[nagdu] dogs at convention

Wed Jun 10 19:30:52 UTC 2015

Oh my. I don't think I could handle a barker in harness. My last pup
barked but never in harness. Hugs to all of you dealing with this.
 Dogless Danielle

On 6/10/15, Julie McGinnity via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I have always taken my dogs to convention.  Each dog shows stress
> differently, so if you are good at reading your dog, then you guys
> will do fine.
>
> I completely agree with Dan's reasons.  I would like to add that at
> NFB convention if you do ask for help, the UPS volunteers and hotel
> staff are extremely well-trained.  They won't grab you or treat you
> badly.  As I remember they even give you their names.  The NFB does a
> fabulous job training people so that dealing with the ignorance of the
> misinformed doesn't happen at convention.
>
> As for impatient blind people...  Yeah, it happens.  My first dog had
> an issue staying under chairs.  I would put her under a chair only to
> find that she had sneakily pushed her way out from under it moments
> later.  I got yelled at a couple times because of this, but we all
> miss things.
>
> I look forward to seeing you at convention.
>
> On 6/10/15, Cindy Ray via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> I think that the more I've thought of it, the more II've come to the
>> conclusion that because he doesn't get out as much as he once did, it may
>> be
>> too stressful for the dog to go. But the barking at other dogs things
>> adds
>> so much stress, especially when you are the one the people are yelling
>> at.
>> And of course it is always always your dog's fault. So I decided he and I
>> would be in better physical and mental health for him to stay home. This
>> will be the third year I haven't taken him. Last year I almost did; then
>> I
>> turned out to be delegate, and I decided that since this was a first for
>> me,
>> I should not add that stress to my plate.
>> Cindy
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dan Weiner via
>> nagdu
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 1:16 PM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Cc: Dan Weiner
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] dogs at convention
>>
>> Well I'm sorry you've gone through that experience...I do my best to be
>> nice
>> to all as I can tell you I've been on the receiving end as you have and
>> it
>> isn't pleasant so I try mybest but of course none of us are perfect.
>> One of my dogs was very distractable and boy did I get yelled at at
>> convention one time, so these things happen and we should all try at
>> least
>> to be pleasant and helpful, but we're only human so I do know what you
>> mean.
>> But, not that it is dog related, let me giveyou an example.
>> iI enter an elevator, I'm the only one...another person comes in walking
>> fast, they say; "can you push the button for floor thirty, you're near
>> the
>> buttons".
>> Dan says I'll do my best, but it takes me a while to find thirty.
>> I say "sorry, it's taking me a while"
>> And the lady says "well don't you know how to read Braille"
>> Now of course any segment of the population has it's rude element, and it
>> usually increases as convention progresses.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Cindy Ray via
>> nagdu
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 2:09 PM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Cc: Cindy Ray
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] dogs at convention
>>
>> Well, I have to say on behalf of impatient blind people that some of them
>> are so because they are suffering some of the same stresses you are, and
>> maybe they haven't figured that out yet. And some are competitive, too.
>> I am not taking my dog because he barks at other dogs, and even though I
>> keep him on a short leash, so to speak, people scream at me to control
>> him
>> and the like. Well, who wouldn'twith a bark like that. LOL.
>> Cindy
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dan Weiner via
>> nagdu
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 12:18 PM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
>> Cc: Dan Weiner
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] dogs at convention
>>
>> I, myself enjoy having my dog with me most of the time including at
>> conventions.
>> 1. I just enjoy being  with him.
>> 2. I am better at getting around with a dog in places like that than with
>> a
>> cane most assuredly.
>>
>> Of course I think the thread of taking dogs to convention has come up
>> before
>> and I don't condemn anyone for not taking their four-legged guides.
