I Was Just Thinking  . . .  Again

First, let me thank you for all of your responses about the dog story.  Your suggestions have made it a better story, and it is going to be titled:  Katie and the Pest.

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I often started conversations with Larry by saying, “I was just      thinking …”  Larry would interrupt me and ask, “Don’t you ever stop thinking?”  Well.  No.  I don’t.  Ever stop thinking.  Do any of us ever stop thinking?  And, so, today was no exception when I saw what is described here.

Today, I was at the grocery store that I like to frequent.  As I was leaving, there in front of me was an out-of-control dog; big dog – its shoulder came up to my knees.  I keep wondering why I see such dogs in the market, so to validate my thinking, I checked with the ADA definition of “service dog.”  The federal rules provide guidance on the term “service animal.”  I’ve included a portion of that information below.  (The State rules are similar.)

“How “Service Animal” Is Defined

“Service animals are defined as dogs that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for people with disabilities. Examples of such work or tasks include guiding people who are blind, alerting people who are deaf, pulling a wheelchair, alerting and protecting a person who is having a seizure, reminding a person with mental illness to take prescribed medications, calming a person with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) during an anxiety attack, or performing other duties. Service animals are working animals, not pets. The work or task a dog has been trained to provide must be directly related to the person’s disability. Dogs whose sole function is to provide comfort or emotional support do not qualify as service animals under the ADA.

“Beginning on March 15, 2011, only dogs are recognized as service animals under titles II and III of the ADA.

“Generally, title II and title III entities must permit service animals to accompany people with disabilities in all areas where members of the public are allowed to go.”

In other words, a dog being cuddled in the arms of the owner should have been left in the car.

I also think about the store owners or managers don’t seem to understand that these are the rules and require that the owners of those non-service dogs be asked to remove their dog from the market.  In this same category of stores is the restaurant owner who does not require that the dog owner remove the dog from the premises.  I’ve been told more than once (after talking with the store manager) that he/she can do nothing about the dog.  Of course, I always remind them about the federal and state rules regarding this issue.

I frequent only one location (a health services business) that has a poster on the door explaining their policy about service dogs and what they really are.

All of this thinking caused another “bout of thinking;” Thinking about this issue in reference to a slightly different situation.  I have a friend who trains dogs to be of service to returning military service personnel.  As noted in the information above, these canine companions are trained to do some special activity for the person with whom they will live.  They are trained to specifically give the needed emotional support.  For me, this presents a true quandray.  What do I do when I see a dog in a place where I think such an animal shouldn’t be?  And, how do we know that the animal has had specific training to be emotional support for returning military personnel?

Another happening that makes me think a lot is the family that comes into a restaurant for breakfast or some other meal.  I personally don’t understand the people who arrive for their meal, do not talk, and spend their time using their thumbs.  It always pleases me when I see a family (parents and other adults and kids) carry on a conversation rather than having their noses and fingers attached to their phones.  When I see such a family, I attempt to make a quiet effort to pay for their meal.  I talk with their wait staff, pay for their meal, and ask that they hold off letting the family know that the meal has been paid for until I’ve left the restaurant.  And, I ask the wait staff to tell them that their meal has been paid for because I think that “good parenting” should be rewarded.  I always hope that it is a pleasant surprise for the family.

The passng. during this year, of so many of my friends and relatives (and of friends and relatives of friends) has caused me to think about the future a little more seriously.  Do you ever wonder how you will be remembered when, after a life well-lived, you leave this veil of tears?  I am thinking that I’d like my legacy to be this:  she is a child of God; she was a wife, a mother, grandmother, and a friend; and, that for thirty years, she was an educator.

Be Safe and Be Well

The Cranky Crone

Thoughtful comments are appreciated.