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Paws on the Street – Blustery Gusty Wind – Raindrops – Happy Adventure

When the A Lady says you’ll have intermittent clouds with sun and thunderstorms as well as windy conditions with gusts, pay attention to her.

Earlier today, I gathered up my courage, whistled up my dog, and headed out to the library.

When we walked around to have Blue relieve, I noticed the wind was up, but it didn’t seem that bad. Then, when I began walking toward the street, still sheltered on one side, I was thinking this is going to be most excellent. I had the route firmly in my head. I had even put it into my phone G

PS and since I’ve not made it to Lens Crafters yet to get my glasses fixed, I was going to allow Siri to talk in my pocket. I had it going on let me tell you.

Crossed the first street. Perfect.

Got stopped on the other side by someone who wanted to chat about the dog. I do not mind doing that when I’m not in a hurry because the best way to raise awareness is one on one conversation. People will talk about the impressive Seeing Eye® guide dog and the lady author who owned him. After making certain I was lined up how I wanted to go I stood and spoke with them a bit. As we talked the wind began to rise and when they had thanked me for answering their questions and I’d made sure to tell them of all my books and about my Website they went on and I began to get ready to walk.

Just as we were making our way onward the drops began to fall and as a car past the driver said, “Beautiful dog mam. I said thanks and he said, “It looks like it’s going to get nasty. I had no money on me. I didn’t figure anyone would care if I ducked into the bakery to wait for the rain to stop, but I hate doing that so I made the decision to go back to the apartment.

Just as we were passing some pokey holly bushes and being careful to watch out for a drop off on our right with my cane, the drops got harder and fatter and unbelievably by the time we got to the building we were getting soaked. Of course, that side is locked on the weekend and please don’t get me started on that nonsense, but Blue was on the case and without anymore from me he took the hell off for the other side.

We did not pass go or collect any dog bones we just went the hell to the steps, and he did stop for me to find them but as soon as my foot was firmly planted and my hand was on the rail he took off as I said “Forward.”

The aggravating part was that it didn’t last long.

But while it was doing its thing we dried off and because Blue and I had energy to burn, and I’ve seen others do it we took off to walk the halls.

We started all the way at the bottom with a check of my mail and a lap through the first floor.

Then we started up one floor at a time. We passed a few people going to or from places and a couple of dog distractions were had. Then, we found ourselves on an adventure.

As I came down a hallway back toward the elevators and was making a turn to go down the other side, I realized one of the pieces of mail I’d tucked under my arm had fallen. since most of the hallways we were in were empty I been letting Blue have his head so I suppose we got a little exuberant. He doesn’t get to run at top speed very often anymore as he used to do when we did laps and he was bouncing on the very tiptop of his toes.

Well, I thought I must find this mail and so we began a slow trek down the hall. Slowly I slid my foot from one side of the floor to the other as I looked I found myself wishing I’d not left my cane at the house before we’d started to the first floor for our rounds but knowing I couldn’t leave that laying around I decided it was time to meet the neighbors.

It took knocking on three doors before I found help but when I explained to the nice man who finally answered one of the doors what I needed he was happy to help.

We were walking back up the hall when suddenly, the doors to the elevator opened and out walked a dog and its human and the following exchange took place.

Dog, “Woof! Woof! You! Dog there! What are you doing on my floor.”

Blue, “GRRR. My mother asked me to bring her here what’s it to you?”

Me and the other human handler “Hey that’s enough. Stop.”

She stopped and said, “I need to go passed.”

I said, “Go ahead, he’s sitting, and he will not bother you.”

I put my hand up palm out in front of both dogs and when they passed Blue remained quiet and sitting and the other dog remained silent.

When they’d reached their door I said, “Great job everyone.” I gently reminded the person to always praise happily when the dog obeyed because it was the dog’s paycheck. They laughed; said they’d never thought of it that way.

The neighbor whose door I’d knocked on a moment before found my mail and Blue and I made our great escape.

We didn’t let that deter us though. No way. We were on a mission. We walked all the floors. Blue got more dog distractions and sat quietly at my heel while I spoke with people, so great lessons were learned.

The wind is blustery now and I find it quite hard to hear in blustery gusty wind and Blue seems content.

