This Just In ...
Kevin Fischer is a veteran broadcaster, the recipient of over 150 major journalism awards from the Milwaukee Press Club, the Wisconsin Associated Press, the Northwest Broadcast News Association, the Wisconsin Bar Association, and others. He has been seen and heard on Milwaukee TV and radio stations for over three decades. A longtime aide to state Senate Republicans in the Wisconsin Legislature, Kevin can be seen offering his views on the news on the public affairs program, "InterCHANGE," on Milwaukee Public Television Channel 10, and heard filling in on Newstalk 1130 WISN. He lives with his wife, Jennifer, and their lovely baby daughter, Kyla Audrey, in Franklin.
The Barking Lot (07/10/10)
The Barking Lot is a regular weekly feature of this just in…Written by my lovely wife, Jennifer and me. It opens with the weekend dog walking forecast followed by the main blog from dog lover, Jennifer. Then it’s DOGS IN THE NEWS and our close. Enjoy!
THE WEEKEND DOG-WALKING FORECAST: We grade the weather outlook for taking your pet outdoors.
TODAY: Sunny. Only a slight chance of an afternoon shower. High of 86. "A"
SUNDAY: Sunny and warm. High of 87. "A"
Here’s my lovely wife, Jennifer with this week’s main blog:
Several years ago I met two friends, Sara and Michele, at Panera Bread for coffee and “girl talk.” It was also a chance for two of us to meet Bailey, Sara’s newly adopted dog. It was a beautiful day and we wanted to have our caffeinated beverages outdoors anyhow, so Sara thought it was a great idea to bring him along. It turns out she was right.
We sat at a table next to a couple who brought their cat. Yes, you read correctly, a CAT. Never in my life had I ever seen a CAT sit outside, nicely, and enjoy the company of others. It’s just not what cats do. (Cats don’t do a lot to begin with, much less sip a latte.)
Bailey and “Mr. Hairball” made fast friends. They sniffed each other, Bailey’s tail wagged and Mr. Hairball just sat there. I don’t mean that in a critical way, he willingly and calmly sat while Bailey sniffed, wagged, and pleaded with doggy eyes to play with him. I guess calmly sitting was about all Bailey could ask for or expect. Still, it was a cute interaction with two species whose discord has made for great cartoons for decades.
But… Consider… What if fellow diners are afraid of dogs or simply don’t like them? Why are we exposing the wait staff and others to such health hazards as fleas, dog bites (no guarantees that Fido is up-to-date on his shots) or asthmatic attacks. Patrons and workers alike shouldn’t have to deal with things that could cause them harm!
My point, inspired by yesterday’s Milwaukee Journal Sentinel feature on local canine-friendly eateries, is that in the midst of this recently-enacted crazy smoking ban, restaurants are opening their arms to pooches on their porches. Do you mean to tell me that Fido can hang out on a patio and even get a complimentary treat while the next paying customer has to put on his or her “ashamed/I’m sorry” face for lighting up in a designated OUTDOOR puff place?
C’mon. Every one of the Barking Lot readers knows how crazy nuts I am for dogs. I don’t mind the concept of dog-friendly restaurants. But if we were so concerned for those poor workers who had no choice but to work in a smoke-filled restaurant or bar that we had to create a law banning a legal practice, what are we telling those same people as we expose them to these?
----Jennifer Fischer
Yeh, I wonder how patrons, not to mention the City Health Department would react if dogs were tableside at Lake Park Bistro?
Time now for DOGS IN THE NEWS, canines that made headlines the past week.
Here's a Barking Lot update: Dog waits outside court as woman gets sentenced for taping him to fridge.
Why does this keep happening?
To the rescue....
These days, canines need extra care.
Concerns out west about sheep dogs.
Dogs, bikeway don't always mix.
Inmates, dogs team up.
Split custody of dog in divorce case.
San Francisco is considering banning the sale of all pets, except fish. MORE.
A dog for $17.76?
Ocala, FL group gives service dogs to vets.
She rubs pets the right way.
The friendly brain of family dogs.
Dog disrupts the Tour de France.
Tips for pooch predicaments.
That’s it for this week. Thanks for stopping by.
We close with our closing video.
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