[nagdu] (no subject)

[Margo and Arrow]

Let me tell you something.  I have a black lab and folks always think he 
looks sad even though he is furiously wagging his tail and perhaps doing his 
little dance prance steps in place--he doesn't bother anyone.  Labrador eyes 
can look sad although they're not sad.

I am always having folks tell me things that are so off base.  You know 
best, your vet knows, your school knows, and people with good, common sense 
you can trust know.

Arrow is a tiny male.  also, he had crystals in his urine and frequent 
urinary infections and he was headed rather speedily toward kidney stones. 
We had two choices:  finding a food he could eat or retire him.  We tried a 
few foods, the vet read labels, Seeing eye helped with urine and other 
tests, and we decided that Science diet Weight diet was the best for him and 
it has been.  He is a happy dog.  People tell me he looks thin, but, the vet 
says he's a good weight and when Seeing eye weighed him at the Graduate 
reunion he was fine.  Seeing eye would like for Arrow to be between 58 and 
65 pounds.  He is usually 57-58 pounds.  that is small for many males, but, 
Arrow's very small--small head, small feet, small.  he is also physically 
fit, happy, playful, robust, strong, etc.  but, I have folks insinuate I 
neglect him.  I explain the issue to them and then I generally get in their 
face and tell them that they can call my vet and speak with him if they want 
to.  I tell them to look beyond appearances.  People who know me know I am a 
good handler, take care of my dogs, etc.  I have on the other side been 
complimented by dog handlers, guide dog handlers, on how good Arrow looks, 
so, go figure.

He had to have his tail amputated last year.  there were insinuations about 
that that it was because I'm blind and something awful happened.  Not the 
case.  Arrow is actually more happy without most of his tail.  Actually, he 
looks like a little doberman now and his tail is actually quite cute.

I know I've rambled, but, just want to point out that folks are going to say 
stuff.

Margo and Arrow
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Cindy Ray" <cindyray at gmail.com>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users" 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 11, 2012 5:30 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] (no subject)


> You can't let what people say color how you are feeling. If she is doing 
> well, then I wouldn't worry. If you have someone you can trust to speak 
> with about this, maybe that would help, but if she seems to want in 
> harness and she works well, she should be fine. Fisher is lowering his 
> head, too, because he would rather not wear the GL, but he is working 
> fine.
>
> CL
>
> On Jul 11, 2012, at 4:12 PM, Juanita Herrera wrote:
>
>> I have a concern... When I walk with Anise, her head is usually
>> hanging low. I mean, it doesn't change the way she guides me. She is
>> still an exceptional guide, but I feel bad because I've heard people
>> comment that she looks sad. I don't think she is sad because before I
>> put on her harness, she begins wagging her tail. At first, I thought
>> it was normal, but I've seen other dogs, and they usually hold their
>> heads up high. Has anyone experienced this before?
>> Juanita and Anise
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> nagdu mailing list
>> nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
>> nagdu:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/cindyray%40gmail.com
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> nagdu mailing list
> nagdu at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nagdu_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for 
> nagdu:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/margo.downey%40verizon.net