How Much Is That Doggie.....EVERYWHERE???

Is it just me, or are there dogs everywhere? At the Farmer's Market, the grocery store, the drug store. The only place I haven't seen somebody carrying a dog around is at the doctor's office. You never know when you look into a stroller if it's going to contain a baby or a chihuahua.

Now, I understand the need for service animals, and I think it's a wonderful thing when a dog can be trained to help a person do things that they can't do themselves.

In case you didn't know, a service animal is not required to wear  a distinguishing vest or harness or anything else that identifies them as a service animal, nor is the owner required to carry any paperwork about it.

BUT, the person must have a true disability, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
 The ADA defines a disability as: "a mental or physical condition which substantially limits a major life activity such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working."

To be a service animal, it must be trained to 'perform tasks directly related to the person's disability". "Comforting" or "Giving love" or "A reason to get up in the morning" while beneficial, does not a service dog make.

That being said, the ones I have a problem with can probably be called "accessory dogs"...I think Paris Hilton (remember her?) might have started that trend.

There is a woman here at Limpdik Park who has 2 or 3 Chihuahuas that she pushes around in a really fancy baby stroller. They go all over the neighborhood, all day long. (She also wears cotton nightgowns in public, and shaves her head *_* ) Every time I see those dogs, I swear they have a look of desperation on their little ankle-nipping faces. (Help me! Help me!)

There was another loony tune who has since moved away, who had a 3-legged "service" dog, who was able to predict when she was going to have an attack of some sort. By her own accounts, her "attacks" were controlled by medicine, so the dog was retired. But she still hauled him around in his baby stroller, bringing him to pot-luck dinners, feeding him at the table, stirring dishes with her doggy hands, giving him kisses, both with tongue. (My apologies to those with sensitive stomachs)

I guess my rant is....unless the dog is doing something that is necessary to your health or ability to perform normal tasks....LEAVE THE DAMN DOG AT HOME!!

(Please send your cards and letters to Paris Hilton, Hollywood CA 90210)