[nagdu] Gary's future dog
Ted Shelly
tshelly at optonline.net
Thu Sep 17 23:13:13 UTC 2009
Gary,
I had also thought about a poodle because we had a standard poodle when I
was a kid and he was a great dog, very intelligent and loyal. He could be
just as lively as any Lab, so I wouldn't pick a poodle just to have a
quieter dog.
I brought my new Lab guide dog home from Oregon to Connecticut a couple of
months ago now and he had no problem at all that I could observe with the
time change. He showed some signs of stress from the new environment for a
few days, like chewing on his rug, but he settled down very nicely. We're
getting on great now. I just need to work on his habit of picking up random
objects off the sidewalks, like seed pods and even rocks that I have to fish
out of his mouth.
Anyway, don't let me dissuade you from the poodle if that is your choice.
Ted
-----Original Message-----
From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf
Of Tracy Carcione
Sent: Thursday, September 17, 2009 8:40 AM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
Subject: [nagdu] Gary's future dog
Hi Gary.
I live in New Jersey, and until recently got my dogs in California. None of
them seemed to have a big problem with the time difference when we got home.
Dogs are almost always ready to eat something, whenever it's presented to
them.
For that matter, I changed Ben's schedule from the one we had in class to
one that suited my routine better. Dogs are very adaptable.
And labs are not a hurricane waiting to happen! <smile>
Good luck with your applications.
Tracy
> Hello Tamara:
>
> Thanks for the nice comments. Yes, I am a person who likes to
> invision how things are going to go to try and make big changes less
> dramatic. Of course, nothing is ever totally like I think it will be
> but the preplanning usually helps deal with these moments as well.
>
> Yes, I am still getting a poodle. I think I am now leaning more
> towards a poodle rather than a lab-poodle cross. I have applied at
> guide dogs of the desert and am just sending inthe last bits and
> pieces to guide dog foundation. I also just learned that canine vision
> canada uses poodles as well and will have some ready for placing as
> early as next winter so I think I will apply to them too.
>
> The one downside with guide dogs of the desert is that apparently
> their finances are still a bit low meaning that the student has to pay
> for the expense of getting to them and home again. I speculate that
> raising this money shouldn't be too hard but it is the one negative about
that school.
> The thing I like about them though is that they are in the same time
> zone as I am. I keep hearing about how it is importatn to keep the
> dogs routine from school days when you return home. This will be
> pretty hard considerint two of the schools I am applying to are in the
> eastern time zone, 3 hours ahead of me.
>
>>From talking with people and reading comments from people like you
>>with a poodle, they seem like pretty neat dogs. I live in an
>>apartment so I also think a poodle will be more suited to that sort
>>of space. More on the delicate side than the romping into a room,
>>with destruction at hand which often follow labs. <chuckle>
>
> So I will keep asking questions, reading and learning and hope that I
> will be ready when the big day comes.
>
> Gary
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Tamara Smith-Kinney <tamara.8024 at comcast.net>
> Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2009 12:11 pm
> Subject: Re: [nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate
> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'"
> <nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>
>> Gary,
>>
>> Sounds to me like you've both got it! I'm sure your new dog won't
>> mind having an extra dose of attention and adoration at all. /grin/
>>
>> Are you still looking for poodle or poodle cross? I hear the wait is
>> still long, but you will find yourself with a whole lot of
>> non-shedding, hypoallergenic energy and fun. Er... And a good
>> worker, too, of course.
>> /grin/ It's really great that you worked things out a home before
>> bringing the dog in. Poodles do tend to be sensitive to mood and
>> atmosphere, so getting any cause for tension at home out of the way
>> is important. I really lucked out to find a roommate who is so
>> even-tempered, low drama, likes peace and quiet around the house as
>> much as I do. A couple of weeks ago, our attempt to help an old
>> friend of his get back on his feet resulted in some heavy, albeit
>> brief, tension, and Mitzi had a total meltdown. She collapsed on her
>> bed and didn't move until I noticed she was practicallycatatonic.
