i would guess that when that dog was a child/youngster itself it acted in a more immature fashion that children are know to act. now why so many adults act like immature children is what is so disturbing.

The point is, it was trained, and apparently, by somebody who knows that you're acting in a kid or animal's best interest by giving them boundaries.

That dog is awesome - and he is a pirate! :-)

The local newspaper in my city runs a little column called 'Your 2 Cents' Worth' where people can call or e-mail and get their comments published. Lately the hottest topic is about this very issue, and most people say they would rather see dogs allowed in restaurants than children. One lady cracked me up - she said children act like little hellions and spill their food, whereas dogs sit quietly and eat the spilled food.

It does seem like a lot of parents are so used to tuning out the noise their kids make, they are completely oblivious to the effect it has on other people.

I call it "The Me! Me! Me! Generation." I've always said that about kids in restaurants. I can't understand why the dogs, not the children, are tied up to parking meters outside. I'd gladly take the reverse any day.

Your post reminds me of a trip my husband and I made to Kejimkujik National Park a few years back. We were swimming in Lake Kejimkujik when a retired couple approached with a German Shorthaired Pointer. They asked us if we would mind if "Maggie" joined them in the lake. There was a lake where dogs were offically allowed to swim, but it was really far away from the campground.

I said, "Maggie's probably a lot more hygenic than a toddler in a swim diaper." I rather think she was more civilized company, too.