[NAGDU] if you had a magic wand

[lkeeler at comcast.net]

Yes, dogs are like little kids who never quite grow up! You have to like 
them, be willing to take care of them and put up with them when you use 
them. Among other little things that come with living with an animal. It 
works for me because I love dogs! I have another one at home and didn't mind 
taking on one who actually does more than just clean the floor!

-----Original Message----- 
From: Bianka via NAGDU
Sent: Sunday, June 25, 2017 12:07 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Cc: Bianka
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] if you had a magic wand

Hello list,

Every time i have retired a dog I always started thinking do I really want a 
successor dog? Yes, i like dogs but I work full time and I have to really 
organize  my days to fit workr and caring fora guide dog and a bit of free 
time in somehow. In addition, there are always access issues and the first 
half year to a year with a new dog can feel like a roler coaster ride at 
times. I guess if I had a magic wand I would wave it and the moment I meet 
my guide dog we would know each other as well as a team that has worked 
together for at least one year.

As for deal  breakers, this really depends on the person. I met a lady once 
who really tried to prepare herself and when she got her guide dog she just 
could not switch her way of orientation to fit the new way of getting clues. 
She had real trouble trusting the dog. Now, for others, they find out they 
actually enjoy being in nature with a dog much more than they did before 
having a dog.

When getting a dog, the important questions for me are: Do I have the time 
and energy to try to make the best of this oportunity and do I really want a 
dog to live with me. Guide dogs are dogs, first and foremost, they have been 
trained to perform a task but they are not machines, they are living, 
breathing dogs. If the answer to the two questions  is a yes than why not 
try to live with a guide dog? No one can give us guarantees in live but we 
can at least try to make informed choices.

Best regards,

Bianka .

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