[nagdu] Your Ignorance Astounds Me!

[Sharonda Greenlaw]

Marion,
I don't talk much on list, but I have to let you know that this letter
is absolutely awesome! Thanks for creating, writing, and sharing!
Wow!!!!

Sharonda & LD Rusty

On 1/11/09, Marion & Martin <swampfox1833 at verizon.net> wrote:
>     Dear Ms. Nachminovitch,
>     As the President of the National Association of Guide Dog Users, a
> strong and proud division of the National Federation of the blind, I felt
> compelled to respond to your very misinformed comments about guide dogs. The
> biggest problem we face as blind people is the misunderstanding and lack of
> information that exists. This is true about guide dogs, as well. It is
> unfortunate that you choose to promulgate the myths that create barriers to
> our full inclusion in society on terms of equality. It is also unfortunate
> that you compromise the integrity of People for the Ethical Treatment of
> animals by making such foolish assertions. By doing so, you call into
> question the veracity of any valid information published by PETA.
>     In an effort to set the record straight, guide dogs are not "kept in
> harness 24/7". The truth is that guide dogs are only in harness when they
> are working.
>     As to your assertion that our dogs are virtually disposed of when they
> are no longer able to "serve" their handlers, the fact is that, more often
> than not, our dogs live out their lives with their blind caretakers. As an
> example, my previous guide dog worked until he was fourteen years old and
> lived out the remainder of his sixteen years with me. My current guide will
> soon be twelve years old and is enjoying her semi-retirement by lying under
> my dining room table on the cold tile floor where she loves to lie.
>     As for your statement that guide dogs are never given the opportunity to
> romp and play, my guide dog plays with the two other dogs in our household
> and with the guide dogs of my blind colleagues on a regular basis.
>     Petting a guide dog is discouraged while it is working, as doing so is a
> distraction to its work; however, when the harness is off, my family,
> especially my three-year-old granddaughter, is welcome - even encouraged -
> to pet and play with my guide dog.
>     PETA would also like the public to believe that guide dogs are forced
> against their wills to work for a blind person because that promotes its
> radical agenda. The truth is that it further demonstrates PETA's ignorance
> of canine behavior. Dogs are, by nature, pack animals and each animal in a
> pack has a job. Guide dogs enjoy their work and become excited when the
> harness is presented to them! My guide dog comes running when the harness is
> taken off its hook by the door and slips her head into it, excited at the
> adventure to come! unlike the pet that stays at home with absolutely nothing
> to do - quite contradictory to the nature of a dog - our animals get to
> spend most of their time with their "alpha dog"! By the way, my dog doesn't
> care if anyone else pets her because I give her all the love and attention
> she could ever want! Furthermore, when the weather is bad or the place i am
> going is not conducive to my guide, she stays at home where she again, lies
> in her "cave" under the dining room table and probably romps and plays with
> our other dogs!
>     In summary, PETA is fabricating lies to justify their irrational,
> radical stand. I realize that this correspondence will probably do little to
> convince PETA of the truth nor cause them to retract their lies or alter
> their stand. they are too entrenched in their misgivings that the facts
> would only confuse them. however, this correspondence is offered to present
> the facts to those willing to consider rational, accurate information.
>
> Sincerely yours,
> Marion Gwizdala, President
> National Association of Guide Dog Users
> National Federation of the blind president at nfb-nagdu.org
>
>
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