My apologies to Karl Flores (Dogs In Harness Are Working And Relaxed, December 29). I missed his praise for President George Abela. Well, we agree on that one. I make it a point of never tearing someone's writing to shreds. We seem to disagree on semantics. While "working", a guide dog must be cool-headed and focused.
In fact, part of the training involves the dog making a decision to disobey if given a direction that can prove dangerous. That does not translate as "relaxed"- at least not in my dictionary.
Mr Flores took my reference to "pets" in the wrong context. One must not pet a guide dog while doing its work. One can save that for the neighbour's Chihuahua; focused and cool-headed in working mode and being a pet and relaxed at home. Maybe this is where educating sighted citizens could start.
As far as it goes I am done on this subject.