Campbell's Rambles

How a Seeing Eye Dog Retrieved My Life

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Published 2014

Photo / Cover design / Editing / The Seeing Eye™

Pictured are the author and her dog, Campbell. The photo was taken by Dwight Lynn Sorrell at a Safe House event to recognize victims of domestic violence. The people were tossing flower petals into the Holston River in remembrance of them.

Cover design by David Dvorkin, www.dvorkin.com

This book was edited by Leonore H. Dvorkin, www.leonoredvorkin.com

Note: THE SEEING EYE and SEEING EYE are registered trademarks of The Seeing Eye, Inc.
See: www.SeeingEye.org

About the Book

This is the story of how the author obtained her first guide dog from The Seeing Eye™ in Morristown, New Jersey: what motivated her, the extensive training she had, the special relationship she developed with her trainer, and the good friends she made. Once she returned home to Tennessee, there were many new challenges to be met and overcome, including domestic abuse.

All that was in addition to her chronic conditions of bipolar disorder and fibromyalgia.

With honesty, courage, and humor, Patty Fletcher tells a remarkable story of personal development that is sure to inform, entertain, and inspire others, both blind and sighted.

Author Trish Hubschman Reviews Campbell's Rambles

Read Trish Hubschman's review of Campbell's Rambles at the following link:
https://campbellsworld.wordpress.com/2019/02/25/reading-with-the-authors-author-trish-hubschman-reviews-campbells-rambles-how-a-seeing-eye-dog-retrieved-my-life/

DB-Review List Best Nonfiction Award

Campbell's Rambles: How a Seeing Eye Dog Retrieved My Life has won the award for Best Nonfiction for 2016 on the DB-Review List. There were 27 nominees.

Announcement on Patty's blog
BARD: Braille and Audio Reading Download
DB Review Information Page

Reader Review

I downloaded and read this book pretty much in one big gulp last night and enjoyed it very much. I'm a Seeing Eye grad and am about to go back for a successor dog, so I was delighted to see some familiar names and read about training. I also could identify with the difficulties the author faced when she came home with the new dog. This book is an unflinching discussion of one of the possible challenges resulting from guide dog training, and that is the relationship with one's instructor. It's clear that Ms. Fletcher had an exemplary instructor, and a kind man, in Drew Gibbon, and it's also clear that he came into her life at a vulnerable spot for her. Guide dog training is a very emotional experience, whether it's the first time or the fourth, and with Fletcher's other challenges, it must have been terrible and wonderful all at once, and all in the same hour (smile). The discussion of how her increased independence changed her primary personal relationship is familiar to a lot of people who've "been there" and was at times heart-breaking but always honest.

The author's candor is moving, her experiences are unique, but anyone who has been through guide dog training can relate. I look forward to the second installment in this story.

4 out of 5 stars

Susi

Contact Patty

E-mail: patty.volunteer1@gmail.com

Links

Links
http://www.campbellsworld.wordpress.com
https://www.amazon.com/Patty-L.-Fletcher/e/B00Q9I7RWG
https://www.facebook.com/Bubba-Tails-196761360863975/
https://www.facebook.com/tellittotheworld/
http://www.twitter.com/bubbalee04

Campbells Rambles
https://www.facebook.com/0404Campbell/

Campbell's Corner: the Comfort Zone
https://www.facebook.com/groups/787037261329458/

Patty & Pals
https://www.facebook.com/groups/128710790840540/

Bob-Cat and Friends
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1092566100770913/

A most excellent interview
https://youtu.be/msKqrWseLF0

Interview with Patty

On July 10th, 2017, Patty was interviewed on Branco Broadcast about blind patient concerns. To listen to the interview online, click here.

Patty's Talk at Games Galore and More

On Saturday, March 5, 2016 at 2:00 PM Eastern, Patty and Campbell Lee, her Seeing Eye dog, spoke in the Events Center at Games Galore and More about her work as a Writer, Motivational Speaker, and Nonprofit Consultant.

