Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!think.com!yale!bunker!hcap!hnews!105!605!Nancy.Feldman From: Nancy.Feldman@f605.n105.z1.fidonet.org (Nancy Feldman) Newsgroups: misc.handicap Subject: ON PUBLIC RELATIONS Message-ID: <19022@bunker.isc-br.com> Date: 24 Apr 91 22:16:42 GMT Sender: wtm@bunker.isc-br.com Reply-To: Nancy.Feldman@f605.n105.z1.fidonet.org Organization: FidoNet node 1:105/605 - Purgatory BBS, Salem OR Lines: 44 Approved: wtm@bunker.hcap.fidonet.org Index Number: 15198 [This is from the Blink Talk Conference] About 16 months ago I went off to Leader Dogs and got a beautiful Golden Retriever named Barney. He and I work very well together, and I am very happy with him. But I have noticed an interesting problem and I'm just wondering how other dog guide users handle it. Barney, like most dog guides, is a very attractive dog. When out traveling he receives many compliments and I am asked many questions about him. The most common of these, of course, is "May I pet him?" Leader Dogs' instructors advised that one should always be polite to the public, as the public funds most of these schools and we want to make the public feel we are friendly and appreciate what they do. I do appreciate it, but ... I can't always be cherful and talkative. I also dislike being interrupted while siting in a restaurant having a quiet conversation with a friend. I find it difficult to be cheerful and outgoing the day I have gotten two teeth pulled and am taking the bus home feeling dizzy and quite sick to my stomach. I don't always feel like answering questions. I know this must sound terrible, but it can also be difficult. While doing in-depth research I can lose my train of thought when someone comes up to ask: "What kind of dog is that?" I appreciate their interest, I really do; I guess I just wanted to complain a little. My sighted friends laugh when we go places, because we are alwways being interrupted by someone wanting to know about the dog. But I think it annoys them, too. So, am I a terrible person? Maybe I should hold weekly question and answer sessions about Barney. Whatcha think? Are there any easy answers to this problem? Do others even consider this a problem? -> MegaMail v2.01 #0:Lumpy and grumpy and proud of it! -- Uucp: ..!{decvax,oliveb}!bunker!hcap!hnews!105!605!Nancy.Feldman Internet: Nancy.Feldman@f605.n105.z1.fidonet.org