[nagdu] Quick Question

PICKRELL, REBECCA M (TASC) REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com
Mon Apr 25 15:16:34 UTC 2011


	There is also nothing wrong with deciding you'd rather party. Be responsible of course, but if you'd rather party or just not have a dog you need to worry about and take care of, it's okay to do this. 
I am amazed at the freedom I have not having a dog. I can get into crowded situations that would be unsafe for a dog, stay up late not needing to worry about park times and food, and outdoor activites are way easier. Music festivals come right to mind. 
It's also a lot easier to crash with random people without needing to know if they will be okay with your dog.  My experience has taught me that people can love you, but not necessarily be dog people. 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 10:07 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question

Mark,

I never had a guide dog at college.  The first time I went to college I was 
17 and just out of high school.  I enjoyed staying up late, sleeping even 
later, staying with different friends and their parents on the weekends, 
going to parties and generally enjoying myself.  Having a new dog in that 
situation would have been a disaster.  I had no regular schedule, only 
stayed at my dorm room weekdays, was constantly running around visiting new 
places and new people.

Then several years later I went back to college.  By then I was married and 
had Kiddo.  I could have easily fit a guide into life then.  I lived in an 
apartment, had a regular routine,  and was much more settled. I actually had 
three pet dogs then.

At both colleges I attended there were other students that had guide dogs. 
One was a younger student with questionable orientation skills.  the other 
was an older gentleman who had good skills.  Both seemed to be successful 
with their dogs at college.  I think the difference was in their willingness 
to put the dog before parties and other random college craziness.

It's all you though.  Best of luck in whatever you decide!
Julie


----- 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: Monday, April 25, 2011 8:17 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question


> 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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>
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