Campbell's World (Patty's Blog)

Please use the following link to read Patty's blog, "Campbell's World":
https://campbellsworld.wordpress.com/

The Neighborhood News

Patty has started a FREE monthly newsletter called The Neighborhood News. The first issue came out on April 4, 2015. The newsletter features news, encouragement, ads, and short literary submissions. To sign up to receive it, email Patty at: patty.volunteer1@gmail.com

In your message, please include the email address you wish to have the newsletter sent to, along with your first and last names.

You can read the first seven issues of the newsletter by clicking on the links below. Please note that these are Microsoft Word files.
Issue 1, April 2015
Issue 2, May 2015
Issue 3, June 2015
Issue 4, July 2015
Issue 5, August 2015
Issue 6, September 2015
Issue 7, October 2015
Issue 8, November 2015

Service Dogs and Their Rights — Television Segment about Patty and Campbell

On January 13, 2016, television station WCYB ran a segment about the rights of service dogs under Tennessee law. The segment included an interview with Patty. To watch the video and read a transcript, please click here.

"Constant Companion" — Newspaper Article about Patty and Campbell

An article about Patty and Campbell titled "Constant Companion," written by Leigh Ann Laube, was published in the Kingsport Times-News on January 18, 2012. The article was on Pages 1 and 2c. To read a PDF version of the article, please click here.

Note: The article states incorrectly that Patty went to the Seeing Eye school in 2010. It was actually in 2011.

Anthologies Containing Stories by Patty

Awethology Dark

Patty's story "Rescued" is included in the anthology Awethology Dark.

Front cover of the Awethology Dark anthology


Back cover of the Awethology Dark anthology

Downloading the Anthology

You can find Awethology Dark in e-book and print formats at the following online stores. The e-book is free.
Smashwords — various e-book formats
Amazon — Kindle version
Amazon — print version

Awethology Light

To download this anthology, follow this link:
https://www.books2read.com/u/3yPZvB

A Treasure Chest of Children's Tales

To download this anthology, follow this link:
https://www.books2read.com/u/bzaAML

Bubba Tails from the Puppy Nursery at The Seeing Eye

Written by Patty L. Fletcher
Told by
King Campbell Lee — The Seeing Eye Dog
a.k.a. Bubba

About the Book

In this magical and love-filled tail, King Campbell, a.k.a. Bubba, travels to the puppy nursery at The Seeing Eye to help ready a group of puppies who are just about to embark on the fabulous journey of learning to become Seeing Eye dogs. Just as he is about to finish his tail, a wee pup becomes very frightened of all that lies ahead, and one frightfully stormy night she runs away! Will King Campbell hear the urgent call from the puppy nursery in time? Will they find her and save her so she can fulfill her destiny?

The use of "tail" instead of "tale" for story and "magik" instead of "magic" is intended for these short stories. A great play on words from King Campbell.

Patty Lyne Fletcher in her own words (October 2017)

About Us

I'm a single mother with a beautiful daughter, of whom I am very proud. I have a great son-in-law and five beautiful grandchildren, three girls and two boys. I hope to be able to write more about them later on. I own and handle a black Labrador from The Seeing Eye™ named Campbell Lee — a.k.a. Bubba Lee or King Campbell, to give just a couple of his nicknames.

About My Blindness

I was born one and a half months premature. My blindness was caused by my being given too much oxygen in the incubator. I was partially sighted until 1991, at which time I lost my sight due to an infection after cataract surgery and high eye pressure. I used a cane for 31 years before making the change to a guide dog.

Where I Live and Work

Currently, I live and work in Kingsport, Tenn.

I used to work for CONTACT-CONCERN of Northeast Tennessee, Inc. I left that position in order to spend time with family and pursue my writing full time.

I’m now the creator and owner of Tell-It-To-The-World Marketing (Author, Blogger, Business Assist).

Writing Goal

I write with the goal of bridging the great chasm that separates the disabled from the non-disabled.

My Business

At Tell-It-To-The-World Marketing, we support talented authors as well as successful business owners in their marketing, by marrying social media with more traditional approaches.

