If you are afraid of dogs, PetsMart probably is not the right place for you to shop. The type of people who take their dogs to this store are, from my experience, real "dog people" who take into consideration the training and friendliness of their pets when taking them into public. I am not disputing that you may have had bad experiences with inconsiderate dog owners, but I personally have never had a bad experience. More often than not, the people you see there without their dogs will say, "I'd love to bring mine here, but she's too snippy," etc., etc....they have the feelings of others at heart. I would NEVER take my dog to PetsMart if I thought he would be a burden on anyone!!

Also, I have seen people who bring their pet birds to PetsMart with them. Have you ever done this? I have never owned a pet bird myself, but I do think they are wonderful. I like to take Mac to see the birds when we are at PetsMart, but again, he is very calm around them (interested, but not upsetting them in any way), and I would not allow him to see them if he was not well behaved.

My Mac has never met a stranger, and PetsMart is no exception. He can get a little over-excited at times, but nothing that a firmly spoken "SIT!" won't take care of. I hate to think that he might intimidate non-dog-loving people in the store, but that certainly isn't going to stop me from taking him there. That's what the store is all about--PETS, not people--and we have such a great time whenever we go!

Hope I haven't offended anyone. I am sympathetic, but also a little upset thinking that someone would be intimidated by my loving little doggie being in a place that is designed for him.