[NAGDU] [NABS-L] Confusing thoughts

Wed Nov 22 20:24:04 UTC 2023

Hi Don,

Vicky has been telling me that she misses the three plus miles we walked
before we moved in September. I have to admit that I'm ready to get out and
explore more too. Walking is my way of relaxing. We had a good walk to and
from the gym today. I had to laugh at myself when we got to the gym because
she wasn't guiding me as smoothly around something as I thought she should.
Then, she waited until I backed up a little and showed me around the correct
way, not the way I thought was correct. I laughed because I thought about
Lucas Franc saying "figure out what she is thinking." Then I thought, well
since she is a cross I have to think first, what would a lab think which is
usually "I want to please and, oh yes, is there something that I can eat?"
The other part of her genes is Golden Retriever. I have to admit, that is
the side that might be thinking "squirrel!" My Goldens have all been good
workers and not too distracted, but sometimes they could be a bit silly. So,
does  that mean that I need to be able to relate to a split personality, or
do I already have one?

Have a great Thanksgiving.

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Don Marr via NAGDU
Sent: Wednesday, November 22, 2023 12:54 AM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Don Marr <dpm51 at earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] [NABS-L] Confusing thoughts

I get it, Joy, there aren't many sidewalks around here to walk either, so
Wyatt and I don't go far, we use parratransit to go places, but honestly I'm
happy staying right at home, I'm definetly a homebody, don

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Joy Relton via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 8:41 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Joy Relton <joy.relton at icloud.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] [NABS-L] Confusing thoughts

Don,

Thank you so much! I am feeling much better and can't wait until I can get
my GPS work so that I can feel more comfortable exploring new areas in our
development. I am also working to learn more about the bus service here. I
especially want to know about changing buses to go to various parts of the
city. Of course, that presumes that I know where I might want to go. I
swear, I'm not getting old, but I find myself less willing to go exploring
for hours in a neighborhood just to learn new areas. Like most of life, I
suspect, I'll need to compromise.

Thank again.

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Don Marr via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 4:53 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Don Marr <dpm51 at earthlink.net>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] [NABS-L] Confusing thoughts

Joy this is very good news, keep up the good work, don

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Joy Relton via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 6:46 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Joy Relton <joy.relton at icloud.com>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] [NABS-L] Confusing thoughts

Hi all,

I just wanted to share that my trip through the open area including a dog
park and crossing two highways and walking to the gym that I had such a
miserable time with this past weekend, went very well today. We came upon
two dogs at the entrance to the dog park which were under control, but, I do
not believe on leash. The good news was that I calmly said "leave it" and
gave a gentle tug on her leash and kept calmly talking to her. She went by
the two dogs and we celebrated before we cross the street which she had
balked at crossing the other day. I know that my reactions to the issue of
barking dogs is probably different than some,  but, thinking about the
answer has helped me clarify the way that I react to these distractions. For
me, especially as I get older and am experiencing some slight hearing loss
which affects my spatial orientation it is very important that my guide is
not distracted, works accurately and effectively. I have learned to moderate
how hard I  push on achieving these important goals depending on the
situation, i.e. avoid the situation when I can. Where I live, there are dog
relieving areas, dog parks and dogs everywhere. I am learning to relax more
and respond more calmly but firmly. Two things have had a big impact on this
decision in the last week. First, my iPhone keeps stopping or breaking up,
so I can't rely on it to give me information about phone calls--either
received or being made, and spoken output either through a GPS program or
voiceover. Since this is a new development with lots of construction going
on, open areas where I am still learning landmarks and other similar things
I'm finding it unnerving to work if I can't rely on my dog's full attention.
To her credit, she has stepped up to the plate once I make it clear that she
is a wonderful dog, but what she is trying to do cannot be done.

The last thing that I have learned, and may be something others can relate
to, is that, when Vicky balks at working through an area I begin to worry
that she will just want to stop working for me. My last dog did that and it
has affected me more than I realized. Self-talking, for me helps a lot.
Also, I know my temperament and comfort level and I know what I am willing
to put up with and what I am not. So, for me, after I smack myself along
side the head saying "knock it off, this is just  one instance", then I pull
out my ever present bag of tools and tricks  and try to figure out what the
dog is telling me. As Lucas Franc used to say to me "What is your dog
thinking?" So, apparently I have a retriever mindset and work it out. My
friends tease me and say "squirrel!" Whenever I think about them saying
that, I laugh and that relaxes me.

Please, always assess the situation and ensure that you and your dog are
safe. Think about the long range affects of your actions and your dog's
reactions. They only have a few ways to tell you that they don't like what
is happening. So, if you can't speak retriever, talk to those who do, i.e.
your dog guide training school. Don't forget to get someone to help you
evaluate the situation as best you can. If your first decision doesn't work
for your working team, get more information and try something else. 

My sister once sent me a poster for my wall that said "raising children is
just about practicing. If it were not they would have come with
instructions."

Sending big smiles, Double clicks, scratches under your chins and caution to
be safe and warm as needed. Oh yes, happy turkey day!!  

Joy with Vicky who says "I know that I am a very cute and good dog. Now,
please throw my ball for me again. I'm bored. ----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU <nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of nesmaaly123--- via NAGDU
Sent: Tuesday, November 21, 2023 9:43 AM
To: 'National Association of Blind Students mailing list'
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>; 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide
Dog Users' <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: nesmaaly123 at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] [NABS-L] Confusing thoughts

I agree with the person that said to contact your guide dog school, But I
would also encourage you to talk to the disability services office on your
campus let them know what happened, and see what they can do to help. 

-----Original Message-----
From: NABS-L <nabs-l-bounces at nfbnet.org> On Behalf Of Asia Quinones-Evans
via NABS-L
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2023 3:03 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>; National Association Of Blind Students Mailing List
<nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Asia Quinones-Evans <aevans.nfb at gmail.com>
Subject: [NABS-L] Confusing thoughts

Hello everyone,

I want to start off by telling everyone that I am the only service dog
handler on my college campus this semester. There is a new Dean in the
Physical Education department (HPER) that I have most of my courses in.
When they set up events now he advocates strongly for the Animal Protection
League to be their. There was an event I was required to attend for class in
October and the dogs were their. The dogs did not come close to my guide dog
but he was very nervous because he could not see the dogs barking and he did
not want them to attack him. Yes, you read that correct the dogs were
barking at an event from the  APL. This lasted over 45 minutes. I had to
keep ahold of the leash to keep him focused and calm while walking around
this event. My college will have another event hosted by this department
towards the end of my semester for the students to enjoy some relaxing time
before finals. There will be the APL there. I am not sure how to feel about
this because they are getting approval from the college but its putting my
safety in  jeopardy distracting my service dog. I am pretty sure if there
were any other service dog handlers on campus they would feel the same. I
was wondering if you are in college currently, have been in college
previously, and have had this type of a situation, how did you deal with it?
The event I was required to attend in October could have been avoided if it
was not a grade for my class. This upcoming event will be in the main
building that I spend most of my time in. So I can not avoid it that day.
Thanks for any feedback.

I do want to state that besides now other dogs distracting and being
aggressive towards my guide dog I love rescue places. My first pet that I
had to put down in August was a rescue. He was 14 years old. I will always
rescue a pet no matter if I have the money to buy from a breeder.

Yours truely,

Asia Quinones-Evans

Phone: 440-670-6509
Email: aevans.nfb at gmail.com

Live the life you want; blindness is not what holds you back
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