[nagdu] Get control of that dog

[Michelle]

Hey wow! That's an impressive comment there. Today I got into my pastor's 
car for a lift home. I told him that because I use a gentle leader with Troy 
now, he doesn't have to assist me so much as he used to do. Then when we 
were nearly home, I said that if he parked at the bottom of our driveway, 
I'd be quite capable of getting out and walking myself and the dog up to my 
home. He said ok, so when I got out, the pastor got out too. I said I'd be 
all right, and as he nearly took my left forearm to guide me, he quickly 
said "Oh are you gonna be all right there?" I said "Yeah I am!" in an 
excited, happy voice. He watched me and Troy walk to the house, speechless. 
I then said thanks to him and said goodbye to him. Things were rosy because 
I simply stated what I needed help with and what I didn't need help with, 
all in a friendly tone of course. No mucking around though. I shall be like 
that with everybody from now on. And if they keep trying to help when I 
don't need it, I'll take your advice on board too, because I think the way 
you take people aside and deal with their misgivings is wonderful!

Kind regards,

Michelle
----- 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: Saturday, February 20, 2010 8:40 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Get control of that dog


> 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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>
>
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