[nagdu] Quick Question

Mon Apr 25 23:59:48 UTC 2011

If you believe you are ready to get a dog go for it and have a great time.

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark J. Cadigan <kramc11 at gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 2:04 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,	the National Association of Guide Dog Users <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question

Good news is I am not much of a party person. In fact, I can't stand crazy 
parties with all the noise and crowds. I am also 19 so a bit older than you 
were when you started college for the first time. I am an early riser 
anyway, so the taking the dog out in the morning won't be a problem. I am 
normally up at 6:00 except those days when it is noon. Lol. But those are 
not often.

Mark

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Julie J" <julielj at neb.rr.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 10:07 AM
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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>
>
>
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