[nagdu] Guide dog Schools

[Dan Weiner]

The one time I wish someone were there to take care of my dog was one time
in Japan.  Imthe plumbing wasn't working where I stayed and I was looking
for a bath house, and no, it's not what you think--smile
It's a public bath.
They didn't want the dog in there.  It's not a sauna, it's actually like a
shower and then after you wash you go in a pool with hot water to relax and
then take another shower.
I found someone in the lobby who'd hold Evan but I didn't have a cane...that
was one of the more bizarre experiences I ever had.
I had wanted to have Evan help me navigate but tie him to something where he
could see me.
So, I needed a bath and I let the person n the lobby take care of him and
went stumbling around.
A few guys in there thought I was very funny, funny in an empathetic way and
helped me find things.

Concerts?:
Well,  if your dog is your means of navigating it's nice but if the concert
is loud and people are rowdy the better part of valor is to figure out a
strategy for keeping your dog at home.
I've gone to symphonies and different types of international music concerts,
I like music from different countries, and had no problem.  
I never go to very loud concerts so I don't know, I did go to a loud pub
where they had bagpipes, I frankly didn't know it was going to be so loud,
my dog did fine.
Then however there was one place so loud that you needed earplugs, I left my
dog at home since I knew what kind of place it was going to be.

I was as a new guide dog user extremely and irascibly uncomprimising about
bringing my dog, no dog, no Dan was my motto.
I've since mellowed a bit because I just can't argue all the time but I do
enjoy having my dog with me--smile.

I don't take my dog to the gym anymore because I'm driven there, go in, work
with a trainer and leave, but certainly have no problem with people who do.
If I had to walk, it's about two miles, he'd be coming with me.


Dan the man, Carter the nut