[nagdu] Arizona State NFB Convention

Sheila Leigland sleigland at bresnan.net
Mon Sep 16 15:27:49 UTC 2013


that i tirific. It sounds like you had a great convention and welcome to 
the nfb.
On 9/15/2013 4:49 PM, Mardi Hadfield wrote:
> I had to get up at 4am Friday morning to make sure that all my animals were
> cared for and had enough time outside before my ride came at 6am.I arrived
> at the Raddison and met Rachel there.Off we went for the meeting on
> starting a guide dog division here in Arizona.It was a very interesting
> meeting and we all agreed that we need this to help each other with
> problems which might occur and for advocating for each other in our
> state.Also for education.Rachel's dog Lady and my Neechee behaved
> great.After our meeting,Rachel and I decided to go get some breakfast.
> After getting directions from the hotel staff,we started off on our
> adventure. It was fine going down the side walk but a little "hairy"
> crossing 2, two lane streets and then navigating the  parking lot to the
> restaurant. After breakfast, we headed back to the convention. Lady tried
> to take Rachel on another adventure as she turned down a walkway off our
> side walk. Rachel got that straightened out and on our way we went again.We
> checked out some of the great new technology and I picked up lots of info.I
> bought a few small things and talked to a lot of people. Our dogs behaved
> very well.This was Lady's and Neechee's first convention.I was very proud
> of both dogs. There were lots of dogs and as they passed by us, most of
> them stopped to sniff our dogs. All the dogs were cool! The only dog to act
> up was a small service dog that was with some one at the registration
> table.That person did get the dog under control.Rachel did not go to the
> convention on Saturday but I did.Neechee was so good. I felt like I had my
> Nala on the end of the leash,that is how well Neechee behaved.We sat
> through the whole general meeting and she just slept beside me. Rather than
> navigate the tables and chairs with my wheelchair,I drcided to sit in the
> back where there was a row of chairs set up.I parked my wheelchair at the
> end of the row by the door. When people came through the door with canes,
> Neechee would get up and move out of there way and when they had passed she
> would lie back down.I did not teach her to do this ,she did it on her
> own.Neechee was very patient with the cane users.She waited for them to go
> by her and then would continue on. One cane was coming right for her and
> the man did not stop so Neechee jumped over his cane and continued on her
> way.It didn't seem to phase her. She acted as if all of this was normal and
> every day goings on.I really enjoyed the convention and I think Neechee did
> also. I met a lot of very nice people and I am now officially an NFB
> member. Yawn.....I am still very tired and will take it easy today.  Mardi
> and Shaman and Neechee, who is now a full fledged guide dog!
>





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