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

Mon Mar 23 00:03:03 UTC 2015

It's not. I just don't understand why someone would knowingly use a headline like that in a community where some folks could reasonably be offended.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 22, 2015, at 6:51 PM, Jamie Principato <blackbyrdfly at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> Why is guide dog use a topic calling for a special level of sensitivity? Sensitivity to what? It's a choice just like cane use is. 
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Mar 22, 2015, at 5:47 PM, Jedi Moerke via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> 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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>>>>>>>>>> info for 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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>>>>> - --
>>>>>>>> "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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>>>>>> 
>>>>>> _______________________________________________ nabs-l mailing
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>>>>> - --
>>>>> Take care,
>>>>> Ty
>>>>> twitter: @sorressean
>>>>> web:http://tysdomain.com
>>>>> pubkey: http://tysdomain.com/files/pubkey.asc
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>>>>> 
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>> 
>> 
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> 