[nagdu] a cane and dog discussion

[GARY STEEVES]

Hi Dan:

You pretty much have it. In my case, it wasn't that the cane wasn't working for me but several things lined up to  make it feasible to get a dog. The one key mobility issue I was having was being sure to ccross streets in a straight line. I  have RP and used to be able to consistently see the cross walk lines. This has changed so that was the mobility issue I hoped to resolve with a dog. Oh, the other was to allow me to walk fast and not worry about running into people. I'm not sure I've achiefved this one yet with Bogart but we are working on it.

the other things were two fold. First, my girlfriend really wanted to get a dog. If she was successful she'd want alittle dog and, no offense intended, I really don't like little dogs. Also, living in apartments  meant not being able to have a dog. Lastly, I've finished university and settled in a pretty good job so have a fairly stable living situation.

I enjoy dogs and thought it would be great if I could get a dog who would help me out when he was working but also be a great addition to Susan and my life.

I still use my cane for when i go to music jams or my bands gigs for example but certainly enjoy how a dog adds to my mobility.

I certainly see benefits of canes as well since they allow direct contact with your environment and don't have days when they are working really slow or leaping out of your hand to tap other dogs or nice people. <chuckle>

People need to really weigh what it takes to look after a dog but if you're good with that and can see a dog  fitting into your life style then it is pretty fun.

Gary

----- Original Message -----
From: Dan Weiner <dcwein at dcwein.cnc.net>
Date: Monday, June 20, 2011 5:13 am
Subject: Re: [nagdu] a cane and dog discussion
To: "'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users'" <nagdu at nfbnet.org>

> Hi, Julie.
> 
> First of all, welcome to the world of guide dogs.
> I've been off the list for some time so I don't know if you've 
> written about
> your experiences so if you haven't , I'd love to hear what 
> prompted you to
> get a guide dog and how it's been.
> 
> My name is Dan Weiner, pronounced to rhyme with "miner"--smile--
> and I've
> used guide dogs for 17 years.
> 
> All right, here's my answer and it may sound like I'm being a grouch:
> Who cares--smile.
> This cane and dog controversy has been around for years and 
> years and I
> honestly couldn't care less about the answer to those questions.
> What works for one person doesn't work for another... I don't 
> judge people
> on their O and M skills so much as on what type of person they 
> are, unlike,
> it would seem, a lot of my fellow blind people.
> 
> If people get a dog, it's obvious that for some reason the cane 
> wasn't doing
> it for them.
> 
> If they decide to use a cane, then it's clear that they for some 
> reasondon't want or need a dog--lol.
> 
> Now, in real life I'm a very nice person, so don't let my answer 
> turn you
> off--smile.
> 
> 
> Dan and the Carter Dog
> 
>  
> 
> 
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