Posts Tagged ‘Advice’

March 15, 2008

Blind people’s smart ass answers to stupid questions from sighted people

Yes, I know.   You all expect us to be polite and forthcoming when you ask us one of those typical stupid questions.  Surprisingly enough, there are times when some of us would like our privacy and space to remain uninvaded.   I have here, free for circulation, some useful smart ass answers to those [...]

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 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 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 [...]

February 6, 2008

Take Time To Smell the Roses

It is a lovely day in Halifax. I have been stressed out and busy these days. Today, I will take time to stop and smell the proverbial roses. My dog insists. When I am stressed and distracted, Opal is too. She deserves better. My Guide dog (like most dogs) mirrors  my mood and anxiety level. [...]

February 3, 2008

Responsible Dog Owners Quiz

There’s nothing that puts a burr under my saddle like irresponsible dog owners and handlers.  When I hear of a situation where a dog has either been ill treated, or allowed to behave inappropriately (an extension of ill treatment, if you ask me) my blood pressure rockets.  Here’s what boggles my mind;  if you can’t [...]

February 1, 2008

More Blindness 101

 Do not assume that the blind person you are talking to knows who you are. When you meet a blind person (let’s call him Max), let him know you are there (and not a passerby) by identifying yourself. Contrary to popular belief,  blind people do not Carry a foolproof audio Rolodex in their head. It [...]

January 28, 2008

Shiny Girl

The most frequent comment people make about my Guide dog, Opal, is: “What a beautiful/good-looking/gorgeous dog!”  It usually is followed by:  ”So shiny”,  ”glowing coat”, “like a mirror”.  Some ask if she just had a bath.  To this I emphatically reply, “NO, I groom my dog daily, but NO BATHS.”  There is no good reason [...]

January 27, 2008

Blind Etiquette 101

Sure, you’ve seen Blind people before. Maybe you’ve watched a guy walking down the road using a white cane. One day you were at the food court in the mall and you observe someone with a guide dog eating their lunch a couple of tables over. Maybe, one day,  you spotted a Blind person getting [...]

January 23, 2008

Tragedy hits Wise Advice Chief

THIS JUST IN!!!!  Tragedy hits Wise Advice Chief.  Reports from Halifax indicate that a heavy object hit Wise Advice Chief, H.R.M.  on the head yesterday.  Described as a ‘freak accident’ by the self-proclaimed queen of advice-giving,  she was quick to announce that her injuries are not serious.  When asked for details, H.R.M. offered the following: [...]

January 16, 2008

Mrs. Hampsterson’s plea for help

Dear Wise Advice,  my name is Eleanora Hampsterson. I live in the lovely village of Come-By-Chance, Newfoundland.  Things here were quite lovely until last week.  That’s when the lady next door, you know who I’m talking about, eh? the lovely redhaired lass with the nutty dog?  Well she comes round to the door, see. Banging [...]

January 16, 2008

URGENT!!! HELP ME, WISE ADVICE….

URGENT!!! Dear Wise Advice, my neighbour, Mrs. Hampsterson told me that you always come through in a crisis.  I don’t know where to turn. My life is a shambles. Recently, my dog, Big Beagle Boy, has been acting strangely.  He drools excessively at odd times and has developed an intense fear of walking on grass. [...]