Alison,
Seems we're pretty alike with this. The ear infections (especially when
you have no dog, as at present) are just no fun when it comes to getting
out.
I think we do many of these things so automatically that we stop
recognising them for what they are. E.g., overhanging trees, even if
they don't touch you can be sensed ...)
Anyway, an interesting discussion, though I'm not absolutely convinced
that it's "on topic" for this list.
Carol P
On 02/05/2016 16:30, CJ &AA MAY wrote:
I was never even aware I was using echo location until it came into the limelight a few years back when a tv company spotlighted a man in America with exceptional echo location abilities.
The more I think about it, the more aware I become on how much I use it. When working my dog I “sense” when the shoreline comes closer or further away which helps me identify where I am in a busy shopping precinct and when to give instructions for my dog to find the door I want;
In Marks & Spencers, for example, I walk through the clothing department but can “sense” when the area opens up into the food hall and know when to direct my dog off to the right to find the counters;
When alighting from a train at Deal, I walk along the platform and can “sense” when I walk under the bridge and I know to turn my dog off to find the steps to cross same. These are just a few of the examples of when I find echo location helpful. But I don’t possess it to the extent that the American guy has (whose name I have forgotten) and clicking doesn’t really do much for me.
But I suspect that subconsciously this is why traditionally the blind man taps his cane and I do know several blind men who like to wear metal tipped shoes because of the sound they create.
However, it only has to be a windy day or for me to have an ear infection, to which I am prone in the winter, and it all goes out of the window! I do still go out but have to rely entirely on my dog and I find this really stressful and there are nearly always little minor disasters.
Alison
