INSERT INTO `wp_posts` VALUES (12114,1,'2013-02-01 09:22:05','2013-02-01 16:22:05','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12112\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-43','','','2013-02-01 09:22:05','2013-02-01 16:22:05','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-43/',0,'revision','',0),(12116,1,'2013-02-01 09:25:56','2013-02-01 16:25:56','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12112\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<script src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&pos=top&swfw=$swfw\"></script><object name=\"player\" id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\"    data=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\"  type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\">    <param value=\"true\" name=\"allowfullscreen\"/>    <param value=\"always\" name=\"allowscriptaccess\"/>    <param value=\"transparent\" name=\"wmode\"/>    <param value=\"high\" name=\"quality\"/>    <param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" />    <param value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"flashvars\"/></object><script src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-45','','','2013-02-01 09:25:56','2013-02-01 16:25:56','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-45/',0,'revision','',0),(12117,1,'2013-02-01 09:26:17','2013-02-01 16:26:17','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12112\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<script src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&pos=top&swfw=$swfw\"></script><object name=\"player\" id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\"    data=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\"  type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\">    <param value=\"true\" name=\"allowfullscreen\"/>    <param value=\"always\" name=\"allowscriptaccess\"/>    <param value=\"transparent\" name=\"wmode\"/>    <param value=\"high\" name=\"quality\"/>    <param name=\"movie\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" />    <param value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"flashvars\"/></object><script src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-46','','','2013-02-01 09:26:17','2013-02-01 16:26:17','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-46/',0,'revision','',0),(12118,1,'2013-02-01 09:26:32','2013-02-01 16:26:32','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12112\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-47','','','2013-02-01 09:26:32','2013-02-01 16:26:32','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-47/',0,'revision','',0),(12119,1,'2013-02-01 09:28:31','2013-02-01 16:28:31','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12112\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news this week!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-48','','','2013-02-01 09:28:31','2013-02-01 16:28:31','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-48/',0,'revision','',0),(12120,1,'2013-02-01 09:28:58','2013-02-01 16:28:58','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12112\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news this week!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-49','','','2013-02-01 09:28:58','2013-02-01 16:28:58','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-49/',0,'revision','',0),(12121,1,'2013-02-01 09:29:29','2013-02-01 16:29:29','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12112\" alt=\"OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-50','','','2013-02-01 09:29:29','2013-02-01 16:29:29','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-50/',0,'revision','',0),(12123,1,'2013-02-01 09:59:06','2013-02-01 16:59:06','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!\n\n&nbsp;\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-52','','','2013-02-01 09:59:06','2013-02-01 16:59:06','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-52/',0,'revision','',0),(12122,1,'2013-02-01 09:30:35','2013-02-01 16:30:35','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"717\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112 \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"717\" height=\"538\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-51','','','2013-02-01 09:30:35','2013-02-01 16:30:35','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-51/',0,'revision','',0),(12124,1,'2013-02-01 09:59:51','2013-02-01 16:59:51','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-53','','','2013-02-01 09:59:51','2013-02-01 16:59:51','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-53/',0,'revision','',0),(12125,1,'2013-02-01 10:05:26','2013-02-01 17:05:26','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong> </a>is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-54','','','2013-02-01 10:05:26','2013-02-01 17:05:26','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-54/',0,'revision','',0),(12126,1,'2013-02-01 10:05:53','2013-02-01 17:05:53','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong> </a>is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-55','','','2013-02-01 10:05:53','2013-02-01 17:05:53','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-55/',0,'revision','',0),(12127,1,'2013-02-01 10:05:58','2013-02-01 17:05:58','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong> </a>is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying, and my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-56','','','2013-02-01 10:05:58','2013-02-01 17:05:58','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-56/',0,'revision','',0),(12128,1,'2013-02-01 10:08:56','2013-02-01 17:08:56','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong> </a>is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying.  And my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special Needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash Fundraiser. I was so moved Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-57','','','2013-02-01 10:08:56','2013-02-01 17:08:56','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-57/',0,'revision','',0),(12130,1,'2013-02-01 10:12:17','2013-02-01 17:12:17','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong> </a>is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying.  And my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special Needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash Fundraiser. I was so moved by Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, extremely affectionate, easy-going, plays well with others, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, a kisser to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-59','','','2013-02-01 10:12:17','2013-02-01 17:12:17','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-59/',0,'revision','',0),(12129,1,'2013-02-01 10:09:01','2013-02-01 17:09:01','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong> </a>is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying.  And my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special Needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash Fundraiser. I was so moved by Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, plays well with others, extremely affectionate, easy-going, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, gives kisses to everyone she meets, and is a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-58','','','2013-02-01 10:09:01','2013-02-01 17:09:01','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-58/',0,'revision','',0),(12132,1,'2013-02-01 10:14:20','2013-02-01 17:14:20','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\n\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn to the explanation . . . .\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong> </a>is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\n\n&nbsp;\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\n&nbsp;\n\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying.  And my little dog, too!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special Needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash Fundraiser. I was so moved by Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, extremely affectionate, easy-going, plays well with others, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, and a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-61','','','2013-02-01 10:14:20','2013-02-01 17:14:20','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-61/',0,'revision','',0),(12131,1,'2013-02-01 10:12:21','2013-02-01 17:12:21','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong> </a>is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying.  And my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special Needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash Fundraiser. I was so moved by Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, extremely affectionate, easy-going, plays well with others, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, and a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-60','','','2013-02-01 10:12:21','2013-02-01 17:12:21','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-60/',0,'revision','',0),(12133,1,'2013-02-01 10:17:13','2013-02-01 17:17:13','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong> </a>is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying.  And my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special Needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash Fundraiser. I was so moved by Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, extremely affectionate, easy-going, plays well with others, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, and a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-62','','','2013-02-01 10:17:13','2013-02-01 17:17:13','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-62/',0,'revision','',0),(12134,1,'2013-02-01 10:18:11','2013-02-01 17:18:11','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong> </a>is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying.  And my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special Needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash Fundraiser. I was so moved by Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, extremely affectionate, easy-going, plays well with others, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, and a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!  Grab the Kleenex.  But as Karen reminded me a couple of years ago, they are happy tears!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-63','','','2013-02-01 10:18:11','2013-02-01 17:18:11','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-63/',0,'revision','',0),(12135,1,'2013-02-01 10:18:21','2013-02-01 17:18:21','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12112\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong> </a>is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying.  And my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special Needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash Fundraiser. I was so moved by Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, extremely affectionate, easy-going, plays well with others, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, and a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12089\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!  Grab the Kleenex.  But as Karen reminded me a couple of years ago, they are happy tears!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-64','','','2013-02-01 10:18:21','2013-02-01 17:18:21','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-64/',0,'revision','',0),(12136,1,'2013-02-01 10:18:23','2013-02-01 17:18:23','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/olympus-digital-camera-816/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong> </a>is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying.  And my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special Needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash Fundraiser. I was so moved by Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, extremely affectionate, easy-going, plays well with others, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, and a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/olympus-digital-camera-815/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!  Grab the Kleenex.  But as Karen reminded me a couple of years ago, they are happy tears!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-65','','','2013-02-01 10:18:23','2013-02-01 17:18:23','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-65/',0,'revision','',0),(12137,1,'2013-02-01 10:19:59','2013-02-01 17:19:59','[caption id=\"attachment_4995\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"214\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/04/06/day-190-wishbones-two-types/sony-dsc-13/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-4995\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-4995 \" title=\"A Canine Star as Born\" alt=\"\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/DSC4127-214x300.jpg\" width=\"214\" height=\"300\" /></a> Happy Unbirthday to Bella![/caption]\r\n\r\nYou read that correctly.  My dog is giving up her birthday for charity.  She has opted for an \"Unbirthday\", if you will.  Please allow me to explain.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>But first, if you read only thing today, please go here:  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn to the explanation . . . .\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLast July, I was given a crisp $100 bill by Chris Guillebeau at the World Domination Summit (a scary-sounding name synonymous with \"World\'s Best Conference Comprised of Artists, Bloggers, Creative Types and Such\") in Portland.  My fellow 999 Summit goers received 100 buckaroos as well.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur mission?  To put our investment to good use and do something interesting.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nUnanimously, we chose to accept it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYou can read more about Chris Guillebeau\'s $100 Investment <strong><a href=\"http://chrisguillebeau.com/3x5/the-100-investment/\" target=\"_blank\">here.</a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nStay with me.  This explanation will make sense in 60 seconds or less.  I promise.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000;\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">As many of you already know, my dog is uber-cute.  Truly.  We\'re talking stops-people-in-their-tracks cute.</span></strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella aka World\'s Most Precious pooch sits patiently as men, women and children coo over her and exclaim that she looks just like Toto!  Or is it Benji?  Oh, and with her ears out like that she looks just like Yoda!  Or is it Gizmo?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMy friend Jean once dubbed Bella aka World\'s Most Precious Pooch as \"Disney Dog\".  (One can never have too many aliases.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNow that\'s she\'s a Disney Dog, Bella has felt obligated to adopt a precocious nature on a few occasions.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOne evening whilst I was away, Disney Dog<strong> <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2011/05/06/day-220-my-dog-hijacked-my-computer/\" target=\"_blank\">hijacked my computer</a></strong> and launched a <a href=\"http://www.facebook.com/worlds.most.precious.pooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>facebook page.  </strong></a>She figured that if Zuckerberg\'s pooch could have a page, why couldn\'t she?\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>Interestingly (and amusingly), Disney Dog has more \"friends\" than my boyfriend AND received more birthday wishes on her wall last year than my mother did on her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMom\'s nose was out of joint for a day or two, but then she got over it.  My boyfriend is currently friending everyone and their mother to catch up to Disney Dog.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12112\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"574\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/olympus-digital-camera-816/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12112\"><img class=\" wp-image-12112  \" alt=\"Disney Dogs prefer Macs.\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/P5050015-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"574\" height=\"430\" /></a> Disney Dogs prefer Macs.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella blessedly came back down to earth soon after her initial facebook notoriety.  Her street urchin origins continually humble her and remind her of what\'s most important in life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nRecently, Disney Dog aka Bella vowed to channel her precociousness into a project for the Greater Good of Caninekind!  Here\'s the latest:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><strong>My dog confiscated my $100 Investment!!!!