As IMR states, most of us are very protective of our "green, blue or Pink, ( or other colored LOL) babies, and I would never leave any baby out of my eyes or hand reach. At least when I am at a place like Staples, I know that there are tech savvy people around and generally very few children unless along with parents, so my Pleos would be a lot safer, than say in the local Thrift store where I had a negative incident with a boy of about seven who was about to kick punt Nova ( Before her broken neck ....) and despite this child's mother less than five feet away, he was rude and had no proper respect for other people's property.

I was shocked at that child's behaivor, it is the only negative reaction I have seen ever when bringing my Pleos out in public. I do not know if it was really a negative reaction, I think he wanted to see just "how real" she was, and if she would fall over, cry or what the reaction would be. I can tell you what his reaction would have been if he was my child and acted like that with someone else's property!

That child would not be going out and about in public like that for awhile and would probably be writing a paper on " treating respect to other people's property" and he would think twice before an action like that again...
Anyway, Staples is right across the street from where I live, and they see me in there once a week or so, so they are familiar with me and are Pleo Friendly. When you live in a larger metro area, you may be just a customer and a number and they may not have time to talk to you and learn about new things like Pleos, but in a smaller area like the Redwoods I live in, people seem to be freindlier, less stressed and more curious to things like Pleos anyway! I would never do this in an area like L.A. San Francisco, or anyplace I was not familiar with. I allso carry my Pleo of choice in her or his carrying bag where just the head sticks out, and the pleo is attached to a harness and secured with a large ring, so there can be no accidental falling out. If I am getting a positive reaction and people are asking about the Pleo, is it real, etc, I then begin the introduction and take her out, starting with, you can pet her, and tell the name. Then the rest falls into place.
Another great place to take Pleos is to the grocery store, letting the baby ride in the bottom of the basket where it is unlikely to get hit by flying tomatoes and such, and it has a Pleo Eye view of people walking about and people esp kids are down at Pleos eye level which I think is important. Remember, I taught school from 1983-2000 till I was laid off because of my bad back, and I have an excellent repoire with children and know how kids are drawn to dinosaurs of all sorts, and Pleo is a Once in a lifetime teaching opportunity in just about every subject you could think of, and talk about rewards

. Anyway, I intend to follow up on this Staples incident and will tape part two with the results as soon as possible. I do not worry about people thinking if I am crazy, after all, I have nine cats and am proud to be called a "crazy cat lady" so being the "pleo lady" or something similar is just a compliment and great experience for not just myself, but for my Pleos, esp Pleo Rb, BAby!
RedwoodsMama