The Coffee House

[Gary A.]

Gary - I understand the distinction you’re making. I would only see a problem with this if there were a limited number of rooms for those with dogs and the "service dog" distinction got you an accessible room when those were all booked up.

Marriott Residence Inn is usually a dog friendly option and Loews (but pricey). Found this online: Have dog, will travel: Top pet-friendly hotel chains

We don't normally take our dog when we travel. It depends on the destination but even if the hotel is dog friendly, the places we'll be going while we are traveling, are not. No point in taking him along if he's going to be left in the hotel room for hours on end. He'd be more comfortable at home. If we're going somewhere that will involve a lot of outdoor time and a dog friendly beach, that's a different story. I have an aunt who takes care of our boy when we go away. She spoils him rotten and sometimes he is a bit of a diva for the first couple of days after we return. Expecting us to carry him up/down the stairs, wanting to ride shotgun, thinking he's going to sit at the table with us during dinner...

It is Gary's understanding that Service Dogs have carte blanc and are not restricted to the limited number of pet dedicated rooms of a pet friendly hotel. Service dogs are considered a medical device. While most pet friendly hotels have limited rooms dedicated for pets, a service dog is not a pet and can stay in any room. Under U.S. ADA requirements, Gary believes that all hotels must accept service dogs. Claiming your non-service dog is a service dog will not reduce or eliminate rooms for those people requiring a service dog as a medical aid. Additionally, service dogs have certification(s) paperwork identifying them as such.

 

[compur]

Copied from California Penal Code:
*********************************************************************************************************************
Penal Code - PEN
PART 1. OF CRIMES AND PUNISHMENTS [25 - 680]

...

CHAPTER 12. Other Injuries to Persons [346 - 367g]
( Chapter 12 enacted 1872. )

365.7.
(a) Any person who knowingly and fraudulently represents himself or herself, through verbal or written notice, to be the owner or trainer of any canine licensed as, to be qualified as, or identified as, a guide, signal, or service dog, as defined in subdivisions (d), (e), and (f) of Section 365.5 and paragraph (6) of subdivision (b) of Section 54.1 of the Civil Code, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment in the county jail not exceeding six months, by a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000), or by both that fine and imprisonment.

(b) As used in this section, “owner” means any person who owns a guide, signal, or service dog, or who is authorized by the owner to use the guide, signal, or service dog.

(Added by Stats. 1994, Ch. 1257, Sec. 12. Effective January 1, 1995.)
***********************************************************************

 

[Gary A.]

By the way, this is not a ‘big picture’ discussion. I narrowly defined my remarks to hotel room dog premium. Not a general discussion of service dog misrepsentation. Regardless of your pivots and attempting to take the discussion to places the original statement didn’t go to or represent ... you are still wrong and I still resent you alluding that I am “slimy” for accepting a discount offered by the hotel.

I'm sorry Gary, I was not referring to you as slimy (as I did not think you would actually do this) - rather that the action was. Again, I beg to differ - this is a small aspect of a very big picture. While the laws are likely different in California, in BC that would actually constitute a criminal offense.

I am very sorry if I've offended; this is a topic fairly close to me, and I have seen the problems arising from misrepresentation of service dogs, so any evidence of it tends to bother me. I understand that this is in the class of offenses that most people believe don't matter; pushing the speed limit a bit, parking in a 'No Parking' area, inflating costs on an insurance claim, etc, but the truth is, these do have an effect, and while usually small, not readily apparent, it is there.

Again, I am sorry for having caused offense!

Gary doesn't know about service dog fraud but handicap parking fraud in California is either an "infraction or a misdemeanor. An infraction is punishable by a fine ranging from $250 to $1,000. A misdemeanor conviction is punishable by up to six months in county jail and the same fine". The difference between an infraction and misdemeanor is circumstantial.

Gary has often ... observed dog(s) inside establishments claiming to be service dogs, while he is outside with his pooch following the rules. Unlike fraudulent handicap parking, where one may actually and directly deny a handicap person access, (handicap parking stall is larger to accommodate wheelchairs and closer for those with limited mobility), service dog fraud seems to be a victimless violation (more or less). All thing being equal, a fraudulent service dog in a restaurant is no more offensive than a service dog in a restaurant, et cetera.

