Stop! Before you think it, this is not a bleat from a disabled person expecting special treatment. It is about consideration.
And yes, I have a guide dog with a harness and labelling on the handle explaining he is a working dog.
I have been walking the streets of Cockle Bay for the past six-and-a-half years.
I have met many people with and without dogs and have had very few problems.
A quick lesson on a person with a guide dog. The dog walks on my left and I hold a lead as with any other dog, but [there is] also a guide dog harness for correct positioning next to the dog.
If a person is coming towards us, the dog is trained to keep to the left but not to leave the footpath unless there is no other option.
The dog is trained to guide me around obstacles on the footpath and even go on the road if vehicles are blocking the footpath.
Because of traffic noises, lawn mowers and many other noises, it does happen that I cannot hear a person coming toward me.
If that person has a dog though, my dog will let me know in some way. He may bark, whimper or cut across me to the other dog.
Please remember, I have absolutely no idea what the other dog is doing.
Considerate dog walkers give us plenty of space, some even passing on the roadside.
Inconsiderate dog walkers do not. Some even squeeze past me on my left side i.e. where my dog is. This can be unavoidable, but not always.
A guide dog, although well trained, is not a robot. They will and do react to certain dogs.
And signals the other dog gives off. And the guide dog can annoy the other dog just as much. Dogs are dogs.
The simplest fix is too be aware of what your own dog is doing and, if possible, keep as much distance between the two dogs.
But sometimes people seem unable or unwilling to use the brain their mother gifted them at birth.
On Monday April 11, I had to cross Paparoa Road. I waited for about eight cars. A man asked me if I needed any assistance but I said no thanks.
I crossed to the footpath, turned left and instantly a small dog started barking at my dog who veered towards pulling the lead from my hand.
While I am trying to retrieve the lead, the dog owner says, “Can you get your dog away?”
I reply, “What do you think I’m trying to do?”
I haul my slavering vicious beast away, while the other dog, called Yappie I think, and the owner make zero attempt to move away.
Kim Ponse
Howick
