[nagdu] Quick Question

Tue Apr 26 01:12:41 UTC 2011

I still don't know if I am going to go get a dog. I know that if I was to go 
get a dog I would be able to take care of it and make it work. What I don't 
know is would it be more beneficial to spend a year and know the campus cold 
before getting the dog, or will the month I will be spending on the campus 
this summer with a mobility instructor be sufficient. After that, I will 
know the routes I will need on the first day of school but, still won't be 
familiar with the entire campus. I basically want to do what's best for the 
dog and what will simplify things the most. It is a huge campus covering the 
Beacon Hill and government center areas of Boston. I know people feel 
strongly both ways.

I wish I could have some data to crunch. If only there was a survey of 
people that got there dog before freshmen year, and people that waited and I 
could compare some data.

Thoughts?

Mark

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sheila Leigland" <sleigland at bresnan.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 7:59 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question

> 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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