[nagdu] Get control of that dog

[Marion & Martin]

Michelle,
    Although what you say to such a person may be taken by them as rudeness, 
I have come to the point of wondering myself why I am concerned about being 
thought of as rude and ungrateful when someone is rude to me! Once I was in 
a grocery store when a woman came up to me and started petting my dog while 
saying, "I know I'm not supposed to pet you, but...!" I reached down and 
started rubbing my hands on her face. "What the hell do you think you are 
doing?" she asked. I answered, "I just thought that, if you could pet my 
eyes, I could pet yours!" "You're an ass!" she said to me as she stormed 
off! Which of us was more rude?
    There were a couple of people at the church where I work who kept giving 
me instructions and information I didn't need or want. I finally took them 
aside and asked, "Who do you think takes care of me when you are not around? 
I know you are wanting to be helpful, but I am very capable of doing these 
things myself. And when you treat me like I need help, you are implying that 
you believe I am helpless. Sometimes I do need help; sometimes you need 
help. When you need help, I am sure you will ask for it. When I need help, I 
will do the same. Otherwise, would you please not treat me differently than 
you would someone else? It would sure help our relationship a lot!"
    Feel free to borrow any or all of that for your situation.
Fraternally yours,
Marion



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michelle" <m-johnson at bigpond.com>
To: <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Friday, February 19, 2010 5:34 AM
Subject: [nagdu] Get control of that dog


> Hi,
>
> Could you let me know what you do when you're in a situation where other 
> people are instructing your guide dog when they clearly haven't warned you 
> and have not asked your permission? An example for me is when I'm getting 
> a lift somewhere and the person helping me out starts telling the dog what 
> to do, telling me how to instruct the dog, what to do with the dog etc. I 
> know that they are well-meaning and helpful, but then when it extends to 
> the person picking up the harness and giving it to me, completely 
> controlling my life and my situation for me without me being allowed to 
> think and act for myself, it really gets under my bonnet. After informing 
> the person that I'll handle the dog when I'm getting out of the car, this 
> person will have the hide to tell the dog to sit and stay! I hate being 
> rude, so what do I do?
>
> I don't mind what advice you give me, please tell me to be rude if I have 
> to be. I'm sick of being treated as an invalid to suit others, because it 
> really confuses my dog to no end, poor fellow.
>
> Thank you very much and cheers!
>
> Michelle and Troy
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