[Blindtlk] Guide Dog then Came

[Jeffrey Schwartz]

I procrastinated applying for a successor dog despite a kind word or two
from Fidelco that it might be time.  My dog was only ten and was full of
energy, no signs of ageing   He died suddenly when a tumor which had been
growing on his hind leg caused the bone to fracture.  I was back to the
white cane after almost twenty years.  I had maintained my cane skills by
using it rather than a dog on short trips, going out to dinner with my wife,
etc.  I waited for over a year for my current guide and it was a bit
harrowing.  I often felt tense while walking, even if I was familiar with
the terrain.  I had a couple of nasty falls, down a flight of concrete steps
on one occasion, and walking into things .  I would encourage anyone with an
older dog to get their name on the waiting list if the school permits this.

-----Original Message-----
From: blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blindtlk-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Merry Schoch
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2009 8:31 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: Re: [Blindtlk] Guide Dog then Came

I went from guide dog to cane due to my dogs being retired.  I have been 
without a dog for 1 1/2 and using a cane.  I am now waiting for the school 
which I have applied to match me with a dog.  While I have had working dogs 
I have had to use only a cane because I could not use the dog after surgery.

My husband is now using a cane because his dog has retired as well.  We use 
our canes when we don't feel it appropriate to have our dogs with us.

Merry

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Anthony N. Colon" <tcolon1955 at gmail.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Talk Mailing List" <blindtlk at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, June 01, 2009 6:59 PM
Subject: [Blindtlk] Guide Dog then Came


> Hi, has anyone out there gone from using a guide dog to just using the 
> white cane?  If you have would you share your reason for doing so?
>
> Thanks,
> Tony
>
> _______________________________________________
> blindtlk mailing list
> blindtlk at nfbnet.org
> http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> blindtlk:
>
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/merrys%40verizon.n
et 


_______________________________________________
blindtlk mailing list
blindtlk at nfbnet.org
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/blindtlk_nfbnet.org
To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
blindtlk:
http://www.nfbnet.org/mailman/options/blindtlk_nfbnet.org/sidney.schwartz%40
sbcglobal.net