[caption id="attachment_11594" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11594" rel="attachment wp-att-11594"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11594 " title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/PB040005-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Downward Facing Dog or Downward Facing Human?[/caption]

I thought that everyone had already heard of doga.  I really did.  That's the kind of dog-centered universe that I live in.

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But over the past couple of weeks, I received a lot of blank stares when I mentioned doga.

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So . . . . In the event that you live outside of New York, Los Angeles or LA Wannabe (The Greater Phoenix/Scottsdale Metropolitan Area), I now introduce you to this doggone crazy concept:

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<span style="font-size: medium; color: #008000;"><strong>Dog + Yoga = Doga</strong></span>

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Are you into this or are you laughing?

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i.e., Are you saying, "Awwww....I want to take Scruffy to doga!"

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or

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"What kind of kooky people take their dogs to yoga?  Oops, I meant 'doga'?"

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I'll tell you what kind of kooky people!  Click <strong><a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/03/day-156-doga-yappy-hour-canine-nirvana/" target="_blank">here.</a>  </strong>

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Shocking, I know.  People are freaks!  And their little dogs, too!

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I never thought I'd return to doga.  (Ok, so you really do need to click <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/03/03/day-156-doga-yappy-hour-canine-nirvana/" target="_blank"><strong>here</strong> </a>if you didn't up above because a) my last statement won't make any sense AND b) there are World's Most Precious Pooch photos that can't be missed.)

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Previously, I thought doga was something you tried once for a laugh.  <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/22/day-205-yappy-hour/" target="_blank"><strong>Or another time for a 365 day blog project.</strong></a>  :-D

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But that was until my friend Sarah started teaching doga.  And the cost of admission benefitted an animal rescue organization.

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<em>Tug, tug, tug went the heartstrings.</em>

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World's Most Precious Pooch and I schlepped on down to doga.  Dogis (dog + yogi = dogi) were meant to dress in costume in celebration of Halloween, but WMMP decided that she is a non-conformist.  A harvest bandana would have to suffice.

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<a href="http://www.near112.com"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11595 alignnone" title="47a2cf24b3127cce985498bef0a700000035102AZNGrFu0bso" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/47a2cf24b3127cce985498bef0a700000035102AZNGrFu0bso1-199x300.jpeg" alt="" width="199" height="300" /></a>

Photo credit:  Still 'n Motion Picture Company

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I must say -- and I'm NOT just saying this because she's my friend! -- IF you just so happen to live in my fair city AND you have a precious pooch AND you are open to a late afternoon of warm fuzzies and smiles, then you should really check out Sarah's doga class.  It's.  the.  sweetest.  thing.  EVER!!!

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Sarah's Doga Class = 55 minutes of play for the pups + socializing with fellow dog enthusiasts for the humans + wine &amp; beer for the humans + healthy treats for the pups + 5 minutes of gentle doga (because the pups have the attention spans of toddlers)  + bonding for the humans and the pups + $$ for animal rescue organizations + WARM FUZZIES GALORE

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= Priceless

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[caption id="attachment_11605" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11605" rel="attachment wp-att-11605"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11605" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/PB040002-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Anonymous Chilled Out Dogi[/caption]

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And now for  . . . .

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<span style="font-size: medium; color: #008000;"><strong>The Shockaroo of the Day! </strong></span>

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I take that back.

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<span style="font-size: medium; color: #008000;"><strong>The Shockaroo of the YEAR!</strong>  </span>

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You're not going to believe what happened in doga.  I'm still pinching myself two weeks later.  (Yes, The Queen of Procrastination strikes yet again!)

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Bella and I sat patiently on our yoga mat waiting for class to begin.  The woman next to us commented on Bella's cuteness.  When you're World's Most Precious Pooch, this happens quite a bit.  Thankfully, the attention has yet to go to her head.  Bella has vowed to never forget her humble beginnings as a street urchin.

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<strong>Woman:</strong>  She's adorable.  What's her name?

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<strong>Me:</strong>  Bella.

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<strong>Woman:</strong>  I thought that was her!  I love your blog!

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<strong>Me:  </strong><em>(silence) (unable to speak from the shock)  </em>

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<span style="font-size: medium; color: #008000;"><strong>There comes a time in every blogger's life when she wonders who reads her blog besides her mother and her father.  </strong></span>

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Of course, I know that sometimes my sister reads the blog, too.  And my loyal friend from high school.  And a lovely reader from Pennsylvania who is an Internet friend of my mother's.  And an artsy dude who just married my lovably wacky friend.

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But is there anyone else?  Could someone completely unrelated to me or my family read my blog???  And then recognize me out in public???  Though my <em>dog</em>, no less???

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<strong>Me:</strong>  (somewhat recovered from the shock)  Thank you so much.   How do you know Sarah?

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<strong>Woman aka My New Favorite Person:</strong>  Who?

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<strong>Me:</strong>  Sarah?  The doga instructor?

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<strong>My New Favorite Person:</strong>  I don't know Sarah.  I found out about doga through a flyer at the gym.

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<strong>Me:  </strong>Oh!  So how do you know about my blog?

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<strong>My New Favorite Person:</strong>  I don't remem. . . . Oh, I do remember!  I saw Bella's picture on facebook!

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Whoa.  She found my blog through <a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/" target="_blank"><strong>my little social media hound!</strong> </a> Could this get any better?!?!?!

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Anywho, My New Favorite Person aka Paulina and I are now real life and facebook friends and plan to meet for lunch soon with the dogs.  I can't wait to chat about life and her skincare secrets.  Apparently, Paulina has 2 college-aged children!  Look at her!

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[caption id="attachment_11600" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11600" rel="attachment wp-att-11600"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11600" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/PB040001-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Paulina and her canine cutie pie, Oliver[/caption]

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Speaking of lunch with the pooches . . . .

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My fair city happens to boast a large number of dog-friendly patios in an area of town known as The Biltmore.  It's practically Europe over there with dogs EVERYWHERE!  Sarah and I took Bella and her precious little Cavalier King Charles rescue pooch (who had just been freed from a puppy mill that very week!) to dinner.

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[caption id="attachment_11604" align="alignnone" width="300"]<a href="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=11604" rel="attachment wp-att-11604"><img class="size-medium wp-image-11604" title="OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA" src="http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/PB040006-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a> Squash Pie for dessert at True Food. True Confession: This photo was totally staged for the blog. Bella is not allowed in my lap at the table. :-D[/caption]

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It's a ruff life.

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Ba dum bum.

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*****

Important Links

Sarah link and ruby story

rescue link

treats

photographer

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Doga? dogi?

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