Having guided two through this terrible disease, I feel so much of what it was like and I have now relegated to the dusty corners of my memory. Your journeys and writing describe the kindness and dignity required on the path you are one, thanks for that Will, and lucky you and Ringo that you have Bella to guide you as well .
Now I know why I haven't seen you ad Bella at KRU. In Europe dogs are allowed EVERYWHERE, and there is NEVER a bark! Why can't we petition our Common Council and get this rule changed??? So sorry to hear this...
As long as the dogs are leashed and under control, I don't care (the DOH probably would). I love dogs. Dog owners, not so much. So many of them everybody loves their mutt as much as them so no need to control them in any way shape of form. They don't need to follow municipal leash laws because THEIR beloved pooch would NEVER harm anybody.
Let me begin by saying I love dogs! If service dogs are not a health problem, then regular dogs aren’t either. But service dogs are well behaved. People have huge blind spots when it comes to their beloved pets, though. We’ve all seen ill-behaved, untrained dogs who schnoof unsuspecting people in intimate places, jump on them, bark, or otherwise make themselves obnoxious. I would be fine with dogs anywhere, but leave it to the manager’s discretion to decide when to ask someone to remove a dog that isn’t minding his manners. Maybe put up a sign like “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone whose dog is a jerk.”
Yeah, there are those pesky diseases, but it’s very unlikely that a well behaved dog (like a service animal would be) sitting or lying by their owner’s feet will pass them to anyone. As always, you pet someone else’s dog at your own risk, so if you pat a dog at a restaurant and pick up a tick or ringworm, you had that same risk petting them in a park or at home. Interesting that the article on FDA rules didn’t really say why dogs were ever excluded as a health risk in the first place. I always thought it was because of the shedding and the hair getting in people’s food, the health department really frowns on that! But outdoors on a patio you accept that there might be bugs and spiders, leaves and dust…what’s a little dog hair on top of that?
Yes. Outside is different from inside. More casual, relaxed, certainly more vulnerable to small foreign objects coming into contact with your food…I can’t imagine anything about a dog’s presence that should bother anyone besides misbehavior. Inside may be a different story for some folk. It’s usually a more refined atmosphere. There is at least the illusion of protection from the spiders, bugs, and hairs. So I can see people not wanting to have dogs willy nilly at every table, just like some people don’t think small children belong at a fancy fine dining establishment. Also some people can be allergic to dogs, in which case maybe the manager could move the table of the person who came in second. To me, though, how the dog behaves is more important than where the dog is.
I guess that’s why they made it so dogs are allowed, but at the restaurant’s discretion. They can decide which group they want to collect more money from. Maybe they could have a dog section the way they used to have a smoking section, and people who are afraid of dogs would have to deal just like us non-smokers used to have to deal with it. And the science will bear me out that smoking is much more unhealthful than dogs!
Will, The New York Times has no better. You are page one. The Atlantic could use you. And Michael Henry Powell now graces that monthly. Bella is blessed with you - and cursed with Alzheimer’s. You are blessed with her, we are blessed with your grace and example. We, your readers, are blessed with you two as an example of life as we should like to live it. As all might. Hi to your best friend. He should be page one, too. He forced the conversation and loves Bella, too.
As for Steve's Place it is her right to sell to whomever she pleases.
I don't think we need this in that area and I feel bad for the guy across the street which is where I go. I'll keep going there because they are nice people.
I drive a small car...I don't understand the need for SUVs unless you have 6 kids.
Gas guzzling monsters...can't see around them in traffic and why are small econo cars being phased out?
My friend has no kids, retired, and just bought a huge vehicle....I don't get it.
That is your choice to keep going to the Adk car wash. As long as you don't deny other people the choice to go to Hoffmans across the street, there is no problem. Adk Car Wash's individual washes are cheaper so they could survive. It's not the government's place to pick winners and losers. That happens too much already.
I am very sorry to hear of Ringo's and, thus, his humans', being barred from Spot and Kru, etc. The manager handled the situation you describe, probably, as well as it could be handled- a single person with a dog needing to use a bathroom and-or wanting to place an order in Spot or another such establishment, might prove a further dilemma, business and human, for even a sympathetic manager. / Your "(Route 196, maybe)" is hilarious, and a perfect testament, I think, to the point of your piece about the beauty of Washington County, New York, and beauty, per se: we can lose ourselves in it, and find ourselves in it, at the same time.
Will wrote: "I understand the shop’s employees have to abide by state regulations, and I’m sure the person who confronted me had been told to make sure no dogs entered the shop that weren’t service dogs."
I’m not clear on why Ringo wouldn’t be permitted indoors as a service dog, since he seems (at least to me) to meet the requirements for an ADA-compliant service animal.
