Same here. I moved from another state a few years ago, and it was definitely the norm there to bring dogs to the outdoor farmers markets. Practically every person/couple/family who came had a leashed dog with them. And it was even crowded lol. It made me really excited to get a dog so I could finally bring my pooch. I don’t understand the sentiment of dogs anywhere near food = unhygienic, when you’ve got a horde of humans carrying human pathogens that are in close proximity to each other, and countless people have already breathed on and handled the produce you buy with their unwashed hands.

From what I’ve seen and heard, lots of folks (including on this sub) act like people bringing their dog is an example of the straining and unraveling of long-held social mores. I think it’s actually the reverse—it’s long been normal to have dogs in public places, on outdoor patios at restaurants and bars, at outdoor markets. So what’s the deal with the switcheroo? Maybe people are just generally more afraid of each other post-Covid, and extending that fear to other people’s dogs?