[Blindtlk] Cane vs. Guide Dog

[Judy Jones]

Hi, Brandon,

If you're comfortable with your cane, then it's fine to stick with it.

Like you, I'm very proficient with my cane.

What got me started years ago with guide dogs, is my fiance-now-husband was 
a guide dog user, and he was trying to persuade me to get one.  I was about 
ready to leave my teaching job to move to Florida to get married.  I had the 
misconception that if I were to use a dog, I would lose the independence I 
have with a cane.  That was wrong thinking, but I didn't know any better. 
Earlier my mobility instructor in high school had recommended for guide dog 
use, but I didn't want to be tied down with care, feeding, etc.

The thing that swayed me to go get my first guide dog, though, is that I've 
always been a dog lover and always had pet dogs, and Chris said I would 
really enjoy one.  So, that summer adding to the mix of leaving my job, 
planning for a wedding, and moving across country, I applied to GDB and got 
in the summer class.

That was 1979, and I have had four guide dogs and loved every minute of 
having one.  My last dog retired in 2012, and I am now using a cane.

The cane is very convenient.  You can fold it up or stow it without another 
thought.  Having a dog is a 24/7 job, similar to having kids.  They are 
inconvenient sometimes, but so much fun to have and love.  They are work and 
care, as kids, but they add such a dimension to one's life, too.

However, if you don't want to go out in inclement weather, or care for them 
when they get sick, clean up the occasional mess, stay on top of their diet, 
kkeep up with their grooming, then I would not get one.  While I had dogs, 
those issues did not bother me, any more than caring for and raising kids. 
I loved raising my daughters, but it takes consistent behavior, consistent 
patterns and work.  As they used to say with the peace corps, "the toughest 
job you'll ever love."  I felt that way about raising kids, and to a lesser 
degree, caring for a dog is similar.  The benefits are the fun and 
companionship.  The downside is the work and care to maintain them.

My husband and I are in the talk stages of going back to get new dogs, but 
haven't made the commitment to do so yet.  Our eldest daughter is getting 
married next summer, I need to build up more leav with work, Chris may be 
doing some traveling, so aren't sure what time commitment we can make.

Going back to using the cane was not hard at all.  Even when you use a dog, 
it is good to keep up your cane skills, because there are times when you 
will need that cane.  Your dog may be at the groomer's for the day, or may 
be at the vet.  Or, there may be places that might be uncomfortable for your 
dog, you might prefer to take a cane.  I always looked at it like sighted 
people having their choice of vehicles to use in a 2-car family.

I hope my perceptions help you consider what will work for you.

Judy


-----Original Message----- 
From: Brandon A. Olivares via blindtlk
Sent: Monday, October 27, 2014 7:00 PM
To: Blind Talk Mailing List
Subject: [Blindtlk] Cane vs. Guide Dog

Hello,

The thread on cane travel prompted me to ask this question. I’ve been 
debating for months whether to stick with cane travel, which I am quite 
proficient at, or to try getting a guide dog.

I’m wondering, what do you think the benefits of each are? Why do you use 
whichever one you use?

Right now, I work from home, so I don’t have many reasons to go out, though 
I do still when I can. But that might change in the future; I’m not sure.

Thanks,
Brandon


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