I was thinking the same thing as Foilwoman and Susan. A friend of mine has a trained dog, although she's not blind but she is in a wheelchair. I'm not sure what the proper name for it is, but it's kind of a carer, it helps her undress and all sorts! Anyway, she's told me before that any working dogs like that shouldn't really be fussed because it distracts them from their work. In the case of a guide dog I suppose it could be dangerous for the dog to be easily distracted. That poor woman. It's not a nice feeling for anyone to be ignored, but especially when you're ill and in need of some attention.