Ask Candid Candace: Are people carrying the idea of "emotional support" animals too far?

Dear Candid Candace:  This is a “stuck in the winter’s blues” question here.  I am not a homebody. I like to get out and I need activity even in the cold Chicago winter weather.  My husband, though, especially as he gets older, seems to just basically want to hibernate and stay inside for the months of January, February, and March. It is beginning to put a strain on a three-decade old marriage. Any suggestions to get “ old fuddy duddy” up and moving during Chicago winter season?

Signed,  All bundled up, but Nowhere to Go

Dear All Bundled Up but Nowhere to Go:  Sadly, I fear this will be a tough question to answer since I think we are all in the same boat. It’s sort of like preaching high water to Noah here. During the cold weather months you mention, my husband and I (of 33 years) feel the same. We like to cozy up in our home with a nice dinner, bottle of wine and watch whatever is trending on Netflix or another premium channel. Also, as you get older, you need to be more careful in wintry weather of ice patches and falls. What I discovered during Covid, furniture stores and home design centers made a killing off of all the people who decided to update their “so-so” homes into a cozy nest, a sanctuary if you will, so there are a lot of people who feel like staying in these days of all age brackets. Oh, we will go out for a hit movie like “Top Gun” or “Babylon” but it has to be something really good or a super-special occasion to drag us from our “cozy” nest. Luckily, we do have a health club in our building which helps tremendously as far as getting exercise. I suggest if you have a gym near you or in your own building, that you make use of it while you’re waiting for the next blockbuster film to come around or that invite from Beyonce to entice you out of your house.

Dear Candid Candace:  I always enjoy your advice, even sometimes when I disagree. But this one could be tough.  We live in a condo building that has a rule of no pets allowed.  Recently, three different new families have moved into the building, all with small dogs and all using the explanation that they are “service” or “comfort” pets, which in my observation is a complete bunch of “ hooey.”  The most recent is a couple that moved in right next to us. I am ready to confront them and say something because I really don’t think they need the dog for any medical or psychological reasons, but my wife says to just “ let sleeping dogs lie,”  especially because they are our new neighbors.I need some hard hitting “ Candid” advice here on what action to take-or not to take.

Signed, No Dogs Allowed

Dear No Dogs Allowed: Even though I’m an animal lover, I have no fondness whatsoever for people who lie about their need for therapy animals when the only reason they are doing it is to get the animal into a “no pets allowed” building like yours, restaurants, on a plane, etc. I think the level of abuse I’ve seen surrounding this issue borders on the ridiculous. For instance, I saw a man in an airport pushing a luggage cart with a “support” peacock perched on the handle. I mean, come on. There also needs to be a better/harder vetting process. Right now, you can order these documents online “instantly” by just filling out a form. I don’t, however, think it’s up to you to approach your neighbors with this complaint. This interaction should be conducted strictly by the landlord or the condo board.  So, I would report this issue to them and, hopefully, they will follow up with the offenders. Rules are put in place for a reason and, if people can’t or won’t abide by your building's rules, then they should look for another place to live. However, that being said, I wouldn’t want to live in a building that won’t allow small pets. Where we live now, I know the animals’ names better than the people! 

(Send your questions to Candace at CandidCandace@ChicagoStarMedia.com)

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