11/12/2025
Can we talk about this for a sec? 🐾
We love our dogs. They’re part of our families—and of course, we want to include them in our lives. But can we normalize not bringing them everywhere?
If it’s not necessary or enriching for your dog—and especially if it might be stressful or overwhelming—it’s okay to leave them at home. I’m not talking about service dogs, and I know there are situations where leaving them home isn’t an option. But generally speaking...
I see a lot of dogs out at crowded farmers markets, street festivals, breweries, etc., who look anywhere from mildly uncomfortable to completely shut down. And the hardest part? Sometimes they’re even corrected for expressing discomfort—barking, pulling away, trying to take space—when the environment is just too much for them.
Just because a space is dog-friendly doesn’t mean it’s dog-appropriate—especially for pups who aren’t into loud noises, tight spaces, or constant stimulation (honestly, most aren’t).
These days, I don’t take Charlie anywhere unless it’s something for him—a sniffy walk, a quiet hike, a beach romp—or something unavoidable, like a vet visit. I know everyone’s situation is different, but I truly believe we owe it to our dogs to pause and ask:
Is this outing really for them, or is it for us?
Let’s keep having this conversation.
