[nagdu] UK / My Tom-Tom is a 7/7 hero

[Dan Weiner]

Interesting...I agree and disagree--smile.
I have been lost on some occasions and would let my dog choose a route
until:
1. I found someone to ask.
2. Something was familiar
3. I figured out when my dog got me to a destination that I was disoriented
and he knew what he was doing.
4. I figure out the dog's playing games and we were actually going the right
way when I thought it was the wrong way.

There have been enough times on a familiar route when I was disoriented and
my dog was on track that I will use the benefit of the doubt.  The question
I have, one which I don't think was answered, is whether the guy and the
doggie had ever been to this meeting place before.
If so, then the dog definitely showed great initiative and sagacity.
If not, then well, who knows what happened.
Either way, I do like hearing about good dogs and the story is
heart-warming.

To trust or not to trust? It's more of an art then a science.
My last doggie, Evan, did learn to know what I wanted and would take
sometimes amazing initiative, take for example, being in new subway stations
and almost 100 percent of the time, once he got good,  locating  the exit
turn-style.  I'd be lying if I said I could have given him exact directions,
"left" "right", etc.

I haven't used subways with Carter, but I'm sure he would catch on if I am
clear and consistent in communicating what I want.  It's impressive, really.
After all, we're speaking a foreign language to them--smile.
It all highlights the unique bond that a human and dog can have and that's
one of the things I enjoy about a walk with my guide dog, it's always a
learning experience.  That doesn't mean, of course, that all three of my
dogs haven't at one time started getting silly and sniffy and so on.  When
you're lost and frustrated that type of behavior doesn't inspire
confidence--smile.
Anyway, this has expanded on the subject a bit, but it is an interesting
thing to contemplate.
A walk with our dogs, though, is always an adventure and when we're bonded,
it can really give you a sense of freedom.




Dan W. and the Carter Nut