[nagdu] Getting a guide dog

Tue Feb 7 14:56:48 UTC 2012

I agree with everything Julie says.
R.J, do you value the opinion of your family? You can say no to this question.  If you do value their opinion, have you asked them why they think as they do. They know you, we don't.
Consider the source as my dad likes to say. We don't know your family so don't know if their opinions are worth taking into account. And, taking someone's opinion into account doesn't mean "Do what they say". It means listen to what they have to say and then thinking about it.

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Julie J.
Sent: Monday, February 06, 2012 8:39 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Getting a guide dog

RJ,

I think it doesn't matter what I think! *smile*

Whether or not you get a guide dog is totally, completely all you.  You
are the one who is going to have to train with the dog, take care of the
dog, clean up poop and foot the bills.   You are also the one who would
be traveling with the dog.  If you feel you would prefer to work a dog
than use a cane, then go for it.  If not, just say no.

I have no idea why your family or mobility instructor don't feel you
would benefit from a guide.  That is an entirely different issue
though.  Some family members get upset by the idea of guide dogs because
they feel the dog will do the job they used to do.  Some mobility
instructors feel guide dogs are only for totally blind people or blind
people with poor O&M.  That isn't true though.  I am a very good cane
traveler as are many of the people on this list.  And I know people who
are really not so great with a cane and do not want a dog.   It really
comes down to personal choice.

Good luck with whatever you choose,
Julie

On 2/6/2012 3:38 PM, RJ Sandefur wrote:
>  I have a questions for everyone on the list. What was it that made
>  you decide to get a guide dog? My Family and mobility instructor both
>  tell me they do not see a need for me to have one. I live in
>  Okeechobee Florida. We do not have any public transpertation. I
>  practually have to be driven to church, the store etc. Others from
>  people at church are telling me to stop making excuses, and get a
>  dog, but when I tell them I am a cane traveler, they accuse me of not
>  trying. I tell them it is a huge responcibility, and they tell me
>  that it is just me making excuses. Am I making excuses? I do not have
>  the finational means in order to care for a guide dog. I'm only just
>  making excuses. What do you as guide dog users think? I would have to
>  feed the dog, take it for check ups. It is an animal, and it is a
>  responcibility. RJ _______________________________________________
>  nagdu mailing list nagdu at nfbnet.org
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