I have no special opinion on this one (Fister wouldn't be interested in dining out anyway), but I'm sure some people have! Is this Dog House material (or perhaps Dog Restaurant material)!

Proposed law would let Hawaiians dine with pets

Some dog lovers want their hairy friends allowed in restaurants.
Fred Hemmings

HONOLULU, Hawaii (AP) - Cpl. Rita Levergood and her husband disagree whether four-legged members of their family should be able to join them out to dinner. The state, however, is clear: It's against the law.

A state senator's proposal going before a Department of Health committee this week would make it easier for animal lovers like Levergood to dine out with the pets they say are like family.

"I hate to leave them at the house by themselves," said Levergood, 21, who owns two dogs. "I most definitely would like to bring them."

Sen. Fred Hemmings, a Republican, wants to see state health rules eased to give restaurants the option of allowing dogs into outdoor seating areas.

His request faces a vote Thursday by the state's Advisory Council on Food Protection Practices. If it is adopted, Hawaii would join 21 other states with similar pet-friendly dining rules, according to Tara Kain of DogFriendly.com.

Current Hawaii health regulations ban pets from food establishments. Violators face fines and, for repeated offenses, closure.

It was at a small cafe in the French resort Biarritz that Hemmings came up with the idea of relaxing the regulations. He says he still can't erase the memory of an elderly woman whose tiny dog was seated beside her.

"I would have to surmise that this dog was a very important part of this woman's life," he said.