[nagdu] Your Ignorance Astounds Me!

[Sherri]

Again, an articulate and accurate statement of our views. Way to go Marion!

Sherri
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Marion & Martin" <swampfox1833 at verizon.net>
To: <DaphnaN at peta.org>
Cc: "NAGDU List" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2009 9:51 PM
Subject: [nagdu] Your Ignorance Astounds Me!


>    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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