[stylist] Canes and Dogs

Thu May 12 12:33:50 UTC 2011

Bridget, I'm not against dog users or a blind person taking their dog 
anywhere they choose.  If you read my email last night I said that I stand 
corrected.  I never had a problem taking a cane on a plane, but that was 
before the TSA decided they had the right to molest babies so that they 
could acccompany their parents' on a flight.  Bridget, lets not get off on 
the TSA, but there are lots of things that are going on in this world that 
lots of people could say are bigotted towards one group or another.  I've 
had to deal with a lot of them.  Judith
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Bridgit Pollpeter" <bpollpeter at hotmail.com>
To: <stylist at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, May 12, 2011 2:22 AM
Subject: [stylist] Canes and Dogs


> Judith,
>
> Standing in the middle of Times Square screaming you hate a certain
> country is a ludicrous analogy to make when discussing when a guide dog
> user should, and should not, take their dog.  Your argument is that the
> bigot in Times Square looks silly, which means you imply dog users
> appear silly at times.  If I were a dog user, I would be offended by
> this rationale.
>
> As many have pointed out on the list, guide dog users have every right
> in this country to take their dog wherever they go.  You say there is an
> appropriate and an inappropriate time to take a dog, but the examples
> you list are not inappropriate environments to take a guide dog.
>
> And one would assume those who frequently use their guide dog especially
> long-time guide dog users would have no uncomfortable feelings about
> taking their dog in the scenarios listed.
>
> You say, "All I'm saying is that if bringing your dog is inappropriate
> in certain situations perhaps you should think twice before bringing
> it."  I think the point is that a guide dog is just like the cane- there
> is not an inappropriate situation for bringing a guide dog.  Yes, yes, I
> know if it is raining or a friends house may not be the best time, but
> I'm speaking to your examples and all public places.
>
> When we cane users are denied our canes on a flight, we whip out ADA
> guidelines and prepare for some butt kicking.  It is the same with a
> dog.  Those with guide dogs have every right to bring their trained
> guide dog into any public place.  To me, your argument sounds a lot like
> those who say cane users shouldn't bring their cane for certain
> situations.
>
> It is about independence.  Something, I'm afraid to say, not every
> person calling themselves a Federationist truly understands.  Guide dogs
> and canes were developed so blind people could experience true
> independent mobility.
>
> In another post, you say if going to a public place like the theatre,
> you should leave the cane and dog at home and navigate by memory.  What
> if things are rearranged?  How do you avoid throngs of people?  What if
> there is an object in your way that is not usually there?  Leaving your
> independent tool at home because it may make those around you
> uncomfortable is insane.  And yes, you could use sighted guide, but
> again, what if you need to use the bathroom?  What about an emergency
> and you need to leave quickly?  I hate standing there unable to move
> much because I'm waiting for sighted assistance.
>
> A dog and cane give us that freedom.  No one should ever feel like they
> can't bring their dog with them, and no one should ever deny a dog
> entrance into a public setting.
>
> Though it may not have been your intent, your post reads as though you
> are uncomfortable with blindness and sticking out in a crowd because a
> guide dog makes people feel awkward.  The dog, like the cane, is a badge
> of independence.
>
> Bridgit
>
> Message: 7
> Date: Wed, 11 May 2011 14:23:38 -0400
> From: Judith Bron <jbron at optonline.net>
> To: Writer's Division Mailing List <stylist at nfbnet.org>
> Subject: Re: [stylist] Canes and dogs
> Message-ID: <B51DFC027FDF4857B74AF0111D3C9CD8 at dell5150>
> Content-Type: text/plain; format=flowed; charset=iso-8859-1;
> reply-type=original
>
> Donna, I didn't mention shopping, banking or visits to the Utilities to
> pay
> a bill.  Those are public activities in public places.  There is no
> reason
> why you can't take your guide dog or baby with you to any of these
> activities.  Yes, you have the right to take a dog to the movies,
> theater or
> a restaurant, but if the presence of a dog is going to make you feel
> uncomfortable then why would you want that?  I have the civil right to
> stand
> in Times Square and scream, "I hate a certain foreign country!"  But
> aside
> from making myself look like an idiot what will be proven?  From the
> conversation on this thread most dog users are also proficient in
> travelling
> with a cane.  All I'm saying is that if bringing your dog is
> inappropriate
> in certain situations perhaps you should think twice before bringing
> im.  ----- Original Message ----- 
>
>
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