[nagdu] O&M, Ownership, & Leader

[The Pawpower Pack]

I'm an owner trainer so I pay for my dog totally and completely.  I  
don't see how paying even just a little amount like TSE asks is a bad  
thing.  I think that if you invest your time, money and other personal  
assets into a relationship, you are more likely to value it.  I'm not  
saying that people who don't pay for their dogs don't value them, but  
I can see how even paying even fifty dollars can give a person a sense  
of pride of having contributed at least a little toward the dog.

If we as the blind expect equal treatment from the sighted world then  
we need to step up to the plate and demand that equal treatment across  
the board.  This means that we pay for things that we want/need.  You  
pay for a white cane, or a magnifier, or a talking clock.  Why would  
you expect a guide dog to be any different?  If you don't have the  
money to pay even at least a little toward your dog then I would  
question your financial ability to care for a dog-- paying for food/ 
toys/vet costs/meds is not cheap.

Just my .02

Rox and Laveau,