No two dogs are the same

My partner and I went to a music show today, accompanied by our three dogs. We had a great time, though navigating through the crowd proved challenging. Fortunately a kind man assisted us with orientation.

 I have a four-year-old seeing-eye dog. My partner has a ten-year-old bitch and an 11-week-old pup that is currently in training.

Dogs are very much like our kids. Every dog is unique. Studies reveal that much of what is known about human personality types is also applicable to the study of dog behavior. Behavioral characteristics most commonly found in dogs include: playfulness, acuriosity/fearlessness, desire to chase, sociability and aggressiveness.

While off harness, my dog loves to play. She has a favorite teddy, which she carries around in her mouth. Usually toys are not safe around my dog, as she tends to destroy most of them. Not this teddy, however! It’s still intact and relatively unscathed!

 Contrary to popular belief, the “play drive” is not an inherent part of every dog’s genetic makeup. Activities such as jumping, stalking, wrestling and pouncing are behaviors learnt by wolves to enhance survival skills. Domesticated dogs on the other hand, are usually separated from their litter and mother before the age when such skills are acquired. The new pack is then responsible for any teaching that occurs with the puppies.

Dogs differ in their management of their defense drive, depending on their personality. Highly anxious and timid dogs may react to the presence of a threat by cowering and urinating. Often fearfulness in dogs is a reflection of how they were raised as puppies. Dogs that spend the first few months of their life in kennels with minimal human contact may always remain timid.

My dog is far from timid. Indeed, she is very social. Sometimes she’s a bit too friendly! A male friend of mine sometimes gets a bit paranoid, as when my dog is off duty, she will often sniff him in the crutch region! Apparently this is because dogs sniff each others’ bottoms for the scent of the anal gland, so they can recognize each other.

 Dogs also differ in the extent to which they are driven by food. Pack orientated breeds are typically highly motivated by food. Food is certainly my dog’s greatest passion. Give her a biscuit and she will be your friend for life!

Dogs which are deemed difficult to train, however, usually possess a low food drive. For these types of dogs, it is necessary for the trainer to adopt alternative forms of motivators.

When building a bond with a dog, it is important to invest time in getting to know their individual personality. Like people, each dog has their quirky ways. My dog, for example, loves to dive in to water, yet she hates to walk in the rain or step in puddles! Figure that one out! Understanding your dog may prove a long and at times frustrating journey, but it will be worth it in the end. Though it has been challenging at times, getting a dog to guide me around has been one of the best decisions I have made. My dog is not only my eyes, but my best friend and faithful companion too!

Until next time!

Cheers!

Bird’s Eye   

Overcoming blind barriers

I heard a story today that both shocked and disturbed me. It was said that a religious family shut their blind daughter away in her room for many years. Apparently this was due to their beliefs that blindness was degrading and shameful. It wasn’t until a doctor persuaded the parents to seek assistance from Guide dogs that the girl eventually began to branch out and become fully independent. Today she has a guide dog and has moved out from her family home.

Wow! It’s amazing how a dog can literally change a person’s life! Who knows where this blind lady would be now, if this doctor hadn’t spoken to her parents about the Guide dogs?

Such a scenario represents an extreme case. It highlights, however, the importance of overcoming barriers of fear, shame and ignorance. A teacher at high school once told me that my parents probably harbored a lot of anger and resentment towards me, because of the fact that I was blind. At the time, I internalized her words and felt depressed. I have since realized that her assumptions were unfounded and untrue.

As blind/vision impaired people, we can do many things; we just need to get out there and give it a go! It's important for us to believe in ourselves, and think outside the square! We are all here for a reason. Moping around home is not going to help us fulfill our purpose in life!

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic!
Hope to hear from you!
Cheers!
Bird’s Eye

I was listening to the radio last night, when I heard a story that touched my heart. An Asian man living with AIDS described his sense of rejection and isolation throughout his illness. Even his family and friends were turning away from him! Many sufferers of HIV are subjected to stigmatization. The route of this problem primarily stems from fear, shame and denial.

The story had an uplifting turn, however, as the man revealed his victory over others’ negativity. He learnt to be happy in spite of his illness. In fact, overcoming his despair helped him to grow as a person and change his perspective on life.

