Folks who take their dogs everywhere will be happy to learn the Washington Legislature is considering a bill that would allow dogs in taverns. If it passes, we could expect other states to try the same thing.

That's a bad idea, I think. It's generally known that some dogs will start fights or get grouchy when they drink.

Then, their owners are likely to do the same thing.

A friend once told me about old-time sheepherders and their canine companions.

These men were quite attached to their dogs, and each generally believed his was the smartest animal that ever spit up in a camp wagon.

It was important to keep these fellows and their dogs away from each other at gatherings, such as shearing time. An offhand comment about someone's dog would often lead to a bout of cursing, snarling and biting that required the dogs to jump in and break it up.

Proponents of the Washington bill argue that people take their dogs everywhere these days, and taverns should be no different.
Opponents contend that food is served in bars, and having a dog sitting next to your hamburger might not be in everyone's best interests. I tend to side with the opponents.

I remember calling a fairly decent motel for a reservation a few years ago.

Just before hanging up, the woman at the desk said, “Oh, and pets are welcome here. Feel free to bring your dog if you wish.”
Uh-oh, I thought.

Sure enough, at about daylight the next morning the motel parking lot erupted with doggy noise. A lot of folks had brought their canines, and they were all doing their best to make new friends.

Proponents of the tavern-dog legislation argue that seeing-eye dogs are allowed in bars already. Why should other dogs be excluded? Opponents point out that seeing-eye dogs are well behaved, don't bark a lot, and won't try to slurp your beer when you aren't looking - these dogs have been through a lot of training. Tavern owners can see the difference.

We might consider the story of two Seattle men who agreed to meet at a downtown tavern for lunch.

One of these fellows had a Chihuahua named Pedro.

The dog went everywhere with him.

This fellow arrived at the tavern first and walked in, and the bartender ushered him back out.

“No dogs in the tavern,” he said.

When the second man arrived he asked his friend, “What are you doing out here?”

The friend said, “They don't allow dogs. And if Pedro isn't welcome, I'm not going to stay, either.”

The second man said, “Wait a minute. Let me try it.”
He put on his sunglasses, took the dog's leash and marched into the tavern.

The bartender met him at the door. “Hey, buddy, we don't allow dogs in here.”

“But this is my seeing-eye dog,” the customer stated.

“That’s a Chihuahua!” the bartender exclaimed.

“What? They gave me a Chihuahua?”

Readers with questions or comments for Roger Pond may write to him in care of this publication.