find it necessary to bring them along everywhere I go. Other people eating in the restaurant may not be comfortable with dogs around. Dogs should be able to spend time alone at home and not have to go everywhere with their owners. This is a general observation not really about the original post.

Joseanne

I'm very well behaved. Anyone fancy joining me?

Golden retrievers are the best companions!

Bignanny2

Not have taken a dog at all. Inconsiderate to the people that you were walking with to have an animal with them and definitely if you were planning on going somewhere to eat, NO food establishment should let animals into any part of their restaurant!

Why on earth not? Most dogs are no more dirty than humans. The law only stipulates that dogs should not be allowed in the food preparation area.

3, definitely but also maybe explain to the non-dog-owning friends that it really isn't safe to leave a dog tied up outside a pub or restaurant where you can't see him. As non-dog owners they won't be aware of the risks so this would give them one more chance to be proper friends :-).
Dogs are stolen from these situations every day - just see www.doglost.co.uk

With friends like that
.....
I would just leave with my dog. How rude of not even one of the party to sit with you in a dog friendly area

Sat and eat where my dog can stay with me, then continue enjoying day after all you decided to bring your dog, and why not of course
Would Never leave my dog unattended under any circumstances.

Glad you chose 3. I would not call these people 'friends'. How awful of them..

Sorry Blondiescot. I disagree. The dog wasn't invited on the walk, presumably. It's her choice to bring it. Don't see why the majority should have to compromise and sit in a dog friendly area to suit her. Personally I have a phobia of dogs and would NEVER eat in a restaurant that allows them. Dogs are pets. You don't see people taking their cats, canaries, budgies, rabbits etc. to restaurants!! My answer would be either sit on her own, go home, or join a dog walking group of people. She doesn't know all the walkers well and they might not like dogs.

Bignanny2

Not have taken a dog at all. Inconsiderate to the people that you were walking with to have an animal with them and definitely if you were planning on going somewhere to eat, NO food establishment should let animals into any part of their restaurant!

That's merely your opinion. The FACTS here are that the establishment in question did have dog friendly areas, so how was it in any way inconsiderate of the OP to think that she could take her dog into those areas? If my friends invited me to go for a walk and my dog wasn't welcomed, then they'd be no real friends at all.

Not have taken a dog at all. Inconsiderate to the people that you were walking with to have an animal with them and definitely if you were planning on going somewhere to eat, NO food establishment should let animals into any part of their restaurant!

GranyRose15 - Some people just don't like animals and certainly don't want to eat with them around. You have to respect that but if these so-called 'friends' knew you were taking your dog and fell into this category they should have mentioned that having a dog around for lunch wouldn't be something they were comfortable with. So did you make it clear you would turn up with your dog? If so, then you should ditch these 'friends', and if not you should learn from the lesson and not assume that everyone is happy with a pooch in attendance at lunch.

From the point of view of the friends I wouldn't have wanted to eat where dogs were.

3
Or not go at all.
Not leaving my dog outside, she'd be terrified and might even get stolen! No point having lunch separate from the rest unless there's another dog owner there of course, in which case be clear you're having much more fun than the knobs in the restaurant ?

but surely you would have had the sense and good manners to say something at the planning stage
Yes, I said earlier it was a lack of communication

Fleurpepper

Glorianny

Fleurpepper

Ah well- confirms my long held belief! About people who don't like dogs.

I love dogs.
I don't like owners who think their dog should be treated like a human being.
I don't like owners who let their dog bark incessantly and either think it's cute or don't know how to keep it quiet.
I don't like owners who let their dogs, on or off the lead, run right in front of me.
I do think anyone has the right to eat their food or drink their coffee in a dog free area if they wish and dog owners should respect that.
None of this means I hate dogs. I don't have one but that's because I recognise the sort of care they need, and the sort of place it is best for them to live in, and know I can't provide that. It's just a pity so many dog owners can't say the same.

I actually agree.

But this is not what this post is about. But about friendship, and what friends do, or not.

I agree too, but you are spot on - that's not what this is about. It is about friendship, and so-called 'friends' who would leave one member of a group to eat on her own are not friends in my book.