[nagdu] Service Dog Forced To Ride In Taxi Trunk

[Margo and Arrow]

sherrill, I was pondering her feeling of the loss of independence.

I feel very concerned when folks say that.  I feel concerned because it 
perhaps shows the person has such low expectations.  It also concerns me 
that this person perhaps didn't know how to advocate for herself.

Margo and Arrow
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Sherrill O'Brien" <sherrill.obrien at verizon.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2011 4:36 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Service Dog Forced To Ride In Taxi Trunk


> Bernadetta,
> My goodness, you stated what I was thinking so well that I've nothing more
> to add. But yes I will add something (grin.) What does she mean about not
> feeling independent anymore? Not good!
>
> Sherrill
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org]On
> Behalf Of Bernadetta Pracon
> Sent: Tuesday, June 07, 2011 4:28 PM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Service Dog Forced To Ride In Taxi Trunk
>
>
> Hi,
> I agree with Margo and Tina. I really don't mean to be harsh or
> judgmental, but that guide dog handler really did have a choice. I've
> taken some time to try and see the situation from her point of
> view,andI can't say I feel too sympathetic tward her. What was so
> important that she would rather get to her destination on time than
> ensure her guide dog's safety and well-being. I understand that we, as
> people who are blind, get scrutinized for being late to appointments
> and so on; It makes us look incompetent, irresponsible--you name it.
> But the reality of the circumstance is, everyone is late for
> appointments once in a while, whether sighted or blind. Not everyone
> stuffs their service animal into the trunk of a taxi upon the
> insistance of an ignorant cabbie. When people are late, they often give
> a reason why that is so.
> "A crazy cab driver tried to make me stuff my service animal in his
> trunk on the way over here," is as ligitemit a reason as any.
> Sure, the cabbie has a few screws in his head loose for suggesting that
> a helpless animal be crammed into a car trunk, and he should be
> penalized orfired.  but who is responsible for that animal's
> well-being, the cabbie or the handler?
> I live in Boston, andI deal with cab drivers on a regular basis. Some
> of them speak very little to noEnglish, some of them hate dogs, some of
> them are just plain nuts and like to try to persuade me to leave my dog
> at home, and yes--put him in the trunk. there was even a lady who
> flatly refused to let my pup in her cab for religious reasons and
> thought that maybe I could get a rope and tie him to the back of the
> car so he could follow us. Boy, did she get busted for that one!
> Yes, of course the cabbie should be held accountable. But the fact is,
> no matter what, the guide dog handler made herself powerless the moment
> she allowed her dog to ride in that trunk. It bothers me that this
> article makes her out to be the victim. She's not the true victim, her
> dog is. She can address the attention of any media outlet and cry her
> eyes out about how she's been mistreated and put into an awkward
> situation, and the public wil shower her with kind words and sympathy.
> That's great; But that dog has only her to rely on. She can't afford to
> make a decision such as the one she made, because she is solely
> responsible for a precious,innoscent life. I'm not trying to imply that
> a guide dog handler should be flawless and unwavering, but we willingly
> make the choice to take these animals into our care, therefore, we
> should protect them at any cost, even if it means being late to an
> appointment.
> Just my rambling two cents' worth.
>
> Bernadetta
>
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