This is interesting:
With a swipe of his pen, Gov. Jerry Brown has ensured Sutter can tag along to some bars and restaurants.
Assembly Bill 1965 makes it easier to bring your pet next time you dine out or grab a drink. The bill permits dogs to join owners at the outdoor sections of food establishments, provided the canine companions are under control and not barred by a city ordinance or a restaurant owner.
The bill gives business owners the right to say yes or no to dogs. Now, I don’t have a problem with dogs. Some of my best friends own dogs. But dogs tend to be less predictable than humans, and also they get so excited when encountering each other. One can imagine that every new dog that enters a dog-friendly Cali restaurant will cause the usual dog disturbances—the sudden shuffle of keen interest, the straining on the leashes (if they are on leashes), the sniffing of assholes, the barking, the possible eruption of growling, and so on. Also, there are the dogs that find it hard not to stare at you as you eat—moist and sad dog eyes glued on your face and the food on your fork. This is just too chaotic, too intense for many of us who just want to eat in peace.
This is about freedom of choice for restaurant owners. If an owner wants to market to dog owners and you don’t want to be around dogs then vote with your feet. If enough people stop going to these restaurants they will change their policies quickly. As for me I take my Aussie to restaurants here all the time and he is always warmly welcomed.
California sounds like a cool place to live.
It should be noted that about a zillion restaurants in California already do not freak out when you sit outside and have your dog at your feet. Some go further than that: Park Bench Cafe in Huntington Beach has dog food on the menu (http://www.parkbenchcafe.com/).
Outdoor sections. Just like all over Portland. Not very newsy news.
I’ve been known to sniff an asshole and bark when a fellow human I don’t recognize arrives at my local bar, would you call me intense?
I’d like to hear from the Irish Setter on this issue