Hearing this man’s testimony of courage and strength inspired me deeply. Facing such adverse circumstances, would be anyone’s worst nightmare! But it also got me thinking how many of us are labeled and stigmatized as a result of others’ misconceptions. Blind people, for example, are often categorized as being helpless, burdensome or incapable. It thus makes it more difficult for people who are blind/vision impaired, to integrate in to mainstream community.

As a blind person myself, I try not to be controlled by others’ opinion of me. Throughout my life, I want to try to be the best person I can be. If people reject me, then that’s their problem. I only want to be friends with those who are open-minded, genuine and can see the person beneath the disability.

Am looking forward to hearing from you!
Cheers!
Bird’s Eye

Colour blindness

The other day, I was chatting with friends about colour blindness. A girl made a light hearted remark about a guy who seemed to be colour blind, as his clothes were uncoordinated!

Subsequent to our discussion, I browsed the internet for information regarding colour blindness. I discovered that this vision disability is rare in females. This is due to the fact that the gene for colour vision is on the X chromosome. As females have two X chromosomes, when one is deficient, the other compensates. Only one in 200+ girls is affected by this disability, whereas 5 to 8% of males are colour blind. So girls, maybe we shouldn’t be so hard on our boyfriends about their fashion sense!

We are all colour defective at birth. Males who lack colour vision, inherit their deficiency from their mother, who is not colour blind.

Bulls are colour blind. Their anger is caused by the motion of a waving red flag, rather than the colour itself.

Hmmm, learn something new every day! Maybe this is common knowledge to most people, but I found it interesting.

Talking about colours, I often get asked “how do you know what colour your clothes are?” I am totally blind, so I guess this is a fair enough question from a sighted person, as my clothes are usually colour coordinated. In response to the question, I explain that I ask whoever I’m shopping with, to describe the colour and style of the clothes. I make sure that each piece of clothing I purchase, feels different in some way from my other clothing. If it is not distinctive, I will cut the label in a certain way to identify it. I am lucky to have sisters who are up with the latest fashion, so I often ask their advice about clothes!

What are your thoughts about clothes and fashion? Do you spend ages in the morning, deciding what to wear and making yourself up? Or do you just chuck anything on and are not too fussed about appearance?

Am looking forward to hearing from you!

Cheers!

Bird’s Eye

Lack of understanding

How are you going?

 I've been neglecting my blog a bit lately!

Today I want to raise the topic of understanding, or rather, the lack of it. Throughout my years of being blind, I've discovered that there is a lack of understanding that exists regarding people who are blind/vision impaired. I don't want to complain or criticise anyone here; on the contrary, I've met many kind and well meaning people throughout my daily travels. Many people, however, seem uncertain of how to interact with people who are blind or vision impaired. For example, they may be over zealous in their efforts to help you, believing that you are a poor helpless being who needs to have your shoelace tied. One time I was sitting on the bus when a lady randomly pressed a crunchy bar in to my hand.

“Here,” she said. “Eat this.”

Then evidently noting the sealed wrapper, she reached over and proceeded to open it! I felt a bit awkward, as I didn't want to offend the elderly lady, but at the same time, there was no way I was going to consume the crunchy bar that had come from God knows where!

Conversely, some members of the public are more of a hindrance than a help. On many occasions, I've asked someone for directions.

“Oh, over there love, “they would say vaguely.

“Sorry I’m blind, would you mind telling me which direction it is?” I would ask, my seeing-eye dog growing increasingly impatient at my side.

“Over to the left, “and before I could utter another word, they would bustle off.

After walking for some time, I'd discover that I was heading in the completely wrong direction!

And then you get those who seem reluctant to communicate with you at all. The silent waitress/waiter who places a latte half a meter away from you on the table and then vanishes without a word. Or people who talk through you to your sighted companion.

“So what does she want?”

“Hello, I am here you know!” I want to say. “I don’t bite!”

I believe that there needs to be more open communication between those who are blind/vision impaired, and those who are not. Hopefully this will result in increased understanding and less frustration for everyone.

Well, now that I’ve got that out of my system, do you have any funny/annoying stories to share? Whether you have a disability or not, I would be interested to hear your experiences!

Hope you have a great weekend people!

Cheers!

Bird’s Eye