[nagdu] dogs and canes

[Tracy Carcione]

Hi Jack.
I feel your pain.  There are just a lot more people at the national
convention than at state.  Some use their canes well, and some don't.  It
also seems to me that quite a few blind people are used to having people
move out of the way, so don't alter their course to avoid people. It's hard
on the dogs, having a cane-swinging juggernaut coming at them.
The only solutions I know are to try to leave the general meeting early, or
stay late, so as to avoid the rush.  Also, give your dog some down-time.
Hang out in the room, or go outside and find a spot he can have some nice
sniff time.  My guys seem to find a good sniff very relaxing.
And, though it's not easy, try to stay calm yourself, because your dog will
pick up on your aggravation.
I did threaten to break the cane of some idiot who managed to get his cane
through my harness handle, while my dog was standing by my side.  What the
heck was the cane doing up so high! 
Good luck.  Take a deep breath, stay calm, and try to avoid the crowds as
best you can.
Tracy


-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jack Rupert via
nagdu
Sent: Thursday, July 09, 2015 8:45 AM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Jack Rupert
Subject: [nagdu] dogs and canes

Hello everyone,

 

If you are here at the convention I hope you are having a good one.

My dog and I seem to be having a problem fighting the canes and I'm not sure

how to handle the situation. This is the first time I have been to a
national convention,

but I have attended state functions and have really not run into this
problem?

I try to tell people that I'm using a service dog and some gain users
respect that I have told them

that there is a service dog in their area and please be careful. My guy
seems to be really stressed

all the canes that are swinging around and not even touching the ground. I
do have some vision

so I have the opportunity to attempt to walk around these groups of people
who do not seem to know how to use their cane.

 

I believe this is an item of discussion as those of us who use guide dogs
know and realize how important

they are for us to help us get around independently and safely.

 

Jack Rupert,

Minnesota national Federation of the blind Riverbend chapter president

national Association of blind veterans, first vice president elect.

Guide dogs for the blind/America's Vetdogs alumni,

 

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