It happens suddenly. A peaceful walk with your guide dog turns in to the worst nightmare imaginable. Another dog comes from out of nowhere and attacks your faithful friend. Eager to do whatever possible to end he encounter and painful injury to yours, you worry about your safety as well as the injury to her. Should you try to do anything, or shout for help? As the scary cries continue, you wonder how you will obtain your dog the help he needs and how you will reach your destination without his help. What will you do if she can no longer work because of physical injury or trauma?

As is the case in many relationships, when a tragedy occurs, both our past and future flash through our mind. It may seem disloyal to think about yourself at a time when your guide needs help, but your relationship is based on love and need which cannot be denied.
He is injured and may not be able to work for a long time or ever again. How does one make the best decision in a time of crisis? What is best for both of you? In the best possible reality, you will work together again. How will you put this experience behind you and silence the memories which come to mind from time to time. Will the relationship you’ve so meticulously built be threatened by the terrifying experience you’ve been through together. How will both of you handle encounters with dogs, friendly or not, in the future?

On our next You And Your Guide Dog, we will discuss this special relationship and what you must consider if your faithful companion has the misfortune of this frightening experience. Although it is impossible to plan for every contingency, are there things you can do to make both you and your guide dog feel more secure? Dogs do attack. Like all the terrible occurrences in our world, there is no way for us to know when or if they will happen, but every experience carries with it a lasting legacy of pain, guilt, doubt, and questions. In this relationship, you will have a set of responses just as your dog does.
If you have ever had an experience in which your guide was attacked or just want to learn what you might do if this should ever happen to you, please join us for this timely and heartfelt discussion.

Hosts: Robert and Ruth ann Acosta
E-Mail: boacosta@pacbell.net