Hello Everyone!
Phew, I am taking a deep breath and going for it! This is my first blog for the Star Tribune and I am thrilled that I get to be a 'voice' for the community. So, let's get started!
Here goes, I was at the SuperTarget in Edina last week and much to my children's delight they saw someone carrying a little dog around in a purse. Yes, you heard me right, a dog around in a purse. Oh, I know it was Edina but, come on people it isn't Beverly Hills and that woman surely didn't look like Paris Hilton!
I was actually embarrased for her! Did she realize how absolutely ridiculous she looked? When did dogs become fashion accessories? I don't understand it. I will admit that I am not the biggest dog lover, even though I have one. But, I have a big Golden Retreiver and there is no way I am carrying that thing around in a bag. However, I grew up with cats, lots of cats, still own a cat but, I wouldn't have ever thought of bringing my cat to Target with me. I love my animals, I love them a lot they feel like they are part of the family but, when it comes down to it, they are animals.
This isn't the first time I have seen an animal in the Edina Target and I fear it won't be the last. I see someone carrying their animals around in there at least once a month and I am not even a huge Target shopper! I am not the typical mom of 4 who shops there daily or even weekly. I am lucky if I get there once a month so maybe I just happen to be there when people decide to bring their animals shopping, maybe not. I think more and more people are bringing their small dogs and now even cats into stores with them.
It isn't just Target either, I have seen them at Southdale Mall and Cub Foods among other places. Last time I checked cats weren't considered 'service' animals and I don't think little dogs or puppies in purses are considered service animals either. What ever happened to those No Pets Allowed signs? When did it become OK to bring animals that aren't service animals into places where people shop especially a grocery store?!
I am glad you love your pet, I probably would love your pet too if I knew it but, I don't want to meet your pet while I am shopping for produce. I don't want your pet anywhere near my produce! A cat isn't a baby and doesn't belong wrapped up in a blanket sleeping in the baby bucket of a shopping cart. A dog doesn't belong in a purse and speaking of where dogs don't belong, unless your dog is paralyzed, it doesn't belong in a stroller either. They are dogs and cats!
Have we really become that society where our animals are now accessories? Really?! OH! I think I have figured it out. Carrying our dogs around in our purses is a replacement for us no longer being able to wear fur! That must be it. Why else would someone subject themselves to looking so foolish and others to having to deal with their dog?
Listen, I have 4 children that I am trying to raise and teach what is right and what is wrong and why we have rules and why we don't. People who carry their pets around not only make my job more difficult because I am now the mean mom that won't let them bring their dog or cat to the grocery store. Ours stays at home where it belongs. Also, I don't think people with allergies to animals should have to worry about whether or not they are going to start sneezing or worse at Target because some woman has taken her social cues from a socialite in California.
I will say it again, pets are pets. They are not things that go into handbags, they don't belong in strollers, and they aren't something you try and match to your outfit. Come on Target, Cub and Southdale, get with it and stand up for the rest of us and put those "NO Animals" allowed signs back up. I am completely OK with the service animals, those are important and are doing a job to help someone. Purse dogs and stroller dogs are just a poor substitute for something else that I have yet to figure out.
One last thing to really upset all of you, dogs and cats and whatever other animal is not a child. You can't call them your children, they are not children. Yes, I will admit my children sometimes act like animals but, they are children! Not my dog, not my cat. I cry when my pets are sick or hurt but, they will never be anywhere near the same category as my children and never should be. Children are children and pets are pets. I am not my dogs mother, I am its owner.
Please people, next time you see someone carrying their dog or cat or whatever animal into a store, kindly remind them animals don't belong, unless you are walking into to a pet store.
Blessings to you all and thanks for reading my blog!