[nabs-l] 5 Reasons Why Guide Dogs Are a Terrible Idea!

Sun Mar 22 23:51:13 UTC 2015

Why is guide dog use a topic calling for a special level of sensitivity? Sensitivity to what? It's a choice just like cane use is. 

Sent from my iPhone

> On Mar 22, 2015, at 5:47 PM, Jedi Moerke via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> There is something to be said for using a vocative headlines, but there is also something to be said for cultural awareness and sensitivity.  
> 
> Sent from my iPhone
> 
>> On Mar 20, 2015, at 2:16 AM, Justin Harford via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> 
>> I agree. 
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Mar 19, 2015, at 8:41 PM, Brice Smith via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Did those of you who feel offended actually read the blog,
>>> particularly the explanations under the heading, "Damn! Any Words of
>>> Encouragement?"
>>> 
>>> The subject line is purposely and brilliantly provocative--the kind
>>> that gathers almost a dozen responses in just a couple of hours. Joe
>>> clearly understands how to use rhetoric to make a compelling argument,
>>> and some of the knee-jerk reactions on this list to this post were
>>> disappointing.
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Brice
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>>> On 3/19/15, Littlefield, Tyler via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
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>>>> Positives? You can summarize this up in 5 really fast points. I seen
>>>> no positives and really, the negatives aren't huge drawbacks that were
>>>> listed.
>>>> I mean, if you want to tell people not to get a dog, you surely can do
>>>> better than that.
>>>> 
>>>> But I'll address each of these points in turn.
>>>> 1. It's expensive!
>>>> It can be, yes. There are programs like GDB offers to help with vet
>>>> bills, so the food and grooming are really all I have to pay for. That
>>>> and toys, which we probably spend way to much money on. More money
>>>> than I would usually spend? Certainly, but it's nowhere near a lot
>>>> (and I'm a student living on a budget). It's also well worth the money.
>>>> 
>>>> 2. It's inconvenient!
>>>> Yes, taking your dog out must be such hard work. Wait, I do it every
>>>> day, what am i talking about? It's not fun when you're sick and yes,
>>>> finding a trash can be kind of tough. That's why O'Mally and Minh's
>>>> viva know "find the trash." That's also when social skills come into
>>>> play. "Excuse me mam, do you see a trashcan nearby?" Works every time.
>>>> If you're at an unfamiliar hotel, you just ask at the front desk and
>>>> they're usually pretty cool about it. Airports also have relieving
>>>> areas. Unless you travel twice a week, a couple hours of slightly less
>>>> leg room (and I'm fairly tall) is really not that big of a deal.
>>>> 
>>>> 3. It's time-consuming!
>>>> Yes, having a dog does take time. You'd think this would be inherently
>>>> obvious, but it was needed to be pointed out here. You don't need to
>>>> go for 12 mile runs, O'mally and I have left today to relieve and that
>>>> was pretty much it. I played with him and listened to a book and sat
>>>> with him on the floor for a bit. He's totally happy and hasn't
>>>> demolished anything.
>>>> 
>>>> 4. It's unwelcomed attention!
>>>> I find it kind of funny you're talking about being covert and not
>>>> making a name for yourself with complaints when the NFB files more
>>>> lawsuits than I can keep up with. But beyond that, I've never been
>>>> turned down from eating because I have a dog. Cabs, certainly; we all
>>>> have. If an establishment turns me down, I'll make sure that people
>>>> know they did it and they're not treating me equally. Just because I'm
>>>> blind doesn't mean I should sit in the corner and hope that things get
>>>> better; I want to educate people. I've had a lot of really amazing
>>>> people come up and talk to me and ask questions about my guide. It
>>>> certainly does get a bit trying at times, but in no way is it a huge
>>>> problem. I am sorry however if you're not the center of the topics and
>>>> people do ask about your dog. It happens.
>>>> 
>>>> 5. It can be dirty work!
>>>> Best not ever get sick by yourself then, or have kids, or anything
>>>> else. Yes, it can be tough. If you're squeamish maybe it's not for
>>>> you. Cleaning up doggy vomit really isn't the best part of my day, but
>>>> you do it. mostly because these dogs do so much for you and if O'mally
>>>> is sick I'm worried about him and just want him to get better. You do
>>>> it because you love your dog.
