DUmmy "Coventina" upset at a beauty salon patron's service dog

[Tess Anderson]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10025351484

She's getting advice to report the blind owner for . . . something:

Thu Aug 7, 2014, 05:31 PM

 Coventina (11,489 posts)

Encountered a situation today that made me sad, but I don't know how to resolve in my mind.

 I was getting my hair cut when a blind woman came in with her service dog.

The lady that cuts my hair is a HUGE animal lover, actively involved with rescue work, etc.
 
When the woman and her service dog came in she gave a low groan, and proceeded to tell me that the woman DID NOT LIKE her service dog. Not because the dog didn't do his duty, but because he was too big, and too hairy and a male. Apparently, she never gives the dog any approval or affection (this proved to be true from what I observed from the time she was there).
 
The dog has really long, thick fur and it was visibly matted and dirty.
My hairdresser said it had been much worse in the past, until she confronted the woman about it.
 She said, "Well, I CAN'T SEE!"
My hairdresser responded, "Well don't you ever touch him?"
"No! Not if I can avoid it!"
"How can you tell if he's OK?"
"If something was really wrong I'd be able to tell!"

She refuses to return him to the guide dog service because that would mean another long wait for a dog.
 
In the meantime, the dog seemed to be doing his job, but just looked, well depressed.
 
I don't want to sit in judgment of someone with a major handicap, but jeez!
This dog hasn't FAILED in any way, and he's going to live his whole life with no love or affection.
 
It just really bummed me out.

Maybe the blind woman should find a hairdresser that doesn't talk about her behind her back.

[hillneck]

Can't the DUmmies ever mind their own business?

[HawkHogan]

I'm not an expert on service dogs, but I'm pretty sure strangers aren't supposed to pet them or show them affection.  It distracts them for doing their job. 

[ChuckJ]

Thu Aug 7, 2014, 05:31 PM

 Coventina (11,489 posts)

Encountered a situation today that made me sad, but I don't know how to resolve in my mind.

 I was getting my hair cut when a blind woman came in with her service dog.

The lady that cuts my hair is a HUGE animal lover, actively involved with rescue work, etc.
 
When the woman and her service dog came in she gave a low groan, and proceeded to tell me that the woman DID NOT LIKE her service dog. Not because the dog didn't do his duty, but because he was too big, and too hairy and a male. Apparently, she never gives the dog any approval or affection (this proved to be true from what I observed from the time she was there).
 
The dog has really long, thick fur and it was visibly matted and dirty.
My hairdresser said it had been much worse in the past, until she confronted the woman about it.
 She said, "Well, I CAN'T SEE!"
My hairdresser responded, "Well don't you ever touch him?"
"No! Not if I can avoid it!"
"How can you tell if he's OK?"
"If something was really wrong I'd be able to tell!"

She refuses to return him to the guide dog service because that would mean another long wait for a dog.
 
In the meantime, the dog seemed to be doing his job, but just looked, well depressed.
 
I don't want to sit in judgment of someone with a major handicap, but jeez!
This dog hasn't FAILED in any way, and he's going to live his whole life with no love or affection.
 
It just really bummed me out.

She doesn't like him because he is male.

I know this is a mole of one of you Cavers and you're making a statement about the DU Klams. Good job, but which one of the DUers does the male hater in the story represent?

[DumbAss Tanker]

She doesn't like him because he is male.

I know this is a mole of one of you Cavers and you're making a statement about the DU Klams. Good job, but which one of the DUers does the male hater in the story represent?

 
Not mine, but as our gifted author, the President (And by 'gifted,' I mean somebody else gave him the manuscript to submit to his publisher) would say, "It's a composite."

[Big Dog]

She doesn't like him because he is male.

I know this is a mole of one of you Cavers and you're making a statement about the DU Klams. Good job, but which one of the DUers does the male hater in the story represent?

Too many DUmmies know I work with a service dog, and would suspect Tina of the Coven of being mine. I wouldn't give myself away by arousing DUmmy suspicion so blatantly.

Or would I?