PETS: They belong at home

SPOILER ALERT! Your animal is not a human! I know we all love our animals. I hear it all the time that they are a member of your family. I get it. What disgusts me is today’s thinking that bringing your pets into restaurants, grocery stores, etc. is considered an expected right. And there is the fallback of comfort pets.

Yes they have a legitimate place but it is becoming an excuse to bring your pet with you wherever you go. I recently was in a restaurant and someone asked the waitress if they could bring their dog in, it was a “comfort pet.” They brought it in and promptly place it ON the table. Then they asked if they could bring their ferret (another comfort pet) the next time they come in.

We complained to the manager and they did absolutely nothing. As for owners of businesses, I expect you to ask pet owners for papers proving that their pet is a comfort pet. It seems that no one thinks that patrons of businesses don’t want to see pets in these places. Don’t you think when you bring your pet into businesses that people may be allergic, afraid, or simply disgusted? Do your manners go out the window when you become a pet owner? In the future, if your pet is not a service animal or you don’t have papers for your pet, someone may confront you...me.

JOHN PETERS

Coeur d’Alene