[NAGDU] picking up after dog

[Debby Phillips]

I will say that it is very easy for those of us who are blind 
with no other disabilities to condemn those who can't do things 
because of other physical disabilities.  One of the things that I 
am learning is that people have limitations that I don't even 
always know about.  Blindness is not the biggest limiting factor.  
I work with a lot of blind folks, and sometimes it's other issues 
that have more effect than blindness.  AND I also will admit that 
I do not relish the idea of picking up after my dog if she would 
ever have to curb lelief.  The idea of bending down to pick up 
poop with cars whizzing by in front of me is NOT something I 
would be excited to do.  Before my previous dog retired, I was at 
a gathering with a bunch of other folks and their dog guides.  He 
decided that he did not like the relief area, so he went off the 
curb in to the street.  I was terrified that he would go out too 
far, but a sighted friend of mine said that he looked like he'd 
been curb relieving for years.  He stayed very close to the curb, 
and did his thing.  Fortunately he only had to poop twice, and 
both times my friend helped me pick it up.  I'm VERY glad that I 
do not have to do that now.  To me that is dangerous, having to 
bend over in the street to pick up poop.  Will ow do it? If ow 
have to, but if I knew that in that situation it wasn't required, 
I'd walk away happily.  It's one thing to pick up in a quiet 
place without cars whizzing by in front of me as I bend over to 
pick up poop out of the street.     Debby and Nova who hates to 
park on cement of any kind.