[nagdu] Quick Question

Tue Apr 26 13:14:23 UTC 2011

Rebecca, Julie and all

I believe that keeping the dog's needs ahead of my own is a small Pryce to 
pay for the benefits of using a guyed dog. As I said in a previous post, the 
question is not if, but when is the best time. So, I am weighing the merits 
of getting the guyed dog before, during or after freshmen year. Thanks for 
all your advice.

Mark

----- 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: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 8:39 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question

> Julie, I agree with you on the parties.
> And, I'm also not so sure that "responsible" is the right term. The 
> question is "Do you want to keep the dog's needs ahead of yours"
> Cutting loose with or without "craziness" however you define it is 
> wonderful for your mental health. It can be great to just be with good 
> friends and talk and just be without needing to think "The dog needs to go 
> out" or worry where you place food because the dog might get it.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf 
> Of Julie J
> Sent: Monday, April 25, 2011 4:29 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Quick Question
>
> But...how can you truly have the college experience without just a few
> parties? *big smile*
>
> really, you sound all responsible and stuff.  I wish I had been that
> together when I started college.
>
> I think a dog requires a decent level of responsibility.  If the person is
> responsible enough to keep the dog's needs in mind no matter what the
> situation, then I think it can work.
>
> 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 3:04 PM
> 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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