[nagdu] Would I ever give up having a dog?

Thu Jun 18 23:19:33 UTC 2015

It's OK to express your opinion. There are some things that I find to be better about a cane or deal breakers about dogs that you wouldn't; therefore, I don't have a problem with it. I prefer if you say for me the dog is the ssuperior mobility assistant, but after all this is a guide dog list, and if someone feels a cane is better than a dog, then why would I be here. I actually don't feel that way. What I feel is there are strengths and weaknesses in both and there is no such thing as perfect. I've enjoyed using my dogs mostly, I will miss having a dog when Fisher retires, and maybe if I went and got another dog I would get some of the things I've missed with him. Don't get me wrong. He's been a great dog in many ways, but I have had a number of experiences with him that I never had with any other dog. They have troubled me a lot. I just don't feel I use a dog enough now to ask the school to make the investment in my team, and some of my issues with the dogs are maybe magnified because I know he's the end of the road. I've loved him, and I hope he has another year or two left though.

Cindy

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Raven Tolliver via nagdu
Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2015 6:04 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Raven Tolliver
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Would I ever give up having a dog?

As long as I can care for a dog, I'm having a dog. I have committed my life to working with dogs, training them and caring for them, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. There will be hard times, frustrating times, and heartbreaking moments, but none of that could ever outshine what my dog means to me and how dogs make me feel. Those moments only strengthen me, our relationship, and relationships I will form with dogs up the road. When you get through those tough times, it's all worth it.

The Golden Guy has changed my life. Not only was he a motivator for me to be more independent, but he put me on the path to natural living, and also to working with dogs. I love going to a job where I am surrounded by dogs, in constant contact with them, and I get to educate people about caring for them.

Also, I don't think it's improper to say a guide dog is a better mobility aid than a cane. It's like saying a car is a better mode of transport than a bike. Each tool has its strengths and weaknesses, but when you consider which tool has more capabilities and features, only one comes out on top. It's my opinion; I'll take bullets for it.
--
Raven
Founder of 1AM Editing & Research
www.1am-editing.com

You are valuable because of your potential, not because of what you have or what you do.

Naturally-reared guide dogs
https://groups.google.com/d/forum/nrguidedogs

On 6/18/15, Dan Weiner via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Well there is no definitive proof that my mind isn't mush already--lol.
> Well look, sometimes over the twenty-one years I've had dogs I say "my 
> god, what a pain"--lol.
> This is when the puppy is sick and I have to worry about vet bills, or 
> when I deal with idiots giving me access issues.
> And the feeling of sadness or loss when I have to put down a beloved 
> dog is just hard to take.
> I do love dogs more than I can say and I get pretty darned attached. 
> Each tme I've had to retire a dog I say to myself "maybe you want to 
> take a break for a while?" but then I get back in the saddle again 
> pretty darned quickly, or is it the harness?
>
> Having said that though, when it's working great it just works great 
> and I get such a thrill from walking with my dog and I do enjoy having 
> my dog's company.  I think looking back on it that getting a 
> four-legged mobility aid and buddy changed my life for the better no 
> question about it. I knew when I was in my early twenties I had to do 
> something about my mobility.  The cane wasn't doing it for me, though 
> since people seem to get sensitive on this subject I'll add the 
> proviso that I'm talking about myself and not trying to allege the 
> cane isn't a good mobility tool--smile
>
> A guide dog accompanied by your own determination and motivation to 
> make it succeed, can do wonders.
> I think I have mentioned numerous times that I only hear out of the 
> right ear and this can play havoc with your sense of orientation.
> If you have the right dog, once you start to bond and work well the 
> dog can really help you compensate for veering and take initiative and 
> it's just a wonderful experience I think the only time I might say 
> let's just not do this any more if I indeed really couldn't walk, I 
> mean not just limited walking but no walking at all...or if I lived in 
> some country where having a guide dog is a bad idea...I'm looking in 
> to traveling so I do think about hose things.
>
> I've been abroad with my dog to several countries and sometimes it's 
> touch and go in places without access legislation or where the culture 
> is not a dog-friendly one..
>
> 	
>
>
> .
> Cheerful regards to all,
> Dan W. and the big lug, I mean Parker
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Darla J. 
> Rogers via nagdu
> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2015 9:34 AM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: Darla J. Rogers
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Krokus is at the vet
>
> I agree, Debbie; it will be hard-so my mind better be mush--to give up 
> the guide dog life style.
>
> Darla & Handsome Huck
>
>
> Darla J. Rogers M.S.
>
> Djrogers0628 at gmail.com
>
> When you judge another, you do not define them, you define yourself."
> ¯ Wayne W. Dyer
>
>
>
>
>
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