Comments on: Am I Doing It Right?

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 23:04:44 +0000

@Brice, no problem. Levity is good :) And it’s not like I haven’t been called a dog once in a while ;)

By: Brice

Brice — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:43:46 +0000

I think Sean’s original subject was about his mind. Sorry about derailing it in the direction of his dog.

By: Ronald

Ronald — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 23:06:46 +0000

Our last dog had the exact same tastes. Our cat’s litter box had high sides, he was quite small, so he would put his front paws on the edge, then survey the box like it was a buffet. He would fall asleep with the crotch of used underwear in his mouth. So, if your dog gives you a strange look when doing strange things, don’t think too much of it. They won’t out us.

By: Chloe

Chloe — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 21:09:49 +0000

My ex-partner had a dog who’s favorite treat was cat poop from the litter box. Mmm, yummy stuff! The dog would also eat used underwear.

I guess I’m still on topic since the original post was about Sean’s dog.

By: Sophie

Sophie — Thu, 25 Jun 2009 04:36:53 +0000

My dog eats anything vaguely related to paper products. Toilet rolls, tissues, paper towels, chocolate bar wrappers (empty ones), chippy packets. We had to buy a big bin with a lid on it for my room cuz the dog spent most of her time in here as a puppy.

By: Sean

Sean — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 21:34:33 +0000

@Sophie, I think you’re right there, it’s a fear of being exposed. Dunno if it’s fully irrational, but probably mostly.

@Ronald, you forgot that dogs have a LOT of interest in anything edible ;)

By: Sophie

Sophie — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:34:34 +0000

I wouldn’t describe it as a false assumption Ronald, I’d call it an irrational fear of being exposed.

By: Ronald

Ronald — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 12:13:30 +0000

Over the years, I have observed many wc users that seem to be able to stand and walk when transfering in or out of automobiles. The last thing that ever pops into my mind is that any one of them would be fake. I have since learned there are probably hundreds of reasons why, from temporary injury to heart conditions. My otherwise able bodied mother has trouble walking long distances, so at airports, etc she will request a wheelchair and has discovered it gets her on and off planes and through customs a lot quicker.

I think a lot of people here make the false assumption that people with certain disabilities can some how spot a fake at a moment’s glance and are somehow well versed in every particular need to use a (what ever mobility aid) and how a prerson should go about using it. Most observers are not likely to think beyond what our pets think while observing us. I do not think dogs have much interest beyond what the next lamp post or other dog’s rear end smells like.

The only time to worry is if one is making a fraudulent insurance claim and is being observed by a claims investigator.

An airline stewardess once told me elderly basket cases would board airplanes in wheelchairs, apparently oblivious to the world, and by the time the plane landed in Florida, they were the first ones to literally leap off of the plane, unassisted.

By: Sophie

Sophie — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:22:28 +0000

At least you don’t have my younger brother’s problem…chronic laziness…he’s so lazy he’d rather wear a bag on his head at work than shave his face once or twice a week.

By: Chloe

Chloe — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 03:23:00 +0000

Have you actually discussed your shaving problem with your psychotherapist? Or maybe you should discuss it with your dog as a first step? At least you may be able to get as far as figuring out whether it’s you or the dog who has a problem. It IS possible that you both have a problem.

By: Sean

Sean — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 22:34:03 +0000

@Chloe we *all* know I need serious help. Where can I get it though, is the question? :)

By: Brice

Brice — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 19:26:12 +0000

It’s your dog that has the problem. He’s thinking, Where does this shaving business stop? Am I next?”

By: Chloe

Chloe — Sun, 21 Jun 2009 15:04:52 +0000

The way I’ve handled this issue is by never presenting myself as having complete paraplegia. It’s an easy way out. If I make any “mistakes”, I figure it can be attributed to my paraplegia being incomplete. That’s probably part of why I never get self-conscious about transfers.

During an orthotist visit I had transferred to the bed so that he could take some measurements and check on the weakness of various muscles. When he was done he moved my wheelchair back to where I could transfer, and asked if the positioning was good. I said it was fine. He said exactly what you wrote “Everbody does it differently.”

If you are self-conscious about shaving in front of your dog, then you need to get some serious help. ;o)