tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-18698800549783025682024-03-13T19:31:24.154-07:00Bella's Blog For A DogBella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-81954422358683385362013-08-30T12:54:00.000-07:002013-08-30T12:54:00.148-07:00Stand back we've got a servant dog working here!The scariest thing about having a child with Type-1 Diabetes is the constant reality that one simple mistake can cost her life. Which is why we are arming ourselves with every tool we can to make things a little easier. Buttons being one of those. Despite the high price tag on a Diabetic Alert Dog, Buttons may have justified that investment tenfold today.<br />
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Bella and I walked to Mason's school today to pick him up. As we were packing (yes, with T-1D you have to literally pack a bag to walk 5 blocks) I suggested we leave Buttons at the house. Bella insisted that he come. So I let Buttons outside to attend to any 'business' that may avoid an embarrassing school yard scene. Ok, I've got five minutes to kill. So I check BG just to be sure and Bella is 144, good number for her. We let Buttons in and we're off to the school.<br />
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After a ten minute walk we're at the school. Bella spends some time on the playground and finally 2:30 rolls around and we get Mason. The kids want to play some more before we head home. I give Buttons some water, he gets a ton of new fans from all the kids getting out of school. Bella and Mason keep playing. Buttons got one new fan in particular, probably a second grader, who followed us around announcing "We've got a 'servant dog' working here, nobody touch. I repeat Buttons is working!"<br />
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Buttons is surrounded by a sea of young admirers and all of a sudden he turns to me with a hard paw to the thigh and focuses on Bella who is probably 300 yards away with her brother. I ask "do we need to check" and he starts literally hopping off of all fours. I round up the kids, find a place to check, open up the bag and...NO TEST KIT!!! I didn't put it back in the pack before we left. Buttons is very addled by this point and keeps pawing and nudging me. I go with my gut that we're low from the heat, running and excitement and give a juice box and fruit snacks. 32g of carbs, it should only take 15g to bring her up but I erred on the side of caution. She is acting fine at this point and we start the 5 block journey home, I didn't want to be stuck out without her testing supplies. We get about a block and Bella starts stumbling. We wait a second, she says she just tripped and she feels good. About a half a block later she falls in the street. I pick her up and start speed walking with Buttons, the supplies and a screaming 3 year old. As my 2 blown discs are starting to feel it, Bella starts talking nonsense and slurring her words, I can feel her head nodding into my shoulder. I've seen this before. I ask her to keep talking to me (something I don't ask of my children much) and walk faster. Poor Mason is lagging behind and has no clue what is happening. I get home and check and Bella is 87 after the 32g of carbs she had 20 minutes earlier.<br />
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I have no clue how low she was at the playground because of my boneheaded T-1 brain lapse, but I do know that Buttons let me know that something was wrong in time for me to fix it. Judging from her behavior after treating he very well may have actually saved her life today. Even though we haven't raised all of the money for Button's training yet, I would find a way to pay a million dollars for this dog if I had to.Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-1920996242452747712013-06-26T05:43:00.001-07:002013-06-26T05:43:45.323-07:00Bella's "Diaversary".Last Wednesday (6/19/13) marked the first anniversary of Bella's diagnosis with type-1 diabetes. One year down. We have seen many changes to our way of life in the past year. Most notably learning to care for our daughter. Trying to strike a balance between keeping her safe without putting her in a tiny bubble and insulating her from the rest of the world. We also took up the mission of providing Bella with a Diabetic Alert Dog (DAD), as well as raising funds for said dog. When not fighting the T1D we were focused on fundraising. We still have a little less than a third of the funds to raise but Buttons has been delivered and started his job and continues to train everyday. Throughout this year I have learned how tough our family is. Mommy and Daddy constantly watching, counting,learning,checking and more checking. 