Dear Annie: My close friend, “Shelby,” has a large golden retriever, “Felix,” who is completely untrained. Recently, she bought him a service dog vest, even though he isn’t ADA-trained and doesn’t serve a disabled person. She uses this vest to let Felix roam off-leash in areas with leash laws, bring him into shops, restaurants and parks where dogs aren’t allowed, and even take him in-cabin on flights.
I believe this is unethical and have told Shelby why it makes me uncomfortable. Felix frequently knocks over kids, chases animals, and makes a mess in public shops. I’ve offered to pay for basic training for Felix, but Shelby brushed it off. Is there anything I can do to get through to her?
—Frustrated With Her Furbaby
Dear Frustrated: Shelby isn’t just bending the rules; she’s taking advantage of privileges meant for people who actually need them. You’re absolutely right — this is unethical, dangerous, and, depending on your state, illegal. Many states enforce fines, and in some cases even jail time, for passing off a pet as a service animal.
You’ve already told her how it makes you feel and generously offered to help fix Felix’s behavior with proper training. Now it’s time to stop enabling her. Excuse yourself from outings when she brings out the “service vest” and let businesses or bystanders deal with the fallout. It may take Shelby getting turned away, reported to authorities, or slapped with a misdemeanor before she finally gets the wake-up call she’s ignored so far.
“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit http://www.creatorspublishing.com for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2024 CREATORS.COM
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
