[nagdu] Heels (shoes) and Guide Dogs

[Julie McGinnity]

I do wear boots in the winter with a tow inch heal.  Like you all
said, there is definitely some slower walking.  It is kind of strange
because my dog seems shorter or something.  It really doesn't make
much of a difference, but Brie has learned that when I wear my fancy
boots we need to go slower on stairs and things.  I have had heals get
caught on stairs and curbs.  It's not fun.  I went right down.

She learns pretty quickly to make adjustments for whatever shoes I am
wearing.  At least that's what I've found.

On 10/13/10, Jewel S. <herekittykat2 at gmail.com> wrote:
> So...is there any of you who wear actual high heels? What do you do for
> *those*?
>
> I have a pair of ankle-boots I wear for most dress occassions. They
> have four-inch stiletto heels. I don't have a guide dog yet, but I
> have a support cane that depends on height like a guide dog harness.
> It is adjustable, though...so I put it at its longest when I wear my
> boots, and almost the shortest when I'm in sneakers. Are there any
> adjustable  harnesses (doubtful)?
>
> My two cents,
>
> On 10/13/10, Mark J. Cadigan <kramc11 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I know that men's dress shoes are different, but you still get the same
>> lack
>> of traction issues. Because my school dress code allows it, I ware
>> something
>> like fancier type work boots in the winter. Bad description I know, but
>> really handy for walking on icy sidewalks.
>>
>> Now back to the regularly scheduled programming.
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Julie J" <julielj at windstream.net>
>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 3:18 PM
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Heels (shoes) and Guide Dogs
>>
>>
>>> Once upon a time I used to have these really cute dress flats that had
>>> rubber soles, like tennis shoes.  You couldn't tell they were comfortable
>>> just by looking though! *smile*  I'd love to find something like that
>>> again. I think I had those shoes when I was in high school.  I doubt they
>>> even make anything like it anymore.
>>>
>>> I wanted to add that in addition to walking a bit slower I also have to
>>> get Monty to pull lighter because my dress shoes don't have the same
>>> sidewalk grip power as my rubber soled shoes.  I don't think Mitsy is a
>>> hard puller though.
>>>
>>> Best of luck!
>>> Julie
>>>
>>> ----- 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: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 2:06 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Heels (shoes) and Guide Dogs
>>>
>>>
>>>> That's how it's gone on our few practice trials and the one gig I did
>>>> where
>>>> I wore girl shoes once I got to the client's building.  I sure did walk
>>>> slow, though, because all I could see was me greeting the client an
>>>> dpromptly falling on my face!  Mitzi did fine, too.
>>>>
>>>> Still, it's always good to know how others manage it.  /girn/
>>>>
>>>> Tami Smith-Kinney
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>> Behalf
>>>> Of Julie J
>>>> Sent: Wednesday, October 13, 2010 10:22 AM
>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Heels (shoes) and Guide Dogs
>>>>
>>>> I'm totally with you.  I despise dress shoes.  Yet I'm wearing a pair
>>>> right
>>>> now.
>>>> I really only notice that I walk slower in dress shoes.  I use the same
>>>> length of harness handle, but I don't wear heels either.
>>>>
>>>> I'm thinking as long as you can comfortably hold the harness handle, you
>>>> aren't leaning over, I think the same length should be fine.
>>>>
>>>> Julie
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
>>>
>>>
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>>
>>
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>
>
> --
> ~Jewel
> Check out my blog about accessibility for the blind!
> Treasure Chest for the Blind: http://blindtreasurechest.blogspot.com
>
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-- 
Julie McG
 Lindbergh High School class of 2009, participating member in Opera
Theater's Artist in Training Program, and proud graduate of Guiding
Eyes for the Blind

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal
life."
John 3:16