Services:

• Featured blog posts
• Social bedia advertising, such as Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn
• E-mail out
• Outreach and networking services
• Facebook page admin assistance

My Hobbies

My hobbies include reading, writing, music, and standup comedy. I also like nature walks, light hiking, tent camping, and fishing. No, I am not afraid to bait a hook.

Music I Enjoy

My favorite types of music are classic rock, rhythm and blues, and classic country, as well as some present-day country music. I also like meditation music.

My Favorite Books and Authors

I enjoy fantasy, science fiction, and books about the supernatural. I love the books by Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and many more. My favorite books include Stephen King's Dark Tower series, J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series, Robert Jordan's Wheel of Time series, and J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings series.

My Spiritual Faith

I am a spiritual walker. I claim no particular faith, either Christian or pagan. I simply know that there is God and Goddess, or Mother Father God, as some call her/him. I lean toward the natural approach, or Druidism (Druidry), as it promotes harmony and respect for all beings, including the environment. I am also very interested in herbs and their healing properties.

Photographs

Patty with her colleagues from Contact-Concern, December 13, 2013


D. Lynn Sorrell, Patty, and Bruce Pearl at a United Way event, September 2007


Christmas card with Patty and Campbell, 2012

Songs related to Campbell's Rambles

Chapter 3 — "Dog Day"

This song, "Amazing" is in honor of Chapter 3 of Campbell's Rambles, "Dog Day." Right then and there, deep down inside, I really did know that "everything would be all right."

Aerosmith
Amazing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSmOvYzSeaQ

Chapter 10 — "New York"

This next song, "Power of Love," is in honor of Chapter 10, "New York." Working with Campbell and Drew in the surroundings of New York gave me a whole new sense of trust and confidence—not only in Campbell as my guide and in Drew as my instructor, but in myself—and to find both love and confidence in oneself is the greatest gift of all. Drew was right when he once told me, "Giving a guide dog over to someone is like giving the best Christmas present in the world." What he didn't know was that he was giving a larger gift than he'd ever given before. My only regret is that I didn't see that long ago. But the saying "Better late than never" is absolutely true in this case.

Power of Love
Huey Lewis and the News
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCkgYhtz64U

Modern Girl

This next song, "Modern Girl," is in honor of knowing now that I can rely on myself, and that if I choose to share my life with another, whether it is forever or for only a short time, it is because I want to, not because I need to. I truly am learning: "To thine own self be true," as Shakespeare said. This song came out the same year as "All American Girls," by Sister Sledge. It's here just because it's a fun song, and because someday I hope to have a fun-loving guy that will feel that way about having me along for the ride.

Modern Girl
Sheena Easton
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p7C1hISbBM

Cruise

This one, "Cruise," is here just because it's a fun song. Someday I hope to have a fun-loving guy who will feel that way about having me along for the ride.

Cruise
Florida Georgia Line
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PvebsWcpto

This Is How We Roll

This one, "This Is How We Roll," is a fun song, too. I hope that one day I will have friends who want to have me along, like the good folks I met when I visited another Seeing Eye dog owner/handler in Florida not long ago.

This Is How We Roll
Florida Georgia Line
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbxuXq_981s

Mountains

And here's the song "Mountains." My thoughts: Life's too short to be upset or sad. I've come this far, and though my struggles are great, my blessings are greater. So I am standing, taking Campbell's harness in my hand, and walking down yet another pathway. With King Campbell by my side, I can't go wrong, and if by chance I get a bit distracted along the way, King Campbell will bring me back to where I want and need to be.

Mountains
Lonestar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoqGUVOXmkU

For all those who are filled with longing

Bryan White
Someone Else's Star
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBp1ugUZ2mE

Notes

Thank you for helping. Please use what you wish. If you are sent an ebook, pleaes leave a review on Amazon, Goodreads, etc., and send the link to:
patty.volunteer1@gmail.com
or
plaistedpublishinghouse@gmail.com

Legal Note
THE SEEING EYE® and SEEING EYE® are registered trademarks of The Seeing Eye, Inc.: www.SeeingEye.org.