</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThankfully, Bella did not eat the $100.  That would have been embarrassing.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Staying true to her roots, Bella has decided to invest the $100 in her favorite animal rescue charity per Chris Guilleabeau\'s original mission!  She has picked Mingus Manor as the beneficiary of her fundraising efforts.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong> </a>is a special place that is near and dear to Bella\'s heart for two extraordinarily important reasons:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n1.  Mingus Manor is an animal sanctuary devoted to caring for Senior and Special Needs pets.  These pets are deemed \"unadoptable\" by other rescue organizations.  However, Mingus Manor believes that all animals have a right to a forever home.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<blockquote><span style=\"color: #000000;\"><span style=\"color: #993300;\"><strong>\"There is someone for everyone, as the saying goes, and if we can find those wonderful human beings that share our love for these two groups and are willing to give them loving homes, we are all for that.\"\r\n-- Karen Scherer of Mingus Manor</strong></span></span></blockquote>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n2.  Mingus Manor is where Bella picked me.  You know how people say that we don\'t pick dogs, but they pick us?  I\'m a walking example of that saying.  And my little dog, too!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNo, Bella wasn\'t a Senior or Special Needs dog.  She was a scared, traumatized, and sick 9 month-old shell of a pup.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOn Day 43 of my <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/365-or-bust/\" target=\"_blank\">365 Days of Living Curiously,</a> </strong>I volunteered at Mingus Manor for their Dog Wash Fundraiser. I was so moved by Karen Scherer\'s angelic mission, and I wanted to do something to help.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI showed up at the fundraiser and washed one water-averse pug.  It was then that I spotted Bella across the crowded grounds.  An array of vendors showed up to support Mingus Manor, and one of those organizations happened to be Mixed Up Mutts, a local rescue group.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI walked over to the metal pen and asked if I could please hold the pup with the crazy hair.  The pup instantly snuggled into me, and I could not put her down.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI held Bella (then \"Missy\") for two hours and didn\'t wash another dog for the rest of the day.  I was the lamest volunteer ever!  You can read all about that momentous day <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a></strong>, as well as Bella\'s first day at home<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/13/day-47-let-the-puppy-worshipping-begin/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here.  </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_1802\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2010/11/09/day-43babymakestwo/bella2/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-1802\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-1802   \" alt=\"Born to Snuggle\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bella2-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> November 2010 at Mingus Manor -- Love at First Snuggle[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTwo and a half years later, Bella is a happy, well-adusted, and healthy dog.  She is also smart, well-mannered, extremely affectionate, easy-going, plays well with others, rides well on planes, travels well in automobiles, and a legendary rabbit huntress in her own mind.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nNot that I am biased or anything. ☺\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s true!  I always tell people that I hit the \"puppy lotto\" because I can\'t believe how lucky I am that Bella popped into my life when I least expected it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>To honor the place that brought us together, Bella is giving up her birthday on February 15th to raise funds for Mingus Manor.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n(We don\'t know the actual day of Bella\'s birth, but 2-15-10 was the date assigned to her by the vet who first examined her when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI tried to encourage her to come up with a more original fundraising idea, but I am a bit mortified to admit that Bella has shamelessly <del>stolen</del> borrowed <strong><a href=\"http://mycharitywater.org/p/birthdays\" target=\"_blank\">Charity:Water\'s brilliant unbirthday idea. </a> </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBella has announced that she has more bully sticks and squeak toys than she can handle.  And doggy bling has always been out of the question.  Bella is definitely a tomboy pooch.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12089\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"300\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/olympus-digital-camera-815/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12089\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12089\" alt=\"She\'s not exaggerating.  \" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/P1310011-300x225.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" /></a> She\'s not exaggerating.[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In lieu of gifts, Bella respectfully asks for your assistance in caring for her fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  If Mingus Manor\'s story touches your heart, then please consider donating to Mingus Manor at Bella\'s fundraising website:</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><span style=\"font-size: medium;\">http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch</span></strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.  The fundraiser will run through the end of February.  If you ever happen to meet Bella, she\'ll be sure to shower you with kisses as a personal thank you.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMingus Manor was featured on the news last week!  Grab the Kleenex.  But as Karen reminded me a couple of years ago, these are happy tears!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=top&amp;swfw=$swfw\"></script><object id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" classid=\"clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000\" codebase=\"http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0\" name=\"player\"><param name=\"allowfullscreen\" value=\"true\" /><param name=\"allowscriptaccess\" value=\"always\" /><param name=\"wmode\" value=\"transparent\" /><param name=\"quality\" value=\"high\" /><param name=\"flashvars\" value=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" /><param name=\"src\" value=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" /><embed id=\"_fp_0.18314704159274697\" width=\"564\" height=\"316\" type=\"application/x-shockwave-flash\" src=\"http://player.bimvid.com/swfs/main\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" allowscriptaccess=\"always\" wmode=\"transparent\" quality=\"high\" flashvars=\"config=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2F%3Fj%3Dembed_188053171%26ref%3Dhttp%3A%2F%2Fwww.azfamily.com%2Fgood-morning-arizona%2FDining-with-The-Dogs-Dinner-and-Silent-Auction-Event-188053171.html\" name=\"player\" /></object><script type=\"text/javascript\" src=\"http://www.azfamily.com/templates/belo_embedWrapper.js?storyid=188053171&amp;pos=bottom\"></script>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','My Dog is Giving Up Her Birthday for Charity','','inherit','open','open','','12061-revision-66','','','2013-02-01 10:19:59','2013-02-01 17:19:59','',12061,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/12061-revision-66/',0,'revision','',0),(12138,1,'2013-02-05 06:27:41','2013-02-05 13:27:41','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/olympus-digital-camera-817/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\" wp-image-12146 \" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have previously heard that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome throughout my entire birthday month of February at <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch.</strong></a>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','publish','open','open','','worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/','2013-02-05 19:53:21','2013-02-06 02:53:21','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=12138',0,'post','',1),(12139,1,'2013-02-04 12:29:56','2013-02-04 19:29:56','<br />\n','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision','','','2013-02-04 12:29:56','2013-02-04 19:29:56','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(12140,1,'2013-02-04 12:33:02','2013-02-04 19:33:02','<div>\n\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have heard previously that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\n\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\n\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\n\n<strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong>\n\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  Donations welcome through the end of February.  Thank you for your support.\n\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\n\n</div>','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-2','','','2013-02-04 12:33:02','2013-02-04 19:33:02','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(12141,1,'2013-02-04 12:34:11','2013-02-04 19:34:11','<div>\n\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have heard previously that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\n\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\n\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\n\n<strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong>\n\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  Donations welcome through the end of February.  Thank you for your support.\n\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\n\n</div>','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-3','','','2013-02-04 12:34:11','2013-02-04 19:34:11','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(12142,1,'2013-02-04 12:39:55','2013-02-04 19:39:55','<div>\n\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have heard previously that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\n\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\n\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\n\n<strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong>\n\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  I can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet thinks it couly birthday is February 15thDonations welcome through the end of February.  Thank you for your support.\n\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\n\n</div>','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-4','','','2013-02-04 12:39:55','2013-02-04 19:39:55','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(12143,1,'2013-02-04 12:40:43','2013-02-04 19:40:43','<div>\r\n\r\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have heard previously that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\r\n\r\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\r\n\r\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\r\n\r\n<strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong>\r\n\r\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  I can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome through the end of February.  Thank you for your support.\r\n\r\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\r\n\r\n</div>','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-5','','','2013-02-04 12:40:43','2013-02-04 19:40:43','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(12144,1,'2013-02-04 12:41:15','2013-02-04 19:41:15','<div>\r\n\r\nFamous photo from the 1st night of her rescue. \r\n\r\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have heard previously that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\r\n\r\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\r\n\r\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\r\n\r\n<strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong>\r\n\r\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  I can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome through the end of February.  Thank you for your support.\r\n\r\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\r\n\r\n</div>','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-6','','','2013-02-04 12:41:15','2013-02-04 19:41:15','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(12145,1,'2013-02-04 12:42:31','2013-02-04 19:42:31','<div>\n\nFamous photo from the 1st night of her rescue. \n\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have heard previously that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\n\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\n\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\n\n<strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong>\n\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  I can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome through the end of February.  Thank you for your support.\n\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\n\n</div>','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-7','','','2013-02-04 12:42:31','2013-02-04 19:42:31','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(12146,1,'2013-02-04 19:41:51','2013-02-05 02:41:51','','World\'s Most Precious Rescue Pooch','My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-817','','','2013-02-04 19:41:51','2013-02-05 02:41:51','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12147,1,'2013-02-04 19:43:15','2013-02-05 02:43:15','<div>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"1024\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12146\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\"size-large wp-image-12146\" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"1024\" height=\"768\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\n\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have heard previously that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\n\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\n\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\n\n<strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong>\n\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  I can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome through the end of February.  Thank you for your support.\n\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\n\n</div>','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-8','','','2013-02-04 19:43:15','2013-02-05 02:43:15','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(12148,1,'2013-02-04 19:43:32','2013-02-05 02:43:32','<div>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12146\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\" wp-image-12146 \" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\r\n\r\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have heard previously that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\r\n\r\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\r\n\r\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\r\n\r\n<strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong>\r\n\r\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  I can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome through the end of February.  Thank you for your support.\r\n\r\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\r\n\r\n</div>','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-9','','','2013-02-04 19:43:32','2013-02-05 02:43:32','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(12149,1,'2013-02-04 19:44:54','2013-02-05 02:44:54','<div>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12146\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\" wp-image-12146 \" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have heard previously that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  I can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome through the end of February.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support.\n\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\n\n</div>','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-10','','','2013-02-04 19:44:54','2013-02-05 02:44:54','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(12150,1,'2013-02-04 19:45:22','2013-02-05 02:45:22','\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12146\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\" wp-image-12146 \" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have heard previously that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  I can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome through the end of February.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\nThank you for your support.