[nagdu] Going out in the cold

[Garry and Joy Relton]

Amen, Tracy I agree with you and have done similarly, though not in 50
below. I believe that we have to respect one another's choices. The measure
is whether the individual has all of the information necessary to make an
informed decision. Then, if we contend that blind people are equally capable
to live independently, that means that we can make decisions as adults.
There are always going to be people who make decisions with which you do not
agree. Just ask my mother and mother-in-law. Or my two teens if you'd like.

Joy and Belle   

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Tracy Carcione
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 10:54 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] Going out in the cold


When I lived in Mennesota, I routinely went places when the weather was
below 0.  I remember walking a couple blocks to a party once when it was 50
below.  We didn't have dog boots back then, and I also neglected my mittens.
But Glade and I were fine. Not sure I'd do it again now, but I might. Back
then, and now, I have things to do and places to go.  Work, school, having
fun!  And, in Mennesota, if one is going to leave the dog home when the
weather's cold, the dog is going to be home for about 6 months out of the
year.  What's the point of that?  Why have a guide dog at all, if you're
leaving it home a lot? Leaving aside the semi-retired crowd, which is a
different case. These are not delicate little lapdogs.  They're big, strong,
furry animals.  Their brothers jump in to freezing lakes to retrieve ducks.
Some of our dogs may be uncomfortable in the cold, and there are ways to
deal with that.  But most of them don't much mind.  Ben certainly doesn't,
judging by the length of time he spends smelling every snowflake when I take
him out to relieve himself. So no one has to feel guilty about using their
dog in reasonable ways, and that includes going out in the cold. Tracy



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