[blparent] For Those with Guide Dogs or Pets

[Erin Rumer]

I agree, you can't be too safe out there when traveling.  I have a light
collar as well that has a strobing blue light that pulses through it when
it's on.  I also purchased a bright orange safety vest from Pet Smart that
has reflector strips on it that is so nice and thin that it doesn't
interfere with the harness at all.  My dog also has a bright orange flat
collar that I'll put on him sometimes that lies low on his neck so it
doesn't interfere with his training collar that is easy to see in the dark.
Also, I have a small clip on light meant to attach to his training collar
that flashes, but even when I have it off my guide can accidently turn it on
just by laying on his side so the batteries can run low quickly.
Additionally, I where a small red light that I got from a bike shop that
hangs from my jacket up on my chest or where ever I want to attach it and
the light can be steady, strobe or pulse.  I have a black Lab guide so you
can't be too careful.  I haven't gotten these yet but they also sell
reflective arm bands that runners wear and special reflective shoe laces
that runners wear as well.  Even during the day I want to stand out for the
traffic to see me as much as possible because people just don't look so you
need to visually pop.  For this I have a bright yellow sun hat and put me
and Dawson in bright colors as much as possible.

Erin

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Jo Elizabeth Pinto
Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2011 2:33 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: [blparent] For Those with Guide Dogs or Pets

Hi.  Sadly, I read an article on my list for guide dog users this week about
a blind man who was killed in West Virginia this last week while crossing a
street at night with his dog.  It's not the first such incident I've heard
about, and it got me thinking about safety while traveling, especially with
kids.

I searched on the Web and found that lighted dog collars are available, and
I'm going to buy one for my guide dog so that she, and therefore Sarah and
I, are more visible in the dark.  We don't get out too much at night, but
even just cruising around the complex, which doesn't have the best lighting
everywhere, I was thinking better safe than sorry.  The collars are
weather-proof, shock proof, and spark proof.  They only cost about ten
dollars, which I figure is a small price to pay for visibility and safety.

Check out www.dogsafetysupplies.com.  I found the site very accessible.

Be safe,
Jo Elizabeth

"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself--nameless, unreasoning,
unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into
advance."--Franklin D. Roosevelt
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