[NAGDU] Getting a new guide

[Raul A. Gallegos]

Hello all. I'm writing to brag and to ask a couple of questions and get 
some opinions.

First off, I've had a guide dog before. I'm a GEB graduate from November 
1993. My dog was a black lab named Ubi and we were a great team until he 
retired in June 2000. Since then I haven't felt that it was right to get 
another dog. However with all the recent changes in my life, mainly, a 
wonderful person, who also is a GEB graduate, I've decided that it's 
time. So I applied yesterday. If all goes well, I should have a dog some 
time this year.

As for my questions, I'm sure a lot of this is common sense regarding 
dogs, but here goes anyway.

1. My girlfriend Stacie has a dog from GEB as well. They are a great 
team and her dog, Cash is close to me as well. When I come home with my 
dog, is it recommended that the 2 dogs meet each other on neutral ground?

2. While Stacie is the primary person who cares for the dog. I.E. 
Feeding and taking him out, there are times that I do that as well. 
Would it be recommended when I get my dog, that I only focus on him? Or 
should I continue with what I've been doing and integrate him with Cash, 
so they can get used to each other?

I know that dogs see things like a pack and I want to minimize any 
stress that either dog might experience. I'm sure I'll have more to 
write, but that's all for now.

Thanks all.

-- 
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Raul A. Gallegos
Assistive Technology Trainer
“Any teacher that can be replaced with a computer, deserves to be.” – 
David Thornburg

Voice/Text: 832.554.7285
Office: 832.639.4477
Personal Email: raul at raulgallegos.com
Work Email: training at raulgallegos.com
Twitter: @rau47 and @AT_Trainer