[nagdu] Welcome Karla and Dottie!

[Marsha Drenth]

Welcome Karla,
glad that you introduced yourself. I am looking forward to hearing more about you in the future.
I am marsha, working my third guide from GDF. my pup is a black lab cross who is trained to guide, for balance, and alerting. I am deafblind with severe balance issues. My pup and I live in the Philadelphia area, and are full time students, about to graduate in May, from temple University with a BSW degree. 
I am also the moderator of the list, which if you have been lurking you might have already picked up on. If you have any questions, please do not hestiate to email me offlist. 

You said you were a retired professor, which university did you teach at? And I am assuming your pup likes city work? I personally think it takes a special puppy to work on big university campuses. I very much dislike the beginning of the semester, seems like there are all 40,000 students on campus all at the same time. How have you dealt with this? Just curious.
Thanks!

Marsha drenth  
email: marsha.drenth at gmail.com  
Sent with my IPhone  
Please note that this email communication has been sent using my iPhone. As such, I may have used dictation and had made attempts to mitigate errors. Please do not be hesitant to ask for clarification as necessary. 

> On Apr 1, 2015, at 12:21 PM, jaynewy4--- via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Hi all:
> 
> First, I think it would be polite to introduce myself to the list.  I am one of those people who reads the list but who does not post, usually.  I do enjoy being kept abreast of news from my fellow guide dog users, so thanks.  I  also want to thank everyone who provides useful tips and advice.
> 
> I am a retired university professor in New York City working with my second Poodle guide dog from Pilot Dogs.  My current guide, Dottie, is a cream Standard, who will be two years old this month.  
> 
> My last guide, Woody, was a huge Royal Standard chocolate poodle, who greyed into my pewter knight, but he had some stomach problems due to medication given to him in a futile attempt to save his life.  Dottie also has a sensitive stomach, but most of her problems have been solved by using a simple grain-free food and probiotics.  However, like many New Yorkers who live vertically, my building has halls covered with rugs, and there will be an inevitable time to have to get her out of the apartment, down the elevators, and into the relief area in time.  I know you have all been there.  If not, you are oh-so-lucky.  It also sounds like a good precaution for a long flight, no matter how carefully you have prepared your guide.
> 
> I have two questions for the list:
> 
> 1) I would like to purchase a toileting harness and read the past discussions on it and on T-bags, but I cannot find a site to purchase either.  Would someone kindly direct me with a reply offsite or onsite as to where I can purchase one as well as the bags?
> 
> 2) I am also considering the purchase of a nylon harness as an alternative or addition to her current leather/metal one.  My main objection to the current one is that it is heavy.  Also, though it is as snug as possible, it does tend to lean to one side.  She weighs only 45-48 lbs, though a Poodle's size also seems to expand and contract as their hair grows or gets clipped.  There is rather a large gap on the front of the harness, as I think it was designed for a gal with the chest  and back of a Labrador.  
> 
> So I would appreciate advice or comments on the pros and cons of a lighter harness and where to buy one or have one made for her.  And I would also appreciate advice on getting her current harness to fit better--maybe a chest pad?  
> 
>  My email is jaynewy4 at aol.com if anyone prefers to reply privately.
> 
> Many thanks!
> 
> Karla and Dottie
> 
> _______________________________________________
> 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/marsha.drenth%40gmail.com