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

Fri Mar 20 03:41:52 UTC 2015

Did those of you who feel offended actually read the blog,
particularly the explanations under the heading, "Damn! Any Words of
Encouragement?"

The subject line is purposely and brilliantly provocative--the kind
that gathers almost a dozen responses in just a couple of hours. Joe
clearly understands how to use rhetoric to make a compelling argument,
and some of the knee-jerk reactions on this list to this post were
disappointing.

Brice

On 3/19/15, Littlefield, Tyler via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
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> Positives? You can summarize this up in 5 really fast points. I seen
> no positives and really, the negatives aren't huge drawbacks that were
> listed.
> I mean, if you want to tell people not to get a dog, you surely can do
> better than that.
>
> But I'll address each of these points in turn.
> 1. It's expensive!
> It can be, yes. There are programs like GDB offers to help with vet
> bills, so the food and grooming are really all I have to pay for. That
> and toys, which we probably spend way to much money on. More money
> than I would usually spend? Certainly, but it's nowhere near a lot
> (and I'm a student living on a budget). It's also well worth the money.
>
> 2. It's inconvenient!
> Yes, taking your dog out must be such hard work. Wait, I do it every
> day, what am i talking about? It's not fun when you're sick and yes,
> finding a trash can be kind of tough. That's why O'Mally and Minh's
> viva know "find the trash." That's also when social skills come into
> play. "Excuse me mam, do you see a trashcan nearby?" Works every time.
> If you're at an unfamiliar hotel, you just ask at the front desk and
> they're usually pretty cool about it. Airports also have relieving
> areas. Unless you travel twice a week, a couple hours of slightly less
> leg room (and I'm fairly tall) is really not that big of a deal.
>
> 3. It's time-consuming!
> Yes, having a dog does take time. You'd think this would be inherently
> obvious, but it was needed to be pointed out here. You don't need to
> go for 12 mile runs, O'mally and I have left today to relieve and that
> was pretty much it. I played with him and listened to a book and sat
> with him on the floor for a bit. He's totally happy and hasn't
> demolished anything.
>
> 4. It's unwelcomed attention!
> I find it kind of funny you're talking about being covert and not
> making a name for yourself with complaints when the NFB files more
> lawsuits than I can keep up with. But beyond that, I've never been
> turned down from eating because I have a dog. Cabs, certainly; we all
> have. If an establishment turns me down, I'll make sure that people
> know they did it and they're not treating me equally. Just because I'm
> blind doesn't mean I should sit in the corner and hope that things get
> better; I want to educate people. I've had a lot of really amazing
> people come up and talk to me and ask questions about my guide. It
> certainly does get a bit trying at times, but in no way is it a huge
> problem. I am sorry however if you're not the center of the topics and
> people do ask about your dog. It happens.
>
> 5. It can be dirty work!
> Best not ever get sick by yourself then, or have kids, or anything
> else. Yes, it can be tough. If you're squeamish maybe it's not for
> you. Cleaning up doggy vomit really isn't the best part of my day, but
> you do it. mostly because these dogs do so much for you and if O'mally
> is sick I'm worried about him and just want him to get better. You do
> it because you love your dog.
>
> "If you were contemplating a dog, came across this post and felt
> discouraged, you should not get a dog. It's a lot of work. It's a lot
> of responsibility.
> It's constant care and attention and a commitment to keep up the dog's
> level of training. No one will fault you for being mature enough to
> walk away."
>
> So let me sum this up: expensive; inconvenient; time-consuming;
> unwelcome attention; messy work. Yeah, I'd say you probably shouldn't
> have a dog. Please though, do try to at least provide constructive and
> good information on both sides of this issue. The issues you raised
> were incredibly self-centered, rude, generalizing and really didn't
> convey any issues beyond negative criticism.
>
> My guide does amazing work each and every day. when I pick up his
> harness, he's by my side, tail wagging ready to work for me. He only
> asks that I give him love, attention and take care of him with vet
> visits, grooming and toys. Given the amount of travel that he has
> enabled me to do (I am and was proficient with a cane), I think it
> only fitting that I pay for his food, give him attention, clean up
> after him when he's sick and treat him well. My guide loves me, no
> questions asked. while I somewhat understand these points, I think
> anyone who has actually had a guide would really agree that they are
> huge issues that should prevent you from getting one.
>
> At first, this looked like a trolling post; it still feels like a
> trolling post.
>
> Be well,
> Ty
> On 3/19/2015 10:20 PM, Justin Harford via nabs-l wrote:
>> At first, this looked like a trolling post, but after I actually
>> read the article, I  enjoyed it.
>>
>> It is a very frank and honest examination of the positives and
>> negatives of one individual's experience with a guide dog, and
>> clearly reads as the opinion of one person.
>>
>> Regards Justin
>>
>>
>>
>>> On Mar 19, 2015, at 6:52 PM, Juanita Herrera via nabs-l
>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>
>>> Being a guide dog user myself, I found the blog offensive and
>>> thought of how other guide dog handlers might feel. I didn't want
>>> to generalize like the blog seems to do but I felt that if I felt
>>> offended by it many other people would have too. I would have
>>> appreciated it more if somewhere in the blog post it would have
>>> been acknowledged that this was one person's opinion, and not
>>> make it seen as if though everyone possessed the same opinion.
>>> Being that I am a guide dog user and have been for three years,
>>> it has been one of the best experiences of my life. I would never
>>> change it for anything, and I don't consider going back to using
>>> a cane after I have to retire my dog. Therefore, I highly
>>> disagree with the blog post. However, I must reinstate that this
>>> is simply my opinion. Juanita
>>>
>>>> On Mar 19, 2015, at 6:28 PM, minh ha via nabs-l
>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I agree with Aleeha's sentiments one hundred percent. Over
>>>> generalization is a huge mistake to do under any circumstances,
>>>> and this blog post was offensive to me and other guide dog
>>>> handlers on so many levels. If you want to write a fair and
>>>> informative blog post about the guide dog lifestyle, then by
>>>> all means, point out the negative aspects, but do not
>>>> conveniently forget to mention the thousand of other more
>>>> positive and beneficial impacts that a guide dog can have on a
>>>> person's life. Yes, a guide dog is not the right choice for
>>>> everyone and a blind person needs to think long and hard before
>>>> getting one, but for the right reasons, a guide dog can
>>>> completely turn someone's life around and give them the
>>>> confidence in order to live life more productively. Honestly,
>>>> your five reasons seem very childish, and i have to wonder if
>>>> they are that important to you, then you should be
>>>> contemplating about getting another guide dog at all.
>>>>
>>>> Respectfully, Minh and my hard working little guide, Viva
>>>>
>>>>> On 3/19/15, Aleeha Dudley via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> wrote: 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
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________ nabs-l
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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
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________ nabs-l
>>>>> mailing list nabs-l at nfbnet.org
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>>>>> info for nabs-l:
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nabs-l_nfbnet.org/minh.ha927%40gmail.com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>>
> - --
>>>> "All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in
>>>> the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that
>>>> it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men,
>>>> for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them
>>>> possible." T. E. Lawrence
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________ nabs-l mailing
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>>>
>>>>
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> - --
> Take care,
> Ty
> twitter: @sorressean
> web:http://tysdomain.com
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