I must break my promise not to write more about guide dogs. Unfortunately, Karl Flores (January 11) chose to find further fault with my comments. Mr Flores want readers to judge for themselves.

Mr Flores, and readers, let's just concentrate on the petting of guide dogs in harness (and out of harness) and quote the Canadian National Institute for the Blind. That's where I got my "education". To quote:

"If a guide dog is in harness, it is working and should not be distracted. Don't look the dog in the eye or beckon to it, and do not touch it. This could be dangerous for the dog and the person with vision loss.

"You should only pat a guide dog when it is not in harness, and after getting permission from the handler to do so."

The CNIB provides services for the visually challenged and their families.

They make the general population more aware of how to behave around guide dogs and their handlers. As I mentioned in one of my letters, training of guide dogs, and some public education, is taken care of by other than the CNIB.

A visit to Google would go a long way to learn about guide dog etiquette and the challenges faced by citizens with loss of vision. I referred to CNIB as it is considered one of the best in the world in its approach, services and research. I had the good fortune to be a volunteer for some time. I was also privileged to be given permission to pet some guide dogs.

As a lifelong student and educator I had to respond to Mr Flores's comments. This is definitely and absolutely the last time.