[nagdu] Your Ignorance Astounds Me!

[Marion & Martin]

Sharonda & Sherri,
    Thanks for the words of support. It is my privilege to be able to offer 
my talents to further the mission of the NFB!

Fraternally,
Marion


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sharonda Greenlaw" <sbgreenlaw at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Sunday, January 11, 2009 11:22 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Your Ignorance Astounds Me!


> 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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>>
>
>
> -- 
> Come, read and take a journey with me at
> www.WorldOfShariG.blogspot.com
>
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