In this day in age, it’s hard to find stories that shock or rile us up anymore. Things that would have never been seen or accepted 20, 30, or 40 years ago seem to be commonplace here in 2019. However, stories like the one you’re about to read and in the video below are just appalling – no matter what year or era it may be.
Guide dogs are truly special, aren’t they? They assist humans in so many ways.
Many of us take the things that guide dogs assist with for granted – crossing the street, walking into an elevator, or hearing a doorbell. So many people rely on these extraordinary dogs to simple live normal lives – like 22-year-old Megan Taylor.
Warning: expletives are in the text below.
Recently, Megan stepped onto the bus with her trusty guide dog, Rowley. It wasn’t long until a rude passenger piped up and commanded her to ‘get her fucking dog off’.
Many people are ignorant about guide dogs – how they should be treated or what they’re used for. This particular passenger, however, seems to be one of the most ignorant folks we’ve come across.
The passenger didn’t believe Rowley was her service dog because he was a black Labrador – she was convinced they could only be yellow Labs.
Megan, from the UK, said that as soon as she was on the bus, a woman approached her and rudely stated, “Why is there a fucking dog on the bus? Get it off.” Megan, understandably in shock, tried to calmly explain to the ignorant woman that Rowley was her assistance dog.
The woman snapped back and said that she was a liar, “guide dogs are yellow Labradors and your dog is black,” were her ridiculous words.
“I tried to explain to her that guide and assistance dogs can been any color and don’t have to be Labradors, although Rowley is. She told me I was wrong,” Megan told the Echo. “I decided at this point there was nothing I could say to educate this woman and that it wasn’t worth my time. I instead chose to ignore her while she continued to talk nonsense.”
Megan relies on Rowley because she suffers from ‘episodic blindness’ – a condition she’s dealt with since a traumatic head injury at age 15.
In addition to her episodic blindness, the 22-year-old also deals with several other medical issues including hearing loss, frequent fainting, and dizzy spells. Rowley has been her helper to get her through these problems.
“I suffered multiple fractures to my skull in the incident which left me with multiple disabilities. I can temporarily lose my sight without warning at any time, which is truly terrifying,” she explained. “Even when I can see I become so dizzy and disoriented when walking that I bump into obstacles and trip over things.”
Rowley the black Lab is her second service dog, her first dog, Ruby, since retired. Rowley helps Megan with many of her daily tasks, everything from emptying the dishwasher to helping her untie her shoes.
Rowley will even call for help if Megan goes unconscious – she’s so much more confident with him by her side.
“People should know assistance dogs come in many shapes and sizes and are trained to support people with a range of disabilities,” she told the Echo. “Just like a wheelchair, walking stick, or pair of glasses, they are important and vital auxiliary aids and as such are legally permitted to accompany their disabled owner in all public places.”
What’s even more shocking than the woman’s appalling behavior on the bus, this isn’t the first time that Megan has encountered rudeness toward her and her service dog.
Megan says she gets anxiety when she takes public transport because of the rude and confrontational people she’s encountered.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a stress-free trip on public transport, that’s why I’m so nervous when using it now,” Megan says. “On other occasions I have been spat at, stepped over, pushed out of the way and accused of being ‘another drunk youth’ when losing consciousness due to my heart condition and neurological disorder.”
Megan tries her best to stay positive when dealing with ignorant and vulgar people. She says that she’s not ashamed of her disability and despite all of these negative encounters, Megan says that she realizes this is not the majority of people.
“Most people are good and kind.”
Megan’s story is far from the first and it certainly won’t be the last – as you’ll see in the video below.
It’s important for people to respect service dogs and their handlers – no matter how cute or cuddly they may be or how much someone doesn’t understand their duties. In the video below, it’s clear that so many do not understand this concept whatsoever.
We wish Megan and Rowley the best of luck – please spread the word to help others have some respect and consideration for these hardworking animals and the owners that rely on them.
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