One thing came from this week of training and that is that Blue’s wish to work switch has been fully flipped.

I’m feeling pretty dog gone great about the whole little trip out and since it doesn’t get dark until later, I may try for another walk if the wind settles down.

I’m proud of the fact that even though there were some awful moments for me during the past few days I was not afraid to go out and try again. I’m also super happy that it was not because I was lost but that I had to abandon the trip due to the weather.

The wind and rain cannot last forever, and I know soon many days of lovely weather are on the way.

Blue and I can do this. We will get our bearings and before long we’re going to find our place in this town.

My ears are a source of concern, and I am no longer convinced it is all sinuses that is causing the problem so this week I’m going to follow up on a hearing exam.

Okay, it’s time to feed me and the Chief and pop a top on a beer.

For now, this is Team Blue saying, “Keep your nose to the ground and your tail waving at the sky.”

***

Several hours and two beers later!

As I am finishing the writing of it after many fits and starts it has started pouring rain again. I’m starting to think Blue and I are just going to have to get used to walking in the rain. Maybe I’ll invest in a raincoat for Blue and a prettier rainhat for me.

Lost and Found

lost then found

help abounds

adventures were had

it wasn’t too bad

more to come

fun in the sun

summer is coming

wait and see

you’ll see Blue and me

mighty trainer was right

help is found

all around

a small adventure

that’s okay

Chief Seeing Eye® Dog Blue and I are on the case

Patty L. Fletcher

About Patty L. Fletcher

Updated November 2024

Patty L. Fletcher is a woman of passion and exploration.

She studies the art of manifestation and is a seeker of knowledge and the wisdom to know what to do with it when it’s learned.

To learn more visit: https://pattysworlds.com/about/

This post was sponsored by Novelist Ann Chiappetta

Ann is now holding a guide dog book club in the community. Here’s more.

Photo is of Ann Chiappetta.

Guide Dog Book Club with Ann Chiappetta

Hello, book club members-

The Club’s next book is a life story and memoir, Follow Your Dog: A Story of Love and Trust © 2017. The book is written by our friend and fellow GEB graduate Annie (Ann) Chiappetta.

All are welcome to join us for a special discussion with Ann on Thursday, June 5, at 7 p.m. Eastern. Below are Zoom details. The GEB Graduate Council is pleased to collaborate with the book club volunteers and guiding Eyes for the Blind to bring the community together for meaningful and engaging events.

About the book

What, exactly, does it mean to share one’s life with a guide dog? The person and guide dog are interdependent, and the bond of mutual trust is what makes the partnership successful and fulfilling for both. To be sure, guide dogs have performed many heroic tasks and have saved handlers from innumerable dangers. However, there are smaller and subtler things that can mean so very much: the feel of your dog’s head on a foot while riding the bus, the whimpers and doggie dreaming, the way you and the dog move in sync when walking down the street, and countless other tokens of trust and affection.

With this book, I hope to take the reader on a journey of understanding: learning what it’s like to overcome the darker side of disability by walking the path of independence with a canine partner.

Ann is the recipient of the 2019 GDUI Excellence in Writing award and the WDOMI 2016 Spirit of Independence award.

Independently published since 2016, the author’s six volume collection includes poetry, creative nonfiction essays, short stories and contemporary fiction.

Diagnosed in 1993 with a rare form of progressive retinal disease, Ann accepts vision loss as part of her life but doesn’t let it define her as a whole person.

Contact Ann by visiting her website:

www.annchiappetta.com

Book Info:

FOLLOW YOUR DOG A STORY OF LOVE AND TRUST © 2017 nonfiction

Available in all eBook formats, Amazon/Kindle editions and softcover.

Audible link: https://tinyurl.com/yxejzemp

Bookshare: https://www.bookshare.org/browse/book/2318157

NLS BARD catalog: DBC11582

We hope you join us on June 5 as we dive into another informative and heartwarming discussion. Whether you’ve read the book or are simply curious to learn more, all are welcome to drop by. Ann has been a wonderful friend to the guide dog community, and we look forward to discussing her book and life’s journey.

Happy Reading and Wagging,

The Guide Dog Book Club Team

guidedogbookclub@gmail.com

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