My life changed when I met Indio, a black Labrador, three years ago.
I am completely blind, and until I got my guide dog, I wasn’t able to travel often. Getting around was tiring enough in familiar places.
I used a cane, and encountered tons of obstacles and problems — like crossing paths with people who were looking at their phones. The idea of navigating this in a completely new country sounded like a horror-movie plot.
Now, my dog and I have been to 16 countries together — he’s been an important constant in my life as I’ve eaten crickets in Mexico and visited museums in Germany.
I wouldn’t change our journey for anything, but it hasn’t always been easy — mainly because of the judgment we face from others.
My dog gives me unimaginable freedom
When I travel with Indio, there are so many things I just don’t have to think about.
He’ll learn my hotel room as soon as we set foot inside, and help direct me to places we already know if I get lost after a day of exploring. I no longer have to depend on fellow travelers when I’m on a city tour, because my dog can follow a guide independently if I ask him to.
Crucially, I feel like I can now walk around an unfamiliar city without having to worry nonstop. I can simply enjoy the feeling of being in a new place, listening to people speaking different languages around me, knowing that Indio is by my side to keep me safe.
Having this security has helped me go on adventures I’d never expected. Without thinking twice, I took a four-hour bus ride from Prague and woke up in Vienna with no plan except to explore.
Without Indio, this wouldn’t be possible — and the ability to travel freely is not something I take for granted. Sometimes, though, having him with me brings problems that I wish I could avoid.
When traveling with Indio, I often experience ignorance and roadblocks
When I decided to get a guide dog, the first thing many people told me was that I had to give up my dreams of traveling, especially abroad.
Some dogs struggle with changes in environments, and most countries also require multiple types of documentation for traveling with service animals. Plus, I often have to fill out lots of extra airline forms whenever I fly with him.
In many cases, I also prepare myself for how people — especially those who haven’t encountered a guide dog in public — might react when they see us exploring the streets of their city.
Sadly, my worries aren’t unfounded. Once, I had to miss a museum tour because I struggled to find a taxi driver who would allow my dog in the car. Other times, I’ve been stopped from entering supermarkets.
Practically everywhere we go, we have to deal with people who don’t know how to act around a guide dog — whether they try to pet him at times when it’s dangerous for him to get distracted, or they react with fear or surprise at his presence.
Even so, it’s all worth it — and there are situations that prove that to me
Despite the issues we’ve faced, being able to travel with Indio is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done in my life.
Even when there are snags or setbacks, there are kind, positive moments that restore my faith and joy in traveling, too. I’ve encountered strangers who were willing to help support Indio and me, even though there was no incentive beyond kindness to do so.
At the end of the day, I just wish certain people we’ve encountered would recognize that, for me, traveling with Indio isn’t a choice. He gives me freedom and a gateway to a world I never thought I would know.
No matter what, I’ll continue traveling and occupying space — because, despite my limitations, I believe that the world is too big to wait for someone to tell me about it at home.
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