Today we drove 4 hours round trip to Detroit to take our dogs to a play date--only to get there and find the play date had been canceled an hour before because the doggie day care's air conditioning was broken and in the 95 degree heat, it was like an oven there. So, we went to Belle Isle for awhile but it was crowded and there weren't many things we could see there with the dogs along, as the buildings don't allow dogs and neither does the beach.
So, Larry, Tracy, and I with my lab Amy and my pit bull Spirit went on to Mexicantown to have dinner at Los Galanes Mexican restaurant. The restaurant has an outdoor patio that is under a roof with ceiling fans, so between the fans and a slight breeze, it was quite pleasant there. We sat at an end table with the dogs. Larry put Spirit's leash around his waist and I put Amy's leash around my waist and the dogs laid under or beside the table and behaved very well. Our waitress came and she was terrified of dogs! She asked if it was safe to get near the dogs and we assured her that they are perfectly safe, harmless, and very friendly. She still wouldn't get close enough to the table that they could reach her! So, I was surprised when she very kindly brought out bowls of cold water for the dogs, which they appreciated. Larry, Tracy, and I all ordered combination dinners and they were very good. One of the bosses helped the scared waitress carry our food to the table. Anything else she needed to put on or get off the table, she asked Larry to reach it for her. Another waitress came out to look at the "scary" dogs and talked baby talk to them and they wagged their tails. A few other waitresses poked their heads out the door to take a peek. Most other customers didn't pay any attention to the dogs and they weren't afraid of them at all.
A lady came up to our table wearing a "Dog Lover" tee shirt and petted our dogs and told me all about her Norweigan Elkhound that she shows in confirmation and obedience. She told me about the breed specialty shows her dog was entered in and mentioned that she would have to bring her dog to the restaurant sometime, as she didn't know before that it was allowed. Our dog club also takes their dogs to the bars in Detroit once a month, a different bar each time. The dogs are allowed in the patio seating where club members can get drinks and light refreshments. This month's bar trip is on Tuesday, August 18, at the Omni Hotel on the Riverfront
After our meal, we went to the Mexican bakery to buy a bag of pastry, then drove home by the old scenic route. Between the heat, food, and long drive, I got very sleepy. The dogs also slept on the way home in the car. They seemed to enjoy the day even though they missed their play group today. But they have more play groups next weekend. We have now taken the dogs to several different restaurants to eat that have patio seating. It sure beats always eating at a fast food restaurant because we have the dogs along! (We got the dogs hamburgers from Burger King though, as they don't digest Mexican food well.)
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Comments: 21
Sometimes I gets a treat in the parking lot of restaurants, but I never gets to go to one REALLY.
Some folks, Janet, never had the opportunity to "warm up" to pets. My husband's cousin was an only child, doted on by mom and dad, and never had a pet in her entire life. She came to visit us with her two young girls ( who also were being brought up without the love of a pet) and she wasn't only afraid of our less than 20-pound dog, she also was quite nervous around my budgies (parakeets)! Now, I can understand folks being afriad of a dog's bite perhaps ... but, I don't think the parakeets are quite the killer breed! LOL
In any case, people who have never had a pet probably are skeptical at best to warm up to another species ... but, given time ( and the right opportunity), it looks like this girl has hope. She at least gave the pups a drink ... well, that's a start.
And then, too, just the word "pitt bull" tends to bring out fear in people who have never had the experience of seeing how sweet these dogs can really be given the love and attention that owners such as yourself provide. It's a shame that some people don't get to experience the love that only a pet can give -- we are blessed to be among the exclusive group of animal lovers who are rewarded beyond what words can say for the simple love we give our fur and feathered friends!