[nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate
GARY STEEVES
rainshadowmusic at shaw.ca
Wed Sep 16 20:20:37 UTC 2009
Hello Tamara:
Thanks for the nice comments. Yes, I am a person who likes to invision how things are going to go to try and make big changes less dramatic. Of course, nothing is ever totally like I think it will be but the preplanning usually helps deal with these moments as well.
Yes, I am still getting a poodle. I think I am now leaning more towards a poodle rather than a lab-poodle cross. I have applied at guide dogs of the desert and am just sending inthe last bits and pieces to guide dog foundation. I also just learned that canine vision canada uses poodles as well and will have some ready for placing as early as next winter so I think I will apply to them too.
The one downside with guide dogs of the desert is that apparently their finances are still a bit low meaning that the student has to pay for the expense of getting to them and home again. I speculate that raising this money shouldn't be too hard but it is the one negative about that school. The thing I like about them though is that they are in the same time zone as I am. I keep hearing about how it is importatn to keep the dogs routine from school days when you return home. This will be pretty hard considerint two of the schools I am applying to are in the eastern time zone, 3 hours ahead of me.
>From talking with people and reading comments from people like you with a poodle, they seem like pretty neat dogs. I live in an apartment so I also think a poodle will be more suited to that sort of space. More on the delicate side than the romping into a room, with destruction at hand which often follow labs. <chuckle>
So I will keep asking questions, reading and learning and hope that I will be ready when the big day comes.
Gary
----- Original Message -----
From: Tamara Smith-Kinney <tamara.8024 at comcast.net>
Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 12:11 pm
Subject: Re: [nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Gary,
>
> Sounds to me like you've both got it! I'm sure your new
> dog won't mind
> having an extra dose of attention and adoration at all. /grin/
>
> Are you still looking for poodle or poodle cross? I hear
> the wait is still
> long, but you will find yourself with a whole lot of non-shedding,
> hypoallergenic energy and fun. Er... And a good
> worker, too, of course.
> /grin/ It's really great that you worked things out a home
> before bringing
> the dog in. Poodles do tend to be sensitive to mood and
> atmosphere, so
> getting any cause for tension at home out of the way is
> important. I really
> lucked out to find a roommate who is so even-tempered, low
> drama, likes
> peace and quiet around the house as much as I do. A couple
> of weeks ago,
> our attempt to help an old friend of his get back on his feet
> resulted in
> some heavy, albeit brief, tension, and Mitzi had a total
> meltdown. She
> collapsed on her bed and didn't move until I noticed she was
> practicallycatatonic. Yikes! I had to snuggle her
> for about an hour, then I called a
> friend that Mitzi loves whom I knew would be awake and put her
> on speaker
> while we talked and laughed until Mitzi perked up and begin
> obnoxiouslydemanding that I play ball with her.
> /lol/ Podle cured! Needless to say,
> the person who created all the fuss and bother has been
> unfriended. Sad,
> but necessary.
>
> Anyway, I commend your and your girlfriend's ability to work
> things out and
> respect each other's wishes and happiness. Best of luck!
>
> Tami Smith-Kinney
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org]
> On Behalf
> Of GARY STEEVES
> Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 9:43 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate
>
> Hello Everyone:
>
> This topic comes at a good time for me. I am applying for a
> guide dog as we
> speak. My girlfriend has expressed concerns about how things
> will work with
> the new guide dog. She is very much a dog person and doesn't
> want to be left
> out of the loop when it comes to enjoying a dog in the
> family.
>
> My understanding is that when the dog is not in harness it is a
> pet dog. As
> long as my girlfriend reinforces what I am doing with
> regards to commands
> and rules everything should be fine (taking into consideration
> what people
> have said previously about the dogs personality itself). Is this
> correct? I
> want us to be enjoy having a dog in the family as much as I want
> me to
> benefit from it's special skills.
>
> Thanks
> Gary
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Tamara Smith-Kinney <tamara.8024 at comcast.net>
> Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 8:57 am
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
> Users'"<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>
> > Chastity,
> >
> > Oh, I totally agree with you. I think it is much, much
> > better for the dog
> > to play and socialize in its off duty time. And that a
> > happier, more
> > mentally healthy dog witll make a better guide. I was
> > pretty picky about
> > how people played with Mitzi whenshe was young, and now I just
> expect> general civility -- no teasing or undo rough
> housing. But
> > I'm always
> > thrilled when she's playing with people. I have yet to
> see
> > that it affects
> > her bond with me in the slightest.
> >
> > Tami Smith-Kinney
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-
> bounces at nfbnet.org]
> > On Behalf
> > Of Chasity Jackson
> > Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 3:08 PM
> > To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> > Subject: [nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate
> >
> > Hey all,
> >
> > After having a discussion with a friend this afternoon, who is
> a
> > first time
> > guide dog owner, I wanted to ask this question, just for
> > curiosity's sake.
> >
> > How many of you believe that if you let your dog bond with
> > family and
> > friends, that means that you aren't a good guide dog user and
> > owner? This
> > person told me that he does not let his family interact with
> his
> > dog for
> > more than a few seconds. Now I totally respect everyone's
> right
> > to be
> > different, and I respect his right to do that, but then he
> went
> > so far as to
> > say that I don't act like I know how to use a guide dog
> because
> > I said that
> > I see nothing wrong with family and friends playing with your
> > dog when
> > they're at your house. Now, I'm not talking about when the dog
> > is in
> > harness, or if you're out running errands, etc. Of course, I
> am
> > a stickler
> > for that, when your dog is working, he or she is working and
> > should not be
> > bothered. I am talking about if your buddy comes over on
> Sunday
> > afternoon to
> > watch football, and wants to sit on the floor and bond with
> your
> > dog, or
> > maybe throw a ball, etc. I personally don't see anything wrong
> > with that
> > after the bonding stages are over, and as long as your dog
> isn't
> > a brand new
> > dog that is still trying to bond with you. Not that anyone's
> > responses will
> > change my mind, but I was just curious to see how many people
> > agree with me
> > and how many agree with him. Just a topic of discussion here
> on
> > the list.
> >
> > Chasity
> > _______________________________________________
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