One Cranky Egotist

Another story about some individual who feels hard done by.

The man, who lives in Carleton Place, not far from Ottawa, claims that the people who own and operate small shops on the main street have been the bane of his existence. Alex Allarie, at 52, old enough to be a little more sensitive to other peoples' needs, claims he suffers from anxiety and depression. Little wonder, since his aggressive attitude would make him few friends in the community he lives in. To assuage his anxiety he has a tiny companion dog, a 7-lb. chihuahua.

Dogs of any size and notably of good temperament, have a respected history of helping people who are alone to feel that there is someone with whom they can communicate, someone who gives them unstinting emotional support. They are notorious, in the best of all possible ways, for helping people to cope with life. Even better, they help people to appreciate life, sharing it with a somewhat-undemanding companion. One which, while offering support, is highly dependent on the human component of the relationship.

So at one fell swoop, dog ownership confers upon the person who undertakes to bring a dog into their house, the knowledge that one is responsible for the well-being of this dependent animal, giving additional purpose to life, while at the very same time, the animal helps its human companion enjoy life. In Mr. Allarie's case, it would appear that he feels a kind of entitlement that questions the quality of his judgement, let alone his good neighbourliness in a small community.

Animals, other than humans, simply do not mix well when food is contained in areas where dogs - always curious about food, and eager to smell it, and paw it if possible - can gain access. And most people, even dog lovers, don't think too highly of dogs roaming freely in areas where food is served, or where food is being prepared and sold. All the more so in a bulk food store. Where bins that store various food items can readily be contaminated by peoples' unwashed hands, let alone dogs' dander to which many people are allergic.

Mr. Allarie insists his tiny dog is a working dog, a service dog, and as such he should feel confident that he and his dog are accepted as such, able to breech society's general proscription against permitting animals in places where it is generally felt they should not venture. Were Mr. Allarie to have kept his little dog confined in a neat little carrying bag perhaps the merchants in town would not have been quite so incensed over his insistence that where goes he, there goes his dog.

The owners of the Granary Bulk and Natural Food store, established in the area for over thirty years, have been forced to defend their decision not to permit the man into their store with his dog which they had found on occasion wandering the store, free to sniff about as dogs do. The irate dog owner has seen fit to file a grievance with the Ontario Human Rights Commission, with the confidence that they will find in his favour, and discipline and likely fine the owners of the natural food store.

Who now say that their complaint is not so much against the presence of the dog, but rather to exercise their right to deny entry to a belligerent and trouble-prone individual who has launched complaints against other merchants in town beside themselves. It is his bellicose manner that takes them aback, more than anything. As for the little dog, it has no special training to be classed as a 'service dog' by its owner. Its very presence has a calming effect evidently, on his psychological well-being.

Enabling him to go out in public and harass and threaten law-abiding, respected merchants in the town where he lives.