[nagdu] Intro and Pondering a Second Guide

[Deanna Lewis]

Hi Joe,
Welcome back to the list! My name is Deanna and I live in Ohio with Pascal, my black lab from Guide Dogs for the Blind. Pascal is only 7, but he will be retiring soon, due to fear and anxiety issues. He has been a great guide dog overall, yes there were some rough patches, but it is still really hard on me to retire him early. I am returning to GDB in March for a new guide dog.  I can understand your apprehension that your new dog may have similar health problems, believe me, I worry that my next dog will have fear and anxiety issues too. Or else something totally unexpected. 
 I can understand how you feel about the education and access denial issues, they are very stressful and we shouldn't have to deal with such things nowadays. 
Personally, I consider myself a good cane traveler, I can get where I need to go and accomplish things that need to be done. But, when out walking with my cane, it seems more like a chore. With my dog (at his best), I can breeze by and I actually enjoy getting out and walking places. Yes, the general public can be a pain in the you know what, but the freedom that a guide dog brings is worth it to me. 
I can imagine that after a 3 year break between a dog, it can be difficult to picture one in your life again. I felt sorry for myself for having to wait several months between dogs. Over that time, I was worried that I would forget how to work a dog, LOL.
I wish you the best of luck with your decision!
Deanna and Pascal 
 

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Joe via nagdu
Sent: Tuesday, November 18, 2014 9:51 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Subject: [nagdu] Intro and Pondering a Second Guide

Hi,

Though I'm not new to NAGDU, I've been away and off the list for a while. My first and only dog, Gator, was from The Seeing Eye. He passed away almost three years ago, and now I'm sort of coming around to maybe, possibly thinking I should go back for a second one.

My questions for those who have gone back, understanding of course each case is different:

1. If you stayed away for a while after your first guide, what motivated you to go back?

2. I'm still leaning German shepherd. I felt good with one then and still confident I'd like one now, but my former trainer thought I could have also done well with a golden retriever. Any thoughts on either breed from your perspective?

3. For Seeing Eye graduates, any major changes since I attended class in 2004? I mean other than changes to the physical structure. I'm more interested in changes to the training methods.

I've been following a few blogs. This evening I had my home visit. I'm still on the fence and hope some interaction with this great group will trigger some additional thoughts. Three years later I'm hesitating because as awesome as Gator's work was, he was a sick dog. I fear a repeat of the old incidents despite my logical brain that says every dog is different. I'm hesitant about revisiting battles with restaurant owners. The education got tiresome, and my experience in court with a particularly stubborn company is not one I care to redo. All reasons for me to forget and call it good, but I also remember the smooth travel and steadfast companionship.

Forgive the meandering note. Yet, I think you'll get it. Any feedback would be welcomed.

Thanks,

Joe

--
Musings of a Work in Progress:
www.JoeOrozco.com/

Twitter: @ScribblingJoe




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