[nagdu] Working Our Dogs
Lyn Gwizdak
linda.gwizdak at cox.net
Sun Nov 18 18:22:47 UTC 2012
Happy Birthday, Larry. My birthday is Dec. 7th and I'll be 62! Hard to
believe it! Landon's birthday is this coming Tuesday - the 20th and he'll
be 7.
Happy thanksgiving all!
Lyn and Landon
"Education creates tolerance towards diversity."
----- Original Message -----
From: "Larry D. Keeler" <lkeeler at comcast.net>
To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2012 8:46 PM
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Working Our Dogs
>I don't know! I'm turning 50 on Saturday and there is no way i'm getting
>old! And, those poodles keep you young! Yes, Tami, poodles and there
>mixes are goofy enough without any encouragement! Is your email address
>the same or do I have to change it after you went into the temporary black
>hole!
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Debbie Cole" <debbieanne1124 at gmail.com>
> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Thursday, November 15, 2012 10:52 PM
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Working Our Dogs
>
>
>> LOL @ Tami being an old fart. She's jsut a youngun with all this energy.
>>
>> Sarah you mentioned you are what and a half hours from GDD in Palm
>> Springs? so which area? what town is that? that can be close to Los
>> Angeles?
>>
>> I'm also thinking activities at Braille Institute for the blind. You
>> and Wizard can take Acces there. I went there myself and boy was it a
>> positive experience for me. && there are other dogs & handlers there.
>>
>> On 11/15/12, Tami Jarvis <tami at poodlemutt.com> wrote:
>>> Sarah and Lyn,
>>>
>>> I've been enjoying getting to know you, Sarah, through the journey
>>> you've shared with us. Even though I'm an old fart like Lyn, I still
>>> remember too much about being your age in a small town, where resources
>>> are limited, so much is limited, but I needed to somehow get on with
>>> growing up and getting to the life I wanted anyway... Having no clue
>>> from never having lived an adult life, it was scary, depressing, etc. I
>>> mean, how do you deal with the struggle when you don't even know what
>>> winning it is like? Honestly! People do, apparently. Somehow, I did. But
>>> when you're in the middle of it, and it's you, and you don't know what
>>> it's like on the other side of all those barriers.... Tough stuff.
>>>
>>> So I've been reading what you share and what others have to offer and
>>> trying to figure out if somehow I have something useful...
>>>
>>>
>>> Lyn's suggestion of an NFB Center is inspired! If you can get from where
>>> you are to there... Some VR agencies will do anything to keep their
>>> clients from anyplace so heretical (mine, in Oregon, is one). Others
>>> will do what they should by law. Others can be convinced. I think
>>> California is better about that than many others, especially for younger
>>> clients.
>>>
>>> So would that maybe work? Your mother would still have the extra
>>> financial assistance from your income while you're away, but you could
>>> be in a learning environment in which you could get much of what you
>>> need and will need, while having places to work Wizard. There is a lot
>>> of controversy (at times, anyway) about the NFB Centers approach to
>>> attendees with guide dogs, since they don't allow the use of guide dogs
>>> in class time. I think there's some easing, but can't really tell you
>>> the exact ins and outs or if they vary slightly from Center to Center.
>>>
>>> Still, you can work your dog when you're not in classes, in places where
>>> it's safe to do so. Or so I assume, since they are places where the cane
>>> using students can also move around safely at will. So maybe an
>>> improvement over what you're working around now?
>>>
>>> Anyway, it's a thought. What you do is up to you, of course. /smile/ You
>>> certainly have a hard row to hoe, as they say, but I can tell that you
>>> are strong and very, very bright. You won't do things as I think you
>>> should, but I'm not you and not living your life. You are and will find
>>> your way despite the added difficulties and challenges.
>>>
>>> Wish I had the secret magic key, but, you know. I'm not Dumbledore!
>>> /lol/
>>>
>>> Best to you in finding what you need in your circumstances.
>>>
>>> Tami Jarvis
>>>
>>> On 11/15/2012 04:00 PM, Lyn Gwizdak wrote:
>>>> Yeah Sarah,
>>>> Thought so. And so is Wizard. This is very unhealthy for both of you.