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\r\n\r\n','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-11','','','2013-02-04 19:45:22','2013-02-05 02:45:22','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(12151,1,'2013-02-04 19:45:35','2013-02-05 02:45:35','\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12146\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\" wp-image-12146 \" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have heard previously that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  I can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome through the end of February.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\nThank you for your support.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\r\n\r\n','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-12','','','2013-02-04 19:45:35','2013-02-05 02:45:35','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(12152,1,'2013-02-04 19:46:07','2013-02-05 02:46:07','\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12146\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\" wp-image-12146 \" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have heard previously that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.  I can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome through the end of February.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\nThank you for your support.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-13','','','2013-02-04 19:46:07','2013-02-05 02:46:07','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(12153,1,'2013-02-04 19:48:15','2013-02-05 02:48:15','&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12146\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\" wp-image-12146 \" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have heard previously that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome through the end of February.\n\nThank you for your support.\n\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-14','','','2013-02-04 19:48:15','2013-02-05 02:48:15','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(12154,1,'2013-02-04 19:49:44','2013-02-05 02:49:44','&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12146\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\" wp-image-12146 \" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have heard previously that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\nI can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome throughout my entire birthday month of February.\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\nThank you for your support.\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-15','','','2013-02-04 19:49:44','2013-02-05 02:49:44','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(12155,1,'2013-02-04 19:50:15','2013-02-05 02:50:15','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12146\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\" wp-image-12146 \" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have heard previously that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nI can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome throughout my entire birthday month of February.\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nThank you for your support.\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-16','','','2013-02-04 19:50:15','2013-02-05 02:50:15','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(12156,1,'2013-02-04 19:50:51','2013-02-05 02:50:51','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12146\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\" wp-image-12146 \" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have previously heard that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nI can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome throughout my entire birthday month of February.\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nThank you for your support.\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-17','','','2013-02-04 19:50:51','2013-02-05 02:50:51','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/04/12138-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(12157,1,'2013-02-05 06:27:41','2013-02-05 13:27:41','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12146\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\" wp-image-12146 \" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have previously heard that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nI can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome throughout my entire birthday month of February.\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nThank you for your support.\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-18','','','2013-02-05 06:27:41','2013-02-05 13:27:41','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/12138-revision-18/',0,'revision','',0),(12159,1,'2013-02-07 08:00:25','2013-02-07 15:00:25','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, so <em>I </em>didn\'t run away and join the circus, but today\'s guest blogger did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere was one unfortunate summer during college where I was somehow roped into playing the clown at children\'s birthday parties.  I looked like one of those creepy clowns with the wild red hair and deathly white make up.  (Think:  <a href=\"http://www.google.com/search?q=poltergeist+clown+image&amp;hl=en&amp;client=safari&amp;tbo=u&amp;rls=en&amp;tbm=isch&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=EhATUZ-nOYeh2QWts4HgCA&amp;ved=0CDAQsAQ&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=993\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Poltergeist.</em></strong></a>)  I believe that my sister still holds on to the sole blackmail photo.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI try to live my life without regrets, but if I could turn back time, then I would have insisted on being an adorable clown like Kathleen Bloom.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gentlemen!  Welcome to the Greatest Guest Blogger on Earth\'s Circus Adventure!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/07/i-ran-away-and-joined-the-circus/kathleen-bloom-clowning-around/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\r\n\r\n<b> </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran away and joined the circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is what I learned:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Say Yes</b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\r\n&nbsp;\r\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><b>Get Dirty </b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Laugh</b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnjoy, enjoy!\r\nxo,\r\nKathleen\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n**********\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div>Kathleen Bloom is a Second Degree Black Belt and founder of The Meditation Project. Join Kathleen and friends from across the globe each week for tips, ideas, support and encouragement to Meditate Every Day + Follow Your Intuition at <a href=\"http://kathleenbloom.com/\">kathleenbloom.com</a>. And of course, for a bit of clownin\' around - say YES, laugh and get messy!</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','I Ran Away and Joined the Circus!','','publish','open','open','','i-ran-away-and-joined-the-circus','','','2013-02-07 08:00:25','2013-02-07 15:00:25','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=12159',0,'post','',6),(12160,1,'2013-02-05 19:35:58','2013-02-06 02:35:58','','Guest Blog Post:  Kathleen Bloom','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision','','','2013-02-05 19:35:58','2013-02-06 02:35:58','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/12159-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(12162,1,'2013-02-05 19:37:26','2013-02-06 02:37:26','<b>I Ran Away And Joined The Circus!</b>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nby Kathleen Bloom\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran away and joined the circus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere is what I learned:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<b>Say Yes</b>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSay YES!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\n\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSay YES!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<b>Get Dirty </b>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<b>Laugh</b>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnjoy, enjoy!\nxo,\nKathleen\n\n&nbsp;\n<div></div>','Guest Blog Post:  Kathleen Bloom','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-2','','','2013-02-05 19:37:26','2013-02-06 02:37:26','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/12159-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(12161,1,'2013-02-05 19:37:05','2013-02-06 02:37:05','','Kathleen Bloom clowning around','Kathleen Bloom clowning around','inherit','open','open','','kathleen-bloom-clowning-around','','','2013-02-05 19:37:05','2013-02-06 02:37:05','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12163,1,'2013-02-05 19:37:56','2013-02-06 02:37:56','[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12161\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\r\n\r\n<b>I Ran Away And Joined The Circus!</b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nby Kathleen Bloom\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran away and joined the circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is what I learned:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Say Yes</b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\r\n\r\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Get Dirty </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Laugh</b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnjoy, enjoy!\r\nxo,\r\nKathleen\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>','Guest Blog Post:  Kathleen Bloom','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-3','','','2013-02-05 19:37:56','2013-02-06 02:37:56','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/12159-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(12164,1,'2013-02-05 19:38:01','2013-02-06 02:38:01','[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12161\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\r\n\r\n<b>I Ran Away And Joined The Circus!</b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nby Kathleen Bloom\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran away and joined the circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is what I learned:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Say Yes</b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\r\n\r\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Get Dirty </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Laugh</b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnjoy, enjoy!\r\nxo,\r\nKathleen\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>','Guest Blog Post:  Kathleen Bloom','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-4','','','2013-02-05 19:38:01','2013-02-06 02:38:01','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/12159-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(12165,1,'2013-02-05 19:41:22','2013-02-06 02:41:22','I asked for guest bloSomething like how fab is this?  she joined the circus!\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12161\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\n\n<b>I Ran Away And Joined The Circus!</b>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nby Kathleen Bloom\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran away and joined the circus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere is what I learned:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<b>Say Yes</b>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSay YES!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\n\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSay YES!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<b>Get Dirty </b>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<b>Laugh</b>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnjoy, enjoy!\nxo,\nKathleen\n\n&nbsp;\n<div>**********</div>\n<div></div>\n<div></div>\n<div>Kathleen Bloom is a Second Degree Black Belt and founder of The Meditation Project. Join Kathleen and friends from across the globe each week for tips, ideas, support and encouragement to Meditate Every Day + Follow Your Intuition at <a href=\"http://kathleenbloom.com/\">kathleenbloom.com</a>. And of course, for a bit of clownin\' around - say YES, laugh and get messy!</div>','Guest Blog Post:  Kathleen Bloom','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-5','','','2013-02-05 19:41:22','2013-02-06 02:41:22','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/12159-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(12166,1,'2013-02-05 19:42:17','2013-02-06 02:42:17','I asked for guest blog posts about play (and still taking submissions) and Something like how fab is this?  she joined the circus!\r\n\r\nMy only exp was one unfortunate summer as a clown.  my sister may still have the blackmail photo.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12161\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\r\n\r\n<b>I Ran Away And Joined The Circus!</b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nby Kathleen Bloom\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran away and joined the circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is what I learned:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Say Yes</b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\r\n\r\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Get Dirty </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Laugh</b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnjoy, enjoy!\r\nxo,\r\nKathleen\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div>**********</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Kathleen Bloom is a Second Degree Black Belt and founder of The Meditation Project. Join Kathleen and friends from across the globe each week for tips, ideas, support and encouragement to Meditate Every Day + Follow Your Intuition at <a href=\"http://kathleenbloom.com/\">kathleenbloom.com</a>. And of course, for a bit of clownin\' around - say YES, laugh and get messy!</div>','Guest Blog Post:  Kathleen Bloom','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-6','','','2013-02-05 19:42:17','2013-02-06 02:42:17','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/12159-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(12167,1,'2013-02-05 06:27:41','2013-02-05 13:27:41','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/olympus-digital-camera-817/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\" wp-image-12146 \" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have previously heard that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nI can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome throughout my entire birthday month of February.\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nThank you for your support.\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-19','','','2013-02-05 06:27:41','2013-02-05 13:27:41','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/12138-revision-19/',0,'revision','',0),(12168,1,'2013-02-05 19:50:19','2013-02-06 02:50:19','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/olympus-digital-camera-817/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\" wp-image-12146 \" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have previously heard that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\nI can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome throughout my entire birthday month of February at <strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch.</strong>\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.\r\n\r\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-20','','','2013-02-05 19:50:19','2013-02-06 02:50:19','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/12138-revision-20/',0,'revision','',0),(12169,1,'2013-02-05 19:51:25','2013-02-06 02:51:25','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/olympus-digital-camera-817/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\" wp-image-12146 \" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have previously heard that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome throughout my entire birthday month of February at <strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch.</strong>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-21','','','2013-02-05 19:51:25','2013-02-06 02:51:25','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/12138-revision-21/',0,'revision','',0),(12170,1,'2013-02-05 19:52:12','2013-02-06 02:52:12','&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12146\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/olympus-digital-camera-817/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12146\"><img class=\" wp-image-12146 \" alt=\"My first night home after Michelle rescued me.  