Why Fear Should Never Win

Tags

Acceptance, Animal, Connect, Disability, Expansion, Fear, Full Circle, Guide Dog, Hidden Disability, Labradoodle, Life lessons, Unconditional Love

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If I had stayed in fear, I may never have a chance to kiss this gorgeous velvety nose.

Dogs were never really my thing. I never really ‘oohed and aahed’ over cute little puppies running around. This was partly because I could not really see them but also partly because I never really trusted them. I did not have full blown Cynophobia, but they were not my favourite animals to be honest. I was never bitten by a dog growing up or was scared in anyway by any, but I always had a healthy respect for the fact that they could turn if they felt threatened.

We had a cross Collie whilst growing up called Cindy who was with us for ten years until she passed when I was around fourteen. She was more human than dog so I kind of forgot that she belonged to the canine kind as she would come with my brothers, friends and I as we played Fox and Hounds and football. I was surprised that she was never scouted for a top team as she scored more goals than any of us put together. Cindy was one of us, other dogs were not.

I had a healthy respect for the ability of dogs to turn if they were threatened and therefore kept away from them.  This was one of the stumbling blocks that I was hanging onto when I decided to apply for a guide dog. The  main excuse I gave myself from applying for a guide dog was that maybe people I knew would question why I suddenly turned up with a guide dog when the majority of them never knew I had been registered as severely sight impaired (previously known as registered blind)  for a number of years. The other main reason was however that I was not sure if life with a dog was really for me.

What would happen if I did not learn to read the dog’s signs of distress or if they were too hot and frustrated? What if I could not pick up on the cues that they needed something that I did not know about? What if the dog did not like me? What if the dog did not like coming into schools with me for me to carry out my job? The negative ‘what if’s’ snowballed more than the positive ‘what if’s’ until I got over myself and started turning the scenarios on their head and saw love instead of fear.

What if I tuned into the dog’s happiness as soon as I met him/her? What if I used my knowledge of their dislikes to arrange our lives to avoid them? What if our intuition synched so that we naturally picked up on each other’s needs? What if the unconditional love between our both species had no limit? What if the dog became part of the staff at the schools that we worked in and had his/her own fan club? My natural positivity trait began to chase away this alien negative frame of mind that had invaded my life. How would I know what life would be like with a guide dog if I was not going to try?

Three and a half years on, it is easy to look back and laugh at the imagined fear that nearly kept us apart. This face that lights up the life of many may have rested upon another sofa if I had not opened my mind beyond the sticky pit of fear. His strands of hair that lay across the house may have had to be vacuumed up by another hoover and his muddy paw prints would have to be mopped up into another bucket. Most devastating however may have been that his big squishy velvety nose may have been kissed by another pair of lips.

Facing you fears and doing it anyway will always bring about the unexpected and for me, it was magical. This mischief maker was worth the gamble. Turning fear into love may not be that hard after all.

Dog attacks on Guide Dogs

Tags

Animal, Blind, Dog, Dog to dog aggression, Fear, Guide Dog, Guide Dog attack, Hidden Disability, Pets, Sight Loss, Work And Play

Imagine going to work everyday not knowing if you will be safe from a violent attack or threatening behaviour. Everyday you put your uniform on knowing that whilst walking along minding your own business, you are likely to get confronted by an aggressor and there is absolutely nothing you can do to defend yourself. Work becomes a thing of dread instead of a thing of love that you once felt. Nobody intervenes when you are attacked and no apologise are ever given as the person with the aggressor sees this as normal behaviour and does not see your shrinking confidence as anything to worry about. The aggressor knows no different so will not change his/her ways, so walks away oblivious to the hurt that they have caused.

There are laws and advertising campaigns in place to try and prevent this appalling behaviour from happening to Emergency Service Workers and others who work with the public, after suffering years of unprovoked abuse from aggressors. Did you know that the there is law in place to protect working dogs from such attacks also? It is estimated that there are on average 11 dog attacks per months on Guide Dogs with around 55% of these occurring whilst the dog is in Harness. Some dogs are withdrawn from service after such traumatic attacks. Current UK law states that if your dog attacks a Guide Dog, then the owner has committed an offence and can be liable for prosecution and up to three years in prison. The impact on a working Guide Dog from a dog attack is immense and can change the outlook on life for both the Guide Dog and his/her owner.

