[nagdu] Gary's future dog

Joy Relton jrelton at verizon.net
Thu Sep 17 18:14:46 UTC 2009 

Hi Gary et al,

My one big recommendation is that you check out the schools and apply for a
dog to guide you and be less concerned about the breed than its work. Next,
I wouldn't be so worried about time changes or other changes for the dog.
Dogs are very adaptable. Just relax and enjoy the dogs and let them enjoy
you and life. The school will help you to make transitions and changes in
your routine which are easier to adjust to, than others. If you love your
dog and take care of him/her, and with some knowledge and thought, you will
find the right decision for both you and your dog. In the scheme of things,
time change, is a little thing. Like the book says "Don't Sweat the Small
Stuff". They'll be plenty of bigger ones to deal with as they come, and if
you simply find out as much information as you can, then make the decision
and deal with the results you'll be fine. Life's a whole sequence of
decisions. Remember, even bad decisions are important because they teach us
something. If nothing else, than, that we made a wrong decision. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Angie Matney
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 12:13 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Gary's future dog


Tracy makes some good points .I'm not at all suggesting you not try to get a
poodle, but the labs used for guidework do just fine in apartments--even in
college dorm rooms. 

Angie with Yani and retired Glaze



-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Tracy Carcione
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 8:40 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] Gary's future dog

Hi Gary.
I live in New Jersey, and until recently got my dogs in California.  None of
them seemed to have a big problem with the time difference when we got home.
Dogs are almost always ready to eat something, whenever it's presented to
them. For that matter, I changed Ben's schedule from the one we had in class
to one that suited my routine better.  Dogs are very adaptable.

And labs are not a hurricane waiting to happen! <smile>

Good luck with your applications.
Tracy

> 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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