[Cagdu] guide dog access

[Ken Volonte]

I'm always surprised when a call comes in that someone with a guide dog has been denied access to a restaurant.  I'm surprised because guide dogs have been a part of the American scene for so long, so today, Velvet and I went to the Mekong cafeteria to check it out.  

    The Mekong is a little place located in mid town.  Blue collar workers of all kinds eat there.  It's quiet and cool.  

    Sure enough, the manager came up to us and asked that I put my dog outside.  We just kept on walking to a table.  "It's ok", Velvet said.  "This is a guide dog", I said.  "You don't understand", he said.  "Some of my customers get mad when they see a dog.  They ask for their money back.  If that happens, you'll have to pay me".  "His logic is wrong", this from Velvet.  

We got our plates without incident.  Velvet had her pork chow mein and I had spicy chicken with broccoli and beef.  All the while, the manager was nervous, but he didn't call the police.  Neither did we.  

    I got up to use the bathroom.  Edison wanted to go into the kitchen, but we made a quick turn and up two steps.  

    When I returned to the table, a young Asian man was leaving.  Velvet beckoned him over.  "Did you have a nice lunch"? Velvet wanted to know.

    "Yes", said the young man, I eat here all the time".

    Did you object to my husband's guide dog"?

    "Where's the dog?"  I gestured to the corner under the table.  "Oh! I didn't even know he was there".  That was all we needed to hear.  

    I got up and approached the kitchen where the manager was chopping onions.  "Your food was very good", I said.  "We'll be coming in from time to time to eat", and I stuck out my hand.  He shook it warmly.  "You're welcome here any time.  Maybe you could sit in the back room because there are some customers"...  He let the sentence trail off.
    
    "When ever you see a dog in harness like this, or in a blanket, you have to let them in.  It's the law, and you won't get in trouble." We walked out into the chilly wind.  We were off on other business. 

    Does this mean that the owner of a store or restaurant has no rights?  Certainly not.  If a guide dog is out of control or if her master is obnoxious, then the proprietor is well within his rights to not serve, but that's not a blindness issue.  It's a matter of being a good citizen in a world with all kinds of people.   
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