[nagdu] Quick Question

[Mark J. Cadigan]

Thanks for all the responses thus far. They are providing food for thought.


Mark J. Cadigan
Kramc11 at gmail.com


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC)" <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com>
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 8:34 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question


> Mark,
> How do you feel on this subject and why do you feel a given way?
> I got my first dog shortly after high school. She started college with me 
> and completed it with me too.
> Looking back, I don't know that it was the right call.
> I had a few friends that could not adjust to me having a dog. Irronically, 
> now that I am no longer using a dog, these people are back in my life. One 
> friend and I had the breakup from hell. The dog was only part of the 
> reason why. We are friends again and looking back, I'm sorry for all the 
> time we lost. I have missed him.
>
> My rationale for getting my dog when I did was that everybody I met would 
> know me as having a dog and could either accept or reject the package.
> Looking back, I'm not sure this is logical. We all change over time and 
> friendships change over time.
>
> I'd almost urge you to wait, but this is only because of my experience. 
> Interestingly enough, I met my husband when I had a guide dog. He isn't 
> really a dog person and we still got together. So if you're not sure, I'd 
> wait.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf 
> Of Lisa Irving
> Sent: Sunday, April 24, 2011 4:32 AM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>
> Mark,
>
> I applaud
> your maturity, your willingness to seek feedback.
>
> As an incoming freshman you will incur many new responsibilities. It's a 
> lot
> of work to be a college student. It's work whether you are blind or 
> sighted.
> The fact of the matter, it's even more work when you are blind. Keep this 
> in
> mind as you weigh your options.
>
> I think back to when I was a freshman, back in the 80s.  I think I could
> have handled caring for my guide dog. What I likely would have had trouble
> with is not letting my dog become everyone's toy. I think I would have had
> difficulties living in a dorm and setting boundaries with room mates.
>
> There are a lot of us on this list who want to see you be successful as a
> student as well as being a guide dog handler. Both are huge jobs that take
> determination, consistency and some tenacity.
>
> Lisa and Bernie ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Mark J. Cadigan" <kramc11 at gmail.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Saturday, April 23, 2011 8:09 AM
> Subject: [nagdu] Quick Question
>
>
>> Hi all. This is Mark with a quick question. Feel free to respond either 
>> on
>> or off list. I will be attending college at Suffolk University as a
>> freshman in Boston this September. I have been accepted to attend the
>> Seeing Eye July class. My question is, should I get a dog now, or should 
>> I
>> defer it for a year and go to the training the summer before soft more
>> year. I can see the merits of both, and just curious as to your thoughts.
>>
>>
>>
>>
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>
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