[nagdu] Fwd: 5 Reasons Why Guide Dogs Are a Terrible Idea!

Fri Mar 20 17:38:11 UTC 2015

I applaud this guy for being honest with himself and with others. I
also appreciated his tone. He put his thoughts onto the page, and I
appreciate that authenticity of voice, rather than analyzing and
reflecting while sounding like a robot or some journalist.
I think all benefits come at a cost. What that cost is in comparison
to the benefit just depends on the person. For instance, I don't like
children at all, and so there are many things about children that I
consider drawbacks that I know my oldest sister who has 6 of them
probably doesn't.
Surprisingly, I was not a dog person when I got my guide dog. I didn't
dislike them, but I didn't have an affinity for them either. They were
just there. But after struggling through my second harsh West Michigan
winter, I quickly realized how a dog would be more beneficial than a
cane.
In the months between submitting a complete application and my class
date, I mentally amped myself up for the dog. I read all sorts of
blogs and books, not only to learn about dogs, but to gain an
appreciation for them, and to understand that part of having a dog is
finding them cute, sweet, and loving them. So I read a bunch of sappy
dog stories to put myself in that mindset. I wanted to know the kinds
of things that people thought were cute and sweet about their dogs.
What was their to love about having a pet dog or a service dog? What
kinds of things did dogs do to show they even cared about you? What
sorts of things did people focus on that made them find dogs
beneficial and not-so-burdensome?
I know this approach is probably very unconventional. But I imagine
most people going for guide dogs already love dogs.
When I finally got my dog and had to care for him, I was of a mindset
that caring for a dog was no more of a chore than caring for myself.
The things that are inconvenient, time-consuming, and dirty work to
others, are not so burdensome to me, or at least they are rarely
burdensome. It is just something that has to be done to have an
optimally functioning, healthy, satisfied, comfortable, presentable
working partner and playmate.
It definitely isn't for everyone. There are many things a dog requires
that no cane user has to worry about. But there are also many things a
dog does that a cane will never be capable of. Having a living
creature as an aid of any kind is not something to take lightly. In
addition to gaining more independence or enhancing your independence,
you are forced to communicate and develop a successful professional
relationship with a different animal, and you also become responsible
for the life and well-being of another being. And for some people,
that is just too taxing.
-- 
Raven
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 3/20/15, Buddy Brannan via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> I agree Julie, that the syrupy obey gooey delivery of a lot of guide dog
> literature makes me cringe. I also agree that he brings up valid points that
> should be considered. However, I really don't like the post at all. It goes
> way too far the other direction, in that his delivery seems to be
> purposefully confrontational rather than constructive.
>
> --
> Buddy Brannan, KB5ELV - Erie, PA
> Phone: 814-860-3194
> Mobile: 814-431-0962
> Email: buddy at brannan.name
>
>
>
>
>> On Mar 20, 2015, at 10:33 AM, Julie J. via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>> wrote:
>>
>> I think the post was accurate.  His communication style is a bit on the
>> sarcastic and snarky side, but he's brutally honest with how he feels.
>> He's also clear that this is his experience and is using the post as a way
>> to process his own feelings and possibly in the process give others some
>> points to ponder.
>>
>> I really liked it.  I get a lot tired of the super gooey, mushy
>> sentimental drivel that so commonly surrounds talk of guide dogs.  I'm
>> with Vivianna, guide dogs don't give you independence.  sure they help you
>> express your independence, but freedom and independence are intrinsic
>> qualities.  They are personal decisions or ways of viewing yourself in the
>> world.  They are not things that can be bestowed on another. You have to
>> claim them for yourself.
>>
>> I think we all agree that guide dogs are not for everyone.  I think Joe
>> was just a bit more straightforward with the why part than a lot of us are
>> comfortable talking about.
>>
>> Julie
>> Courage to Dare: A Blind Woman's Quest to Train her Own Guide Dog is now
>> available! Get the book here:
>> http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00QXZSMOC
>> Visit my new website on developing courage and living authentically:
>> http://www.falling-up.com
>> -----Original Message----- From: Aleeha Dudley via nagdu
>> Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 8:51 AM
>> To: the National Association of Guide Dog Users NAGDU Mailing List
>> Subject: [nagdu] Fwd: 5 Reasons Why Guide Dogs Are a Terrible Idea!
>>
>> Just curious what you all think. This article greatly upset me, especially
>> given the subject line. But I wanted to see what you guys thought, as the
>> responses on the list that I saw this on our very mixed.
>>
>> If you're blind, you obviously read Braille. Your hearing must naturally
>> be
>>> superior to your sighted peers, and of course you have a guide dog!
>>> Right?
>>>
>>> Well, that last may not be as pervasive as the first and second. Someone
>>> recently told me the number of guide dog users has actually declined in
>>> my
>>> millennial generation. I have no evidence proving this one way or the
>>> other,
>>> but for the general public, to see a blind person with a guide dog feels
>>> as
>>> natural as butter and toast.
>>>
>>> Thing is, I'm not so sure guide dogs are right for everyone. Or, maybe
>>> I'm
>>> just projecting my own uncertainties onto the rest of the community?
>>>
>>> Last November I took the first step in the application process to return
>>> for
>>> a second Seeing Eye dog. It's been more than three years since I lost
>>> Gator,
>>> and even though I've gotten around just fine with a white cane, I am
>>> approaching what feels like the final years with sight, however minimal
>>> that
>>> sight might be. I admit it's unnerving if I sit still long enough to
>>> contemplate total blindness. NFB philosophy be damned, and the thought of
>>> an
>>> extra set of eyes to help me navigate the world does bring a measure of
>>> comfort. But, is it enough to go get another dog?
>>>
>>> In no particular order, here are reasons why a guide dog would be a
>>> terrible
>>> idea:
>>>
>>> Read more:
>>>
>>> http://serotalk.com/2015/03/18/5-reasons-why-guide-dogs-are-a-terrible-idea/
>>>
>>> --
>>> Musings of a Work in Progress:
>>> www.JoeOrozco.com/
>>>
>>> Twitter: @ScribblingJoe
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
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