Mark Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Having an "outdoor dog" that doesn't come into the house is quite normal in England too. And a dog outside a cafe, even if it is raining, is not really animal abuse, like its owner said "He has this big furry coat thing that keeps him warm in the rain/snow/wind". Just because it's common doesn't make it right, I feel strongly that you shouldn't have a dog unless you have the time to spend with it, and treat it right. They are not wild animals anymore, and need affection. I can't stand people going out to work all day and leaving a dog in the garden! As for the dogs "owner", James said he saw this at the weekend, therapist said s/he was there this morning. Therapist may well have tied his dog "under the eaves sheltering from the pouring rain". James' post suggests that the dogs he saw were left in the rain, and that is cruel. Coat or no coat, a dog would seek shelter. By the way Mark, I can't believe the Administrator Lounged you, that's harsh man ;-)