[nabs-l] 5 Reasons Why Guide Dogs Are a Terrible Idea!

[Aleeha Dudley]

Personally, I find your subject line a bit offensive, as it assumes
that guide dogs are a terrible idea for everyone. Being the proud
handler of a wonderful dog myself, and a quite independent cane
traveller before that, I am a bit upset as what I find to be a
somewhat inflammatory post. You are right; guide dogs are not for
everyone. They are a huge responsibility and need a lot of daily care.
But to say that there are five reasons why a guide dog is a terrile
idea seems to be going too far, especially addressing such a large
body of people such as that on this list. Now, having clicked the link
and read the blog, I know that you are making an attempt to be fair
and point out the disadvantages, but to not point out that this was a
blog post or an opinion article, can make some folks pretty mad fairly
quickly. Can wa choose our words and subject lines a little more
wisely next time?
Aleha and Dallas, Seeing Eye dog extrordinaire

On 3/19/15, Joe via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> If you're blind, you obviously read Braille. Your hearing must naturally be
> superior to your sighted peers, and of course you have a guide dog! Right?
>
> Well, that last may not be as pervasive as the first and second. Someone
> recently told me the number of guide dog users has actually declined in my
> millennial generation. I have no evidence proving this one way or the
> other,
> but for the general public, to see a blind person with a guide dog feels as
> natural as butter and toast.
>
> Thing is, I'm not so sure guide dogs are right for everyone. Or, maybe I'm
> just projecting my own uncertainties onto the rest of the community?
>
> Last November I took the first step in the application process to return
> for
> a second Seeing Eye dog. It's been more than three years since I lost
> Gator,
> and even though I've gotten around just fine with a white cane, I am
> approaching what feels like the final years with sight, however minimal
> that
> sight might be. I admit it's unnerving if I sit still long enough to
> contemplate total blindness. NFB philosophy be damned, and the thought of
> an
> extra set of eyes to help me navigate the world does bring a measure of
> comfort. But, is it enough to go get another dog?
>
> In no particular order, here are reasons why a guide dog would be a
> terrible
> idea:
>
> Read more:
>
> http://serotalk.com/2015/03/18/5-reasons-why-guide-dogs-are-a-terrible-idea/
>
> --
> Musings of a Work in Progress:
> www.JoeOrozco.com/
>
> Twitter: @ScribblingJoe
>
>
>
>
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-- 
Aleeha Dudley and Seeing Eye Yellow Labrador Dallas
Vice President, Ohio Association of Blind Students
Email: blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com
Follow me on Twitter at @blindcowgirl199

The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's ears.
- Arabian Proverb