My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona!\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/PB110179-1024x768.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"461\" /></a> My first night home after Michelle rescued me. My new dog bed was so much more comfie than the streets of Yuma, Arizona![/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHello. My name is Bella, and I am a rescue dog. You may have previously heard that rescues make the best pets, and it\'s true! My owner, Michelle, wholeheartedly seconds that emotion!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI picked Michelle as my owner 2.5 years ago at a fundraiser for Mingus Manor, an animal sanctuary dedicated to providing care for Senior and Special Needs pets. It\'s a long story as to why I was there. You can read all about it here:  <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt one point, I didn\'t know if I\'d ever live to see my 3rd birthday. I am one lucky girl! (Although Michelle says she is the lucky one.)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>In honor and support of the place that brought us together, I would like to give up my birthday for Mingus Manor this year.</strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nListen, I have more bully sticks and squeak toys than I can handle! In lieu of gifts, I respectfully invite you to open your hearts and offer what you can to assist my fellow canines (and feline friends!) who are in need of special care.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI can\'t remember my real birthday, but the vet who first took care of me thought it might be February 15th.  Donations are welcome throughout my entire birthday month of February at <strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch.</strong>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support.\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nFor more information about Mingus Manor, please visit <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\">http://www.mingusmanor.com/</a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','World\'s Most Precious Pooch Needs YOU!','','inherit','open','open','','12138-revision-22','','','2013-02-05 19:52:12','2013-02-06 02:52:12','',12138,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/12138-revision-22/',0,'revision','',0),(12171,1,'2013-02-05 19:42:59','2013-02-06 02:42:59','I asked for guest blog posts about play (and still taking submissions) and Something like how fab is this?  she joined the circus!\r\n\r\njust met kathleen last week via a group.  arent\' the interwebs an amazing place?\r\n\r\nMy only exp was one unfortunate summer as a clown.  my sister may still have the blackmail photo.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12161\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\r\n\r\n<b>I Ran Away And Joined The Circus!</b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nby Kathleen Bloom\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran away and joined the circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is what I learned:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Say Yes</b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\r\n\r\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Get Dirty </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Laugh</b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnjoy, enjoy!\r\nxo,\r\nKathleen\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div>**********</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Kathleen Bloom is a Second Degree Black Belt and founder of The Meditation Project. Join Kathleen and friends from across the globe each week for tips, ideas, support and encouragement to Meditate Every Day + Follow Your Intuition at <a href=\"http://kathleenbloom.com/\">kathleenbloom.com</a>. And of course, for a bit of clownin\' around - say YES, laugh and get messy!</div>','Guest Blog Post:  Kathleen Bloom','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-7','','','2013-02-05 19:42:59','2013-02-06 02:42:59','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/12159-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(12172,1,'2013-02-06 20:03:58','2013-02-07 03:03:58','Ok, so <em>I </em>didn\'t run away and join the circus, but today\'s guest blogger did!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere was one unfortunate summer during college where I was somehow roped into playing the clown at summer camp birthday parties.  I looked like one of those creepy clowns with the wild red hair and deathly white make up.  (Think:  <a href=\"http://www.google.com/search?q=poltergeist+clown+image&amp;hl=en&amp;client=safari&amp;tbo=u&amp;rls=en&amp;tbm=isch&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=EhATUZ-nOYeh2QWts4HgCA&amp;ved=0CDAQsAQ&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=993\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Poltergeist.</em></strong></a>)  I believe that my sister still holds on to the sole blackmail photo.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI try to live my life without regrets, but if I could turn back time, then I would have insisted on being an adorable clown like Kathleen Bloom.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gentlemen!  Welcome to the Greatest Guest Blogger on Earth\'s Circus Adventure!  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12161\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\n\n<b> </b>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran away and joined the circus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere is what I learned:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<b>Say Yes</b>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSay YES!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\n\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSay YES!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<b>Get Dirty </b>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<b>Laugh</b>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnjoy, enjoy!\nxo,\nKathleen\n\n&nbsp;\n<div>**********</div>\n<div></div>\n<div></div>\n<div>Kathleen Bloom is a Second Degree Black Belt and founder of The Meditation Project. Join Kathleen and friends from across the globe each week for tips, ideas, support and encouragement to Meditate Every Day + Follow Your Intuition at <a href=\"http://kathleenbloom.com/\">kathleenbloom.com</a>. And of course, for a bit of clownin\' around - say YES, laugh and get messy!</div>','I Ran Away and Joined the Circus!','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-8','','','2013-02-06 20:03:58','2013-02-07 03:03:58','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/06/12159-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(12173,1,'2013-02-06 20:04:02','2013-02-07 03:04:02','Ok, so <em>I </em>didn\'t run away and join the circus, but today\'s guest blogger did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere was one unfortunate summer during college where I was somehow roped into playing the clown at summer camp birthday parties.  I looked like one of those creepy clowns with the wild red hair and deathly white make up.  (Think:  <a href=\"http://www.google.com/search?q=poltergeist+clown+image&amp;hl=en&amp;client=safari&amp;tbo=u&amp;rls=en&amp;tbm=isch&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=EhATUZ-nOYeh2QWts4HgCA&amp;ved=0CDAQsAQ&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=993\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Poltergeist.</em></strong></a>)  I believe that my sister still holds on to the sole blackmail photo.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI try to live my life without regrets, but if I could turn back time, then I would have insisted on being an adorable clown like Kathleen Bloom.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gentlemen!  Welcome to the Greatest Guest Blogger on Earth\'s Circus Adventure!  </strong>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12161\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\r\n\r\n<b> </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran away and joined the circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is what I learned:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Say Yes</b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\r\n\r\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Get Dirty </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<b>Laugh</b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnjoy, enjoy!\r\nxo,\r\nKathleen\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div>**********</div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div></div>\r\n<div>Kathleen Bloom is a Second Degree Black Belt and founder of The Meditation Project. Join Kathleen and friends from across the globe each week for tips, ideas, support and encouragement to Meditate Every Day + Follow Your Intuition at <a href=\"http://kathleenbloom.com/\">kathleenbloom.com</a>. And of course, for a bit of clownin\' around - say YES, laugh and get messy!</div>','I Ran Away and Joined the Circus!','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-9','','','2013-02-06 20:04:02','2013-02-07 03:04:02','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/06/12159-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(12174,1,'2013-02-06 20:06:56','2013-02-07 03:06:56','&nbsp;\n\nOk, so <em>I </em>didn\'t run away and join the circus, but today\'s guest blogger did!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere was one unfortunate summer during college where I was somehow roped into playing the clown at summer camp birthday parties.  I looked like one of those creepy clowns with the wild red hair and deathly white make up.  (Think:  <a href=\"http://www.google.com/search?q=poltergeist+clown+image&amp;hl=en&amp;client=safari&amp;tbo=u&amp;rls=en&amp;tbm=isch&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=EhATUZ-nOYeh2QWts4HgCA&amp;ved=0CDAQsAQ&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=993\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Poltergeist.</em></strong></a>)  I believe that my sister still holds on to the sole blackmail photo.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI try to live my life without regrets, but if I could turn back time, then I would have insisted on being an adorable clown like Kathleen Bloom.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gentlemen!  Welcome to the Greatest Guest Blogger on Earth\'s Circus Adventure!  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12161\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\n\n<b> </b>\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran away and joined the circus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere is what I learned:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Say Yes</b></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSay YES!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\n\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSay YES!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><b>Get Dirty </b></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Laugh</b></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnjoy, enjoy!\nxo,\nKathleen\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n<div>**********</div>\n<div></div>\n<div></div>\n<div>Kathleen Bloom is a Second Degree Black Belt and founder of The Meditation Project. Join Kathleen and friends from across the globe each week for tips, ideas, support and encouragement to Meditate Every Day + Follow Your Intuition at <a href=\"http://kathleenbloom.com/\">kathleenbloom.com</a>. And of course, for a bit of clownin\' around - say YES, laugh and get messy!</div>','I Ran Away and Joined the Circus!','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-10','','','2013-02-06 20:06:56','2013-02-07 03:06:56','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/06/12159-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(12175,1,'2013-02-06 20:07:30','2013-02-07 03:07:30','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, so <em>I </em>didn\'t run away and join the circus, but today\'s guest blogger did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere was one unfortunate summer during college where I was somehow roped into playing the clown at summer camp birthday parties.  I looked like one of those creepy clowns with the wild red hair and deathly white make up.  (Think:  <a href=\"http://www.google.com/search?q=poltergeist+clown+image&amp;hl=en&amp;client=safari&amp;tbo=u&amp;rls=en&amp;tbm=isch&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=EhATUZ-nOYeh2QWts4HgCA&amp;ved=0CDAQsAQ&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=993\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Poltergeist.</em></strong></a>)  I believe that my sister still holds on to the sole blackmail photo.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI try to live my life without regrets, but if I could turn back time, then I would have insisted on being an adorable clown like Kathleen Bloom.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gentlemen!  Welcome to the Greatest Guest Blogger on Earth\'s Circus Adventure!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12161\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\r\n\r\n<b> </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran away and joined the circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is what I learned:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Say Yes</b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\r\n\r\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><b>Get Dirty </b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Laugh</b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnjoy, enjoy!\r\nxo,\r\nKathleen\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n**********\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div>Kathleen Bloom is a Second Degree Black Belt and founder of The Meditation Project. Join Kathleen and friends from across the globe each week for tips, ideas, support and encouragement to Meditate Every Day + Follow Your Intuition at <a href=\"http://kathleenbloom.com/\">kathleenbloom.com</a>. And of course, for a bit of clownin\' around - say YES, laugh and get messy!</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','I Ran Away and Joined the Circus!','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-11','','','2013-02-06 20:07:30','2013-02-07 03:07:30','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/06/12159-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(12176,1,'2013-02-06 20:07:47','2013-02-07 03:07:47','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, so <em>I </em>didn\'t run away and join the circus, but today\'s guest blogger did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere was one unfortunate summer during college where I was somehow roped into playing the clown at summer camp birthday parties.  I looked like one of those creepy clowns with the wild red hair and deathly white make up.  (Think:  <a href=\"http://www.google.com/search?q=poltergeist+clown+image&amp;hl=en&amp;client=safari&amp;tbo=u&amp;rls=en&amp;tbm=isch&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=EhATUZ-nOYeh2QWts4HgCA&amp;ved=0CDAQsAQ&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=993\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Poltergeist.</em></strong></a>)  I believe that my sister still holds on to the sole blackmail photo.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI try to live my life without regrets, but if I could turn back time, then I would have insisted on being an adorable clown like Kathleen Bloom.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gentlemen!  Welcome to the Greatest Guest Blogger on Earth\'s Circus Adventure!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12161\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\r\n\r\n<b> </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran away and joined the circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is what I learned:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Say Yes</b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\r\n\r\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><b>Get Dirty </b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Laugh</b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnjoy, enjoy!\r\nxo,\r\nKathleen\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n**********\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div>Kathleen Bloom is a Second Degree Black Belt and founder of The Meditation Project. Join Kathleen and friends from across the globe each week for tips, ideas, support and encouragement to Meditate Every Day + Follow Your Intuition at <a href=\"http://kathleenbloom.com/\">kathleenbloom.com</a>. And of course, for a bit of clownin\' around - say YES, laugh and get messy!