I see no problem with a car wash. At least both will be on opposite sides of the street. I wonder if there was a hoopla when CVS and Walgreen's were built near each other.
The traffic debacle of the car wash reminds me of several years ago when I presented an idea to Warren County when they wanted to widen Main Street. In the end, they settled on something different that still causes traffic to backup occasionally. My idea would not have widen Main Street, no need for traffic signals anywhere on Main Street and Luzerne Road, dozens of new businesses around Exit 18 visible from the Northway to entice travelers to exit the Northway and spend money. My idea has been used in many places in the USA with no need to widen roads in 30-40 years AND traffic moves with no delays or backups. Oh well. Good luck with the car wash.
It has been proven that similar businesses close together bring more business to all. As to misbehaving dogs, it’s too bad everyone isn’t brought up with a dog’s love… perhaps we’d all have more tolerance and love to give one another.
Retiring to Seattle last year to live near my daughter has been interesting after working and living in Glens Falls since 1996. Each state is different with different laws and regulations, Dogs are allowed in Washington State in coffee shops since we are the land of coffee shops and young folks with dogs and no children. My daughter has lived here since she left for graduate school in 2001 and never came home. She was born low vision, and she knew early that she needed to live in an area that she could live without a car. She did her research while she sent applications to grad school. She fell in love with Seattle since it is the best area for public transportation and neighborhoods have everything you need that you can walk to. When I came here, I sold my house, car and furniture and started over and I am living in a 550 sq ft studio apartment walking distance to her place. I have not had a car for 18 months and get along just fine. Folks still have cars here even though they do not need them. Our light rail takes you to the airport and buses are everywhere and stop in front of my place every 10-15 minutes. It only cost me a $1 as a senior. Seattle is the size of the Capital District and I live in a city/neighborhood that is the size of Glens Falls and actually reminds me of Glens Falls. The difference is that Seattle incorporated all the areas, and my small town belongs to the city for tax purposes and governance similar to NYC. Not having a car saves me a lot of money living on a fixed income in an area that is more expensive than Glens Falls. Not a lot of car washes here since land is premium. I do not think I have even seen one since moving here 18 months ago. I agree that Ringo should be considered a service dog for Bella. It must have been painful for you watching the debate on Thursday knowing what you know about Alzheimer's.
Maybe, I have just seen them in my local coffee shops in my neighborhood..they must be breaking the rules then. I won't tell, if you don't. I just assumed they let them in. Seattle is a bit laid back and folks here hate rules.
I am relieved that you were treated with respect at SPoT Coffee in the end. I miss seeing you, Bella and Ringo in and outside of SPoT, but I understand the current restrictions. Perhaps Ringo can be classified and accepted as a companion animal. As far as our mindset about cars, I agree that we sometimes do harm to ourselves and to our environment by not opting to walk or to "park and ride" on public transportation, which will not improve or expand until we increase our ridership. Thank you for highlighting Washington County and the Wilson Homestead bookstore. I hope to enjoy a visit Hebron and Ms. Brillon's store this summer.
It's bizarre that perfectly reasonable skepticism about opposition to a car wash devolved into an anti-car rant. There are plenty of reasons to have a good anti-car rant but this particular topic seemed an odd place for it. An explosion in search of ignition.
I don’t care much about a car wash either way, but the pet wash is very handy, especially in the winter. Fortunately they allow dogs in the pet wash. I don’t know if people have tried it for cats, birds, or pot bellied pigs but I suppose they would be allowed in the pet wash. They probably would not allow you to bring in your horse, cow, or goat. But that likely wouldn’t be a health department thing.
You, Bella and Ringo are a great team, so many rules with no real thoughts for all situations. I thought therapy dogs have to be allowed, I agree with letting well behaved dogs in even though mine is too reactive.
Having guided two through this terrible disease, I feel so much of what it was like and I have now relegated to the dusty corners of my memory. Your journeys and writing describe the kindness and dignity required on the path you are one, thanks for that Will, and lucky you and Ringo that you have Bella to guide you as well .
Now I know why I haven't seen you ad Bella at KRU. In Europe dogs are allowed EVERYWHERE, and there is NEVER a bark! Why can't we petition our Common Council and get this rule changed??? So sorry to hear this...
It's state law. DOH can shut you down.
As long as the dogs are leashed and under control, I don't care (the DOH probably would). I love dogs. Dog owners, not so much. So many of them everybody loves their mutt as much as them so no need to control them in any way shape of form. They don't need to follow municipal leash laws because THEIR beloved pooch would NEVER harm anybody.
