I’m thinking if I invented a type of shopping cart that could accommodate a dog, I could make a lot of money.

Not even just for shitz tzus or chihuahuas. I’m talking golden retrievers, rottweilers – Great Danes, even.

I’m not sure when this phenomenon began to occur, because I don’t remember it as a child, or even as a young adult, but dogs are now becoming acceptable shopping companions, just like your kids or your spouse.

I was at a local supermarket today and there was a lady with a pug. She was sitting there enjoying coffee with some other people, just holding her pug like a baby, like it wasn’t out of the ordinary at all.

Just for the record, I love pugs. They’re great. They snort and bounce and have a mug so ugly its cute. I have a cat and a volunteer at the Humane Society. Pets are wonderful.
But really? The “pug incident” was not by any means the first time I’ve had a dog shopping sighting. And my fiance, who works at a home improvement store, said customers routinely bring in their dogs, and they are rarely assistance dogs, such as those for blind, deaf or other kind of medical assistance. They are just customers who want to pick out a new lawn tractor, and they believe Fido will help them better make that choice.
There are stores out there specifically geared toward canine customers, such as Petco and Petsmart, where they have cleanup stations and employees trained for “mishaps.”

However, there is one case in Virginia where a 70-year-old man is suing Petsmart for $1 million for slipping on dog poo and injuring his back. I would compare that lawsuit to the one where the lady sued McDonald’s for spilling hot coffee on herself. Don’t try to blame someone else for your clumsiness. But, one lawsuit is all it takes for a whole set of policies to be enacted to prevent another one. Let’s say a dog bit a child, or knocked over expensive merchandise.

Which brings me back to dogs in stores. What gives? Is this really necessary? Even if I had a dog – the only reason I don’t is because I live in a apartment and believe dogs are better suited for houses with yards – I would never think to bring it with me shopping, even to just leave it in the car. It just sits there barking in the hot (or cold) car. Take it for a walk instead, or let it run around the yard.

But Pug Lady, I will pug-sit anytime you want if you need to go grocery shopping. Call me.

Katie Johnson is the managing editor of the Niles Daily Star, Cassopolis Vigilant and Edwardsburg Argus. She can be reached at (269) 687-7713 or at katie.johnson@leaderpub .com.