Life with Braille An ABLE Blind Boxer
9/1/01
If Braille could speak, she'd tell us...
This is said with the purpose of being able, as I do have many skills, talents and
abilities. I'm able to live a normal life as that of a sighted dog. My blindness becomes
secondary by my measured strengths and can dos.
Sometimes human barriers and misconceptions stand in the way that a blind dog might be an unhappy dog,
a major undertaking of work, be costly, more demanding or just won't fit with our families' lifestyle and this
is just not true!
I stand as an inspiration for all of you. Blind seen birth, my quality of life does not necessarily depend on
vision. Nothing stops me from being a productive member of my family or community. I may learn differently,
but I can also adapt to changes much quicker and more easily then some people think I can.
I can equipped with everything I needed to maneuver the world. I have gifts to share
with others and strengths you would never had thought of. My compensations are
such that my own senses of smell, hearing and touch allow me to perceive my
surroundings by memory and tactile experiences. Just like sighted dogs, I can run,
play, fetch, learn new tricks, be obedient trained, learn routines, recognize by voice
and smell those who love and care for me the most. I need the same safe familiar
environment of my home, yard, and neighborhood for orientation purposes and to
be protected from hazards and supervision.
One should not consider me a burden or feel bad, but count the many blessings and
determination, for I have come to except the things I can not change. Yes, blind dogs
are special and I want more then ever to share my extraordinary life with you, find a
place in your heart and a home to call our own, forever. When you see the things that
I can do by myself and with others, sight is not important, for I have never known that
in my life. I trust my Mom with my heart and soul, that no harm will ever come to me. I
want people to see me as a typical dog first and all that I can do. When they learn that
I'm blind, they find it hard to believe. I do not except sympathy or want them to think
I'm limited in any way, because it's just not true to my character, personality or nature.
I'm still in school because I want to be all that I can be and do. During my class work, I
may not see the distractions of others, so my attention span and focus are full to my
Mom's voice. I can play hide and seek, fetch balls and squeaky toys and wave to a
crowd, all while using my senses of smell, hearing and touch. I can make visits to
homes and unfamiliar places and within a short period of time have everything
mapped out in my mind. All this is essential and my confidence shows.
I've had a lot of learning opportunities and exposures to the elements in the public,
walking downtown on busy sidewalks, riding in the parking garage elevators and
stopping to be touched by all those strangers while taking in all the sounds and
smells. My role here in this life is to give back to other people what my family has
given me - love, trust, time, hope, understanding, patience, comfort and a new
beginning. Know that my spirit is not broken, nor am I anything less. You can count
on me for that.
Blind dogs have many, many lessons to teach everyone. We can show you a whole
new world of thinking, possibilities, plus bring you a lot of joy too! To know one, is to
love one. Giving up is not an option ever, because if this were the case, my life might
of been very different. I might of been coddled, helpless and a couch potato by now.
Respectfully dedicated to all of you for making a difference in my life.

Love,

Braille
NOTE:  4/04 - Braille will be 3 at the end of April. She is a registered Therapy Dog and
has her AKC Canine Good Citizen Award. She continues to give incite and motivate
people that they too can have control over their own outcomes in life.
"If I invest in the label, I can lower the bars for expectations. If I invest
in the whole being, I can raise our goals and dreams, then anything is
possible."

Braille's Mom