[NAGDU] something that happened to me today

[Julie J.]

When stuff like this happens to me, I just politely tell the person that the 
dog needs to show me or that I'm working on a new skill with her.  I let 
them know I appreciate the gesture, but that I'd appreciate it even more if 
they'd move along.  Mostly it works.

The other day I was at the school just as it was getting out.  Jetta took me 
up to the door closest to the push button you have to ring so they will let 
you in.  It's a security thing.  Anyhow there were lots of people coming out 
other doors.  Some lady was holding a different door for me and trying to 
talk me into using that one, which is fine except there were kids still 
coming out.  Jetta of course, is not going to trample kids so she can go 
through, which the lady didn't understand.  Apparently she thought the kids 
should move out of the way.  Finally I told the lady that the dog needed to 
make the decision and do her job, which seemed to make sense to the lady and 
we finally got in the building without trampling children.

I get you though.  Sometimes it just feels like a much, much bigger deal 
than it needs to be.  99% of the time I'm fine with the explaining and the 
patience.  Every now and then though, I've just had enough.  I remember once 
Monty had stopped and indicated the door to me.  I was reaching for the 
handle when some well meaning person pushed the automatic door opener 
button.  The door swung open and mashed my toes in the process.  I think 
there were bad words involved that day.

I do my best, and when I don't, I breathe and remind myself that there will 
be many, many more opportunities to do better.

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