Whilst out working in his harness, Minster Munch got attacked last year by a loose dog. He was left needing veterinary treatment and was left feeling anxious whilst out working. We were lucky that he was able to ease back into work gently after his injuries had healed and he felt more confident in himself. Whilst out working we have had issues with dogs both on and off lead. There have been numerous occasions where dogs on leads have gone to lunge at him, nip him, snarl and act aggressively in a totally unprovoked manner. Some owners are great and control their dogs and apologise, whist others carry on regardless. Some find it amusing that their little dogs go for such a big dog and laugh it off whilst others are kind enough to tell us they are there with their dog and wait for us to pass safely. Regardless if you have Cookie the Chihuahua or Goliath the Great Dane, your dog’s aggression towards any dog especially a Guide Dog has a much greater implication on the dog and its owner than you may think. As you boldly walk off and continue with your day, your dog’s aggression could have chipped away at the already fragile confidence of the innocent dog and its owner.

Any responsible dog owner would never want their dog to cause harm to another dog or person. Sighted people can see Guide Dogs approaching, yet visually impaired people do not have the same ability. There are some things that you can do to help a Guide Dog carry on doing their job peacefully if you are out walking with your dog whilst on or off lead.

• If you see a Guide Dog walking with its owner, if possible stop where you are and bring your dog close to you if they are known to be dog aggressive.
• Tell the Guide Dog owner that you have a dog with you and tell them you will wait there until they pass.
• If you know your dog is dog aggressive or will distract the Guide Dog, if possible and applicable, maybe cross the road or somehow create the space the situation needs.
• If it is a new behaviour of your dog becoming aggressive, get it checked out. It could be due to an undiagnosed illness, stress or something that needs investigating.

• Teach by example. Shouting and being aggressive to your dog to stop being aggressive may not be as effective as remaining calm and dealing with the situation calmly.
• You know your own dog and know what works best for him /her. Do whatever you can to avoid dog to dog aggression. Allowing you dog to show aggression or attack a Guide Dog can lead to prosecution and even a prison sentence so do whatever you can to keep on the right side of the prison wall.

Any loving and responsible dog owner wants to give their dog the best life possible. True dog lovers will also want this quality of life for other dogs. Don’t let your dog be the reason that a Guide Dog puts on its harness for the last time and has to stop working. With thanks and much doggy love from Minster Munch and his fellow four legged heroes.

Fear of the Feline Kind

Tags

Animal, Cats and Dogs, Dog, Fear, Humour, Pets

It was hostility at first sight. The one-sided stand off began as soon as their eyes locked. The tension in the air was filled with a cortisol cloud waiting to burst. It was the true story of fear at first sight.

I knew cats and dogs had a bit of a reputation of not always being the best of friends, but I didn’t realize how transient this could be. The first day Munch and Angus the cat met was not the best for either of them. Hurtling through the door, Munch was expecting a lovely welcome, but instead he got Angus. As Angus dawdled out from the kitchen, he was faced with his new house mate and he didn’t appear too happy about it. When Angus’s growl turned into a harsh hiss, Munch coward back into the corner and from that moment onwards he knew who the true boss in the house was. My seemingly docile cat had turned into a gangster as Munch became a nervous wreck. Not the best start possible.

Over the last 14 months, their relationship has changed to a more positive one where Angus actively seeks out Munch’s love. Munch however is still in fear for his life if Angus does rarely swipe his paw out in the direction of a submissive Munch. In Munch’s eyes, Angus is this ninja cat that could cause catastrophic damage in a nanosecond. In reality, Angus is the sweetest cat ever who loves everyone and everything. He has forgiven Munch for intruding his home and now seeks out friendship from his new found hairy friend. Munch on the other hand looks on wide eyed in panic if Angus comes within a 6-foot radius of him. This fear is an ongoing reality in his mind, yet it is all imagined.

This is what I would love to tell Munch about fear. Fear is normal, and lack of fear can be more dangerous. Some fear is instinct (he probably should be weary in case Angus ever does try to scram his eyes out) but some fear is also learnt (his negative experience of hostility at first sight). There is also a possibility that he attended a meeting for dogs outlining the ferocious demeanour of cats which means it was taught. This may not have been the case though. A bit of anticipatory fear kicks in when he sees the sleek black body of Angus coming his way and imagines something bad will happen, yet in reality Angus has no intention of causing any harm.

Instead he should accept that cats can sometimes be scary, realize he has not be killed or maimed by the moggy, get perspective on the fact that he must be about 10 times the size of Angus and all this fear is for nothing, If this more positive train of thought ran through his mind, then his inner prancing Bambi would not lead him to jump in fright but would allow him to receive the loving cuddles that Angus so desperate wants to give him.

I have tried reasoning with Munch that he needs to chill a little and leave the drama of fear go but he just looks at me in bewilderment. I am not 100% sure what he is thinking through those puzzled eyes he gives me. With a member of the Feline Species and an odd human living with him, I am sure he deserves a Bravery Award or even be Knighted. Such a regal dog has standards to maintain regardless of the minions that he lives with. One day your patience will be recognized Munch, one day.