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

Justin Harford blindstein at gmail.com
Fri Mar 20 07:16:17 UTC 2015


I agree. 



> On Mar 19, 2015, at 8:41 PM, Brice Smith via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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
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>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>> - --
>>>>> "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
>> pubkey: http://tysdomain.com/files/pubkey.asc
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