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| |  Posted 6/12/2007 10:42:35 PM | |
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| Last year one of our members brought a dog with her into church on Wednesday evening. It was little and stayed on her lap. My husband the pastor, didn't see it. But when he found out it bothered him. We didn't say anything to her, and this member never did it again. We are a small church and in the country but we don't think animals belong there in the building. Some people have allergies, and the dogs could bring in ticks and fleas. Not to mention potty accidents that could happen.  Sunday after church a new family who have come twice and are promising as becoming members were talking to us in the hall after the service, when I noticed a dog in her tote bag. He must have been quite in church, because I didn't know he was there. If we were to put up a sign saying "No Pets Allowed", this woman, if she comes back next Sunday would think it was directed at her even though no one said anything to her. It could make this family just quit. Should we address situations like this personally or just put up a sign on the door? It just seems so odd to me that people would do that. Carol |
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| | | Posted 6/13/2007 11:19:12 AM | |
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| I would say if it happens again to approach on a personal level private. That way they aren't embarrassed at church. We acctually had a young lady bring her pet rat. She was a visitor. The leadership told her that she was more than welcome to come, but please leave her pet at home. We had people litterally terrified of this animal. The next time she came she still brought the animal and when asked again she was upset and said she never went anywhere without her rat. (who by they way she kept under her long hair and it would peek out at the people behind her every now and then.) And she never did come back. But you know, rules are ok. Only service animals are allowed in restaraunts and stores, that is the only exception for attending church as well.  It's a hard issue for some, but there are folks with terrible allergies and it is a health issue. Not that we don't like animals. Hope that helps.Robin
Jimnysgrl |
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| | | Posted 6/13/2007 1:23:45 PM | |
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| WOW!!! Unbelievable!! I can't believe that someone would bring an animal into church, but I do have to say that I have seen more and more dogs (small ones) brought into stores. Only service dogs are suppose to be brought into stores etc. but people don't seem to care and no one says anything to them.
As for your situation I would do it on a personal level and talk with the person/family. Then if it continues to be a problem I would put up a sign. We ask people not to bring in food or drink to the Sanctuary so I don't see why you shouldn't ask them not to bring in animals. Good luck and God Bless!!
Melissa - NY |
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| | | Posted 6/13/2007 2:58:51 PM | |
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| | It is true; lap dogs are being more accepted if they stay contained in their bags. We have one lady who brings a tiny thing; it is so cute, but she is not a regular and the dog does not make a peep (or poop) (sorry) We have mentioned at the next annual meeting we may add only service animals in Worship. Good luck...
Donna in NH <>< |
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| | | Posted 6/13/2007 3:51:16 PM | |
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| | I'm in total agreement about the personal approach. Maybe the person doesn't think about allergy issues because they don't have them. I also see a potential problem that if they continue to bring the small one, than what happens when someone decides that a big dog is ok. My son with Autism is terrified of dogs and if he saw even a small one in church he would totally freak. I just can't imagine what it's like to have to be the one to talk to these people. Good luck.
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| | | Posted 6/13/2007 5:13:01 PM | |
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| | I hate having dogs in areas of lots of people. Dogs should never be allowed to approach people unless the owner and the person both agree. Not everyone is excited about animals. And as someone stated, some children are afraid. On Saturday, my son and I found a place to watch a parade. Soon, a lady brought her small dog which of course started to check out its surrounding. She encouraged it by saying, "yes, you can say hi to everyone." Sooooo annoying! Within minutes of that, a friend of hers cames along and sat in front of me proceeding to light a cigarrette. I was willing to put up with the pet, but I draw the line with a cigarette in my face so we had to move. I wonder how the pet reacted to the candy being thrown at it and kids pushing forward to get the candy? I wouldn't want my pet subjected to that crowded behavior. The next morning, we went to a public breakfast at the nearby airport. We happened to get in line behind a family who had brought their small dog with. Now, I definitely disagree with pets in a food line. That was very very annoying. There has to be a better way to show off your new pet. One of the owners should have kept it away from the food area while the other members ate. Crowds are hard enough to walk through without worrying about tripping over a dog. I also don't think it is fair for the dog to be put into a crowd. What is the church's liability if a small child gets bit? No matter how well behaved pets may be, things can still catch them off guard such as a child approaching too quickly. Even if the owner is at fault in getting too close to someone, it may surprise the dog whose reaction can be to defend it's owner when its tote is bumped into.
- Adrianne
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| | | Posted 6/13/2007 6:01:11 PM | |
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| Last year my son was on a soccer team. The league had a rule that no dogs were allowed. However, someone brought one to a game. The soccer ball went out of bounds near the dog and when our player went to the sideline to throw the ball in the dog bit him!
I have always taught my kids to be cautious and to always ask before petting a dog. But I hate it when pet owners let their dogs run loose and when the dog approaches us assures us "it's okay he won't bite...". Well, if I don't know the dog or the owner how am I suppose to know that?! And what if my child is afraid or allergic? (Thankfully, they are neither...but the pet owners don't know that...)
Anyway, back to the original question...I think dogs in church is inappropriate (except of course seeing eye dogs) but I'm not sure the best way to handle that. (I can't believe it's not obvious to leave your pet at home when you go to church)
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| | | Posted 6/13/2007 8:49:18 PM | |
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| | OK to vent about doggies running lose. My 15 year old with Autism that is afraid of dogs is on a Challenger baseball team. A League that has all special needs kids. The parking lot is right near a pond. Twice when we went to practice someone was there with their pitbulls running lose. Well I don't want to get beat up for commenting inappropriate about specific breeds, but the news has weekly had a report on a child being bit by a pitbull lately. Need I saw more about how nervous I was to get in and out of my car to walk over to the field. sigh. Dogs should be leashed when people are around that the dog doesn't know. And dogs do not belong in church or food places.
Really how many dogs will benefit from the sermon?
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| | | Posted 6/14/2007 6:29:14 AM | |
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| I will agree that dogs or any animals do not belong in church, unless there is a specific purpose for them(i.e. seeing eye dogs.) I have seen people that act as though their pet is their baby and treat them as a human child, however I think they need to be left at home (especially for worship or for food events). Most pets, unlike humans, can survive alone and do not need constant attention once they are a few weeks old. I have actually heard a lady say "this is my baby, You wouldn't expect me to ask you to leave your baby (a human infant) at home alone".
I would approach this individual one on one and away from others and talk to her. Commend her on the behavior of her pet, but let her know that even the best behaved pet needs to stay at home during these events. |
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