[nagdu] pupp sitters

Mon Jun 28 10:19:34 UTC 2010

Hi Tami,

Your perspective tells me that my stress load from work colored my attitude.
I had just had a change of manager to a woman who wanted to be rid of me,
and couldn't succeed because I had been promoted. She sent me to convention
to show how she was accommodating me. Right. Anyway, I've been blind for
about 5 years now, and still am very unaccustomed to being in large groups
of blind persons- any groups actually, except for a NFB chapter meeting
periodically.
 I think it is different if you have grown up that way, or gone to a school
for the blind instead of a public school etc. Also, some of the people I met
initially seemed to be a few cards short of a full deck. The one experience
I thoroughly enjoyed was the meting of blind lawyers and the mock trial they
presented. As I study for yet another bar exam, and hope JAWS for Windows
speech software will be permitted this time, I got all the subtle humor they
inserted for those in the profession along with the jokes for everyone. It
was hilarious.    If I had left right after that and gone straight to Los
Angeles to my friend's wedding instead of getting talked into staying to the
end, and sitting through a boring banquet speech that drew loud cheers from
the crowd, it would have been wiser. I left too late and was a zombie at the
wedding My bad...
If I ever did go to another convention, it would be to connect with
particular people I want to meet and connect with to learn from them. I'd
probably skip the rest of it, but that's me.
Well, Abby has apparently decided to sleep in, but I'm ready for coffee-
More soon, and thanks for offering another viewpoint to me.

Cathryn (& Abby)

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Tamara Smith-Kinney
Sent: Sunday, June 27, 2010 11:40 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] pupp sitters

Cathryn,

I assumed I must be the clumsiest person ever to take hold of a white cane
until I experienced my first convention.  I'm relieved my poor dog (then
just 2) recovered from it all.  We were both way over our heads and beyond
our skill level as a team.  I learned a lot and had fun, but still!  Crazy
wild, all those flying white canes.

Every since then, I've been much happier with my own handling of the cane.
Oh, I still do and will continue to make booboos here and there, and I
suppose there will always be someone around for at least some of them to
make a federal case out of my learning of someone's presence by tapping the
sole of their shoe...  My arc is not perfect to the millimeter, and whether
it's not wide enough or is much too wide varies by O&M instructor, anyway,
so...  I feel pretty good about my skill level and relative safety in travel
-- for others, as well as myself!

I did some cane traveling through the melee, with my dog safely behind me on
leash, and there was still a lot of white cane trauma and dramatic leaps at
the last second.  Yikes!  Well, there are varying skills levels represented
there, and lots of noise and confusion to mess with even seasoned travelers.
There are also, I concluded, varying levels of responsibility and attitude.

Still, I do want to get back again one of these years, with or without
poodle.  I'll probably go expecting to be on top of things my second time
around and end up running around headless with all the other chickens.
/smile/  But there are things to see and people to meet, and anyway I
sometimes feel I'm the only blind person alive because all the other blind
people I hang with are on the internet.  /lol/  So I feel I have lots to
learn about being a blind person, and how  better than by being with others?
It's good for me to be reminded now and then that not everybody's going to
see me coming and get out the way...  /lol/

Tami Smith-Kinney

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Cathryn Bonnette
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 9:39 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] pupp sitters

Marsha,

The first convention I attended, probably the last, was last summer. My
little 50 lb. Shepherd, Abby, was so freaked by the long lines of people
spanning the width of hall or walkways and waving extra long canes in lock
step, that she refused to go one step forward unless my sighted assistant
was in front of us to make a path without getting us killed. Even sitting
down in the restaurant or various events I got hit in the shoulder and upper
body several times with canes. Abby couldn't fix that. I experienced the
whole thing to be nerve wracking and most unpleasant. If I had known what
the experience would be like for us, I would have left Abby with my vet,
whom she adores.  Unless or until there is some cooperation between cane
users and guide dog users so dogs and people won't be injured by careless
people, I don't know if bringing any guide is wise. Cudos to you for doing
what you believe is best for your partner, and the essential working
relationship you need to protect!

Cathryn (& Abby)

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Jenine Stanley
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 11:48 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] pupp sitters

Marsha, 

I too have to chime in to support your decision and admire you for making
it. Sometimes it's just easier not to take the dog to some places, long or
short term. An experienced dog will remember its job and with some patience
when you get back, the dog will go right back to its routine. 

I think I'd rather see people make the decision to leave a dog than to be
totally stressed, and hence have a totally stressed dog, at conventions or
other events. In the end though it's a very personal choice. Asking what
motivates some people to make it though can help others to do the same at
other times. 

Jenine Stanley
jeninems at wowway.com

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marsha Drenth
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 11:32 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] pupp sitters

Emma is an experienced guide, has traveled with me to several conventions,
Washington seminars, and other events. But the convention is stressful on
me, much less Emma. I frankly do not wish to subject her to that sort of
stress, if need be. It is not that she can't handle the stress, but I choose
for her not too. The puppy sitter I will be leaving her at, has other pups,
who were to be guides but because of health reasons can't. Emma will have a
great time, and be able to relax and have fun playing.   

Sorry if anyone thinks that is strange or horrible of me. But this is my
choice, and my guide. 

marsha 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Albert J Rizzi
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 11:16 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] pupp sitters

Why are you not taking your guide with you?

Albert J. Rizzi, M.Ed.
CEO/Founder
My Blind Spot, Inc.
90 Broad Street - 18th Fl.
New York, New York  10004
www.myblindspot.org
PH: 917-553-0347
Fax: 212-858-5759
"The person who says it cannot be done, shouldn't interrupt the one who is
doing it."

Visit us on Facebook LinkedIn

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Marsha Drenth
Sent: Wednesday, June 23, 2010 11:08 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: [nagdu] pupp sitters

Hello listers,

In a little over a week, my guide will be staying with a pup sitter while I
attend the national convention. The pup sitter is a former sitter for the
school I received my pup from. She will be watching Emma for 10 days. So
here is my question, What is the going rate for kenneling a pup? Or for pup
sitters? I have explained to her that I am by no means rich, but would like
to pay her something. Kenneling is very expensive, so I know it has to be
way under that. Any ideas please let me know. If you feel more comfortable
emailing me off list, please do at marsha.drenth at gmail.com 

Thank you,

marsha

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