>> Yikes! I had to snuggle her for about an hour, then I called a
>> friend that Mitzi loves whom I knew would be awake and put her on
>> speaker while we talked and laughed until Mitzi perked up and begin
>> obnoxiouslydemanding that I play ball with her.
>> /lol/ Podle cured! Needless to say, the person who created all the
>> fuss and bother has been unfriended. Sad, but necessary.
>>
>> Anyway, I commend your and your girlfriend's ability to work things
>> out and respect each other's wishes and happiness. Best of luck!
>>
>> Tami Smith-Kinney
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf Of GARY STEEVES
>> Sent: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 9:43 AM
>> To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate
>>
>> Hello Everyone:
>>
>> This topic comes at a good time for me. I am applying for a guide dog
>> as we speak. My girlfriend has expressed concerns about how things
>> will work with the new guide dog. She is very much a dog person and
>> doesn't want to be left out of the loop when it comes to enjoying a
>> dog in the family.
>>
>> My understanding is that when the dog is not in harness it is a pet
>> dog. As long as my girlfriend reinforces what I am doing with
>> regards to commands and rules everything should be fine (taking into
>> consideration what people have said previously about the dogs
>> personality itself). Is this correct? I want us to be enjoy having a
>> dog in the family as much as I want me to benefit from it's special
>> skills.
>>
>> Thanks
>> Gary
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: Tamara Smith-Kinney <tamara.8024 at comcast.net>
>> Date: Tuesday, September 15, 2009 8:57 am
>> Subject: Re: [nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate
>> To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog
>> Users'"<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
>>
>> > Chastity,
>> >
>> > Oh, I totally agree with you. I think it is much, much better for
>> > the dog to play and socialize in its off duty time. And that a
>> > happier, more mentally healthy dog witll make a better guide. I
>> > was pretty picky about how people played with Mitzi whenshe was
>> > young, and now I just
>> expect> general civility -- no teasing or undo rough
>> housing. But
>> > I'm always
>> > thrilled when she's playing with people. I have yet to
>> see
>> > that it affects
>> > her bond with me in the slightest.
>> >
>> > Tami Smith-Kinney
>> >
>> > -----Original Message-----
>> > From: nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:nagdu-
>> bounces at nfbnet.org]
>> > On Behalf
>> > Of Chasity Jackson
>> > Sent: Monday, September 14, 2009 3:08 PM
>> > To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
>> > Subject: [nagdu] a question stemming from a hot debate
>> >
>> > Hey all,
>> >
>> > After having a discussion with a friend this afternoon, who is
>> a
>> > first time
>> > guide dog owner, I wanted to ask this question, just for
>> > curiosity's sake.
>> >
>> > How many of you believe that if you let your dog bond with family
>> > and friends, that means that you aren't a good guide dog user and
>> > owner? This person told me that he does not let his family interact
>> > with
>> his
>> > dog for
>> > more than a few seconds. Now I totally respect everyone's
>> right
>> > to be
>> > different, and I respect his right to do that, but then he
>> went
>> > so far as to
>> > say that I don't act like I know how to use a guide dog
>> because
>> > I said that
>> > I see nothing wrong with family and friends playing with your dog
>> > when they're at your house. Now, I'm not talking about when the dog
>> > is in harness, or if you're out running errands, etc. Of course, I
>> am
>> > a stickler
>> > for that, when your dog is working, he or she is working and should
>> > not be bothered. I am talking about if your buddy comes over on
>> Sunday
>> > afternoon to
>> > watch football, and wants to sit on the floor and bond with
>> your
>> > dog, or
>> > maybe throw a ball, etc. I personally don't see anything wrong with
>> > that after the bonding stages are over, and as long as your dog
>> isn't
>> > a brand new
>> > dog that is still trying to bond with you. Not that anyone's
>> > responses will change my mind, but I was just curious to see how
>> > many people agree with me and how many agree with him. Just a topic
>> > of discussion here
>> on
>> > the list.
>> >
>> > Chasity
>> > _______________________________________________
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