Ping Yali, China's first paralympic champion with vision of a mere 0.05, has been in a low mood recently as she cannot apply for a license for Lucky -- her guide dog.
Lucky, the first ever professional guide dog working in Beijing, entered Ping Yali's life early December after being trained in Dalian, and has greatly helped the disabled athlete during her daily life.
Unfortunately, Lucky, a male golden retriever weighting 40kg, is among the city's blacklist of banned dogs and is now facing difficulty getting a required license. Without a license, Lucky's presence on the street could be seen as illegal and he can be taken away by police.
Ping Yali has visited her local Public Security Bureau over the crucial issue. Police officers say they are willing to help but claim a gap in the current law pertaining to guide dogs prohibits them from issuing Lucky with a proper license.
Beijing banned large or ferocious dogs back in 2006 in a bid to fight rabies, forbidding keepers from taking their dogs to public places like markets, stores, commercial areas, parks, hospitals, etc. But many such places are inevitable locations for a guide dog to be at when helping his or her master.
Alas Ping Yali is in a hurry. "If Lucky stays at home or hangs about for too long without going out, he will lose his ability to serve as a guide dog," the Olympic torch bearer said.
"Now he barely reacts when the bus is coming, the drivers have refused him entry too many times. And whenever we go to the supermarket, he is in a low mood, as the security guard scolded him loudly last time." Ping Yali said.
Ping Yali wrote done her worries on her blog, receiving attention and support from many netizens. Many called for a new law to be set up especially for guide dogs while expressing pity for Ping and Lucky's situation.
"Without a license, Lucky can only stay at home and probably lose his sense of orientation, so how can I still take her to the Olympic Games?" Ping Yali said, mentioning her plan to take part in the Olympic torch relay in 2008.
The Organizing Committee for the Beijing Olympic Games announced on December 28 that guide dogs in aid of the disabled could enter Beijing's public places during the Beijing Olympic Games.
But Ping Yali is worrying whether or not she and Lucky can still go out on the street after the Olympic Games. If not, she will have to send Lucky back to Dalian.
(CRI January 2, 2008)