>>>> 
>>>> "If you were contemplating a dog, came across this post and felt
>>>> discouraged, you should not get a dog. It's a lot of work. It's a lot
>>>> of responsibility.
>>>> It's constant care and attention and a commitment to keep up the dog's
>>>> level of training. No one will fault you for being mature enough to
>>>> walk away."
>>>> 
>>>> So let me sum this up: expensive; inconvenient; time-consuming;
>>>> unwelcome attention; messy work. Yeah, I'd say you probably shouldn't
>>>> have a dog. Please though, do try to at least provide constructive and
>>>> good information on both sides of this issue. The issues you raised
>>>> were incredibly self-centered, rude, generalizing and really didn't
>>>> convey any issues beyond negative criticism.
>>>> 
>>>> My guide does amazing work each and every day. when I pick up his
>>>> harness, he's by my side, tail wagging ready to work for me. He only
>>>> asks that I give him love, attention and take care of him with vet
>>>> visits, grooming and toys. Given the amount of travel that he has
>>>> enabled me to do (I am and was proficient with a cane), I think it
>>>> only fitting that I pay for his food, give him attention, clean up
>>>> after him when he's sick and treat him well. My guide loves me, no
>>>> questions asked. while I somewhat understand these points, I think
>>>> anyone who has actually had a guide would really agree that they are
>>>> huge issues that should prevent you from getting one.
>>>> 
>>>> At first, this looked like a trolling post; it still feels like a
>>>> trolling post.
>>>> 
>>>> Be well,
>>>> Ty
>>>>> On 3/19/2015 10:20 PM, Justin Harford via nabs-l wrote:
>>>>> At first, this looked like a trolling post, but after I actually
>>>>> read the article, I  enjoyed it.
>>>>> 
>>>>> It is a very frank and honest examination of the positives and
>>>>> negatives of one individual's experience with a guide dog, and
>>>>> clearly reads as the opinion of one person.
>>>>> 
>>>>> Regards Justin
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>> 
>>>>>> On Mar 19, 2015, at 6:52 PM, Juanita Herrera via nabs-l
>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>> 
>>>>>> Being a guide dog user myself, I found the blog offensive and
>>>>>> thought of how other guide dog handlers might feel. I didn't want
>>>>>> to generalize like the blog seems to do but I felt that if I felt
>>>>>> offended by it many other people would have too. I would have
>>>>>> appreciated it more if somewhere in the blog post it would have
>>>>>> been acknowledged that this was one person's opinion, and not
>>>>>> make it seen as if though everyone possessed the same opinion.
>>>>>> Being that I am a guide dog user and have been for three years,
>>>>>> it has been one of the best experiences of my life. I would never
>>>>>> change it for anything, and I don't consider going back to using
>>>>>> a cane after I have to retire my dog. Therefore, I highly
>>>>>> disagree with the blog post. However, I must reinstate that this
>>>>>> is simply my opinion. Juanita
>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> On Mar 19, 2015, at 6:28 PM, minh ha via nabs-l
>>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> I agree with Aleeha's sentiments one hundred percent. Over
>>>>>>> generalization is a huge mistake to do under any circumstances,
>>>>>>> and this blog post was offensive to me and other guide dog
>>>>>>> handlers on so many levels. If you want to write a fair and
>>>>>>> informative blog post about the guide dog lifestyle, then by
>>>>>>> all means, point out the negative aspects, but do not
>>>>>>> conveniently forget to mention the thousand of other more
>>>>>>> positive and beneficial impacts that a guide dog can have on a
>>>>>>> person's life. Yes, a guide dog is not the right choice for
>>>>>>> everyone and a blind person needs to think long and hard before
>>>>>>> getting one, but for the right reasons, a guide dog can
>>>>>>> completely turn someone's life around and give them the
>>>>>>> confidence in order to live life more productively. Honestly,
>>>>>>> your five reasons seem very childish, and i have to wonder if
>>>>>>> they are that important to you, then you should be
>>>>>>> contemplating about getting another guide dog at all.
