[nagdu] another what would you do question

[Julie J.]

I called this morning.  He was confused.  After we got past that part we 
had a nice conversation.  I did not bring up the things I'd heard.  I 
approached it from a place of cooperation and mutual harmony.  I said 
that I was also bringing my guide dog and if there was anything I could 
do to make everything go well, I was happy to do that. We worked out 
that  one of us would sit in the front seat in the van and the other 
person would sit in the back.  He didn't have any comments for the hotel 
portion.

Further along in the conversation I did ask if his dog got along well 
with others.  He did say that his dog does bark sometimes, but not that 
often and that he's working on it. There was no mention of anything like 
what I've heard from other people.

So I'm not sure if it's a case of
1. people like to gossip
2. people don't like guide dogs and see any minor infraction as a huge 
ordeal
3. people are not dog people and are misinterpreting things
4. guide dog handler guy is oblivious, in denial, lying or some other 
similar such thing
or 5. I'm completely nutters and over reacting

So the end of the story for right now is that I have done everything I 
am willing to do.  I am taking Monty.  I don't know whether or not I am 
riding there with this gentleman, but that isn't to do with his dog, 
rather it's about my lack of thorough planning.  I'll try to give the 
other dog as much space as I possibly can until it becomes clear to me 
what  is going on.

Thanks for all the thoughtful posts on the topic.  I have never in my 
life called another guide dog user about this sort of thing.  It was 
rather awkward for me, but I'm still glad I did.  I did get a similar 
call from another service dog user once.  At the time I thought it was 
very strange, but looking back I'm glad she did call instead of worrying 
and wondering.

Thanks again!
Julie