I am a dog person. I love my dogs. Plain and simple. I think I will always be one that will have a dog. I just cannot imagine life without one.

In the past few years, it seems it has gotten very popular for people to have their dogs accompany them everywhere and I do mean everywhere. People take their dogs with them to the beach, shopping, even on planes.

It seems anywhere humans go; dogs will be there, as well.

As much as I love my dog, I do have some stipulations of where I would take her. She absolutely loves car rides, pick-up rides, all terrain rides, and even a tractor ride, occasionally. She just loves adventure, so I think. It probably does not help that she is a “Velcro” dog. I would probably take her on vacation with me, if I felt that I could provide her with a safe and happy environment. We have always left her at home because of my trust issues with other dog owners. Some dog owners only think about themselves and not others around them.

They think just because they feel their dog is the cutest and doesn’t bark or nip at them that they can take them with them on outings. Some don’t even have their dog on a leash. They just let them stroll on their own on the sidewalks, in the stores, or anywhere, all while yelling at them, “come here!”, or yelling their name repeatedly and trying to reassure everyone else that their dog is the nicest and that their growling does not mean any harm.

It seems the more we see dogs everywhere, we also see poor dog owners.

Sadly, we have owners that claim their dog or dog(s) are “service dogs” or if not a true service dog, they say they are in training. Some will say their dog is an emotional support dog. An emotional support dog is not the same as a “service dog”, although some may have training and behave very well, they are not a “service dog”.

A service dog will not bark. A service dog will not leave their owner’s side. They have a job, and they are trained to stay very close. They are trained to detect health issues, sensory, physical or whatever disability they have been specifically trained for.  A service dog will not bare teeth. A service dog will not growl or nip at other people or at other dogs.

People that are using a vest or stating that their dog is a “service dog” to take them into places, yet their dog is not behaving like a service dog, are a disappointment to their own dogs and to all people that have disabilities and require a service dog.

 It is one thing to love your dog that you want them to go with you everywhere, but clearly if they are unruly and are barking or yipping, growling, and more, they do not belong in a public setting. Dog owners are failing their dogs by putting them in situations that are making them uncomfortable and causing them stress. They are also causing stress on other people in these situations, as well.

I love to take my dog into known, “dog-friendly” stores. I usually tie her leash to my shopping cart, and she walks right along with me. When people want to pet her, I usually do not allow that until after we have checked out and are heading out the door. I do not want her to think that when she goes into stores she is there for attention and to get petted or loved by others when we are still shopping.

Sadly, I have had to take her to the car during our outings, not for her behavior but in fear of other dogs, some leashed and some not. We have had encounters that were not pleasant, I get very nervous especially when another dog approaches her with its hair raised and sniffing, I can see from my dog’s body language by her hunkering down and her tail between her legs while trying to hide behind me that she does not like the interaction at all, so I remove her from the situation.

We also had one encounter one day where we met another dog and its owner, it was very uneasy. This dog was very large, and way bigger than its owner would be able to handle, if need be. As we greeted each other, she informed me that her dog was a “service” dog. I asked what disability her dog was trained to help with, out of curiosity and since she mentioned it. She said that it was trained to help her if she were to fall that he would be able to help her get back up. I found this very interesting, as he was not staying by her side at all, she did have a leash on him, but he was not close to her and was very interested in my dog. He kept following my dog and smelling her, at that point the dog owner mentions that her dog was not too friendly with other dogs and as I mentioned with his size, I would not think she would have any control over him if he were to decide to get aggressive with my dog right there. His temperament and how he was acting around my dog, was a sign that he was not a trained service dog. A dog that is not controllable and does not like other dogs does not belong in public places, period.

In all honesty, my dog is my “emotional support dog”. She came into my life when I needed her. I had extreme anxiety and she helped with that immensely, but I did not just have her alone to help with that, she was just an added factor in my healing. She is an extremely good listener, as she listens to me when no one else does or wants to. She goes shopping with me, even if it is just running for a Target drive-up. She enjoys going for coffee with me or for lunch, our usuals are drive-thrus that offer “pup-cups”, which are cups with ice cream or cool whip with a dog biscuit for the garnish. It is her favorite. She does add a little more “calm” for me on days when I may feel overwhelmed and do not feel I can go someplace alone.

She would love to go wherever I am, but she does not get to go everywhere.

People are about done with dog owners and their “service dog’ lies and not to mention how sad it is for those that truly need a service dog to have everyone everywhere with their so-called, “service dogs”, misbehaving and causing havoc for them.

If your dog is friendly to people and other dogs and is well-mannered, meaning it does not bark, growl, yip, snarl or act aggressive, if you feel entailed, take it with you wherever you go and is allowable, but leash it, none-the-less.

Enjoy life with your dog and share your vacation with it or whatever, but just do not lie about your dog by saying it is a service dog. Your dog may be your “love”, but understand it is not others. Calling it a “service dog”, is a disservice to true “service dogs”.

Be a good dog owner.