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

Sun Mar 22 23:47:55 UTC 2015

There is something to be said for using a vocative headlines, but there is also something to be said for cultural awareness and sensitivity.  

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 20, 2015, at 2:16 AM, Justin Harford via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> 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
>>>>>>>> mailing list nabs-l at nfbnet.org
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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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>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> 
>>> - --
>>>>>> "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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