Today we went out to a Hibachi restaurant for a late lunch/early dinner. I decided to leave Felix, my service dog, home.
I am a firm believer that we should not force our dogs to be in positions they find uncomfortable. They are giving their lives to serve us, and the least we can do is if we know there is an environment that they won’t enjoy or that is inappropriate for them, that we leave them home and use alternate supports.
The Hibachi place has frequent large fires, lots of noise as the chefs put on shows, and several sessions of drumming every time we go to celebrate peoples’ birthdays. Very often tables erupt in cheers unexpectedly. It’s an environment that I know Felix could handle, but he would be uncomfortable and stressed. Not too stressed to work, but stressed enough that it wouldn’t be comfortable for him.
So I left him at home. I took all my types of anxiety medication plus some extra, I had Rose my Cabbage Patch kid with me, I held hands with Brad and Tam under the table, and I should have brought my noise cancelling headphones but forgot those. With those supports in place, I was able to withstand the environment for the extra yummy food!
Felix was happy to see us when we got home, and nowhere near as stressed as he’d have been in the chaos of the Hibachi restaurant. Sometimes it’s in our dogs’ best interests to leave them at home. The trick is knowing when that is ahead of time!
Below is a picture of me, Tam, and Brad and Rose my Cabbage Patch Kid at the restaurant. Brad is wearing green, Tam has on black, and I have on pink and green. Fuji Japan is an awesome place to experience, we will definitely be going back soon for the tasty food!
