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

[Applebutter Hill]

I always tell people that if they aren't excited about having a dog as a
constant companion and partner and if they don't look forward to building a
relationship with and taking care of a dog, then they should consider a
cane. There are many cane travelers with great mobility and independence and
many guide dog users who don't take advantage of the independence they could
have with a dog. The difference is  how each individual feels about it.

I am upset when I meet or hear about a blind person who gets a dog as a
mobility tool and has no interest in developing a relationship with the
animal. Dogs are living, breathing, feeling beings and deserve for their
loyalty and help all of the love and care we can give them. I also don't
believe you can truly get the best out of the dog or yourself, if you don't
bond emotionally with the animal.
Donna & Hunter

-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Pam via nagdu
Sent: Friday, March 20, 2015 11:14 AM
To: Aleeha Dudley; NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog
Users
Subject: Re: [nagdu] Fwd: 5 Reasons Why Guide Dogs Are a Terrible Idea!

i do agree a dog is not for everyone and i think u have to really like dogs
to get a guide dog. i hated using the caine so for me getting a dog was 1 of
the best decisions i have made. i have a lot more confidence now and i walk
a lot faster than i did with a caine. a lot more people come up and talk to
me now since having the dog. i have 2 kids and since getting callie they can
come to the shops with me something i never did with the caine. so i do
think it depends on your circumstances and whether or not u r willing to put
the work in to taking care of a dog.

Sent from my iPhone

> On 20 Mar 2015, at 13:51, Aleeha Dudley via nagdu <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
wrote:
>
> 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-terribl
>> e-idea/
>>
>> --
>> Musings of a Work in Progress:
>> www.JoeOrozco.com/
>>
>> Twitter: @ScribblingJoe
>>
>>
>>
>>
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