[NAGDU] Insisting on a particular breed of dog

Tue Feb 27 00:42:24 UTC 2018

Thanks everyone for your responses! I have enjoyed reading the emails. Sandra I loved what you said about being an older individual and still wanting and needing a guy dog. I think your words are very true and I wish more schools would consider them. It seems to me the lot of pets end up hanging out in their owners houses and being pretty happy. So even if you’re not out gallivanting all the time, it seems like a guy dog would still have an exceptionally good life as long as the owner is kind and loving and the bond well
Tara.

Sent from my iPhone

> On Feb 26, 2018, at 3:29 PM, Cindy Ray via NAGDU <nagdu at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> I haven't been rejected; I am not sure TSE would since I am one of their
> grads, but I feel as if I need to be walking more. I think if I continue on
> my weight loss journey that will help.
> Thanks for your encouragement.
> Cindy Lou Ray
> cindyray at gmail.com
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of S L Johnson via
> NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 3:52 PM
> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: S L Johnson <SLJohnson25 at comcast.net>
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Insisting on a particular breed of dog
> 
> Cindy:
> 
> If you really want another dog, I hope you will at least consider it.  You
> already know how much a guide dog can enrich your life and make traveling
> around much easier.  Due to health issues which result in difficulty walking
> I did not think I would be able to get another dog when my golden Tara
> retired in 2014.  I had almost given up hope as I received rejections from
> school after school.  I had one more school to try and fortunately for me,
> Pilot Dogs felt they had the perfect dog to meet my needs.  Two weeks after
> receiving my last bit of paperwork I received the call that they had a
> wonderful little female golden for me.  I was thrilled because I had
> requested a female golden.  I have worked a shepherd and lab but my
> preference is the golden.  They assured me that this little golden walked
> slow without pulling.  They said she was very calm in harness and easy to
> control with voice and not needing lots of leash corrections.  They were
> willing to allow me to use my support cane when walking and would shorten my
> routes to what I was able to do without me getting too weak and in too much
> pain.  Their daily schedule working from the building not requiring taking
> everyone out in the vans to work I was able to rest in my room when I was
> not out on a walk or attending lectures and meals.  I am very glad I did not
> give up when schools kept ejecting me because I could not walk fast enough
> or far enough to suit their criteria to get a dog.  Eva is a pleasure to
> work and when I have bad days when we cannot get out she is perfectly
> content to stay at home.  She brings me a lot of joy and unconditional love
> which is a great comfort to me as I live alone.  No matter how bad I feel
> she is always there to comfort me.  When I do work her she is very well
> behaved and does excellent work even if it has been many weeks or months
> that we have not been able to get out.  I just wish that more guide dog
> schools would consider their graduates as they apply for new dogs.  As we
> all age, we may develop medical issues or just the normal aging process that
> effect our walking speed and endurance.  Although we have limitations we do
> still want to have a guide dog and deserve the chance to at least try. 
> Cindy, good luck to you whatever you do decide about getting another guide
> dog.
> 
> As for requesting a specific breed, I feel it is our right as a consumer to
> be able to get the breed we want to have.  The dog will be with us for many
> years so we should have right to request what we want.  Many schools get mad
> when applicants ask for a golden or shepherd because they do not have as
> many of them as they do the labs.  I wish this was not the case but right
> now that is the way it is.  If you have a preference then you will probably
> have to wait longer.  Good luck to all of you seeking your next dogs and I
> do hope you can get what you want.
> 
> Sandra and Eva, my amazing golden girl
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Cindy Ray via NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 4:02 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
> Cc: Cindy Ray
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Insisting on a particular breed of dog
> 
> I guess I would as soon go with the flow even though it would be fun to have
> another GSD. I probably won't have any dog anyway, so I don't know why I'm
> using up my posts on the topic except I keep thinking maybe ...
> Cindy Lou Ray
> cindyray at gmaikl.com
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Diaz via
> NAGDU
> Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 2:52 PM
> To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' 
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
> Cc: savedbygrace0421 at gmail.com
> Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Insisting on a particular breed of dog
> 
> Hi,
> I love Ms. Talent btw. She was in my class. They say if I want a gSD which I
> want for my next, I will need to apply for one 2 years before mine retires. 
> Around the 8th birthday or sooner if needed.
> Jessica
> -----Original Message-----
> From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tara Briggs via
> NAGDU
> Sent: February 26, 2018 12:17 PM
> To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
> Cc: Tara Briggs <thflute at gmail.com>
> Subject: [NAGDU] Insisting on a particular breed of dog
> 
> Hi all! My friend just got back from guiding eyes for the blind. She has a
> beautiful German Shepherd named talent. This is the third German Shepherd I
> have had the chance to interact with and I think I fallen  in love. The
> three  German Shepherdb?~s that I had the pleasure of meeting all had such
> dignity and calm  beautiful natureb?~s. Ib?Tm thinking about insisting on a
> German Shepherd for dog number three. I go in September. Perhaps insisting
> is the wrong word. Since I will be getting my dog from the Seeing Eye and
> they know the dogs  that are available I feel like they should still make
> the ultimate choice. However, I have fallen in love with the German Shepherd
> breed. I am wondering if any of you have  insisted on a particular breed. If
> so, what were your reasons and how did it work out for you? I look forward
> to any responses.
> 
> 
> Tara
> Sent from my iPhone
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