Call Me Visual

So, the other day I was at my new job, doing "visual" when something very unusual happened. (Sidenote: "Visual" is not only my official job title, but it is really a secret code word for "making the store aesthetically stunning". In laymen's terms, I restock and tidy up shelves.) I was on a ladder when a couple walked by my row with a little german shepherd puppy trotting along beside. I nearly fell off my ladder...I mean, we were on the second floor of the store! "Did you see that?" I asked the girl who was working with me.
"Oh, that's the new trend. People bring their dogs everywhere."
Now, I didn't know that this was allowed. I mean, I just assumed that dogs are not allowed in any store except Pet Smart.
"Once someone brought in a St. Bernard, " she continued, "now that was a big dog for this store. I only have a problem with it because it is such a gray area if they poop in the store. I mean, do we clean it up or do the owners? It is just a gray area." I once again nearly fell off the ladder. Gray area? There are many gray areas in life, but this, in my books, is not one of them. I mean, if you bring your baby into a store, and he/she dirties the diaper, do you walk up to the visual salesperson and say, "Excuse me, will you change my baby's diaper? After all, I'm in your store." Bottom line: That's why they invented those cute little changing tables in the ladies' restroom. (Guys, you probably don't know what I"m talking about...I'm not saying I have every been in a guy's bathroom, but I"m pretty sure they are only in the female ones.) Anyway, back to my point: Does everyone else out there know that you can bring dogs into stores? Have I been in a time warp?