ORLANDO, Fla. -- Dog owners will no longer have to leave their best friends at home when they dine out in Florida.

Gov. Jeb Bush signed the so-called "doggie dining" bill in Orlando Friday. The law will allow local governments to let restaurants permit dogs to eat with their owners outside.

The measure creates a three-year pilot program after which time the state would revisit the issue to determine whether it was a good idea.

Allowing dogs to dine would be up to the local city or county, and then even if local restrictions were waived to allow it, it would still be up to the restaurant owner to decide whether to participate.

On the Lincoln Road pedestrian mall, many four-legged guests join their masters at the outdoor restaurants.

"It's very (pet-)friendly," dog owner Hycha Moreno said. "You can bring your dog and walk your dog, so it's very good. I love it."

But not everyone is excited about dining next to somebody's furry friend.

"I just don't think they belong," Beth Woodbury said. "A restaurant is a place where you can go and be treated nice and not have to worry about dogs…"