[nagdu] A Dog Guide Christmas Poem

[Albert J Rizzi]

I love this so freakin much
 if it would not be considered poor taste I would like to post it on my
site.  I think this captures what all to often is said and done, thought or
felt by all parties passing into and out of the handler guide relationship.
Steve if you are the author I would so like to post this in my mobility link
specifically  where I plan to list all the guide dog foundations available
as options to my peers. Thanks for the chuckle and truth. Peace.
Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
CEO/Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York  10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."


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-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Steve Johnson
Sent: Tuesday, December 22, 2009 9:10 PM
To: NAGDU List
Subject: [nagdu] A Dog Guide Christmas Poem

I just received this from a dear friend and fellow dog-guide team, and
wanted to share.  More so from the experiential aspect rather than the
fund-raising part.  And, how truly accurate it is!  Enjoy! Smile


It's Christmas time and what do I hear?

Donation requests filled with holiday cheer.

You may call me Scrooge, but I cannot abide These pleas on 

behalf of

me, the dog guide!

Yes I lead a blind person cross that busy road, Past trash 

cans and

tree limbs back to our abode.

But I'm not a savior, an angel with wings.

I really don't do all those miraculous things.

There's a part of this business you don't understand.

I can't read the street signs,

The blind person's in command.

I've been trained for some time at significant expense.

My duties are vast, responsibilities immense.

But listen, this dog guide stuff doesn't happen alone.

My handler has brains and a life of his own.

He had friends before me, and interests and fun.

I just make him look better getting all his work done.

He finds he has new friends because I am here, But sometimes 

these

new friends really do interfere.

My handler and I have become quite a team With indescribable 

bonds

that build both our esteem.

So off we go for a trip to the mall,

Where I'll show you examples of good, bad and all.

Yes, it's Christmas time and my handler must shop.

We know what we want and we don't want to stop!

Oh here comes a woman from way over there!

She has a dog just like me, was my handler aware?

She goes on to say "I bet he's your best friend!"

In a sugary tone, oh Lord when will this end?

Can't this well-meaning woman look at me and see?

His wife's his best friend and I am a She!

We move quickly away and into a store Where my handler finds 

help to

buy presents galore.

This time things go well, that is until We get to the register 

to

settle our bill.

Some man comes from nowhere with the purpose to tell, That 

he's

"trained" seven puppies as guide dogs, oh swell.

He badgers my handler, asking him why Some blind folks get 

nasty

when he stops them to pry.

"Don't you people know what we raisers give up?

We expend so much money and love raising your pup.

We clean up their messes all day and all night.

The least you blind people could do is to write.

I don't get a card or a letter to say, That my baby is good 

and he's

doing OK."

Now as a dog guide I recall long ago

When I was just a puppy with my raisers you know.

They loved me and tried hard to follow each rule So I would do 

well

later in dog guide school.

They hoped my new handler would love me as much, But it wasn't 

a big

deal if he didn't stay in touch.

When raising a dog guide, you do it because You want a good 

canine

representing the cause.

So don't let your big ego get in the way.

Blind handlers appreciate you just fine, OK?

Our shopping all done now it's time for some food!

What do you mean not for dogs? But I'm in the mood!

For some popcorn, a cheese steak or maybe some fries, So I'll 

just

swoop down here and take one where it lies.

Oops, leash correction, yeh, I should have known.

Taking food like that's wrong. My cover is blown!

Much as the public thinks I'm perfect all day, I am just a dog

behaving in a dog way.

No big deal though, I'm back to being a guide.

My handler's moved on too, with me by his side.

He goes to the food court and what do we hear?

"Do you know where you're going? Do you need some help, Dear?"

I can feel my brave handler just gritting his jaw.

He hates stupid people. There must be a law Against such dumb

questions. They're offensive and rude.

But people don't know just how much they intrude.

My handler is saved though by an old friend of ours.

I know him and jump up! I rode in his cars!

He once cared for me while my handler was sick!

I love our old friend but I must behave, quick!

As they get their food and sit down to eat, an elderly couple 

comes

over to greet.

They don't speak to the humans, not even a word.

They get right down on the floor with me, how absurd.

With a sigh and a groan my handler bends down to say "Please 

leave

her alone. She's on duty today.

Don't pet her or feed her. Please leave her alone.

We're having our lunch here. No! Don't give her that bone!"

But it's too late! The biscuit is here in my lips!

The lady then yells at him, hands on her hips.

"I donate money to the guide dog school every year!

I can pet that dog any time I want. Now you listen here."

As if her tirade was not bad enough,

Her husband chimes in with some more nasty stuff.

"If it weren't for us young man, you would not have that dog."

They storm away in a huff with no more dialog.

People don't understand that I'm on duty now.

Whether guiding or lying still, they just don't see how I'm 

not

public property just because I am here.

It's not a big deal to see a working dog near.

It's all nice to contribute but listen my friend, Your right 

to me

ends where my fur begins!

After laughing at our adventures we stand To leave our good 

friend

who does quite understand.

In spite of these people who've made our day strange, My 

handler is

certain some day things will change.

More and more people make comments like this.

"You two really work well, Look at how good she is!"

They tell others "Don't bother that dog. She's working right 

now."

They speak right to my handler and marvel at how He and I 

learned to

become such a good team.

They are honest and sincere or at least they do seem.

Some people do talk about raising a pup.

They really want to know just how to bring one up.

They are eager to learn and those who have raised Are most 

often

humble and human and truly amazed At what all their efforts

eventually lead to A team that works well in whatever we do.

All that I ask in this season of cheer Is that we think about 

just

why we are here.

We dogs live to work and get praise and reward.

Our handlers give us all that they can afford.

That's not always something you measure in cents.

The work of a team is too vast, too intense.

We share things that no charity can ever define Dignity,

independence, pride, ties that bind.

I am not an angel, a savior, a saint, A "rescuer from 

darkness" I

certainly ain't.

I do know my job though and I will tell you My handler knows 

his and

together we do Work well and play well and all that I ask Is 

that

when you speak of us, remember our task.

So this holiday season when you get in the mail That donation 

letter

that arrives without fail, Put in your check or sign your 

credit

card.

Don't fall for the hype. Think long and think hard.

Why should you give money to help out "The Blind?"

Some day you could be in just such a bind.

Your sight could go south and you'd wonder aloud How you would

navigate that crazy mall crowd.

You'd know who you are and all the things you've had You'd 

know that

blindness isn't a death sentence and life's not so bad.

You would want to go places, go see the world wide, To get 

there

with grace, you will need a dog guide.

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

?

"For we walk by faith, not by sight."  IICorinthians 5:3
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