>>>>
>>>> Is there an NFB chapter near you? Maybe they can connect you with a
>>>> good therapist for the depression. I have suffered with depression for
>>>> most of my life and have been in and out of therapy myself. No shame
>>>> in
>>>> that and I'm a better person because of it.
>>>>
>>>> You owe it to Wizard to give him the work he needs, get yourself out -
>>>> get help and support - and start living your life. Many of us are poor
>>>> - I get that. many of us grew up in places with no public
>>>> transportation - I get that. Maybe try to get into college in a larger
>>>> city where you can get around independently. maybe go to an NFB
>>>> training center where you will learn the living skills you will need
>>>> for
>>>> the rest of your life.
>>>>
>>>> As for Wizard, well figure out how to make him happy with work and a
>>>> purpose or do him the kindness of returning him for another more active
>>>> person to have. I'm not saying this to be mean - I'm not. I'm just a
>>>> 61
>>>> year old fart who has been around the block a time or two and have been
>>>> where you are. Please, do it for you and do it for Wizard.
>>>>
>>>> I'm sorry to hear that still there are parents of blind kids who think
>>>> they're doing the kid a favor by sheltering them and not teaching them
>>>> how to be adults like parents are supposed to be doing for their kids -
>>>> disabled or not. There's just no excuse for that today with all the
>>>> information on the Internet available to parents of blind kids. This
>>>> didn't exist in the early 1950s when i was a kid. When I was growing
>>>> up, I didn't get sheltered but my sister did and she's the one who has
>>>> had to pay for that decision. She was never made to do anything and I
>>>> was and now she has to live with me with me taking care of her. she
>>>> does have developmental disability along with blindness and me just
>>>> blind with some physical stuff that has showeed up with age.
>>>>
>>>> I grew up in a town with NO buses or anything except for folks driving
>>>> their cars. I left town when I was 20 and went to college in Boston.
>>>> what freedom! I could walk anywhere and i could ride the bus and
>>>> trolleys and subways anywhere - whenever i wanted. Even the late night
>>>> parties!
>>>>
>>>> Please get some help! You deserve it.
>>>>
>>>> Lyn and Landon
>>>> "Education creates tolerance towards diversity."
>>>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Sarah" <coastergirl92 at gmail.com>
>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>>> Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2012 12:43 PM
>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Working Our Dogs
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> Yeah I'm really depressed. And when me and Wizard work we really have
>>>>> nowhere to go except around the blocks and that bores uddNow every
>>>>> time I put his harness on, he turns his head away or tries to go get
>>>>> in his bed. The instructors said he leves to work but that's not true
>>>>> now.
>>>>>
>>>>> Sarah and Wizard
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Lyn Gwizdak" <linda.gwizdak at cox.net
>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Date sent: Sat, 10 Nov 2012 10:22:45 -0800
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Working Our Dogs
>>>>>
>>>>> Sarah,
>>>>> I've been reading your posts and other's responses to them. I am
>>>>> concerned
>>>>> about your having nothing to occupy your time or ability to get out
>>>>> and walk
>>>>> and work your dog. You sound young if you're still living at home and
>>>>> your
>>>>> Mom still works.
>>>>>
>>>>> Sarah, you need to find some volunteer work where you can do something
>>>>> useful. I pick up some depressed and defeated signals from you and,
>>>>> boy do
>>>>> i know what that's like, and you need to get out for your own mental
>>>>> and
>>>>> physical health. The same goes for the dog. These dogs are bred to
>>>>> work
>>>>> and they need it.
>>>>>
>>>>> I used to live in a place with limited bus service and I just had to
>>>>> plan
>>>>> for that. Unfortunately, as blind people, we must live on other
>>>>> people's
>>>>> time when it comes to getting things done or going someplace. For
>>>>> this
>>>>> reason, I chose to move back to the city where we have many buses that
>>>>> run
>>>>> at least every 15 minutes and a number to choose from. Here in San
>>>>> Diego, I
>>>>> live in City Heights, a very urban area. I live along two bus routes
>>>>> and
>>>>> these connect to all the others as well as a trolley system. I can
>>>>> get to
>>>>> most places I want to. Where these don't go or at night, I also have
>>>>> paratransit. You may want to consider moving to a city where you can
>>>>> have a
>>>>> life.
