Me and you and a dog named Brew

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: A dog walks into a bar, see, and …

… well, just sits there while his owner has a burger and a beer and watches a game on the wide-screen.

No joke. At least it won’t be in the state of Washington, if state Sen. Ken Jacobson gets his way. Jacobsen, a Democrat from Seattle, has proposed a law that would allow – not require, mind you – bars and restaurants that have state liquor licenses to permit dogs on their premises – provided they are on a leash, with their owners and well-behaved. The dogs, that is. Presumably the owners could still act rowdy.

This might be the best idea to come out of Seattle since Starbucks. If you can’t drink with your best friend, who can you drink with? Who are you going to toss your peanut shells to?

Jacobsen, who doesn’t own a dog, told the Associated Press he felt sorry for the rain-soaked pooches he saw waiting outside a downtown Olympia pub, and figured this might be a common-sense solution. Which it is – especially because it gives the option to the proprietor of a privately-owned business, a refreshing change from the kind of behavior-control legislation we’re usually seeing these days. This bill would merely allow dog owners to enjoy a convivial night out at a place where everybody knows your name – and half of them come when you call them.

Uncivilized, you say? It’s common in France to see Fideaux accompanying their masters to the bistros.

Opponents of the idea will surely bring up the health issue, which is fair. I share those concerns. I wouldn’t want any innocent pups to get sick from contact with strangers. I don’t know about your dog, but my Golden Retriever tends to be a whole lot neater than many humans I know. Drools less, for one thing.

Yes, a state health official told AP that certain canine traits might lead to what he delicately called “potential issues with food.” But service animals have long been permitted in a range of establishments. In fact, the federal Americans with Disabilities Act requires that they be allowed in privately owned businesses that serve the public. And Florida now allows dogs to sit with their owners at restaurants’ outdoor tables.

Hey, just as long as ol' Rex doesn’t light up a cigarette, right?