What’s Up with Team Blue

By Patty L. Fletcher and her Sidekick Chief Seeing Eye® dog Blue.

March 1, 2023

Hey everyone, I hope this post finds you well.

Here, the coffee is hot, so far the weather is not and that’s the way Chief Seeing Eye® Dog Blue and I love it.

I wanted to write a little update about the Chief and me. Several have asked after my health since I was so sick earlier in the winter.

Though I’m still having some water retention in my legs and if I’m not careful my blood pressure does still spike, for the most part, the lifestyle changes and medication adjustments are working and I am feeling better.

The lung CT scan was normal, my mammogram came back clear and my Echocardiogram came back with a showing of a lower than normal heart function.

At first this frightened me, but the tests were read to me by a “health caseworker” rather than a doctor and as it turns out the way she presented the results to me gave a false impression. I spoke with a doctor later because I was so very concerned and he explained that because of the sickness I had in 2017 which partially shut down my kidneys and shot my blood pressure through the stratosphere had caused my body to age more than my actual age thus the reason for the lower function. I also have a slow heartrate which has always been the case, so though he said it should be monitored I’m in no serious danger as long as I take care and do as prescribed.

In the meantime, I’m lowering my salt and caffeine intake and adding more water, juice and teas to my daily routine and it is making a huge difference.

I also learned what is causing my short term memory loss to go off the rails. It turns out a tincture I was using was too strong mixed with my meds, so I had to readjust that as well.

I’m so grateful to all of you for your support and prayers and I ask you please keep them going.

If you’ve things you’d like me to lift up in prayer please do not ever hesitate to get in touch.

As for Chief Seeing Eye® Dog Blue, I couldn’t ask for a better guide. He has matured so much this past year. As many of you know, When I brought Blue home, he was not amused by our public transit busses. The ramp used to go up into the bus is a bit narrow, there are lip edges along the sides and that along with the way the door is open there on one side gave us a bit of issue with clearance and for some time, he had a bit of trouble boarding. He was also a bit nervous when riding.

The busses in NJ are different than ours so it took him some time to get the hang of them.

At first, my trainer advised I carry a cane with me and use it to show him exactly what I wanted of him on the ramp Etc.

The drivers were extremely helpful and now, Blue has overcome this and is riding like the pro he is.

I don’t carry the cane anymore, unless we’re going to a new area where I need to show him something specific and on Monday, because our door-to-door transit was going to get me to the senior center later than I wanted, I ditched it and told Blue, “Today, we’re riding the big boy bus. The tap whacker is staying in the drawer and you, young man are going to do your job. It’s time for you to grow up and be my big boy, so let’s go show’em what you’re made of.”

He bounced me to the bus stop with glee and when the bus arrived he happily boarded, and thanks to a little assistance from the driver, he has now learned to target the box where my bus fare goes if I don’t have a pass.

I’m continuing with my pottery and writing and before too long there will be a new book from me.

Speaking of books, several have asked about mine on BARD. So, here’s the latest book from me there.

Of course, NLS has the title wrong, but that’s OK. The recording is quite amazing not because it’s my book but because the narration is incredible.

The correct title is “Pathway to Freedom Broken and Healed: Book One How a Seeing Eye Dog Retrieved My Life.”

This is the first book in what is to be a memoir trilogy. They have it listed as a biography, I don’t wanta split nails to make tacks but honestly, it is a memoir not a biography.

Anyhow, here’s the NLS info.

Pathway to freedom: how a seeing eye dog retrieved my life DB106095

Fletcher, Patty L Reading time: 9 hours, 47 minutes.

Madelyn Buzzard

Biography of Persons with Disabilities

Biography

Disability

The author reflects on how her decision to gain independence by getting a guide dog helped her build a new life she had never imagined possible. She also discusses how she realized soon after that not all was right in her world. Strong language. 2020.

Before we go, the Chief and I would like to tell you about our new page. Here’s the scoop!

Chief Seeing Eye® Dog Blue is on the Case.

He with his service human, Patty L. Fletcher wish to bridge the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the Non-disAbled.

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089630967957

If you like, you may follow us there for lots of neat adventures and more.

For now, this is Chief Seeing Eye® Dog Blue, who is always on the case and his service human Patty saying, may Harmony find you and blessid be.

***Special Announcement!***

Hello, Readers!

We are fast approaching Read an e-Book Week, a week that encourages readers to pick up the digital device of their choice and download a new book to read.

I’m excited to announce that all of my books, including Pathway to Freedom: Broken and Healed, will be available as part of a promotion on Smashwords to celebrate Read an e-Book Week 2023! This is a chance to get my book, along with books from many other great authors, at a discount so you can get right to reading.

You will find the promo here starting on March 5, so save the link: https://smashwords.com/shelves/promos

If you wouldn’t mind taking part in promoting this celebration of e-Books and reading, please feel free to share this promo with your friends and family. Just forward this email to anyone who would love a chance to find their next favorite book and, as the name suggests, read an e-Book!

Thank you for your help and support!

Happy reading!

From Patty and her sidekick Chief Seeing Eye® Dog Blue.

About Patty L. Fletcher

Patty L. Fletcher lives in Kingsport Tennessee where she works full time as a Writer with the goal of bridging the great chasm which separates the disAbled from the non-disAbled. She is Also a Social Media Marketing Assistant.

Follow her at: https://pattysworlds.com/ for stories, book updates and more.