>>>>>
>>>>> In my area, there are a whole bunch of blind and disabled folks and we
>>>>> either have Section-8 Housing Vouchers or live in Senior/Disabled
>>>>> housing.
>>>>> It works. Many don't have jobs but some of us have volunteer jobs or
>>>>> other
>>>>> activities to keep busy. I do pet assisted therapy with Landon where
>>>>> we
>>>>> bring cheer and animals to visit those folks in facilities where they
>>>>> can't
>>>>> have a pet. I'm active in my Democratic Party club, my LGBT community
>>>>> events, and local blind center where I do crafts and belong to the
>>>>> singing
>>>>> group for our huge fundraiser each holiday season. When I'm not doing
>>>>> those
>>>>> things, I spend time with friends, read, watch TV, work on the
>>>>> computer.
>>>>>
>>>>> You have a life - live it to the max! You're only young once and it
>>>>> gets no
>>>>> easier as you age. I sure know about that - I'm 61. I remember all
>>>>> the
>>>>> work and partying I did in my 20s - Hahahaha! I don't party much now.
>>>>>
>>>>> I wish you well and hope you find the right solution for your
>>>>> situation.
>>>>>
>>>>> Lyn and Landon
>>>>> "Education creates tolerance towards diversity."
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Debbie Cole" <debbieanne1124 at gmail.com
>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Sent: Saturday, November 10, 2012 9:13 AM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Working Our Dogs
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> I agree with Julie. Our buses here run only on the hour. But i still
>>>>> know the schedule and get up to the hospital for PT on time and make
>>>>> arrangements to ahng out in the hospital until 10 minutes before the
>>>>> bus should come. It can be done.
>>>>>
>>>>> And Sarah... I'm a deaf/blind. Just saying.
>>>>>
>>>>> On 11/10/12, Julie J. <julielj at neb.rr.com> wrote:
>>>>> What's the problem with the bus running only once an hour? Just plan
>>>>> accordingly. I used to live in a city where the busses ran once an
>>>>> hour
>>>>> for most of the day and longer on saturday. It's totally doable.
>>>>> Just
>>>>> wear a watch and know when the last bus is so you don't get stuck
>>>>> someplace.
>>>>>
>>>>> You knew the bus schedule when you got your guide dog. Nothing has
>>>>> changed. You knew you'd have to work the dog. I'm assuming you've
>>>>> gone
>>>>> over this with GDD. What suggestions did they make? Is there some
>>>>> reason those are not working for you now?
>>>>>
>>>>> As to how much I work my guide in an average week...at least 5 days.
>>>>> He's fine with a day or two off, more than that and he gets fidgety
>>>>> and
>>>>> restless. If we've had a long weekend out of town where he's worked
>>>>> some very long days in a row, I will plan for a day of no work or very
>>>>> light. An average week of routes would include:
>>>>> 5 trips to and from my office, about 10 blocks each way
>>>>> 1 trip to the middle school about 25 minutes one way
>>>>> 1 trip to the high school about 15 minutes one way
>>>>> 1-2 errands, generally these are downtown and I do them before or
>>>>> after
>>>>> work so maybe an extra 1-4 blocks on top of the route to work
>>>>> 1 trip to the grocery store by car, about 1 hour in the store
>>>>> All of that stuff is pretty much guaranteed in a week, but I also
>>>>> travel
>>>>> out of town frequently. I suppose once a month if you averaged it out
>>>>> over a year. I also attend random meetings and teach an all day
>>>>> Saturday class at the college 4 times in a school year. Then there
>>>>> is
>>>>> walking nowhere in particular for exercise or to spend time with my
>>>>> son
>>>>> just doing something we both enjoy. Oh and the random saturday
>>>>> mornings
>>>>> when you just have to have donuts and a mocha!
>>>>>
>>>>> Even on Monty's days off I will still make sure he has a good amount
>>>>> of
>>>>> exercise by playing in the back yard or off leash running. A note
>>>>> about
>>>>> off leash time...if you're dog isn't trustworthy off leash you
>>>>> shouldn't
>>>>> be letting him free run. Monty is excellent off leash so he gets that
>>>>> opportunity. Belle would be in the next county in about 3 seconds so
>>>>> she gets the Flexi leash. Monty is a very high energy dog and needs
>>>>> this level of work. I think Belle would be content with 2-3 days a
>>>>> week, if she were able to guide still.