</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','I Ran Away and Joined the Circus!','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-12','','','2013-02-06 20:07:47','2013-02-07 03:07:47','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/06/12159-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(12177,1,'2013-02-06 20:08:10','2013-02-07 03:08:10','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, so <em>I </em>didn\'t run away and join the circus, but today\'s guest blogger did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere was one unfortunate summer during college where I was somehow roped into playing the clown at summer camp birthday parties.  I looked like one of those creepy clowns with the wild red hair and deathly white make up.  (Think:  <a href=\"http://www.google.com/search?q=poltergeist+clown+image&amp;hl=en&amp;client=safari&amp;tbo=u&amp;rls=en&amp;tbm=isch&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=EhATUZ-nOYeh2QWts4HgCA&amp;ved=0CDAQsAQ&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=993\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Poltergeist.</em></strong></a>)  I believe that my sister still holds on to the sole blackmail photo.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI try to live my life without regrets, but if I could turn back time, then I would have insisted on being an adorable clown like Kathleen Bloom.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gentlemen!  Welcome to the Greatest Guest Blogger on Earth\'s Circus Adventure!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12161\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\r\n\r\n<b> </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran away and joined the circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is what I learned:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Say Yes</b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\r\n\r\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><b>Get Dirty </b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Laugh</b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnjoy, enjoy!\r\nxo,\r\nKathleen\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n**********\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div>Kathleen Bloom is a Second Degree Black Belt and founder of The Meditation Project. Join Kathleen and friends from across the globe each week for tips, ideas, support and encouragement to Meditate Every Day + Follow Your Intuition at <a href=\"http://kathleenbloom.com/\">kathleenbloom.com</a>. And of course, for a bit of clownin\' around - say YES, laugh and get messy!</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','I Ran Away and Joined the Circus!','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-13','','','2013-02-06 20:08:10','2013-02-07 03:08:10','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/06/12159-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(12179,1,'2013-02-07 07:59:48','2013-02-07 14:59:48','&nbsp;\n\nOk, so <em>I </em>didn\'t run away and join the circus, but today\'s guest blogger did!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere was one unfortunate summer during college where I was somehow roped into playing the clown at birthday parties.  I looked like one of those creepy clowns with the wild red hair and deathly white make up.  (Think:  <a href=\"http://www.google.com/search?q=poltergeist+clown+image&amp;hl=en&amp;client=safari&amp;tbo=u&amp;rls=en&amp;tbm=isch&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=EhATUZ-nOYeh2QWts4HgCA&amp;ved=0CDAQsAQ&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=993\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Poltergeist.</em></strong></a>)  I believe that my sister still holds on to the sole blackmail photo.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI try to live my life without regrets, but if I could turn back time, then I would have insisted on being an adorable clown like Kathleen Bloom.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gentlemen!  Welcome to the Greatest Guest Blogger on Earth\'s Circus Adventure!  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12161\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\n\n<b> </b>\n\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n\nI ran away and joined the circus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHere is what I learned:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Say Yes</b></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSay YES!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\n&nbsp;\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSay YES!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><b>Get Dirty </b></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Laugh</b></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nEnjoy, enjoy!\nxo,\nKathleen\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n**********\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;\n<div>Kathleen Bloom is a Second Degree Black Belt and founder of The Meditation Project. Join Kathleen and friends from across the globe each week for tips, ideas, support and encouragement to Meditate Every Day + Follow Your Intuition at <a href=\"http://kathleenbloom.com/\">kathleenbloom.com</a>. And of course, for a bit of clownin\' around - say YES, laugh and get messy!</div>\n&nbsp;\n&nbsp;','I Ran Away and Joined the Circus!','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-15','','','2013-02-07 07:59:48','2013-02-07 14:59:48','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/07/12159-revision-15/',0,'revision','',0),(12178,1,'2013-02-06 20:15:00','2013-02-07 03:15:00','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, so <em>I </em>didn\'t run away and join the circus, but today\'s guest blogger did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere was one unfortunate summer during college where I was somehow roped into playing the clown at summer camp birthday parties.  I looked like one of those creepy clowns with the wild red hair and deathly white make up.  (Think:  <a href=\"http://www.google.com/search?q=poltergeist+clown+image&amp;hl=en&amp;client=safari&amp;tbo=u&amp;rls=en&amp;tbm=isch&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=EhATUZ-nOYeh2QWts4HgCA&amp;ved=0CDAQsAQ&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=993\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Poltergeist.</em></strong></a>)  I believe that my sister still holds on to the sole blackmail photo.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI try to live my life without regrets, but if I could turn back time, then I would have insisted on being an adorable clown like Kathleen Bloom.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gentlemen!  Welcome to the Greatest Guest Blogger on Earth\'s Circus Adventure!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12161\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\r\n\r\n<b> </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran away and joined the circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is what I learned:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Say Yes</b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\r\n&nbsp;\r\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><b>Get Dirty </b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Laugh</b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnjoy, enjoy!\r\nxo,\r\nKathleen\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n**********\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div>Kathleen Bloom is a Second Degree Black Belt and founder of The Meditation Project. Join Kathleen and friends from across the globe each week for tips, ideas, support and encouragement to Meditate Every Day + Follow Your Intuition at <a href=\"http://kathleenbloom.com/\">kathleenbloom.com</a>. And of course, for a bit of clownin\' around - say YES, laugh and get messy!</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','I Ran Away and Joined the Circus!','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-14','','','2013-02-06 20:15:00','2013-02-07 03:15:00','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/06/12159-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(12180,1,'2013-02-07 08:00:20','2013-02-07 15:00:20','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, so <em>I </em>didn\'t run away and join the circus, but today\'s guest blogger did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere was one unfortunate summer during college where I was somehow roped into playing the clown at children\'s birthday parties.  I looked like one of those creepy clowns with the wild red hair and deathly white make up.  (Think:  <a href=\"http://www.google.com/search?q=poltergeist+clown+image&amp;hl=en&amp;client=safari&amp;tbo=u&amp;rls=en&amp;tbm=isch&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=EhATUZ-nOYeh2QWts4HgCA&amp;ved=0CDAQsAQ&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=993\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Poltergeist.</em></strong></a>)  I believe that my sister still holds on to the sole blackmail photo.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI try to live my life without regrets, but if I could turn back time, then I would have insisted on being an adorable clown like Kathleen Bloom.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gentlemen!  Welcome to the Greatest Guest Blogger on Earth\'s Circus Adventure!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12161\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\r\n\r\n<b> </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran away and joined the circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is what I learned:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Say Yes</b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\r\n&nbsp;\r\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><b>Get Dirty </b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Laugh</b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnjoy, enjoy!\r\nxo,\r\nKathleen\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n**********\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div>Kathleen Bloom is a Second Degree Black Belt and founder of The Meditation Project. Join Kathleen and friends from across the globe each week for tips, ideas, support and encouragement to Meditate Every Day + Follow Your Intuition at <a href=\"http://kathleenbloom.com/\">kathleenbloom.com</a>. And of course, for a bit of clownin\' around - say YES, laugh and get messy!</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','I Ran Away and Joined the Circus!','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-16','','','2013-02-07 08:00:20','2013-02-07 15:00:20','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/07/12159-revision-16/',0,'revision','',0),(12181,1,'2013-02-07 08:00:25','2013-02-07 15:00:25','&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOk, so <em>I </em>didn\'t run away and join the circus, but today\'s guest blogger did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere was one unfortunate summer during college where I was somehow roped into playing the clown at children\'s birthday parties.  I looked like one of those creepy clowns with the wild red hair and deathly white make up.  (Think:  <a href=\"http://www.google.com/search?q=poltergeist+clown+image&amp;hl=en&amp;client=safari&amp;tbo=u&amp;rls=en&amp;tbm=isch&amp;source=univ&amp;sa=X&amp;ei=EhATUZ-nOYeh2QWts4HgCA&amp;ved=0CDAQsAQ&amp;biw=1920&amp;bih=993\" target=\"_blank\"><strong><em>Poltergeist.</em></strong></a>)  I believe that my sister still holds on to the sole blackmail photo.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI try to live my life without regrets, but if I could turn back time, then I would have insisted on being an adorable clown like Kathleen Bloom.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Ladies and 3 Token Gentlemen!  Welcome to the Greatest Guest Blogger on Earth\'s Circus Adventure!  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_12161\" align=\"alignnone\" width=\"614\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12161\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12161\"><img class=\" wp-image-12161 \" alt=\"Kathleen Bloom clowning around\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Kathleen-Bloom-clowning-around-1024x639.jpg\" width=\"614\" height=\"383\" /></a> Kathleen Bloom clowning around[/caption]\r\n\r\n<b> </b>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI ran away and joined the circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt the point where so much of my day was routine errands and a long list of tasks needed to be completed, my creative work had become a chore instead of a joy and I seriously needed to shake things up a bit.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEvery summer when school gets out, the kids can go to camp for fun-in-the-sun and hours of playtime. This year I decide that when school finished, I was going to camp. So I packed my bags and said “See ya’ later kids, Mom is running away to join the circus!”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI don’t know who was more surprised, my children or my husband!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nActually I had been trying to convince the kids for weeks to go to circus camp because it looked like so much fun. Finally they said that I should go since I was the one so excited about it – so I did!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I arrived at circus camp eager for a change from my daily routine, it was a delight to discover exciting new chances to learn circus tricks, multitudes of costume changes and a week of continuous fun, games and laughter.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOf course I played merrily, but I also knew how important it was to take my experience home and apply it to everyday life.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHere is what I learned:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Say Yes</b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHaving always seen stilt walkers in parades, I felt that this was something completely out of my reach (quite literally) and would never be able to accomplish such a marvelous skill. It looked dangerous and terrifying. But I was determined to give it a try. I got up on the stilts clutching the instructor’s hand and thought, “There is no way I’m ever going to do this by myself.”\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut soon enough, after a few tips and a half hour of practice, I was on my own – stilt walking and marching with astonishing ease. I cannot believe the thing that seemed impossible to me for years was so easy after all.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nMaybe there is something seemingly difficult, even impossible – say YES to it, give it a try and it very well may be much easier than you think.\r\n&nbsp;\r\nAnother YES – The flying trapeze! Sure it was going to be scary, but no matter what else I did this week, the flying trapeze was absolutely required on my adventure list. It was exhilarating performing tricks upside down flying through the air!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThere is power and thrill when you go way beyond your comfort zone.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSay YES!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"color: #008000; font-size: medium;\"><b>Get Dirty </b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nPart of trying new things is taking the chance of looking goofy or stupid. Not having it all together and polished. A great way to practice this state of glorious imperfection is to get dirty. After all, being dirty is the opposite of being polished. It’s hard to take yourself too seriously when you are dirty and you certainly can’t stay clean if you are going to play hard and have new adventures.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSince the entire circus camp was outdoors, there was plenty of opportunity to get dirty, messy and scruffy. Add clown make-up, arts and crafts, river games and sleeping in a meadow – I was ready for a serious scrub down when I was done!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><b>Laugh</b></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nDuh! (It’s circus camp after all!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEverything feels better, looks better, tastes better when you laugh! I met new friends and we laughed, chuckled, giggled, hooted, chortled, cackled, guffawed hysterically and endlessly. Often over nothing at all except the sheer pleasure of being alive.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLaugh aloud right now – even if it is goofy – you will amuse yourself just doing it.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nSo if you want to shake things up and get out of the ordinary, grab some vim and verve, say YES, get dirty, laugh a lot and you’ve got circus!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nEnjoy, enjoy!\r\nxo,\r\nKathleen\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n**********\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div>Kathleen Bloom is a Second Degree Black Belt and founder of The Meditation Project. Join Kathleen and friends from across the globe each week for tips, ideas, support and encouragement to Meditate Every Day + Follow Your Intuition at <a href=\"http://kathleenbloom.com/\">kathleenbloom.com</a>. And of course, for a bit of clownin\' around - say YES, laugh and get messy!