[nagdu] to Ken about RE: the life of a guide dog

[Ken Ace]

Daniel, I am an author so most of my day is spent on the computer writing.
Ace stays on the sofa or at my feet and three or four times a day I take a
break for both of us. We may go down the street for lunch, a walk on the
beach along with his bodily function breaks. We occasionally take a few
minutes to play tug but that pretty much rounds out our day.
Ken & Ace

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Daniel
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 5:20 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: [nagdu] to Ken about RE: the life of a guide dog

Thanks Ken,
The part about spending all the hours with your dog is totally clear. There
is not a waking hour, in fact there is not even a sleeping hour either, that
I am not with my girl. I guess to be more clear, it is during those hours of
the day that The dog isn't in his or her harness either taking you to work,
or to the store or such - which takes, say 30 minutes or more, how does your
dog spend the day? Would the day be full of play, laying around on the dog
bed, outside in a backyard or maybe interacting with family.
I guess that is what I mean by the life of a guide dog.
Thanks,
Daniel
 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Ken Ace
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 2:22 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: Re: [nagdu] the life of a guide dog

Daniel & Cass, this may not be what you are looking for but I have had
several people, trainers, etc. tell me what I should and shouldn't do with
my dog. Some of there input was good some was not, in my opinion. Eventually
I came to the point that I related the following to them; There are 168
hours in a week, I spend 167 of those hours with my dog, the only hour we
don't spend together is when he gets groomed. Couples spend less than a
hundred hours a week together, Mothers with school aged children spend about
thirty hours a week with their children. So when YOU spend as much time with
another being as I spend with my dog I may think you have something to bring
to the party. But until then it is between me and my dog.
Ken & Ace

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Daniel
Sent: Thursday, April 18, 2013 3:01 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Subject: [nagdu] the life of a guide dog

Hi everybody,

 

First off, I forgot to sign off on a message earlier, so sorry about that.

 

Secondly, I have a question for everyone. I have noticed the focus of
conversation has been on the schools, programs, staff cuts, etc..

What I am curious about is how everyone lives with their dogs. What I mean
is if you work, does your dog travel (walk) with you to your job? What does
the dog do for the rest of the day? What does the rest of the day look like,
how do you play?

If you do not work, what do you and your dog do all of the day?

What does a usual day look like?

I have listened to the book, "Confession of a guide dog" narrated by Eric
Sandvoldt that was mentioned recently on the list. I believe he was a
graduate from GDB. That dog apparently travelled all over the place, which I
don't think is indicative of most of us.

Some of us are older and do not get out as much, and our dogs don't get as
much travel as others. In this case, how do you keep your dog exercised and
healthy, especially if you live in an apartment or live in a place without a
fenced in area for your dog to play in.

What do your dogs do all day, and if they were to write a book, what would
they say about their lives?

Does this make any sense?

The reason I ask this is because I am just now recovering from an illness
that has kept me in bed for the last week. My girl has been unable to get
out and work for a week. We have gone out to relieve and on a long lead, but
no work. I was curious to know how others handle down time, and what happens
when you slow down, and just don't feel like getting out.

You can write off list if you don't think this is pertinent to the list.

Thanks for any input. Curious minds need to know.

 

Daniel and Cass - in freezing Denver (even in April - who would have thunk
it)

 

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