GUIDE DOGS NOT ALLOWED

 Would love to let you know about a meal we were to have with family this week at a place called “The oven” in Darlington. What would have been a simple enjoyable meal, has had to be cancelled at that particular restaurant. Why? Because the manager won’t accept guide dogs. They say “because the restaurant is too small downstairs. And upstairs?

 

A manager from Guide Dogs has called the restaurant to let them know that what they did is illegal. My sister in law who we were going with has gone there for a very long time and said it is a lovely place to have a meal as the food is delicious. She wasn’t best pleased with the outcome.

 

As a blind couple we just want to go for a meal the same as anyone else. Our dogs are under the table and never come out other than to vacate the premises. They are our glasses. Our means to get places. OK, I’m not totally saying what they have decided is wrong, as when we are at home our dogs are not allowed in the kitchen for hygiene reasons so why should we expect them to go to restaurants?

1, because they don’t run around licking the floor as they try to get away with at home,

2, if not for our dogs, we wouldn’t be able to get to half the places we do go to.

3, yes dog hairs but under the table. So when we leave how long will it take to quickly vacuum even with a hand held cleaner?

4, how long does it take to clean the floor after a child has spilled their lunch, or thrown it on the floor?

5, our dogs don’t make a sound. Sitting having a quiet meal is possible with our guide dogs. Whereas a baby screaming or a child? Even those who have had too much to drink and are very intrusive on other people’s dining.

 

It’s funny how it’s never anything other than certain cultures, that don’t except guide dogs. So is it the culture or is it the manager’s decision? Well in our experience it is the culture. Same as certain taxi drivers. We have booked a taxi they turn up, see we have a guide dog and just drive off. We have stood in a taxi queue with sighted friends and they have said that some drivers look and drive away.

 

It’s a shame. But if you feel strongly about this please can you go online to “Trip advisor” and give feedback?

 

My Sister in law has picked another venue for us to go to, this time typically English. So we will get to see our family and have a lovely meal, but such a shame we can’t just pick anywhere like you may?