Hi Mary, perhaps this will help https://www.rover.com/blog/new-fda-food-code-allows-outdoor-dining-with-dogs/
Let me begin by saying I love dogs! If service dogs are not a health problem, then regular dogs aren’t either. But service dogs are well behaved. People have huge blind spots when it comes to their beloved pets, though. We’ve all seen ill-behaved, untrained dogs who schnoof unsuspecting people in intimate places, jump on them, bark, or otherwise make themselves obnoxious. I would be fine with dogs anywhere, but leave it to the manager’s discretion to decide when to ask someone to remove a dog that isn’t minding his manners. Maybe put up a sign like “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone whose dog is a jerk.”
Tanya perhaps service dogs are also a health problem. The diseases dogs and humans can share with one another
https://health.osu.edu/health/virus-and-infection/diseases-dogs-can-pass-to-humans#:~:text=Dogs%20carry%20germs.%20They%E2%80%99re%20in%20their%20saliva%2C%20in,bacteria%2C%20viruses%20or%20fungi%20they%20could%20be%20carrying.
Here is a link to some information about the rule https://www.rover.com/blog/new-fda-food-code-allows-outdoor-dining-with-dogs/
Yeah, there are those pesky diseases, but it’s very unlikely that a well behaved dog (like a service animal would be) sitting or lying by their owner’s feet will pass them to anyone. As always, you pet someone else’s dog at your own risk, so if you pat a dog at a restaurant and pick up a tick or ringworm, you had that same risk petting them in a park or at home. Interesting that the article on FDA rules didn’t really say why dogs were ever excluded as a health risk in the first place. I always thought it was because of the shedding and the hair getting in people’s food, the health department really frowns on that! But outdoors on a patio you accept that there might be bugs and spiders, leaves and dust…what’s a little dog hair on top of that?
Tanya, have I read your comment correctly, you agree that there is a difference between inside a restrant and outside
Yes. Outside is different from inside. More casual, relaxed, certainly more vulnerable to small foreign objects coming into contact with your food…I can’t imagine anything about a dog’s presence that should bother anyone besides misbehavior. Inside may be a different story for some folk. It’s usually a more refined atmosphere. There is at least the illusion of protection from the spiders, bugs, and hairs. So I can see people not wanting to have dogs willy nilly at every table, just like some people don’t think small children belong at a fancy fine dining establishment. Also some people can be allergic to dogs, in which case maybe the manager could move the table of the person who came in second. To me, though, how the dog behaves is more important than where the dog is.
How about people who have a fear of dogs and canines
Cynophobia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cynophobia
I guess that’s why they made it so dogs are allowed, but at the restaurant’s discretion. They can decide which group they want to collect more money from. Maybe they could have a dog section the way they used to have a smoking section, and people who are afraid of dogs would have to deal just like us non-smokers used to have to deal with it. And the science will bear me out that smoking is much more unhealthful than dogs!
Will, The New York Times has no better. You are page one. The Atlantic could use you. And Michael Henry Powell now graces that monthly. Bella is blessed with you - and cursed with Alzheimer’s. You are blessed with her, we are blessed with your grace and example. We, your readers, are blessed with you two as an example of life as we should like to live it. As all might. Hi to your best friend. He should be page one, too. He forced the conversation and loves Bella, too.
Thanks Sandy
I used to let dogs into RockHill. They were the best part of my day.
As for Steve's Place it is her right to sell to whomever she pleases.
I don't think we need this in that area and I feel bad for the guy across the street which is where I go. I'll keep going there because they are nice people.
I drive a small car...I don't understand the need for SUVs unless you have 6 kids.
Gas guzzling monsters...can't see around them in traffic and why are small econo cars being phased out?
My friend has no kids, retired, and just bought a huge vehicle....I don't get it.
That is your choice to keep going to the Adk car wash. As long as you don't deny other people the choice to go to Hoffmans across the street, there is no problem. Adk Car Wash's individual washes are cheaper so they could survive. It's not the government's place to pick winners and losers. That happens too much already.
I am very sorry to hear of Ringo's and, thus, his humans', being barred from Spot and Kru, etc. The manager handled the situation you describe, probably, as well as it could be handled- a single person with a dog needing to use a bathroom and-or wanting to place an order in Spot or another such establishment, might prove a further dilemma, business and human, for even a sympathetic manager. / Your "(Route 196, maybe)" is hilarious, and a perfect testament, I think, to the point of your piece about the beauty of Washington County, New York, and beauty, per se: we can lose ourselves in it, and find ourselves in it, at the same time.
Will wrote: "I understand the shop’s employees have to abide by state regulations, and I’m sure the person who confronted me had been told to make sure no dogs entered the shop that weren’t service dogs."
