I have some amazing friends. A couple nights ago, Cricket & I were 'stranded' at the office, Steve was unavailable and so I start making calls to ask for a ride (one of my least favorite things to do, ever!). After a couple calls I reach my friend, Suzette, and our conversation concludes with her saying, thank you so much for calling and asking me. (What? It really is the other way around) She is SO sweet. She picks me up and we have a nice visit on the way home getting caught up on our lives. She drops me off again letting me know to call her anytime and let's go to lunch soon, etc. For many reasons she is just one of the nicest and most genuine people I know and so happy she is my friend.
I walked into the house very appreciative of her willingness to be my friend which includes an adorable lab that shares her love (and hair) wherever she goes including her car! I have so many dear friends that put a blanket in the back of their car and are so sweet.
Maybe that is why it was such a contrast when earlier in this day, a friend (I thought ... now think maybe now a colleague or acquaintance?) was eager to go to lunch and get some help on a case until she realized that meant my guide dog accompanying us! She asked if I could leave her at my office while we went. I was a little shocked but tried to assertively tell her that she was my eyes and I needed her for mobility and couldn't just leave her at the office for extensive periods unattended. Am I being unreasonable that this bothered me?
If I ever go to someone else's home, I check to make sure they are okay with my bringing my guide dog. There are certainly times when we are going to someone's home when I leave Cricket home and that is not a problem. There are places where it is not in Cricket's best interest to attend (a noisy concert, fireworks, etc). That being said, I also believe she is a part of me, very well trained -- we are a team. I appreciate SO much friends and family who love and respect that and invite both me and Cricket to lunch!
The journeys of Becky, blind from retinitis pigmentosa, and her beauitiful guide dogs.
7 comments:
Hi Becky,
As a new guide dog user, this is a hard part....
Right now, Coral is a bit under the weather with tummy problem. Any good idea for getting rid of diarrhea?
No Becky, not really unreasonable.
But what would have happened if you had said, "Surre!"
I had a similiar situation with a lady in a red new beetle bug convertible. I needed the ride so I put on classical music for Mirage and left her on tie down for 2 and a half hours. The lady took me sighted guide.
It was weird :-(
I really work at being 'flexible'. But there is no necessity.
Love, Susan
I would trust my instinct/ You did the right thing sweetie.
How could some one ask you to leave your guide dog at home? That's the most rude & unacceptable behavior. I would be very upset, so NO you are not being unreasonable!!!!!
Coral - Oh, sorry to hear! That is a tough one - reminds me of a Pantera memory 10 years ago in her first year as a guide - bland diet?
Susan - Yeah, if it is something I want to do - I'm all for being flexible, but yes you gotta trust that instinct that says - hmm this doesn't feel right.
Debi - Ah, you are so sweet and such a dear friend!
The answer is short, sweet and concise. No, you are not being unreasonable. The dog is part of the package. Good for you for being strong.
No, you are not being unreasonable. I'm kinda shocked that person would say that. It's good to know there are those wonderful people out there who are pleased you would ask for a ride. What a blessing to have a wonderful friend like that to help make the predjudices of an aquaintance disappear. :)
It's funny because she's probably a therapist and spends time talking to people about being assertive and stuff -- and then she says something like that and has no idea what she's said.
But what she said was like someone asking me to leave my wallet at home. Or car keys!
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