>>>>>
>>>>> Julie
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> On 11/10/2012 10:35 AM, Sarah wrote:
>>>>> I live in the desert where the bus only runs ond an hour. And my mom
>>>>> works from 4 o'clock in the morning until 3 in the afternoon so she
>>>>> usually doesn't feel like taking me anywhere.
>>>>>
>>>>> Sarah and Wizard
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: Debbie Cole <debbieanne1124 at gmail.com
>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users"
>>>>> <nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Date sent: Fri, 9 Nov 2012 10:35:39 -0800
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Working Our Dogs
>>>>>
>>>>> Do you use a city buss or Access (Mini Van for your transit company
>>>>> for the disabled? Unless you are in the suburbs You shouldn't be
>>>>> using that as an excuse. When your mom goes to the amrket go along
>>>>> with her and go off on your own jsut you and Wizard and do your thing
>>>>> while she does her thing.
>>>>>
>>>>> On 11/9/12, Sarah <coastergirl92 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> I just wonder because I have nowhere to go nothing to do. I have
>>>>> no job and there's nowhere to go where I can walk except around
>>>>> the streets of the neighborhood but he's getting bored with that
>>>>> and the weather is getting bad. And I have no money for Access
>>>>> to go anywhere.
>>>>>
>>>>> Sarah and Wizard
>>>>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "Chantel Cuddemi" <jawsgirl87 at gmail.com
>>>>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>>> Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Date sent: Fri, 9 Nov 2012 13:15:44 -0500
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Working Our Dogs
>>>>>
>>>>> I give Motley the weekend off. He loves it!
>>>>>
>>>>> Chantel and Motley
>>>>>
>>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Sarah
>>>>> Sent: Friday, November 09, 2012 12:54 PM
>>>>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>>> Users
>>>>> Subject: [nagdu] Working Our Dogs
>>>>>
>>>>> Hello list,
>>>>>
>>>>> I was wondering how often do you work your dogs? I feel like I
>>>>> have to work Wizard every day and I feel guilty if I just let him
>>>>> have one day off. How long is the longest you've allied your
>>>>> dogs time off?
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Sarah and Wizard
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: Sheila Leigland <sleigland at bresnan.net
>>>>> To: "NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
>>>>> Users"<nagdu at nfbnet.org
>>>>> Date sent: Fri, 9 Nov 2012 04:52:34 -0700
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Diabetic alert dogs and how alert dogs
>>>>> arepreventing aneed for a guide dog!
>>>>>
>>>>> Lyn my husband and I were at the convention last weekend. Our
>>>>> dogs misbehaved and growled and were immediately corrected. I
>>>>> would agree with you if we chose not to bring our dogs under
>>>>> control but we did and it didn't happen again. When you know all
>>>>> of the facts then please make judgment calls on whether a dog
>>>>> should remain in a situation. I don't know of any dog that
>>>>> hasn't made a misstep and the important thing is that the dogs
>>>>> were corrected properly and immediately. In fact they were still
>>>>> lying at our feet. They didn't stand up or approach in any way.
>>>>>
>>>>> Sheila Leigland
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> 40gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> warmly,
>>>>>
>>>>> Debbie Cole
>>>>>
>>>>> debbieanne1124 at gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>> _______________________________________________
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>>>>> nagdu:
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>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/nagdu_nfbnet.org/julielj%40neb.
>>>>> rr.com
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> -----
>>>>> No virus found in this message.
>>>>> Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
>>>>> Version: 2012.0.2221 / Virus Database: 2441/5386 - Release Date:
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> --
>>>>> warmly,
>>>>>
>>>>> Debbie Cole
>>>>>
>>>>> debbieanne1124 at gmail.com
>>>>>
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>>>>>
>>>>>
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>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
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>>>
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>>
>>
>> --
>> warmly,
>>
>> Debbie Cole
>>
>> debbieanne1124 at gmail.com
>>
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