If you were a blind vegan...........

[Guest guest]

................would you have a guide (seeing eye ) dog?

[Guest guest]

vegan-network , " swpgh01.t21 " <swpgh01.t21 wrote:

>

> ...............would you have a guide (seeing eye ) dog?

>

What an interesting question. I have thought many times about the lives of

assistant/worker dogs--mainly in terms of the nature of the down-time they are

afforded.

 

I will say right off the bat that I can imagine that at least for some people

who are blind, making arrangements for their dog to go on down-time walks and

runs and playdates no doubt is more challenging than for people who are not

blind (I say this from the perspective of someone who is not blind just finding

reliable and available help with cat care when we are planning to travel.).

 

As someone who is not blind, I have very little idea of what is manageable and

possible, as well as what additional safety challenges could be present in life

without the companionship of a guide dog.

 

However, in the best of circumstances (read: ideal world), if I knew that life

with a guide dog (vs. a stick or other means I'm not aware of) was definitely

safer for me, I think I would go that route--but before I did, would do all I

could to ensure I had a reliable network of sighted human help to ensure the dog

had the fullest life (exercise and playtime I might not have the capacity to

manage and ensure). It goes without saying what sort of life-long expense this

would entail, and I'm aware that might prove to be a tremendous obstacle for

many.

 

I would love to know more about this topic--the reality vs. the theoretical.

Thanks for broaching such a sensitive topic!