</div>\r\n&nbsp;\r\n&nbsp;','I Ran Away and Joined the Circus!','','inherit','open','open','','12159-revision-17','','','2013-02-07 08:00:25','2013-02-07 15:00:25','',12159,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/07/12159-revision-17/',0,'revision','',0),(12183,1,'2013-02-15 11:26:28','2013-02-15 18:26:28','[caption id=\"attachment_12186\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"283\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/happy-unbirthday-to-worlds-most-precious-pooch/olympus-digital-camera-818/\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12186\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12186 \" alt=\"The Face that launched a thousand hearts\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TheFace-283x300.jpg\" width=\"283\" height=\"300\" /></a> World\'s Most Giving Pooch[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHappy Unbirthday to my dog!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, I have turned into one of <em>those </em>dog people.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all in the name of a good cause my friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI won\'t go into the nitty and gritty because I previously shared those details <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> </strong>and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn case you don\'t want to click<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here, </strong></a>here\'s the recap:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>My dog is giving up her birthday for Mingus Manor, a rescue organization that takes in senior and special needs dogs and cats deemed \"not adoptable\" by others.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Since she has more bully sticks, treats, and squeak toys than she can handle, World\'s Most Precious Pooch respectfully requests a donation to Mingus Manor in honor of her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you find your heartstrings tug-tug-tugging away for the good deeds of <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong></a>, then please consider pledging your donation today by visiting <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch. </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen donating, you will receive a message asking if you would like to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com, the site founded by actor and philanthropist Edward Norton.  He and his team make fundraising efforts like this one possible.  However, please note that you are under no obligation to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Happy Unbirthday to World\'s Most Precious Pooch!  ','','publish','open','open','','happy-unbirthday-to-worlds-most-precious-pooch','','\nhttp://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/','2013-02-15 11:26:28','2013-02-15 18:26:28','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=12183',0,'post','',5),(12184,1,'2013-02-15 11:09:33','2013-02-15 18:09:33','Happy Unbirthday to my dog!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, I have turned into one of <em>those </em>dog people.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all in the name of a good cause my friends!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI won\'t go into all of the nitty and gritty because I previously shared those details <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> </strong>and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn case you don\'t want to click<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>My dog is giving up her birthday for Mingus Manor, a rescue organization that takes in senior and special needs dogs and cats deemed \"not adoptable\" by others.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Since she has more bully sticks, treats, and squeak toys that she can handle, World\'s Most Precious Pooch requests a donation to Mingus Manor in honor of her birthday. </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf you find your heartstrings tug-tug-tugging away for the good deeds of <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong></a>, then please consider pledging your donation today by visiting <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch. </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen donating, you will receive a message asking if you would like to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com, the site founded by actor and philanthropist Edward Norton.  He and his team make fundraising efforts like this one possible.  However, please note that you are under no obligation to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com.','Happy Unbirthday to World\'s Most Precious Pooch!  ','','inherit','open','open','','12183-revision','','','2013-02-15 11:09:33','2013-02-15 18:09:33','',12183,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12183-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(12185,1,'2013-02-15 11:10:32','2013-02-15 18:10:32','Happy Unbirthday to my dog!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, I have turned into one of <em>those </em>dog people.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all in the name of a good cause my friends!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI won\'t go into all of the nitty and gritty because I previously shared those details <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> </strong>and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn case you don\'t want to click<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here, </strong></a>here\'s a recap:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>My dog is giving up her birthday for Mingus Manor, a rescue organization that takes in senior and special needs dogs and cats deemed \"not adoptable\" by others.  </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<strong>Since she has more bully sticks, treats, and squeak toys that she can handle, World\'s Most Precious Pooch requests a donation to Mingus Manor in honor of her birthday. </strong>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf you find your heartstrings tug-tug-tugging away for the good deeds of <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong></a>, then please consider pledging your donation today by visiting <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch. </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen donating, you will receive a message asking if you would like to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com, the site founded by actor and philanthropist Edward Norton.  He and his team make fundraising efforts like this one possible.  However, please note that you are under no obligation to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com.','Happy Unbirthday to World\'s Most Precious Pooch!  ','','inherit','open','open','','12183-revision-2','','','2013-02-15 11:10:32','2013-02-15 18:10:32','',12183,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12183-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(12186,1,'2013-02-15 11:11:57','2013-02-15 18:11:57','World\'s Most Giving Pooch','The Face that launched a thousand hearts','','inherit','open','open','','olympus-digital-camera-818','','','2013-02-15 11:11:57','2013-02-15 18:11:57','',12183,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TheFace.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12187,1,'2013-02-15 11:13:20','2013-02-15 18:13:20','[caption id=\"attachment_12186\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"283\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12186\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12186\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12186 \" alt=\"The Face that launched a thousand hearts\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TheFace-283x300.jpg\" width=\"283\" height=\"300\" /></a> World\'s Most Giving Pooch[/caption]\n\nHappy Unbirthday to my dog!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, I have turned into one of <em>those </em>dog people.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all in the name of a good cause my friends!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI won\'t go into all of the nitty and gritty because I previously shared those details <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> </strong>and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn case you don\'t want to click<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here, </strong></a>here\'s the recap:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>My dog is giving up her birthday for Mingus Manor, a rescue organization that takes in senior and special needs dogs and cats deemed \"not adoptable\" by others.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Since she has more bully sticks, treats, and squeak toys that she can handle, World\'s Most Precious Pooch requests a donation to Mingus Manor in honor of her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf you find your heartstrings tug-tug-tugging away for the good deeds of <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong></a>, then please consider pledging your donation today by visiting <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch. </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen donating, you will receive a message asking if you would like to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com, the site founded by actor and philanthropist Edward Norton.  He and his team make fundraising efforts like this one possible.  However, please note that you are under no obligation to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com.','Happy Unbirthday to World\'s Most Precious Pooch!  ','','inherit','open','open','','12183-revision-3','','','2013-02-15 11:13:20','2013-02-15 18:13:20','',12183,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12183-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),(12188,1,'2013-02-15 11:13:25','2013-02-15 18:13:25','[caption id=\"attachment_12186\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"283\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12186\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12186\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12186 \" alt=\"The Face that launched a thousand hearts\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TheFace-283x300.jpg\" width=\"283\" height=\"300\" /></a> World\'s Most Giving Pooch[/caption]\r\n\r\nHappy Unbirthday to my dog!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, I have turned into one of <em>those </em>dog people.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all in the name of a good cause my friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI won\'t go into all of the nitty and gritty because I previously shared those details <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> </strong>and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn case you don\'t want to click<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here, </strong></a>here\'s the recap:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>My dog is giving up her birthday for Mingus Manor, a rescue organization that takes in senior and special needs dogs and cats deemed \"not adoptable\" by others.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Since she has more bully sticks, treats, and squeak toys that she can handle, World\'s Most Precious Pooch requests a donation to Mingus Manor in honor of her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you find your heartstrings tug-tug-tugging away for the good deeds of <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong></a>, then please consider pledging your donation today by visiting <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch. </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen donating, you will receive a message asking if you would like to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com, the site founded by actor and philanthropist Edward Norton.  He and his team make fundraising efforts like this one possible.  However, please note that you are under no obligation to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com.','Happy Unbirthday to World\'s Most Precious Pooch!  ','','inherit','open','open','','12183-revision-4','','','2013-02-15 11:13:25','2013-02-15 18:13:25','',12183,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12183-revision-4/',0,'revision','',0),(12189,1,'2013-02-15 11:13:32','2013-02-15 18:13:32','[caption id=\"attachment_12186\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"283\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12186\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12186\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12186 \" alt=\"The Face that launched a thousand hearts\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TheFace-283x300.jpg\" width=\"283\" height=\"300\" /></a> World\'s Most Giving Pooch[/caption]\r\n\r\nHappy Unbirthday to my dog!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, I have turned into one of <em>those </em>dog people.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all in the name of a good cause my friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI won\'t go into all of the nitty and gritty because I previously shared those details <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> </strong>and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn case you don\'t want to click<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here, </strong></a>here\'s the recap:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>My dog is giving up her birthday for Mingus Manor, a rescue organization that takes in senior and special needs dogs and cats deemed \"not adoptable\" by others.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Since she has more bully sticks, treats, and squeak toys that she can handle, World\'s Most Precious Pooch requests a donation to Mingus Manor in honor of her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you find your heartstrings tug-tug-tugging away for the good deeds of <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong></a>, then please consider pledging your donation today by visiting <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch. </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen donating, you will receive a message asking if you would like to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com, the site founded by actor and philanthropist Edward Norton.  He and his team make fundraising efforts like this one possible.  However, please note that you are under no obligation to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com.','Happy Unbirthday to World\'s Most Precious Pooch!  ','','inherit','open','open','','12183-revision-5','','','2013-02-15 11:13:32','2013-02-15 18:13:32','',12183,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12183-revision-5/',0,'revision','',0),(12190,1,'2013-02-15 11:14:25','2013-02-15 18:14:25','[caption id=\"attachment_12186\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"283\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12186\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12186\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12186 \" alt=\"The Face that launched a thousand hearts\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TheFace-283x300.jpg\" width=\"283\" height=\"300\" /></a> World\'s Most Giving Pooch[/caption]\r\n\r\nHappy Unbirthday to my dog!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, I have turned into one of <em>those </em>dog people.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all in the name of a good cause my friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI won\'t go into all of the nitty and gritty because I previously shared those details <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> </strong>and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn case you don\'t want to click<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here, </strong></a>here\'s the recap:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>My dog is giving up her birthday for Mingus Manor, a rescue organization that takes in senior and special needs dogs and cats deemed \"not adoptable\" by others.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Since she has more bully sticks, treats, and squeak toys that she can handle, World\'s Most Precious Pooch requests a donation to Mingus Manor in honor of her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you find your heartstrings tug-tug-tugging away for the good deeds of <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong></a>, then please consider pledging your donation today by visiting <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch. </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen donating, you will receive a message asking if you would like to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com, the site founded by actor and philanthropist Edward Norton.  