[nagdu] When is the Connection Too Much?

[Dan Weiner]

Well, I can't resist. Julie, since you think a signature with a dog's name
is over the top, then I cordially sign this note:

Dan and the Carter Nut, His royal Goofiness, President Carter, Sergeant
Carter, etcetera etcetera and ad infinitum--lol

As far as people who break of friendships because of not being welcomed in a
car or house, I can see it both ways.
Your dog is your main means of mobility and thee does come a point at which
you need to draw the line in terms of people not letting you bring your main
means of mobility.

Where that line is however is an individual choice.

So, then this brings up an enjoyable and perhaps enlightening discussion
topic.
What do our list friends do when your told not to bring the dog in someone's
car or house...what if it's a situation for example, where you feel you'd
need the doggie for your mobility, awfully easy to just trust in others
judgment.
Do you:
1. do whatever anyone tells you, sacrifice your comfort and whip out your
handy cane because all people should be conversant in using the very very
very very very long NFB style cane and you'd just hate to be an
inconvenience to anyone whatsoever and after all it's their car and dogs
shed and it's so easy to understand why they wouldn't want your dog
there?---note slight sardonic tone
?--smile.
2. Discuss patiently or argue the point.
3. Put your foot down.
4. Feel too shy to do anything about it and just go along.
Or not want to make a scene but just don't' continue the friendship or not
go to the meeting.

I have in my years done all of those--smile

I find that I feel better about myself if I'm more assertive about what my
needs and comfort level is rather than just meekly doing what people tell
me, even if I don't get my way I at least stood up for myself and wasn't a
shrinking violet.

Some people, in arguments about your dog and you will say things like" well,
you don't really need that dog, do you, you can do just fine with out him."
Or "don't worry,  I'll guide you".
Those are usually phrases whipped out to avoid them saying "we don't want
your guide dog in our car or on our hallowed ground" because they're afraid
of seeming petty or heartless, which, depending on the person, they may or
may not be.
Or also, the guilt trip: Well, you're being pretty selfish, not everyone
likes dogs and it's an imposition on us to have your dog and why can't you
leave him." another quote I've been treated to.

All I can wonder is, though, where are these blind guide dog users getting
their friends,  I mean, these the users who'll say "all my friends
absolutely have no problem with my dog around"
Are they:
1. luckier than I am
2. more assertive than I am
3 just eliminate people who can't see reason.4.
Surround themselves with animal lovers?
5. not really be telling the whole truth.
6. really charming, or possibly downright pushy.


I, as usual, have more to say, most of it quite sarcastic and a bit funny,
but I'll stop for now as my fingers are getting tired.

Oh so here goes:

Dan the man, Carter the nut For clarification, I'm Dan as we can attest to
by the fact that I refer to myself as "Dan the man" implying membership in
the human race, at least after my morning coffee




 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Julie J.
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2012 10:39 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] When is the Connection Too Much?

I figure it's my house and if I want to let the dogs wander about free, then
that's my prerogative.  Now, in all fairness I do like to have my friends
back for repeat visits, so I make sure the dogs are behaving appropriately.
*smile*  dinner at home is no different than dinner in a restaurant in
regard to the dog's behavior.  They have two choices, so I guess it's a tad
different.  Anyway they can lay quietly under the table or next to my chair
or they can be in a different room doing whatever it is they want to do.
Monty usually lays on the floor by me, while Belle prefers to enjoy
stretching out on the couch.

I do agree with the original thought that some people are over the top about
their guide dogs.  The dog's name in the signature line is one that
particularly bugs me, especially when it's not clear whose the person and
whose the dog.  I think it's sad that some people break off good friendships
or family relationships because the friend or family member doesn't want the
dog in their home or car.  I get that not all situations are the same and
there are all sorts of factors that need to be considered.  I've also known
of guide dog users who go to extraordinary measures to limit their
employment to only situations that are absolutely perfect for the dog.
Usually this means the person remains unemployed.

I don't know though.  What makes perfect sense to me might be the perfectly
wrong thing for the next person.  As long as it's not illegal or blatantly
dangerous I try to remind myself to live and let live. It's still a work in
progress. *smile*

Julie


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