12 Seconds of Fame VS. Therapy Dog

Just wanted to say THANK YOU to everyone who voted for Jasmine in the "12 Seconds of Fame" contest!!

It's REALLY hard to be patient to find out who the winner is!! It's going to be a surprise during the Half-Time of the SuperBowl. (So keep an eye out for Jaz!)

She is definitely going to be featured during the pre-game show. (All 3 of the finalists are.)

Unfortunately, it's only going to be aired in Arizona... so all my friends from other states are going to have to wait until I record it and put it on Jasmine's YouTube channel!

Although this is exciting, and it would be cool if Jasmine won.... This is not what brings fulfillment to my life. In fact, sometimes I get tired of it. I'm getting very selective which contests I enter Jaz in. Because after a while, it's all the same.

I think I'm feeling this way because I haven't been able to volunteer with Jaz for a while. Her therapy dog certification expired at the end of December. And there's a few steps/vet visits I need to make to get it renewed. Life has just been kind of busy lately, so I haven't had the opportunity to renew it. But that is what really makes me happy. Being able to bring joy to the lives of others. (Especially kids.) That makes me really happy.

Whenever I'm feeling down, I just watch this video of when Jasmine visited the kids in the elementary school. I love hearing the kids laugh. I love their energy and enthusiasm. It's contagious. I think we all need to be more child-like at times. There is an innocence and fun that you have with kids that some people lose as adults. (Now, I like to tell people that I'm a little kid trapped in a a big kid's body!) It's pretty much true. I love kids. They make me laugh! This 3rd grade class all wrote Jasmine and I thank you cards for coming to visit. They were the cutest thing ever! They each drew a picture of this day, and wrote a little note at the bottom. I wish I had a scanner to share it with you. They are so funny and adorable. Maybe someday I'll get one!

Want to know who some of my heroes are? People who are compassionate. And people who make a difference.

I originally started thinking about getting Jasmine certified as a therapy dog after hearing about our friend Thy's therapy visits with her dog Atka. She takes him to nursing homes. This inspired me to get Jasmine certified:

Atka knows a lot of tricks. But that's not what matters. The best thing these dogs have to offer is their love. And the best thing we can do is share our dogs love with those who need it the most.

Another one of our heroes if our friends Theresa and her dog Winston: This dog has had some big roles as a canine actor. The most recent was a staring role in the Disney movie "Frenemies". I am so impressed by the fact that she didn't let Hollywood get to her. She's still the same kind, compassionate person she was 4 years ago when she first started volunteering with Winston at the hospital. She is such a good example to me! Theresa and Winston are living proof that I can get my dog into show business, and yet not let it define me. It doesn't have to change the kind of person I want to be.

I just love connecting with people like Thy and Therera. (And I have many more friends just like them, these are just two examples.) They know what's really important in this life. And are a wonderful example of using their dogs talents to make a difference in the lives of others. :) These are my heroes! :)