>> If you think that:
>> 1. you don't handle crowds and stress well and would get impatient 2. you
>> think your dog might have some problem with the situation.
>> 3. if you think you are going to be too busy and involved to take care of
>> your doggie's needs,  then taking the dog might be the wrong idea for
>> you.
>>
>> I, myself, find the walking, crowds, and inevitable getting turned around
>> and getting incomprehensible directions from other convention goers and
>> hotel staff a bit tiring, but it works out well because I have learned to
>> relax and just say "whatever"--lol when it happens.  If ai realize too,
>> that
>> my dog has feelings and is not a robot then I cut him slack on things
>> that
>> don't matter, for example if I see he is stressed, then I just relax for
>> a
>> minute or maybe go to  my room and have down time and it works out great.
>>
>> I am deaf in the left ear and to be frank about it, I've found even my
>> fellow blind people to be rather impatient if I get turned around even if
>> I
>> have explained it my difficulty...that could engender stress and
>> certainly
>> did when I was 18 or so....I am not in a race to see who gets around the
>> best and who is the most independent. I go to conventions to 1. interact
>> with interesting people. 2. learn something3.
>>   feel a part of the  blind movement.
>>
>>
>>
>> Also, in my opinion, don't be afraid to accept help from hotel staff, or
>> anyone, sometimes letting someone help you instead of putting pressure on
>> your dog can be just the trick to get over stress at a convention...these
>> of
>> course, obviously are my opinions and are given free of charge.
>> A synopsis of my book-length manuscript is that either decision is the
>> right
>> one depending on your needs, personality,  ad your dogs needs and
>> personality.
>> We hope to see you there.
>> I will probably go, though I have had an ankle surgery and so far my
>> doctor
>> wants me to stay off the stupid foot, t, but I do have 25 or so more days
>> to
>> get back in to shape and I see the doc on the sixteenth..
>>
>> I remember when I was a kid, or more of one than I am now---smile--I felt
>> a
>> lot of pressure when around other blind people feeling I had to prove
>> that
>> I
>> could do things, I feel no such need any more in my life.  Treat the
>> convention as a learning experience and think of it as a great adventure
>> and
>> you'll be just fine and as I said, hope to see you there.
>>
>>
>> Yours,
>>
>> Dan and the Parker Pup
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Michael
>> Hingson
>> via nagdu
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 10:30 AM
>> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users';
>> 'Elizabeth Campbell'
>> Cc: Michael Hingson
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] dogs at convention
>>
>> Hi Liz,
>>
>> If he is guiding well and since you are good at interacting with him I do
>> not think you should have any worries. As you know we are the ones who
>> help
>> keep up our guides' confidence. Keep poised and he will do fine.
>>
>>
>> Best,
>>
>>
>> Michael Hingson
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Elizabeth
>> Campbell via nagdu
>> Sent: Wednesday, June 10, 2015 6:02 AM
>> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> Cc: Elizabeth Campbell
>> Subject: [nagdu] dogs at convention
>>
>> Hi everyone,
>>
>>
>>
>> I am considering whether I should take Gabe with me to the convention as
>> we
>> will have a record turnout this year which is terrific. It has been three
>> years since I attended an NFB convention which was in Dallas.
>>
>> Gabe is still doing quite well with his guiding although he isn't too
>> thrilled about spending much time in the heat.
>>
>>
>>
>> He also has a minor heart murmur which is not affecting his work, but I
>> do
>> want to be careful with him.
>>
>>
>>
>> Gabe will be 9 in August, and I think that realistically, I need to look
>> at
>> retiring him in the next year or so.
>>
>>
>>
>> Anyway, if folks want to write to me with their thoughts about the Rosen
>> Center, that would be great.
>>
>>
>>
>> As always thanks for thoughts and suggestions.
>>
>>
>>
>> Best
>>
>>
>>
>> Liz Campbell
>>
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>
>
> --
> Julie McGinnity
> National Federation of the Blind of Missouri second vice president,
> National Federation of the Blind performing arts division secretary,
> Missouri Association of Guide dog Users President
> graduate, Guiding Eyes for the Blind 2008, 2014
> "For we walk by faith, not by sight"
> 2 Cor. 7
>
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