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

Fri Jun 19 02:04:23 UTC 2015

Cindy,
I didn't intend to knock your decision, I just added on to what Dan
said. I read your post on the other thread about Fisher being your
last guide after I posted.
I see your decision is about how a dog fits into your lifestyle and
what you are physically able to handle, and not about a pure
evaluation of mobility aids apart from their mobility-irrelevant
aspects.
None of us would sacrifice having a dog if we didn't have to. But I
think it is a wise and responsible decision when you realize that it
just isn't for you anymore, regardless of your reasons.
Working with living beings is tough. This kind of work requires your
heart and soul , and there's much more time, money, and energy
invested. I understand completely why it is a deal-breaker for a lot
of people, or why some people decide they don't want to do it anymore.
These dogs, as wonderful as they are, are a lot of work. And if a
person feels like that work is taxing, bothersome, burdensome, or
overwhelming, then it is great that they realize that for themselves.
-- 
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, Cindy Ray via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I have to say that my decision is not based on garbage from my school. I
> know that they will have me back there if I choose to come, and we haven't
> had this discussion. I have made this particular decision on my own.
> Cindy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of S L Johnson via
> nagdu
> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2015 8:20 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: S L Johnson
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Would I ever give up having a dog?
>
> No, No, absolutely, never!!!  I hate using a cane and will never use one!!
> I love the additional freedom,  independence and confidence I have with a
> guide dog.  The strange thing is that years ago, when I first lost my
> sight,
> O&M instructors always asked why I wanted to bother with a dog since I am
> such an excellent cane user.  I had to tell them that I just love having a
> dog.  I do worry because due to my multiple sclerosis I have found myself
> in
> a wheelchair a few times over the years and none of the guide dog schools
> will train a dog to guide someone using a manual wheelchair.  I was worried
> last year when I retired Tara because my walking had gotten worse.
> Although
> many schools didn't accept me because I could not walk fast enough or for
> long distances but, I never gave up.  Fortunately Pilot Dogs considered
> that
> I'd been a guide dog user for 40 years and would benefit from having
> another
> dog.  I don't get out as much as I'd like but, Eva is wonderful when we do
> get to work.  I hate to hear people say they might not get another dog
> because they don't get out as much.  Don't listen to that garbage from some
> schools.  Keep trying until a school will take you for what you can do, not
> deny you because of what you can't.  There are always ways to work around
> hand, arm shoulder, back and leg problems.  As I did, you can request a dog
> with a very light pull.  Eva is actually a help with my balance.  I've
> never
> fallen with her and if I use a cane, I do lose my balance quite often.  I
> have lots of medical issues and will never consider life without a guide
> dog.
>
> Sandra and Wonderful Eva
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cindy Ray via nagdu
> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2015 7:54 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: Cindy Ray
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Would I ever give up having a dog?
>
> Well, I honestly don't think this should dissolve into yet another
> discussion of the flaws of a cane because people are passionate about it,
> it
> honestly may not be on topic, and it doesn't leave anybody feeling any
> better. BTW, if my hand gets any worse, I may have to rethink the whole
> issue because I got a dog because of pain in my hands, so we'll see.
> Cindy
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Dan Weiner via
> nagdu
> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2015 6:46 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: Dan Weiner
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Would I ever give up having a dog?
>
> Points  well taken Cindy, or is it Sindy.
> But I think I'd concur with Raven. Frankly a cane is just a stick, you can
> get the same effect from waving a branch in front of you. Now  some of you
> won't be happy with that...too bad--lol
>
> Even if I don't have a dog some day I will always be willing to tout it's
> benefits.
>
> Dan the opinionated
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Raven Tolliver
> via nagdu
> Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2015 7:04 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
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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/dcwein%40dcwein.cnc
>> .net
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> 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/ravend729%40gmail.c
>> om
>>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/dcwein%40dcwein.cnc.net
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/sljohnson25%40comcast.net
>
>
>
>
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> 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/ravend729%40gmail.com
>