Entries from February 2008

February 28, 2008

“How Many Dogs Does It Take To Change A Lightbulb?”

Darn, I wish I had said that!  I recently read a great book by Dr. Stanley Coren. You might know him from his television program, “Good Dog!” which airs in Canada, Australia and New Zealand.  He is is a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia and a recognized expert on dog-human interaction. [...]

February 26, 2008

‘Guide Dog’ and ‘Seeing Eye Dog’…the difference

My girl, Opal (IV) and I, are happy graduates of Canadian Guide Dogs For the Blind in Manotick, Ontario, Canada.  I am proud of my canine partner.  Most of the time, I am happy to answer questions  or reply to the numerous comments I receive from the strangers we meet on our treks.  And there [...]

February 23, 2008

Low/No Vision Survival Tips

I am a big fan of organizational skills. It really saddens me to think of some of my friends who have experienced  recent vision loss, who struggle because of poor coping strategies. I have three friends in mind…Not one owns a pocket recorder, not one has used their stove in over a year, not one [...]

February 21, 2008

Don’t make come back to your store (Sobey’s) with bad produce again!

I like to believe that I’m not playing ‘the blind card’ today.  A local grocery store (that would be Sobey’s at West End Mall in Halifax, Nova Scotia) really ticked me off yesterday.  I take great pride in small accomplishments. One being, navigating to Sobey’s with my guide dog, Opal,  and  finding  a clerk once [...]

February 20, 2008

Blind Etiquette 101 for…Retail Businesses

Do you own a small retail business? Are you a manager or employee in a shop, grocery store or other retail outlet? Here are some basic suggestions to help you or your staff in responding to the needs of your customers who may be blind, or partially sighted. First, think about the physical space [...]

February 15, 2008

Blind Etiquette 101: For Transit Drivers

It could be that your town or city has a wonderful training program for its public transit drivers. Ideally, it would include a ‘people skills’ component. In other words, bus drivers, and subway, trolly car and ferry boat operators would be provided with a set of guidelines, which outline how they should interact with their [...]

February 12, 2008

THOUSANDS WITNESS MIRACLE ON OLIVET STREET!!!!

THIS JUST IN!!! WISEADVICE chief, HRM, is now allowing one more group of a select thousand people to witness the incredible site in her home.  ”It all started a week ago, on a  Sunday morning”, says the queen of Crisis Central.  ”Opal yawned and emerged from her bed around 5 am.  The sound of coins [...]

February 12, 2008

Access For the Blind: Top Resources

Would you like to read some terrific articles online?  Discover Blind World Magazine. www.earthlink.net/~blindworld  Also, learn about Web Accessibility at: www.web-4-all.ca 

February 11, 2008

Guide Dog Access Laws: Where Guide dogs are allowed to go, and why

Please go to the following site to learn about the laws in various countries that protect Blind people and their Guide Dogs.

http://www.nfb-nagdu.org/laws/laws.html 

It’s also on my blogroll to the right. 

February 10, 2008

Guide Dog’s Top Ten

I love numbers, pneumonics…anything that helps me remember important stuff.  Of course, if what I need to remember, has something to do with dogs or Guide dogs, I enjoy my memory aid even more.  So, here is my personal Guide Top Ten:  a checklist to ensure I’m doing OK with Opal.

 0- Zero people food.  I [...]

February 8, 2008

Psst! trying to find a vegetarian restaurant?

I just discovered the best online directory of vegetarian/vegan restaurants and stores. Try this. You can plan your vegetarian eating for that next world trip. www.vegdining.com 

February 7, 2008

“Puppy’s Rule of Twelve”

I have often wondered how my guide dog, Opal, got accustomed to some of the things she faces in our travels. She doesn’t mind a bus whizzing round a corner near her head.  Working her around a construction zone is no problem. Hospitals, grocery stores, malls are taken in stride.  She LOVES escalators.  My girl [...]