Quality time spent wining and dining is truly time well spent. And with numerous restaurants hidden in plain sight, there’s always something to choose from. However, we find ourselves lacking companionship at times and sharing a meal with you, yourself and toi is a usual occurrence anyway. So what do you do? Well, you take your dog out on a little dinner date!
A TikTok video has been circulating around of one such occurrence, a diner spotting a lovely pair - a man and his dog - sharing a bit of quality time together at a restaurant. Before we get into the details of the story, I’d like to encourage you to upvote, comment and follow the author, so that I can take myself out for a nice meal as well. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
More info: TikTok
A lady went into a restaurant in New York City to get a bite to eat but ended up with a plate full of wholesomeness
Image credits: gemmsauce
One evening, Gemma Colón decided to stop by a restaurant in New York City to grab a bite to eat. Whilst scoping out a place to sit, she noticed an incredibly wholesome sight, which she then took video of.
“I was presented with one of the most unexpectedly heartwarming views,” Gemma told The Dodo. “I noticed this dog seated across from his owner, perched up on a chair, acting like an absolute proper gentleman.”
It seemed the pair were on a little date, enjoying one another’s company. From afar, it looked like the man was having a glass of red wine whilst the pup had a glass bowl of water.
Whilst waiting to be seated, she spotted a man having a dinner date with his dog and, luckily, she got a table right next to them
Image credits: gemmsauce
Gemma was very lucky to be seated in view of the adorable duo. "[The man] was doing a crossword puzzle and sipping a glass of red wine with his meal."
"His date - the dog - was enjoying his own bowl of water, which he slurped politely," she said. "It was really amazing how well-behaved the pup was. I saw better table manners displayed by this dog than I’ve seen from some humans."
The scene didn’t only brighten Gemma’s day but also the rest of the diners’.
The man was having a glass of red wine whilst completing a crossword puzzle, the pup enjoying a bowl of water
Image credits: gemmsauce
People were turning back to catch glimpses of the pair, big smiles adorning their faces. No one had the heart to interrupt their meal or come up to comment on their cuteness. Gemma did overhear a short exchange with the server, which revealed it wasn’t their first rodeo.
"I heard a waitress comment on how good the dog was at one point, and the man replied saying he brings the dog with him everywhere," Gemma said. "It definitely seemed like a very pleasant date, with lovely company."
The video warmed the hearts of many, reaching 3.8M views on TikTok and bringing smiles to everyone who witnessed the pair
Image credits: Bennilover (not the actual photo)
And lovely company it was. Dogs truly have very special places in our hearts, becoming almost the perfect friend. Kristen Fuller, a physician and author, argues that the most popular reason we have dogs is for their companionship.
Nearly 69 million households in the United States owned at least one dog according to a 2021/22 pet owners survey, with many becoming an important part of the family.
Dogs have a talent of making everyone they encounter smile uncontrollably, with their loyalty and love making them the ultimate companion
Image credits: geraldbrazell (not the actual photo)
Kristen accurately notes that one of the few instances that makes the majority of us smile uncontrollably is seeing a dog. She says: “Our tail wagging, ball fetching, dirt digging, bird chasing furry companions are usually our protectors and our best friends and the strong bond between dogs and humans has been around for centuries.”
However, should you rush to the nearest shelter and adopt a pup just because you need someone to share dinner or an evening drink with? Or should we be embracing the solo dining experience?
However, if you don't have a pup or human companions, you can always take yourself out for a drink or a meal without it feeling odd
Image credits: guilherme jofili (not the actual photo)
Eshadi Sharif noted the modern-day taboo, as the culture of eating together has made it seemingly abnormal for people to sit at a restaurant alone.
He stated that “when we are so used to being around people, it is easy to mistake someone alone for being lonely. Loneliness itself brings a negative impression as they are perceived to be unsocial and incapable of making friends.”
However, it normally isn’t so and it shouldn’t be perceived as such. Considering the fact that most of us spend 8-9 hours in a working environment, engaging with colleagues, then coming back to housemates or family members, we rarely get to sit and enjoy solitude and the vastness of our own thoughts.
Image credits: Igor Spasic (not the actual photo)
Hence, a moment to dine alone, treating yourself to a very nice meal and drink, could be seen as a means to enjoy yourself at present.
So if you’ve been longing to go and experience the newly opened restaurant but everyone’s been too busy to accompany you, take yourself out and explore with your taste buds.
However, if you would like to bring your four-legged companion out to dinner, there are a few tips and tricks to follow
Image credits: Bennilover (not the actual photo)
But if you do have a furry friend that you’d like to bring to a café or restaurant (and I’m not talking about that overly hairy coworker of yours), here are some suggestions and tips from experts.
Josh Weiss-Roessler from Cesar’s Way believes that unprepared dogs, which spend the entire meal trying to steal food, whining, or barking at other guests, whether human or canine, can turn any dining experience into a nightmare.
Thus, start by training the dog at home before you head into a restaurant. As advised by Go Pet Friendly, asking your dog to lay on his mat while you eat is a great practice at home, which can be done multiple times every day for his whole life. It’s a great skill to have when you’re hosting a dinner party or your house is full of guests.
Image credits: Kārlis Dambrāns (not the actual photo)
If you are headed to a restaurant, make sure it’s pup-friendly, as some places will not approve of your four-legged companion. Once that’s sorted, make sure to feed, exercise and relieve your dog of toilet duty, so that they have no discomfort or leftover energy that’ll make them zoom around the place.
At the restaurant, don’t feed them off the restaurant’s plates or utensils, unless they’re provided for that purpose. And, lastly, bring something for them to do. Chew toys and tough-to-chew treats can be fantastic ways to keep your dog distracted throughout the meal and elicit good behavior.
This is just a friendly reminder that you shouldn’t randomly film strangers without first asking their permission. Same goes with approaching their pets for cuddles and a chat. Be respectful, ask first. OK, agreed? Nice!
We hope the man and his pup get to have a lot more dinner dates together, brightening the days of everyone around them
Image credits: Evija Daukste (not the actual photo)
We hope the man and his pup get to have plenty more little dinner dates and that it inspires others to do the same. Because, truly, the greatest amounts of goodness can be found in the goodest little pups and doggos.
You can watch the wholesome video here
Leave us your thoughts in the comments below and comment which kind of beverage you'd choose when dining out. I shall wish you a splendid little day and until we see one another again!
People have loved this video, making jokes about it being their future. Leave your own thoughts in the comments!
