If you think about it, it really hasn't been *that* long since guide dogs became a thing here in Singapore.

Guide Dogs Singapore (first established as Guide Dogs Association of the Blind) was started just 12 years ago, in 2006, and one of the better-known guide dog users here, Cassandra Chiu, was paired with Esme — Singapore's first human-guide dog team — only seven years ago.

According to its website, Singapore now only has six guide dog teams, too, but the nice thing is many Singaporeans now know and appreciate guide dogs, and welcome them in all kinds of public places.

It is perhaps with this in mind that one may be able to better appreciate the following post on SMRT's Facebook page, dated Wednesday, Jan. 10:

But first, we feel the need to point out that if you see a guide dog in public, do your best to resist your doggie-lover instincts to run up to him/her, bend down and offer your hand for a sniff or give him/her a good head rub.

So if the guy seen in the pic bending down isn't the other half of that guide dog's team, he should not be doing that.

Now, let's get back to those reactions — here's just a sampling:

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Others decided to give chance a bit, and gave quite detailed explanations:

Some took the high road, and also helped explain:

As the posts above explain, guide dogs are a type of working dog — there are many others. We thought we'd also assist Andrew Seah with finding the truth with regard to his questions.

"Dogs allow on the train?"

The answer is: yes — guide dogs are permitted on trains.

Here's what SMRT says about it:

"Service animals such as guide dogs accompanying visually handicapped commuters are allowed onboard trains and in train stations. The handler is required to carry a photo identification and this must be produced upon request.

Guide dogs can be distinguished by a special harness worn around the body (See picture on the left for a pictorial example of a guide dog assisting a visually impaired person)."

See, here's a pic of Dennis Sim and his guide dog Melba at the MRT station:

Oh and in case you were wondering, guide dogs are allowed on buses too:

"What is a working dog."

A working dog is an umbrella term that comprises dogs that are trained for a myriad of purposes — these include military dogs (like these guys:)

Medical service dogs (which include all these types), and, of course, guide dogs.

So there you go.

Here are unrelated articles you should check out next:

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Free outdoor movie screenings, live gigs and loads of other things to do at SAM in the upcoming weeks

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Top photo via Andrew Seah's Facebook post

Here's a totally unrelated but equally interesting story:

You need to get with the times, both for your bank account and for your life