I’ve got nothing against a good doggie cafe where the dish-lickers can sit with their proud owners over a latte and smashed avo on toast.
Even a sneaky piece of toast under the table to the furry friend is respectable.
But lick the dog dish, not the human plates. When the cutlery becomes a shareable commodity, the bond between human and pet becomes disturbing.
I snuck up to the mountain to Tamborine for a quiet lunch recently where I saw an owner take the thirsty demands of their furry friend into their own hands.
They emptied the uneaten wedges from a bowl, washed out the salty remains with some bottled water, and put the bowl on the ground.
Bottled water went into the bowl. The dog’s thirst was quenched. Job done.
Note, I haven’t mentioned the name of the cafe. That would be unfair.
Business owners are doing it tough enough without the misdemeanours of filthy guests doing them a public disservice.
Although I must mention that the wait staff response, when told of the disgusting turn of events, was thus: “Thanks for letting me know. I’ll be sure the bowl gets a good clean.”
I’d put him on the spot, and he may have later chosen to do the right thing by throwing out the bowl. I didn’t wait around to check.
In the comfort of their own home, I’ve known of dog owners to share their plates with their four-legged companions. But what you do in your house is your business.
This is a public place.
The sneaky “look around to see if anybody’s watching” from the dog owner would indicate she knew she was doing the wrong thing.
But she did it anyway.
Social distancing is one thing. Not picking up the doggie doo is another. But this was unhygienic, ill-mannered and quite simply foul.
I love dogs. I also know where their tongue is inclined to go before it hits the water bowl.
Clean up your act, people. Please.
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