[nagdu] a couple questions

Thu Dec 9 06:08:06 UTC 2010

Dan,

/lol/  I've had a couple of those types of encounters, too.  Just so long as
the other person walks away!  Sometimes I feel they lie in wait to leap on
the first guide dog user they see who's in a really, really big hurry.  If
I'm just dawdling along, these random chats are one thing.  But when I'm
trying to catch the bus (train, whatever), that's when I get the real
insistent ones who just will not go away.  I've taught Mitzi to just ease
behind me to get herself out of groping distance if it's too much for her,
or me, so that I'm standing between the fool of the hour and the dog, but
still!  Can we just move it along, folks?  I did once find myself
considering the option of just hauling off and decking someone (like that
would work for me, but I was too irritated to worry about such petty
details), then I realize I didn't have time to put up with the fru-fraw that
would cause.  /lol/  Oh, well.  I'm more used to it and more adept at evade
and escape, but I'm sure I'll get myself entangled again.

Well, as I am always sure to remind people when they're greeting Mitzi, "Not
everyone will allow their guide dog to greet.  So you should always ask!"
/smile/

I can be liberal with Mitzi, and the controlled greet we've come up with
works best for her overall.  She would rather not be mugged, but she has
learned to be gracious about it until I can get her new friend and lover to
get back out of her face.  Sheesh!  Poor dog got totally waylaid walking
into a restaurant a few months back, and I was so busy trying to listen to
the layout that I didn't realize what was happening until the guy had
practically undressed her! I managed to get him out of our personal space
without too much difficulty...  It did help, no doubt, that DD noticed the
problem and cleared his throat so the guy could see him doing his alpha male
look.  I don't need no big strong man to watch over me, but there are times
the creatures can come in real handy.  /lol/

Anyway, my next dog may not be so tolerant, or may not be able to turn to
work after all the love fest is over.  In which case, I will adapt my
greeting policy accordingly.

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Dan Weiner
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 10:05 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] a couple questions

Oh, well, takes all kinds, right?
I'm actually much more liberal about petting than most of our friends on the
list.
Still, there are times to do it and times not to...I was once on a subway
platform and had this silly discussion with a lady who felt I was
unreasonable for telling her please not to pet the dog. I was actually very
polite, but she wanted to argue.
I want my hounds paying attention when we're walking a narrow double-edged
platform, and she sort of walked away mumbling to herself "I never heard of
such a thing, hummmmpf, hummpf, the dog's working...hmmmmpf."
Dan

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Jordan Gallacher
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 12:59 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] a couple questions

I had someone do that about a month ago.  I was running late for class, and
the dog pulled her usual stunt and decided to put the brakes on and wouldn't
go anywhere.  I put on my drill sergeant routine, along with a little
physical action, knowing that would work, and someone wanted to argue with
me about it.  Well, she wouldn't listent o me, so I finally said Mind your
own business, and she still was being a problem.  Then I just walked off now
even later.  Fortunately, someone had obviously witnessed it, and was
explaining things to her a few hours later.
Jordan

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Dan Weiner
Sent: Wednesday, December 08, 2010 11:49 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] a couple questions

People are interesting, a aren't they?

I'm wondering if they'd  say  the same thing if they saw you discipline your
kids or whatever?
I've often wondered,  whether these people think the dog is more important
than we are.
And this is someone, yours truly, who loves dogs and would hate to see
abuse.
I also really enjoy having a dog and have been in situations where I've had
to be firm with my dog based on the situation.   .

I suppose the only thing to remember is that these folks aren't blind and
don't have to depend on the dog's work for the team to be a success,
obviously.

When their safety depends on whether a dog is distracted or not, then I'll
worry about their opinion.  Having said that though, it still isn't easy to
deal with. You don't know when someone's watching and plus you may be in a
situation where the ignoramus might be a colleague, friend, family member,
or someone you have to deal with.
My only solution is this: I've found that if I don't let myself get upset,
don't overreact, just act calmly when dealing with these bozos, it usually
goes away.
Now, should we have to be saintly and patient all the time? No, absolutely
not.
Let's see, when I had my first dog I had to be very strict about
distractions...actually this is happening with my present pup.
With my first dog I did get people saying "Why are you beating that dog".
I would:

1. just ignore them
2. Explain calmly
3. If they didn't get it go on my way or say something like "I'm sorry you
feel that way, have a wonderful day". In Dan's parlance, when I say that in
a certain tone it really means "Go fornicate with yourself".--smile

Dan

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