[nagdu] Why, or why not?

Tue Jun 23 05:08:45 UTC 2015

Good for you Danielle.
It is a decision that I think everyone has to make for themselves.
I have had people trying to tell me that I shouldn't get a guide because I'm a single mom to a 3 year old and won't be able to give them both the attention they need. I know that dogs are a lot of work and can sometimes feel like I have 2 toddlers, but I also know that I have never been a huge fan of my cane and while yes it is better to have my cane in some situations, I was not a fan of traveling my college campus this last time around with a cane.
I have worked with a dog in the past and am ready for the feeling of flying, so to speak.
Jenn 

On Jun 20, 2015, at 6:03 PM, Danielle Sykora via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:

I would have to agree with what others said about people being the
most negative aspect of owning a dog. I don't really mind people
asking questions about my dog out of genuine curiosity. If I have
time, I'll answer them and if I don't, I don't elaborate. I tend to
get kind of sassy with people who pet my dog. I don't think it takes
too much common sense to realize that you shouldn't pet a dog you
don't know without asking and I find it extremely disrespectful,
particularly by those people I have previously told not to pet. I
can't say I'm thrilled to hear the stories about the dog they have
that looks exactly like mine who could never be a service dog because
she would never be perfectly behaved like Thai. It also seems like
everyone knows someone who raised a puppy at some point. I also don't
appreciate when people act as if they are the expert on guide dogs and
criticize the way my dog works because they saw a guide dog on TV once
twenty years ago. Others also act like I'm a horrible person because I
don't let my dog do what ever he wants and I actually have some
expectations that he won't be obnoxious. He may not be able to play
with certain toys, eat food off the floor, or beg for attention from
everyone he meets, but he gets to go with me practically everywhere
and is perfectly happy doing his job. Yes, I don't correct him for
pulling on his leash because that's part of his job. No, my dog
doesn't need to wear a choke chaing and the Halti is not a muzzle. The
most annoying thing though are the people who tell me I didn't need a
dog, should have spent my summer another way, wasted my time applying
for a dog because everyone knows high school students never get dogs,
I obviously don't need a dog if I use a cane, he's not going to get
enough work...

Even after all that, I still wouldn't go back to the cane at this
point. I am not about to live my life based on other people. If my
family members, friends, etc. respect me, they will accept my dog
whether they like dogs or not and whether they think I made the right
decision in applying for one.

Of course, every dog is going to have one or even a few undesirable
behaviors, but I think this is something that should be expected. Dogs
aren't perfect and neither are humans. Taking my dog out in extreme
weather or cleaning up dog vomit isn't exactly a thrilling experience,
but it is just part of having a dog.

Danielle and Thai

> On 6/20/15, larry d keeler via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> Right on Buddy! As one who uses both and sometimes neither I don't see
> anything different or pitiful about any of it! I used to wrestle and lived
> in a rough end of Kalamazoo. To think anyone thinks I'm pitiful in any way
> sort of makes me shake my head and laugh!
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Buddy Brannan
> via
> nagdu
> Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 3:24 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> Cc: Buddy Brannan
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Why, or why not?
> 
> Wow Sandy, are you always so disagreeable? Really, nothing, not even guide
> dog vs. cane travel, is ever so black and white. There are real advantages
> to using a cane. A cane will tell you all sorts of things about your
> environment that a guide dog simply does not, just by their specific
> natures. How often have people, being between dogs, said something like,
> "You know, I thought I knew my neighborhood, but I never knew that bench
> was
> there."? Some people may not care about that level of detail. Others find
> it
> invaluable. Who are you to say that what you yourself do not find valuable,
> others should not, and if they do, they are clearly not as good a traveler
> as you are by virtue of the fact that they make different choices from you?
> This strikes me as the absolute height of arrogance. As Dan says,
> everything
> in life, including blindness and blindness techniques, involves tradeoffs.
> The tradeoffs you are willing to accept to use a guide dog are worthwhile
> to
> you. They are not to others. Three dogs later, and raising my fourth, I
> also
> believe the tradeoffs are worthwhile for most conditions, though I'm
> perfectly happy to take the other tradeoffs of using a cane in certain
> circumstances as well.
> 
> Personally, I welcome those like Rowena who are looking for information. I
> was one such many years and many dogs ago. Jenine will attest. Such people
> may ultimately decide they want to try it out and see what the fuss was
> about, as I did. Some may decide they're happy with what they're doing now
> and travel the world. (I note, and unrelated, that both trips I made off
> this continent, I made without a dog.) In any case, if such people are not
> allowed to ask questions without judgment and in spirit of cooperation and
> helpfulness, how can they learn what they may need to know to make an
> informed decision?
> 
> So, really, lighten up.
> 
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Phone: 814-860-3194
> Mobile: 814-431-0962
> Email: buddy at brannan.name
> 
> 
> 
> 
>> On Jun 20, 2015, at 2:55 PM, S L Johnson via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> wrote:
>> 
>> Hi,
>> 
>> You could surely get around much better with a dog.  A cane is a far
>> inferior method of travel.  If you want to keep tapping along instead of
>> walking freely and confidently with a dog, then, I guess you will remain
>> a
> 
>> low less independent traveler.  If you are happy with a stupid stick that
>> 
>> can't do anything, then get off the guide dog list !!!!!!!
>> 
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Roanna Bacchus via nagdu
>> Sent: Saturday, June 20, 2015 11:29 AM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Cc: Roanna Bacchus
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] Why, or why not?
>> 
>> I think I could do a lot more with my cane.  My cane helps me to
>> get around my college campus safely and efficiently.
>> 
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