He and his team make fundraising efforts like this one possible.  However, please note that you are under no obligation to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Happy Unbirthday to World\'s Most Precious Pooch!  ','','inherit','open','open','','12183-revision-6','','','2013-02-15 11:14:25','2013-02-15 18:14:25','',12183,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12183-revision-6/',0,'revision','',0),(12191,1,'2013-02-15 11:14:48','2013-02-15 18:14:48','[caption id=\"attachment_12186\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"283\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12186\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12186\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12186 \" alt=\"The Face that launched a thousand hearts\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TheFace-283x300.jpg\" width=\"283\" height=\"300\" /></a> World\'s Most Giving Pooch[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHappy Unbirthday to my dog!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, I have turned into one of <em>those </em>dog people.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all in the name of a good cause my friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI won\'t go into all of the nitty and gritty because I previously shared those details <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> </strong>and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn case you don\'t want to click<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here, </strong></a>here\'s the recap:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>My dog is giving up her birthday for Mingus Manor, a rescue organization that takes in senior and special needs dogs and cats deemed \"not adoptable\" by others.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Since she has more bully sticks, treats, and squeak toys that she can handle, World\'s Most Precious Pooch requests a donation to Mingus Manor in honor of her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you find your heartstrings tug-tug-tugging away for the good deeds of <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong></a>, then please consider pledging your donation today by visiting <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch. </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen donating, you will receive a message asking if you would like to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com, the site founded by actor and philanthropist Edward Norton.  He and his team make fundraising efforts like this one possible.  However, please note that you are under no obligation to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Happy Unbirthday to World\'s Most Precious Pooch!  ','','inherit','open','open','','12183-revision-7','','','2013-02-15 11:14:48','2013-02-15 18:14:48','',12183,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12183-revision-7/',0,'revision','',0),(12197,1,'2013-02-15 11:25:28','2013-02-15 18:25:28','[caption id=\"attachment_12186\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"283\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12186\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12186\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12186 \" alt=\"The Face that launched a thousand hearts\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TheFace-283x300.jpg\" width=\"283\" height=\"300\" /></a> World\'s Most Giving Pooch[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHappy Unbirthday to my dog!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, I have turned into one of <em>those </em>dog people.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all in the name of a good cause my friends!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI won\'t go into the nitty and gritty because I previously shared those details <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> </strong>and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn case you don\'t want to click<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here, </strong></a>here\'s the recap:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>My dog is giving up her birthday for Mingus Manor, a rescue organization that takes in senior and special needs dogs and cats deemed \"not adoptable\" by others.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Since she has more bully sticks, treats, and squeak toys than she can handle, World\'s Most Precious Pooch respectfully requests a donation to Mingus Manor in honor of her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIf you find your heartstrings tug-tug-tugging away for the good deeds of <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong></a>, then please consider pledging your donation today by visiting <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch. </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen donating, you will receive a message asking if you would like to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com, the site founded by actor and philanthropist Edward Norton.  He and his team make fundraising efforts like this one possible.  However, please note that you are under no obligation to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Happy Unbirthday to World\'s Most Precious Pooch!  ','','inherit','open','open','','12183-revision-13','','','2013-02-15 11:25:28','2013-02-15 18:25:28','',12183,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12183-revision-13/',0,'revision','',0),(12192,1,'2013-02-15 11:15:20','2013-02-15 18:15:20','[caption id=\"attachment_12186\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"283\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12186\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12186\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12186 \" alt=\"The Face that launched a thousand hearts\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TheFace-283x300.jpg\" width=\"283\" height=\"300\" /></a> World\'s Most Giving Pooch[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHappy Unbirthday to my dog!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, I have turned into one of <em>those </em>dog people.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all in the name of a good cause my friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI won\'t go into all of the nitty and gritty because I previously shared those details <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> </strong>and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn case you don\'t want to click<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here, </strong></a>here\'s the recap:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>My dog is giving up her birthday for Mingus Manor, a rescue organization that takes in senior and special needs dogs and cats deemed \"not adoptable\" by others.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Since she has more bully sticks, treats, and squeak toys that she can handle, World\'s Most Precious Pooch requests a donation to Mingus Manor in honor of her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you find your heartstrings tug-tug-tugging away for the good deeds of <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong></a>, then please consider pledging your donation today by visiting <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch. </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen donating, you will receive a message asking if you would like to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com, the site founded by actor and philanthropist Edward Norton.  He and his team make fundraising efforts like this one possible.  However, please note that you are under no obligation to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Happy Unbirthday to World\'s Most Precious Pooch!  ','','inherit','open','open','','12183-revision-8','','','2013-02-15 11:15:20','2013-02-15 18:15:20','',12183,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12183-revision-8/',0,'revision','',0),(12193,1,'2013-02-15 11:15:40','2013-02-15 18:15:40','[caption id=\"attachment_12186\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"283\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12186\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12186\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12186 \" alt=\"The Face that launched a thousand hearts\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TheFace-283x300.jpg\" width=\"283\" height=\"300\" /></a> World\'s Most Giving Pooch[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHappy Unbirthday to my dog!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, I have turned into one of <em>those </em>dog people.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all in the name of a good cause my friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI won\'t go into all of the nitty and gritty because I previously shared those details <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> </strong>and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn case you don\'t want to click<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here, </strong></a>here\'s the recap:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>My dog is giving up her birthday for Mingus Manor, a rescue organization that takes in senior and special needs dogs and cats deemed \"not adoptable\" by others.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Since she has more bully sticks, treats, and squeak toys that she can handle, World\'s Most Precious Pooch requests a donation to Mingus Manor in honor of her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you find your heartstrings tug-tug-tugging away for the good deeds of <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong></a>, then please consider pledging your donation today by visiting <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch. </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen donating, you will receive a message asking if you would like to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com, the site founded by actor and philanthropist Edward Norton.  He and his team make fundraising efforts like this one possible.  However, please note that you are under no obligation to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Happy Unbirthday to World\'s Most Precious Pooch!  ','','inherit','open','open','','12183-revision-9','','','2013-02-15 11:15:40','2013-02-15 18:15:40','',12183,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12183-revision-9/',0,'revision','',0),(12194,1,'2013-02-15 11:16:28','2013-02-15 18:16:28','[caption id=\"attachment_12186\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"283\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12186\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12186\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12186 \" alt=\"The Face that launched a thousand hearts\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TheFace-283x300.jpg\" width=\"283\" height=\"300\" /></a> World\'s Most Giving Pooch[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHappy Unbirthday to my dog!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, I have turned into one of <em>those </em>dog people.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all in the name of a good cause my friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI won\'t go into the nitty and gritty because I previously shared those details <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> </strong>and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn case you don\'t want to click<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here, </strong></a>here\'s the recap:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>My dog is giving up her birthday for Mingus Manor, a rescue organization that takes in senior and special needs dogs and cats deemed \"not adoptable\" by others.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Since she has more bully sticks, treats, and squeak toys that she can handle, World\'s Most Precious Pooch requests a donation to Mingus Manor in honor of her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you find your heartstrings tug-tug-tugging away for the good deeds of <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong></a>, then please consider pledging your donation today by visiting <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch. </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen donating, you will receive a message asking if you would like to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com, the site founded by actor and philanthropist Edward Norton.  He and his team make fundraising efforts like this one possible.  However, please note that you are under no obligation to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Happy Unbirthday to World\'s Most Precious Pooch!  ','','inherit','open','open','','12183-revision-10','','','2013-02-15 11:16:28','2013-02-15 18:16:28','',12183,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12183-revision-10/',0,'revision','',0),(12195,1,'2013-02-15 11:17:05','2013-02-15 18:17:05','[caption id=\"attachment_12186\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"283\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12186\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12186\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12186 \" alt=\"The Face that launched a thousand hearts\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TheFace-283x300.jpg\" width=\"283\" height=\"300\" /></a> World\'s Most Giving Pooch[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHappy Unbirthday to my dog!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, I have turned into one of <em>those </em>dog people.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all in the name of a good cause my friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI won\'t go into the nitty and gritty because I previously shared those details <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> </strong>and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn case you don\'t want to click<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here, </strong></a>here\'s the recap:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>My dog is giving up her birthday for Mingus Manor, a rescue organization that takes in senior and special needs dogs and cats deemed \"not adoptable\" by others.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Since she has more bully sticks, treats, and squeak toys than she can handle, World\'s Most Precious Pooch requests a donation to Mingus Manor in honor of her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you find your heartstrings tug-tug-tugging away for the good deeds of <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong></a>, then please consider pledging your donation today by visiting <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch. </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen donating, you will receive a message asking if you would like to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com, the site founded by actor and philanthropist Edward Norton.  He and his team make fundraising efforts like this one possible.  However, please note that you are under no obligation to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Happy Unbirthday to World\'s Most Precious Pooch!  ','','inherit','open','open','','12183-revision-11','','','2013-02-15 11:17:05','2013-02-15 18:17:05','',12183,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12183-revision-11/',0,'revision','',0),(12196,1,'2013-02-15 11:24:28','2013-02-15 18:24:28','[caption id=\"attachment_12186\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"283\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12186\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12186\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12186 \" alt=\"The Face that launched a thousand hearts\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TheFace-283x300.jpg\" width=\"283\" height=\"300\" /></a> World\'s Most Giving Pooch[/caption]\n\n&nbsp;\n\nHappy Unbirthday to my dog!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nYes, I have turned into one of <em>those </em>dog people.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nBut it\'s all in the name of a good cause my friends!\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI won\'t go into the nitty and gritty because I previously shared those details <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> </strong>and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nIn case you don\'t want to click<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here, </strong></a>here\'s the recap:\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>My dog is giving up her birthday for Mingus Manor, a rescue organization that takes in senior and special needs dogs and cats deemed \"not adoptable\" by others.  </strong></span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Since she has more bully sticks, treats, and squeak toys than she can handle, World\'s Most Precious Pooch respectfully requests a donation to Mingus Manor in honor of her birthday. </strong> </span>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nFebruary 15th is the birthday that was assigned to World\'s Most Precious Pooch when she was lifted off the streets of Yuma, Arizona.\n\nIf you find your heartstrings tug-tug-tugging away for the good deeds of <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong></a>, then please consider pledging your donation today by visiting <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch. </strong></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\nThank you for your support!\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n**********\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen donating, you will receive a message asking if you would like to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com, the site founded by actor and philanthropist Edward Norton.  He and his team make fundraising efforts like this one possible.  However, please note that you are under no obligation to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;','Happy Unbirthday to World\'s Most Precious Pooch!  ','','inherit','open','open','','12183-revision-12','','','2013-02-15 11:24:28','2013-02-15 18:24:28','',12183,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12183-revision-12/',0,'revision','',0),(12198,1,'2013-02-15 11:26:28','2013-02-15 18:26:28','[caption id=\"attachment_12186\" align=\"alignleft\" width=\"283\"]<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12186\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12186\"><img class=\"size-medium wp-image-12186 \" alt=\"The Face that launched a thousand hearts\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/TheFace-283x300.jpg\" width=\"283\" height=\"300\" /></a> World\'s Most Giving Pooch[/caption]\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nHappy Unbirthday to my dog!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nYes, I have turned into one of <em>those </em>dog people.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nBut it\'s all in the name of a good cause my friends!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI won\'t go into the nitty and gritty because I previously shared those details <strong><a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\">here</a> </strong>and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here.</strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIn case you don\'t want to click<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/05/worlds-most-precious-pooch-needs-you/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong> here</strong></a> and <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/01/my-dog-is-giving-up-her-birthday-for-charity/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>here, </strong></a>here\'s the recap:\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>My dog is giving up her birthday for Mingus Manor, a rescue organization that takes in senior and special needs dogs and cats deemed \"not adoptable\" by others.  </strong></span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<span style=\"font-size: medium; color: #008000;\"><strong>Since she has more bully sticks, treats, and squeak toys than she can handle, World\'s Most Precious Pooch respectfully requests a donation to Mingus Manor in honor of her birthday. </strong> </span>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nIf you find your heartstrings tug-tug-tugging away for the good deeds of <a href=\"http://www.mingusmanor.com/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Mingus Manor</strong></a>, then please consider pledging your donation today by visiting <a href=\"http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>http://www.crowdrise.com/worldsmostpreciouspooch. </strong></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nThank you for your support!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen donating, you will receive a message asking if you would like to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com, the site founded by actor and philanthropist Edward Norton.  He and his team make fundraising efforts like this one possible.  However, please note that you are under no obligation to make an additional donation to crowdrise.com.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;','Happy Unbirthday to World\'s Most Precious Pooch!  ','','inherit','open','open','','12183-revision-14','','','2013-02-15 11:26:28','2013-02-15 18:26:28','',12183,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12183-revision-14/',0,'revision','',0),(12199,1,'2013-02-19 01:11:04','2013-02-19 08:11:04','A few weeks ago, <a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/01/21/can-you-come-out-and-play/\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>I called out for guest bloggers.</strong> </a>\r\n&nbsp;\r\nI\'ve always gotten a kick out of our token male readers who periodically comment on here, and now we a have real live man blogging! Yay!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nLadies and 3 Token Gents, I present to you World\'s Best Bro-in-Law and World\'s Most Precious Niece.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n**********\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12202\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12202\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12202\" alt=\"img040\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" /></a>“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12203\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12203\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12203\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_203530\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12204\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12204\" alt=\"Smile\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile-300x298.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"298\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n********************\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12205\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12205\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_182221\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12206\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12206\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12206\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_193651\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_193651-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n','Father Daughter Guest Bloggers','','publish','open','open','','father-daughter-guest-bloggers','','','2013-02-18 21:28:39','2013-02-19 04:28:39','',0,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?p=12199',0,'post','',5),(12200,1,'2013-02-15 18:33:27','2013-02-16 01:33:27','“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n<div></div>','He Said/She Said Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision','','','2013-02-15 18:33:27','2013-02-16 01:33:27','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12199-revision/',0,'revision','',0),(12201,1,'2013-02-15 18:34:18','2013-02-16 01:34:18','“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\n*****\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n\r\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\r\n\r\n&nbsp;\r\n<div></div>','He Said/She Said Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision-2','','','2013-02-15 18:34:18','2013-02-16 01:34:18','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/15/12199-revision-2/',0,'revision','',0),(12202,1,'2013-02-16 20:29:19','2013-02-17 03:29:19','','img040','','inherit','open','open','','img040','','','2013-02-16 20:29:19','2013-02-17 03:29:19','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12203,1,'2013-02-16 20:31:54','2013-02-17 03:31:54','','IMG_20130201_203530','','inherit','open','open','','img_20130201_203530','','','2013-02-16 20:31:54','2013-02-17 03:31:54','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12204,1,'2013-02-16 20:32:47','2013-02-17 03:32:47','','Smile','','inherit','open','open','','smile','','','2013-02-16 20:32:47','2013-02-17 03:32:47','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12205,1,'2013-02-16 20:33:49','2013-02-17 03:33:49','','IMG_20130201_182221','','inherit','open','open','','img_20130201_182221','','','2013-02-16 20:33:49','2013-02-17 03:33:49','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12206,1,'2013-02-16 20:34:43','2013-02-17 03:34:43','','IMG_20130201_193651','','inherit','open','open','','img_20130201_193651','','','2013-02-16 20:34:43','2013-02-17 03:34:43','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_193651.jpg',0,'attachment','image/jpeg',0),(12207,1,'2013-02-16 20:34:36','2013-02-17 03:34:36','<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12202\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12202\"><img class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-12202\" alt=\"img040\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/img040-300x222.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"222\" /></a>“That would be fun for the two of you”, says Jennie, while I’m thinking the exact opposite. I’ve never been the dance floor type. I prefer a movie night, where you sit quietly, and there is definitely no rhythm involved. Thoughts like ‘Maybe it will sell out before she gets tickets’ and ‘maybe she’ll forget (she never forgets)’ and ‘maybe our pastor will be involved in a huge scandal and our church will disband before the dance happens (it could happen)’ started creeping into my head. But I knew this was happening.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhen I saw that my daughter, Chloe, was excited about it, I knew I was a little excited too. After all, we have a good time together. She still holds the title of ‘Adventure Buddy’ from our DisneyWorld vacation in 2009 (best vacation EVAR!)\n\n&nbsp;\n\nOur evening began with a visit to Whataburger because it was on the way (ladies choice). We caught up on current events - who has reposted the funniest things on Instagram and what things she wants to buy this week. During that meal, Chloe was also my first-ever model for the ‘girls with swords’ internet meme that began right there in Whataburger. It’s a long back-story, and the five people that are aware of the meme think it’s awesome.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the dance! First stop, daddy-daughter photo shoot. We waited in line behind this girl in bright red pumps, ad sporting a short little white dress with bright red cherries printed all over it who was there with her grandfather, and I was thinking ‘Awww, sweet.’ Then, at the front of the line, she turned and it was a fifty-ish year old woman wearing some younger girls’ dress who was there with her dad, and then I was thinking ‘Hurm, now I don’t know how I feel’. Chloe and I made goofy bug-eyes at each other and giggled.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the chariot! Next stop, carriage rides through the field. Waiting outside for our carriage got a little chilly, so Chloe ran to the car and grabbed her dad’s ‘leather’ jacket which she wore for the rest of the evening. I flipped her collar up to provide the right amount of attitude, since we were about to show these other couples how a carriage ride is done. We tried to predict which horse we would get on our turn, both of us kind of hoping that we would get the spastic horse that Chloe named Derpy Horse. Derp was not elegant. Derp was like a three-year-old pretending to be a Clydesdale. Derp trotted us around in bouncy, spastic style with his head kind of bobbing and twitching the whole time. We liked Derp.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12203\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12203\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12203\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_203530\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_203530-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nTo the dance floor! I had delayed the inevitable as long as I could, and we headed toward the flashing lights and bass thumps. But wait, snacks! We can’t possibly head straight to the dance floor without enjoying some cheddar cubes and M&amp;M cookies. After all attempts at procrastination were exhausted, we head to the dance floor. Wait, are you sure you don’t need to use the rest. . . .ok, let’s go. Imagine a big open space, with lots of moving colored lights, a DJ on stage pumping out dance tunes through a really decent sound system, about two hundred suburban dads in all their glory, and an equal number of young girls from ages five and up hopped up on free cookies. It’s the stuff sitcoms are made of.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe made up dances, we bobbed around, we got silly, and we tried not to crash into too many other rythmless, uncoordinated dads. We had a lot of fun challenging each other to see who could dance the goofiest while maintaining an expression that was completely devoid of joy or mirth. This is surprisingly difficult for fun-loving eleven year old – as it should be. We even slow-danced while she put her feet on top of my shoes, like they do in the movies. Chloe is a rock-n-roll girl who isn’t in to Justin Bieber or One Direction, so a lot of our dancing was a bit on the mocking side, but it was good-hearted fun.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe cut out before the DJ obliged a third request for the Cupi Shuffle. Seeing that many people go in so many different directions to the same set of instructions is only funny twice. The third time it starts to get sad. We ended the evening with some Menchie’s frozen yogurt and a teasing photo back to Mom to rub it in that we were enjoying forbidden late-night sweets – and she wasn’t.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12204\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12204\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12204\" alt=\"Smile\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Smile-300x298.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"298\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nI hope she had as good a time as I did. I’m down for next year if she is. Unless Jennie forgets to buy the tickets. Which would be cool too. Then, we could just go to a movie or something.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n*****\n\n&nbsp;\n\n<a href=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/?attachment_id=12205\" rel=\"attachment wp-att-12205\"><img class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-12205\" alt=\"IMG_20130201_182221\" src=\"http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/IMG_20130201_182221-300x300.jpg\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" /></a>\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAfter my dad and I agreed to go to this father daughter dance at our church, we went to Whataburger to eat dinner. We had some laughs, some good burgers, and then we got back in the car and drove the rest of the way to church. Once we got there, we had to go into another room to get our picture taken. In front of us was a short blonde woman, who we guessed to be around 15, but when she turned around, it was actually a woman in her forties maybe. After we got our picture taken, we noticed a lot of girls with long fancy dresses. I, on the other hand, was wearing jeans with a sweater. I was comfortable though, and I don’t own any dresses.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWhile walking outside, we saw carriage rides! We got in line and my dad saved my spot so I could go run to the car to get his leather jacket because I was cold. I felt really cool wearing my dad’s leather jacket. Once I returned, we joked about the horses who looked derpy and mopey, and the ones who looked spazzy and fun. We got on a spazzy horse!! Once the fun ride was over, we went inside where we saw cookies, mini cupcakes, and cheese squares. I only ate a mini cupcake and had a glass of water to drink because I was still pretty full from my burger.\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\n&nbsp;\n\nWe went into the dance room and started mocking the spazzy 6 year olds jumping around EVERYWHERE. Of course, they didn’t know we were mocking them because we blended in perfectly with the spazziness. Later, we tried to dance really stupidly while making a serious face. My dad was really good at that, but I would always laugh after about 3 seconds.\n\n&nbsp;\n\nAt about 9:30, we decided to leave the dance and go to Menchies, an AMAZING frozen yogurt place. In the car ride there, we had a bunch more laughs. Once we got there, we got our ice cream and laughed some more! My dad is really funny, and he brings out the humor in me too! I had a really fun night hanging out with my dad, and I’d love to do this again sometime!!\n\n&nbsp;\n<div></div>','He Said/She Said Guest Bloggers','','inherit','open','open','','12199-revision-3','','','2013-02-16 20:34:36','2013-02-17 03:34:36','',12199,'http://www.diaryofalatebloomer.com/2013/02/16/12199-revision-3/',0,'revision','',0),