I simply don't understand the issue. Dogs sit or lie quietly on the floor in a cafe with a bowl of water nearby while you are having a coffee or eating. They're not children. People who treat their dogs as children often have behavioural problems with their dogs and it isn't showing them respect. Love, kindness, good food, a soft warm (dog) bed, great walks, play and entertainment - yes, but to baby them unless they are ill or frightened is just silly. I won't leave my dogs for more than 4 or at a pinch 5 hours max in a 24 hour period, and that only maybe once or max twice a week as I work from home and don't think any dog should be left more than that, and while all my animals including the cats are very much family members, if I am meeting friends I almost always leave them at home unless we are going for a walk. They are happy there for a few hours - they are rescues so it took some training but they are totally relaxed about that - and it means I can concentrate on being with my friends, which is important.
Claire Moran ● 1207d