[nagdu] Introduction and Questions

Mon Jan 30 18:57:45 UTC 2012

Good choice!  For me it was a case of the more the merrier!.
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Melissa Pasron" <fuzzylucky2021 at sbcglobal.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Monday, January 30, 2012 10:47 AM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions


> Thank you for giving me a different perspective. I am really trying to 
> weigh the options before I make a decision. My current deciding factor is 
> that I currently have a pet dog and I don't know if I'll be ready to do 
> all the grooming and caring for two dogs. Not to mention if a guide dog is 
> right for me at the current moment. I think I'll just sit on the issue for 
> a while and think about it. I don't want to go rushing into a decision 
> without giving it a lot of thought.
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Jan 30, 2012, at 9:37 AM, "Pickrell, Rebecca M (TASC)" 
> <REBECCA.PICKRELL at tasc.com> wrote:
>
>> In making your decision, think about what you most want to do when you 
>> return home from being out someplace. Do you want to spend time grooming 
>> and caring for a dog, and doing it every single day, or would you rather 
>> do something else.
>>
>> I worked two dogs. Then I had my daughter and found that all I wanted to 
>> do was hang out with her, especially after being at work all day. Taking 
>> care of the dog became more of a chore then something I enjoyed. And, at 
>> times it became very difficult to balance, baby wanted to eat or be held, 
>> dog needed to be brushed, you can't do both at the same time. And, while 
>> an obvious answer may be "get help with the baby" I enjoyed and still 
>> enjoy taking care of her.
>> Think about how you'll feel when the dog wakes you up to go potty, will 
>> you be okay with it or will it mentally wear you out as "one more thing I 
>> have to do".
>>
>> What are your hobbies and are they comptible with a guide dog? You can 
>> always leave a cane, and a cane is easy to replace. Not true with a dog.
>>
>> I have had a couple access issues. I can tell you that when that happens, 
>> the very first thought that goes through your head is "This really f***s 
>> up my plans".
>> I'll add that I like dogs. They are neat animals, and I think have much 
>> to teach us.  At times I miss having one.  On a day when the sun is 
>> shinging, and it's 65 degrees, I'd love to take a guide dog and walk on a 
>> bike path, as the feeling of you being in synch with a dog is amazing.
>>
>> Right now, I can't deal with the 24/7 nature of a guide dog.  I can't do 
>> it with a pet dog either.
>>
>> You can bring a guide dog anywhere, but you also need to plan on that 
>> with food, water, rest, appropriate supervision, things like that.  It's 
>> difficult to "just stay a bit longer" when you didn't plan on it and 
>> don't have food for your dog.
>>
>> So, the answer is that it really depends. I offer my perspective because 
>> this list is made up of people who are currently using dogs and who like 
>> doing it.  It would be useful for you and others to have a different 
>> perspective.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On 
>> Behalf Of melissa padron
>> Sent: Friday, January 27, 2012 10:35 PM
>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> Subject: [nagdu] Introduction and Questions
>>
>> Hello,
>>
>>
>> I am new to this list so I though I would just start off with an 
>> introduction and then some questions.
>>
>> Well, first of all, my name is Melissa and although I am not a guide dog 
>> user I am a cane user. I'm in college pursuing a degree in psychology and 
>> I will be moving back to my hometown once I graduate. I'm considered 
>> legally blind, so I do have vision.
>>
>> Because of the condition I have, I was not taught to use a cane until my 
>> senior year of high school. I actually had to fight in order to get cane 
>> lessons, but since then, I just about take my cane everywhere with me. It 
>> helps a lot more than using my vision and stressing my eyes....
>>
>> Now, some questions:
>>
>> I am not considering getting a guide dog now but I do want to keep it as 
>> an option if I decide that it would help me in my travels. So my question 
>> is, what was ultimately you deciding factor in getting a guide dog?
>> What are some advantages and disadvantages in using a guide dog?
>> For those of you who have vision, did you encounter problems with the 
>> guide dog schools saying that a guide dog would not benefit you because 
>> you have "too much" vision?
>> Ultimately, this is my greatest fear. I'm scared of encountering 
>> criticism by guide dog schools and "blindness professionals" about 
>> whether a guide dog would benefit me or not. A lot of people with my 
>> condition function well without a cane or a dog so would this be used 
>> against me if I were to apply?
>>
>> I am looking forward to hearing your responses and advice.
>>
>> Melissa
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