Yesterday, my husband and I were taking our daily walk.

[MoonRiver]

A sweet lab puppy got loose from his human and came up to us. I saw the leash on him and instinctively started petting him until his human came to grab the dog's leash. Today my husband said I should never pet a dog we don't know again, because its human might have the virus and touched the dog. OMG, I have always petted friendly dogs I encounter on walks. I even pet the drug sniffing dogs in airports! ( I always ask first.) How horrible our world has become.

[llmart]

1. A reminder...

You shouldn't be petting the drug sniffing dogs in airports either, or any dog that is a service dog that is working.

[Arkansas Granny]

3. +1

[kacekwl]

5. I have always asked 1st.

Haven't been told no yet. Ask 1st.

[MoonRiver]

6. I also always do that.

[Nature Man]

7. K-9 is an officer

agreed.

Surprised whatever police had that animal wouldn't prevent that.

[MoonRiver]

8. I ask the human police person first, and just gently pat and talk to the canine for a few seconds.

I don't always do it, but have a few times.

[Doreen]

9. Petting a service dog without permission is not good.

However, if the dog is not doing a specific command then asking is alright. Police usually do not mind allowing their K-9 partners to be pet while at rest. Police dogs seem to have this bad rap because they are trained to attack on command and some people do not know the difference of an attack on demand and just an attack. When officers let people pet the K-9 then that lets people see that these dogs are truly friendly. The same goes with the drug sniffing dogs just don't ask while the dog is in the middle of sniffing.

[Turin_C3PO]

2. Yes, it's hard.

I’ve had to stop doing that too.

[MissMillie]

4. I say keep petting them

It's my understanding that the virus doesn't survive outdoors very long. Also, just keep your hands away from your face until you get home and give them a good wash.

Being careful is important, for sure. But grabbing some happiness in these joyless times is important too. Petting the dogggies probably lowers your stess levels. That's a good thing.



(But others are correct... dogs on duty should be left alone.)

[irisblue]

10. As a dog mom, a suggestion

Well when my now angel dogs were here, put 3/4 breadbag/empty food plastic bags in your pocket. No, not surgical gloves, but for short interactions and knowing you will wash when you get home, it will work.

Life is not brutish and short that run off puppies cannot be petted, IMO.

[ProfessorGAC]

11. Use Hand Sanitizer

Or wash hands well.
Merely petting the dog isn't going to get you sick.
However, since it's likely you'll touch your face somewhere on the walk, best to take some with you.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

12. Some experts are saying if you want to be absolutely safe.....

assume everything is contaminated and everyone is infected.

That would indeed make our individual worlds quite horrible and lonesome......

[Arthur_Frain]

13. Wow I can't believe that

nobody reads what you wrote. That you always ask. They just start whalin, on ya for it.

[MoonRiver]

14. Well, I added that caveat after I got those replies.

But of course I would always ask. Otherwise I could be arrested or bitten.