[nagdu] When is the Connection Too Much?

Wed Jan 11 13:40:48 UTC 2012

Dan, you are too funny!

I don't have all the answers, actually I don't think I have any. 
*smile*  My point is just that we get guide dogs to make our life 
better.  If you lose all your friends and family over the dog, has life 
improved?  Maybe, I guess that depends on your brand of friends and 
family. *smile*  Where to draw the line is most certainly a personal 
choice.  I'm personally not willing to sacrifice the friends and family 
I associate with over the dog.

JMO
Julie

On 1/10/2012 10:56 PM, Dan Weiner wrote:
> 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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