[NAGDU] Insisting on a particular breed of dog

Mon Feb 26 22:29:17 UTC 2018

I haven't been rejected; I am not sure TSE would since I am one of their
grads, but I feel as if I need to be walking more. I think if I continue on
my weight loss journey that will help.
Thanks for your encouragement.
Cindy Lou Ray
cindyray at gmail.com

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of S L Johnson via
NAGDU
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 3:52 PM
To: NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: S L Johnson <SLJohnson25 at comcast.net>
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Insisting on a particular breed of dog

Cindy:

If you really want another dog, I hope you will at least consider it.  You
already know how much a guide dog can enrich your life and make traveling
around much easier.  Due to health issues which result in difficulty walking
I did not think I would be able to get another dog when my golden Tara
retired in 2014.  I had almost given up hope as I received rejections from
school after school.  I had one more school to try and fortunately for me,
Pilot Dogs felt they had the perfect dog to meet my needs.  Two weeks after
receiving my last bit of paperwork I received the call that they had a
wonderful little female golden for me.  I was thrilled because I had
requested a female golden.  I have worked a shepherd and lab but my
preference is the golden.  They assured me that this little golden walked
slow without pulling.  They said she was very calm in harness and easy to
control with voice and not needing lots of leash corrections.  They were
willing to allow me to use my support cane when walking and would shorten my
routes to what I was able to do without me getting too weak and in too much
pain.  Their daily schedule working from the building not requiring taking
everyone out in the vans to work I was able to rest in my room when I was
not out on a walk or attending lectures and meals.  I am very glad I did not
give up when schools kept ejecting me because I could not walk fast enough
or far enough to suit their criteria to get a dog.  Eva is a pleasure to
work and when I have bad days when we cannot get out she is perfectly
content to stay at home.  She brings me a lot of joy and unconditional love
which is a great comfort to me as I live alone.  No matter how bad I feel
she is always there to comfort me.  When I do work her she is very well
behaved and does excellent work even if it has been many weeks or months
that we have not been able to get out.  I just wish that more guide dog
schools would consider their graduates as they apply for new dogs.  As we
all age, we may develop medical issues or just the normal aging process that
effect our walking speed and endurance.  Although we have limitations we do
still want to have a guide dog and deserve the chance to at least try. 
Cindy, good luck to you whatever you do decide about getting another guide
dog.

As for requesting a specific breed, I feel it is our right as a consumer to
be able to get the breed we want to have.  The dog will be with us for many
years so we should have right to request what we want.  Many schools get mad
when applicants ask for a golden or shepherd because they do not have as
many of them as they do the labs.  I wish this was not the case but right
now that is the way it is.  If you have a preference then you will probably
have to wait longer.  Good luck to all of you seeking your next dogs and I
do hope you can get what you want.

Sandra and Eva, my amazing golden girl
-----Original Message-----
From: Cindy Ray via NAGDU
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 4:02 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List,the National Association of Guide Dog Users'
Cc: Cindy Ray
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Insisting on a particular breed of dog

I guess I would as soon go with the flow even though it would be fun to have
another GSD. I probably won't have any dog anyway, so I don't know why I'm
using up my posts on the topic except I keep thinking maybe ...
Cindy Lou Ray
cindyray at gmaikl.com

-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Jessica Diaz via
NAGDU
Sent: Monday, February 26, 2018 2:52 PM
To: 'NAGDU Mailing List, the National Association of Guide Dog Users' 
<nagdu at nfbnet.org>
Cc: savedbygrace0421 at gmail.com
Subject: Re: [NAGDU] Insisting on a particular breed of dog

Hi,
I love Ms. Talent btw. She was in my class. They say if I want a gSD which I
want for my next, I will need to apply for one 2 years before mine retires. 
Around the 8th birthday or sooner if needed.
Jessica
-----Original Message-----
From: NAGDU [mailto:nagdu-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Tara Briggs via
NAGDU
Sent: February 26, 2018 12:17 PM
To: nagdu at nfbnet.org
Cc: Tara Briggs <thflute at gmail.com>
Subject: [NAGDU] Insisting on a particular breed of dog

Hi all! My friend just got back from guiding eyes for the blind. She has a
beautiful German Shepherd named talent. This is the third German Shepherd I
have had the chance to interact with and I think I fallen  in love. The
three  German Shepherdb?~s that I had the pleasure of meeting all had such
dignity and calm  beautiful natureb?~s. Ib?Tm thinking about insisting on a
German Shepherd for dog number three. I go in September. Perhaps insisting
is the wrong word. Since I will be getting my dog from the Seeing Eye and
they know the dogs  that are available I feel like they should still make
the ultimate choice. However, I have fallen in love with the German Shepherd
breed. I am wondering if any of you have  insisted on a particular breed. If
so, what were your reasons and how did it work out for you? I look forward
to any responses.

Tara
Sent from my iPhone
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