I’m not clear on why Ringo wouldn’t be permitted indoors as a service dog, since he seems (at least to me) to meet the requirements for an ADA-compliant service animal.
It's a good point. I might be able to make that happen. According to the ADA, you can train your dog yourself
I see no problem with a car wash. At least both will be on opposite sides of the street. I wonder if there was a hoopla when CVS and Walgreen's were built near each other.
The traffic debacle of the car wash reminds me of several years ago when I presented an idea to Warren County when they wanted to widen Main Street. In the end, they settled on something different that still causes traffic to backup occasionally. My idea would not have widen Main Street, no need for traffic signals anywhere on Main Street and Luzerne Road, dozens of new businesses around Exit 18 visible from the Northway to entice travelers to exit the Northway and spend money. My idea has been used in many places in the USA with no need to widen roads in 30-40 years AND traffic moves with no delays or backups. Oh well. Good luck with the car wash.
HI David, what was your idea? Do you have a link showing where it has been used?
It has been proven that similar businesses close together bring more business to all. As to misbehaving dogs, it’s too bad everyone isn’t brought up with a dog’s love… perhaps we’d all have more tolerance and love to give one another.
No doubt
Retiring to Seattle last year to live near my daughter has been interesting after working and living in Glens Falls since 1996. Each state is different with different laws and regulations, Dogs are allowed in Washington State in coffee shops since we are the land of coffee shops and young folks with dogs and no children. My daughter has lived here since she left for graduate school in 2001 and never came home. She was born low vision, and she knew early that she needed to live in an area that she could live without a car. She did her research while she sent applications to grad school. She fell in love with Seattle since it is the best area for public transportation and neighborhoods have everything you need that you can walk to. When I came here, I sold my house, car and furniture and started over and I am living in a 550 sq ft studio apartment walking distance to her place. I have not had a car for 18 months and get along just fine. Folks still have cars here even though they do not need them. Our light rail takes you to the airport and buses are everywhere and stop in front of my place every 10-15 minutes. It only cost me a $1 as a senior. Seattle is the size of the Capital District and I live in a city/neighborhood that is the size of Glens Falls and actually reminds me of Glens Falls. The difference is that Seattle incorporated all the areas, and my small town belongs to the city for tax purposes and governance similar to NYC. Not having a car saves me a lot of money living on a fixed income in an area that is more expensive than Glens Falls. Not a lot of car washes here since land is premium. I do not think I have even seen one since moving here 18 months ago. I agree that Ringo should be considered a service dog for Bella. It must have been painful for you watching the debate on Thursday knowing what you know about Alzheimer's.
It sounds like you've set things up for yourself very well. I really like Seattle
Hi Patti You used the word ‘’in” according to the following link, dogs will allow on outdoor patios and outlines the requirements of food establishments interested in creating dog-friendly outdoor patios. https://clark.wa.gov/public-health/public-health-offers-option-dog-friendly-patios-food-establishments#:~:text=Since%202005%2C%20Washington%20state%20food%20code%20has%20prohibited,of%20food%20establishments%2C%20which%20include%20outdoor%20dining%20areas.
Maybe, I have just seen them in my local coffee shops in my neighborhood..they must be breaking the rules then. I won't tell, if you don't. I just assumed they let them in. Seattle is a bit laid back and folks here hate rules.
Dear Will,
I am relieved that you were treated with respect at SPoT Coffee in the end. I miss seeing you, Bella and Ringo in and outside of SPoT, but I understand the current restrictions. Perhaps Ringo can be classified and accepted as a companion animal. As far as our mindset about cars, I agree that we sometimes do harm to ourselves and to our environment by not opting to walk or to "park and ride" on public transportation, which will not improve or expand until we increase our ridership. Thank you for highlighting Washington County and the Wilson Homestead bookstore. I hope to enjoy a visit Hebron and Ms. Brillon's store this summer.
It's bizarre that perfectly reasonable skepticism about opposition to a car wash devolved into an anti-car rant. There are plenty of reasons to have a good anti-car rant but this particular topic seemed an odd place for it. An explosion in search of ignition.
Unfortunately Will, the DOH doesn't care if exceptions are made "out of kindness."
I don’t care much about a car wash either way, but the pet wash is very handy, especially in the winter. Fortunately they allow dogs in the pet wash. I don’t know if people have tried it for cats, birds, or pot bellied pigs but I suppose they would be allowed in the pet wash. They probably would not allow you to bring in your horse, cow, or goat. But that likely wouldn’t be a health department thing.
You, Bella and Ringo are a great team, so many rules with no real thoughts for all situations. I thought therapy dogs have to be allowed, I agree with letting well behaved dogs in even though mine is too reactive.