[nagdu] Please don't pet me, I'm working.

[Cindy Ray]

Interesting you should bring up how much more difficult it is if others let
people pet. One day in the Iowa Beauty School I told one of the hairdressers
not to pet my ddog bbecause he was working. She said so-and-so lets us pet
their dog. I said, well that's their business, but I'm telling you I don't
want you petting him while he is in harness.
Cindy Lou Ray
cindyray at gmail.com


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Debby Phillips
via nagdu
Sent: Sunday, August 30, 2015 12:20 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Debby Phillips <semisweetdebby at gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Please don't pet me, I'm working.

Hi Raven, I wouldn't bother with a sign.  I've tried, twice.  The first one
was a bright orange sign that said, "Please Ignore me, I'm working".  It was
attached to the backstrap of my dog's harness.  It could be seen for a mile
while we were walking, and as we waited for busses, etc.  People would come
up and pet my dog.  Eventually I was reduced to angrily asking, "Can you
read?" 
To which the person would generally answer sheepishly, "Yes." 
"Did you not see the sign my dog is wearing?" "Well, um, yes." 
"So why are you petting my dog?" The most insulting answer I got
was: "I didn't think you'd notice." Are you kidding? The next sign I got was
some other bright, obnoxious color.  This one said, "Please don't pet me,
I'm working.  I thought well, maybe if the sign says don't pet me, maybe it
would work.  Nope.  Same reaction.  Same stupid answers.  The only thing it
did was increase my anger level.  In fact, I wonder if the bright-colored
signs didn't attract more attention then just having no sign at all.  Part
of the problem is that some people don't have a problem with their dogs
being petted in harness, as long as the dog is not actively working, i.e.
lying under a table, or sitting quietly at their partner's side.  This makes
it difficult for those of us who do not wish our dogs to be petted at all in
harness.  So I could be dictatorial like some people and say, "You know,
those of you who allow your dogs to be petted in harness should not do that,
since it makes it more difficult for those of us who do not wish our dogs to
be petted".  It's true, but I won't say it, because people need to make
their own choices about that, just like people need to make their choices
about disclosing to airlines, taxis, etc.  or showing ID.  Sure, it would
make it easier if we all behaved the same way regarding all 
dog issues, but that's unrealistic, and it ain't gonna happen.    
Debby and Nova

_______________________________________________
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/cindyray%40gmail.com