 

[Gary A.]

Now, Gary does know about service dog fraud. Thank you compur, he thought it would be similar to other ADA fraud.

 

[JonA_CT]

Jon’s back is better this morning, although to add insult to injury yesterday, a severe thunderstorm rolled through the campsite. Some of the craziest rain I’ve seen in the Northeast, lots of lightening, and wind. The campsite was okay, save for our rainfly doing jack all against sideways rain, haha. With everything wet, we ate at the local brewpub for dinner. Jon makes better beer and better pizza.

 

[tirediron]

Jon’s back is better this morning, although to add insult to injury yesterday, a severe thunderstorm rolled through the campsite. Some of the craziest rain I’ve seen in the Northeast, lots of lightening, and wind. The campsite was okay, save for our rainfly doing jack all against sideways rain, haha. With everything wet, we ate at the local brewpub for dinner. Jon makes better beer and better pizza.

And it would appear, the recent weather has caused Jon to channel his inner GaryA!

 

[JonA_CT]

Jon’s back is better this morning, although to add insult to injury yesterday, a severe thunderstorm rolled through the campsite. Some of the craziest rain I’ve seen in the Northeast, lots of lightening, and wind. The campsite was okay, save for our rainfly doing jack all against sideways rain, haha. With everything wet, we ate at the local brewpub for dinner. Jon makes better beer and better pizza.

And it would appear, the recent weather has caused Jon to channel his inner GaryA!

For one post only.

 

[compur]

Compur just learned a new word: illeism

 

[smoke665]

@JonA_CT your story reminded me of a similar camping trip years ago. Back when tents were heavy canvas affairs, we had bought a new one with a waterproofing vinyl coating that extended 6" up the sides. The rest of the canvas was still the same old wax coated canvas that was waterproof until you touched it. We were in the mountains with four kids when a bad rain storm came in. Huddled in the dry of our new tent, I remember well telling the kids DO NOT TOUCH THE TENT! You can't believe how many times 40 little fingers can touch something in the blink of an eye. As the rain dripped through every spot it wasn't long till the waterproof bottom filled up like a giant bowl. We finally ended up huddled in the car till morning.

 

[Gary A.]

Compur just learned a new word: illeism

Gary is illeismatic.

 

[smoke665]

I wish Sadie had her credentials. Had to board her at Doggie Spa today while DW goes through her annual round of tests at Emory Hospital. Based on the look she was giving me Ms Sadie was not a happy camper. There will be a McDonalds Cheesburger in her future this afternoon, so she'll forgive me quickly.

 

[tirediron]

I wish Sadie had her credentials. Had to board her at Doggie Spa today while DW goes through her annual round of tests at Emory Hospital. Based on the look she was giving me Ms Sadie was not a happy camper. There will be a McDonalds Cheesburger in her future this afternoon, so she'll forgive me quickly.

Nothing like a cheap date!

 

[JonA_CT]

Our pup is staying with someone we found through Rover. He loves camping, but we’re here to cycle the Lehigh Gorge and it wasn’t going to work out for him.

Don’t feel bad though. He has a large fenced in yard to play in, a stream to swim in, a bed (with people!) that he’s sleeping in, and 3 other pups to play with. He’s not going to want to come home.

(We’re seriously considering a second dog...he enjoys other canine company so much.)

 

[SquarePeg]

@JonA_CT your story reminded me of a similar camping trip years ago. Back when tents were heavy canvas affairs, we had bought a new one with a waterproofing vinyl coating that extended 6" up the sides. The rest of the canvas was still the same old wax coated canvas that was waterproof until you touched it. We were in the mountains with four kids when a bad rain storm came in. Huddled in the dry of our new tent, I remember well telling the kids DO NOT TOUCH THE TENT! You can't believe how many times 40 little fingers can touch something in the blink of an eye. As the rain dripped through every spot it wasn't long till the waterproof bottom filled up like a giant bowl. We finally ended up huddled in the car till morning.

Reason #572 why I don't camp.

 

[terri54]

We used to camp quite a bit, even packing our all our gear and flying out to camp in the North Ridge of the Grand Canyon. It was a spectacular experience, and I'm so glad we did it before the airlines discovered a new revenue stream by charging for everything not a "carry-on."

We have since discovered the wonders of cabins.