[nagdu] Guide dog starter age

Wed Feb 3 05:37:43 UTC 2010

OMG!  That is a great picture, even without having seen it.  /grin/

The pug and Mitzi adored each other right off and would run and play
together.  What was especially hysterical was seeing the pug run directly
under Mitzi when Mitzi was running for her soccer ball.  /lol/  How that pug
kept up, I can't imagine, but she did.  Snorted like a little freight train,
of course, but she did keep up.  It was a black pug, so to my eyes it was
often like watching a weird special effect.  That was the pug I let the
girls put Mitzi's harness on -- the old one she outgrew almost before it
arrived.  Could nto believe it fit that short little pug, but it actually
wasn't terribly loose.  The pug, of course, was super proud of herself
wearing it.  Since her small owner could use the handle, the pug got a
chance to play guide and follow the commands and everything.  Too cool.

I really miss that dog, too.  But the kid is in many ways very good with
dogs, so we will probalby get attached to her next one, too.  /smile/

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Linda Gwizdak
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 4:14 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dog starter age

Tami,
Yeah, it's sad to see kids having to take their lumps in life but they have 
to go through it just like we did! (grin!)

Maybe that kid can get a new Pug and she will remember the lesson her 
parents taught her about responsibility for the care of your pets.

Pugs are so ugly they're cute!  There used to be one in a neighboring 
apartment who liked to walk under my Lab! It looked so funny to the 
neighbors that saw it happening.  I have a picture of one of my 
sister-in-law's horses with a duck standing underneath the horse for shade. 
Very cute!

Lyn and Landon
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tamara Smith-Kinney" <tamara.8024 at comcast.net>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 11:23 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dog starter age

> Linda,
>
> Mitzi's and my little buddy learned the same lesson with her pug this
> summer.  I spent a few weeks listening to hours of tears and grief on the
> phone and in person, but I understand where the parents are coming from.
> Actually, they did attempt to bail the dog out after a few days, but it 
> had
> already been adopted.  Great pug, and she and her young human were really
> great together.  But the human kid kept neglecting her responsibilites, so
> now she grieves for her  lost dog.
>
> Given that the dog crossed a dangerous, busy street before animal control
> scooped it up, my little buddy got of light in the emotional trauma
> department.  I'm still horrified by the thought of what could have
> happened...  Not that I've mentioned that to her!
>
> She still goes to the park with Mitzi and me, and she brings her sister's
> miniscule chihuahua, so she still gets a good doggy fix.  I know they're
> talking about getting her another dog of her own when she's ready, but for
> now she still wants her pug back.  Poor kid!  But you can bet she'll do 
> much
> better at managing all those tedious responsibilities with her next dog.
> /smile/
>
> As for the age at which a person becomes responsible...  When that 
> actually
> happens to me, I'll be sure to let you know.  /grin/  Kidding!  ... I 
> hope.
>
> Tami Smith-Kinney
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
> Of Linda Gwizdak
> Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 9:40 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dog starter age
>
> Hi Marion,
> I agree.  Kids are NOT responsible!  They can't be - not old enough to
> understand the concept!  With service dogs that are given to very young
> kids, the parents are responsible for the dog's care and safety - CCI has
> given service dogs to 9 year old kids.  I wonder how that would work for
> little blind kids and guide dogs?
>
> I knew a woman who got her first guide dog at age 14.  She had proven that
> she was responsible enough to have one.  I think it has to be on an
> individual basis.  Many 16 year olds aren't responsible.  Some 25 year 
> olds
> aren't responsible!
>
> I was 22 when I got my first guide. I grew up having pets and learning how
> to be responsible for their care.  Of course, my parents were the ultimate
> ones who had to make sure we took care of the animals! They had to keep
> reminding us to feed the cats or to change the guinea pig cage.  But we 
> kids
>
> were pretty good.
>
> Here's what happened when my younger sister didn't care for her pet dog. 
> My
> Mom kept reminding her to take care of the dog.  My sister had more fun
> going out with her friends.  This dog, a Husky, kept running off and 
> getting
>
> scooped up by Animal Control. My Mom got tired of "bailing him out of 
> jail".
>
> She warned my sister that if she didn't change her ways and be responsible
> then the dog will be put up for adoption.  My sister blew my mother off.
>
> After having to bail the dog out of Animal Control again, she told the
> shelter to keep him - her daughter isn't caring for him and Mom didn't 
> want
> a dog in the first place.  A family came along and was looking for a dog.
> they liked this Husky and my Mom told them that the dog was theirs if they
> would take good care of him.  Well, my sister came home and found the dog
> gone! She cried and hollered!  But, she learned a valuable lesson:  Mom
> keeps her word and carries out her threats!  My sister is now a very
> responsible person and owns several dogs, cats and horses!
>
> This Husky was a really nice, sweet dog. But, as Husky owners know, they
> have to be securely fenced in their yards and they need LOTS of exercise!
>
> So, guide dog users or pet owners, the bottom line is RESPONSIBILITY for 
> the
>
> animal's care and well being.
>
> Take good care of all your pups, everyone!
>
> Lyn and Landon
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Marion & Martin" <swampfox1833 at verizon.net>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 02, 2010 4:51 AM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dog starter age
>
>
>> Dear All,
>>    I had a dog - admittedly a pet - at the age of 9. I am not sure that I
>> was always as attentive to its needs as I should have been! I am certain
>> that my parents had to pick up quite a bit of my slack in caring for my
>> dog! I think a service animal for a 9-year-old is definitely too young! I
>> believe that a responsible 14 year old may be able to handle the
>> responsibility, but not much younger! JMHO!
>> Fraternally yours,
>> Marion
>>
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "d m gina" <dmgina at samobile.net>
>> To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Monday, February 01, 2010 10:15 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Guide dog starter age
>>
>>
>>> wow nine?
>>> Now I think that is way to young.
>>> I know if I had a dog at that age my family would have ruined the dog.
>>>
>>> -- 
>>> --Dar
>>> skype
>>> dmgina23
>>> every saint has a past
>>> every sinner has a future
>>>
>>> Email services provided by the System Access Mobile Network.  Visit
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>>
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