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>> Respectfully, Minh and my hard working little guide, Viva
>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> On 3/19/15, Aleeha Dudley via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>> wrote: Personally, I find your subject line a bit offensive,
>>>>>>>> as it assumes that guide dogs are a terrible idea for
>>>>>>>> everyone. Being the proud handler of a wonderful dog myself,
>>>>>>>> and a quite independent cane traveller before that, I am a
>>>>>>>> bit upset as what I find to be a somewhat inflammatory post.
>>>>>>>> You are right; guide dogs are not for everyone. They are a
>>>>>>>> huge responsibility and need a lot of daily care. But to say
>>>>>>>> that there are five reasons why a guide dog is a terrile idea
>>>>>>>> seems to be going too far, especially addressing such a
>>>>>>>> large body of people such as that on this list. Now, having
>>>>>>>> clicked the link and read the blog, I know that you are
>>>>>>>> making an attempt to be fair and point out the disadvantages,
>>>>>>>> but to not point out that this was a blog post or an opinion
>>>>>>>> article, can make some folks pretty mad fairly quickly. Can
>>>>>>>> wa choose our words and subject lines a little more wisely
>>>>>>>> next time? Aleha and Dallas, Seeing Eye dog extrordinaire
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> On 3/19/15, Joe via nabs-l <nabs-l at nfbnet.org> wrote: If
>>>>>>>>> you're blind, you obviously read Braille. Your hearing must
>>>>>>>>> naturally be superior to your sighted peers, and of course
>>>>>>>>> you have a guide dog! Right?
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Well, that last may not be as pervasive as the first and
>>>>>>>>> second. Someone recently told me the number of guide dog
>>>>>>>>> users has actually declined in my millennial generation. I
>>>>>>>>> have no evidence proving this one way or the other, but for
>>>>>>>>> the general public, to see a blind person with a guide dog
>>>>>>>>> feels as natural as butter and toast.
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Thing is, I'm not so sure guide dogs are right for
>>>>>>>>> everyone. Or, maybe I'm just projecting my own
>>>>>>>>> uncertainties onto the rest of the community?
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Last November I took the first step in the application
>>>>>>>>> process to return for a second Seeing Eye dog. It's been
>>>>>>>>> more than three years since I lost Gator, and even though
>>>>>>>>> I've gotten around just fine with a white cane, I am
>>>>>>>>> approaching what feels like the final years with sight,
>>>>>>>>> however minimal that sight might be. I admit it's unnerving
>>>>>>>>> if I sit still long enough to contemplate total blindness.
>>>>>>>>> NFB philosophy be damned, and the thought of an extra set
>>>>>>>>> of eyes to help me navigate the world does bring a measure
>>>>>>>>> of comfort. But, is it enough to go get another dog?
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> In no particular order, here are reasons why a guide dog
>>>>>>>>> would be a terrible idea:
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Read more:
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> http://serotalk.com/2015/03/18/5-reasons-why-guide-dogs-are-a-terrible-idea/
>>>> - --
>>>>>>>>> Musings of a Work in Progress: www.JoeOrozco.com/
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> Twitter: @ScribblingJoe
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ nabs-l
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>>>> - --
>>>>>>>> Aleeha Dudley and Seeing Eye Yellow Labrador Dallas Vice
>>>>>>>> President, Ohio Association of Blind Students Email:
>>>>>>>> blindcowgirl1993 at gmail.com Follow me on Twitter at
>>>>>>>> @blindcowgirl199
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> The wind of heaven is that which blows between a horse's
>>>>>>>> ears. - Arabian Proverb
>>>>>>>> 
>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________ nabs-l
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>>>> - --
>>>>>>> "All men dream, but not equally. Those who dream by night in
>>>>>>> the dusty recesses of their minds, wake in the day to find that
>>>>>>> it was vanity: but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men,
>>>>>>> for they may act on their dreams with open eyes, to make them
>>>>>>> possible." T. E. Lawrence
>>>>>>> 
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>>>> - --
>>>> Take care,
>>>> Ty
>>>> twitter: @sorressean
>>>> web:http://tysdomain.com
>>>> pubkey: http://tysdomain.com/files/pubkey.asc
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