24/7. There are no breaks, no time off. Mason the big brother watching his sister and sometimes willingly taking a backseat and always putting Bella's needs first. And then there is Bella, toughest of all of us putting up with the highs and lows, the poking and prodding, the waking up to eat smarties in the middle of the night and still finding the energy to be a vibrant and curious little kid. <div><br></div><div>On the anniversary of the diagnosis we decided to have a small gathering of friends and family to celebrate our accomplishments dealing with our first year and to celebrate Bella's strength and courage. Once again it reminds of of how much support we have and all the great people in our lives. Thanks for everything that everyone has done over the past year. Thanks to all the new friends we've made and to all of the old friends who came out of nowhere to support us. We had a great time celebrating with cupcakes and ice cream and punch. A great menu for the diabetic kid, but she loved it and like always we checked and counted and poked and prodded and had a great time. Here's to many more years of kicking T1D's butt!</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7_Q-4hjZEaI/UcrhvssQH5I/AAAAAAAAAWM/xcBgNxLWELo/s640/blogger-image--1846003694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-7_Q-4hjZEaI/UcrhvssQH5I/AAAAAAAAAWM/xcBgNxLWELo/s640/blogger-image--1846003694.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KcyrmJAtkcs/UcrhzQ8RwSI/AAAAAAAAAWs/Yd1mAgfsnw4/s640/blogger-image-1486268535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-KcyrmJAtkcs/UcrhzQ8RwSI/AAAAAAAAAWs/Yd1mAgfsnw4/s640/blogger-image-1486268535.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OIBalrQ1NkM/Ucrhwkd_nKI/AAAAAAAAAWU/U-VEhWbvDXQ/s640/blogger-image-691811352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-OIBalrQ1NkM/Ucrhwkd_nKI/AAAAAAAAAWU/U-VEhWbvDXQ/s640/blogger-image-691811352.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yiGW763rfO8/Ucrh9ed4smI/AAAAAAAAAW0/6UHPhgl-h2c/s640/blogger-image-1463452970.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yiGW763rfO8/Ucrh9ed4smI/AAAAAAAAAW0/6UHPhgl-h2c/s640/blogger-image-1463452970.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iK-83etczRo/UcrhyoYb5eI/AAAAAAAAAWk/hwwc83lSBFY/s640/blogger-image-1003363125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-iK-83etczRo/UcrhyoYb5eI/AAAAAAAAAWk/hwwc83lSBFY/s640/blogger-image-1003363125.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3uTRDdtsSfM/UcrhxsNYteI/AAAAAAAAAWc/L15PCyJD2tU/s640/blogger-image--155292244.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-3uTRDdtsSfM/UcrhxsNYteI/AAAAAAAAAWc/L15PCyJD2tU/s640/blogger-image--155292244.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D2aMVId-Hys/Ucrhuk-JGvI/AAAAAAAAAWE/eOUtmnGmCtc/s640/blogger-image--400630234.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-D2aMVId-Hys/Ucrhuk-JGvI/AAAAAAAAAWE/eOUtmnGmCtc/s640/blogger-image--400630234.jpg"></a></div><br></div><br></div><br></div>Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-13917969268187248292013-05-29T14:15:00.001-07:002013-05-29T14:15:50.365-07:004th Annual Thrash for Cash Skate ContestThis Saturday June 1st we will have a table set up at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/backdoorskatepark" target="_blank">Backdoor Skatepark</a> for their 4th Annual Thrash for Cash Contest. Backdoor is at <span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; color: #333333; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">108 River Bluff Rd, Greenville, North Carolina 27858. </span></span><br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_oo4_TqrW3Y/UaZs3SVreWI/AAAAAAAAAVA/FlfOuJe7Z64/s1600/IMG_2385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_oo4_TqrW3Y/UaZs3SVreWI/AAAAAAAAAVA/FlfOuJe7Z64/s200/IMG_2385.jpg" width="150" /></a><span style="background-color: #f2f2f2; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px; text-align: left;"><br /></span><br />
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hqr-0EayCcI/UaZs38qRoMI/AAAAAAAAAU8/HcVdFZh2BTk/s1600/1DALMMRLMO800YY.jpg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Hqr-0EayCcI/UaZs38qRoMI/AAAAAAAAAU8/HcVdFZh2BTk/s200/1DALMMRLMO800YY.jpg.png" width="200" /></a>The Contest starts at 11:00, I would guess we'll be set up around 10:00 AM and we'll stay as long as Buttons & Bella can. We will have information on Type-1 Diabetes and Service Dogs. We'll also have wristbands and T-shirts for sale and we'll also have a special raffle for the contest. We will be Raffling an *Almost Lewis Marnell Skateboard deck. Tickets will be $3 for 1 and $5 for 2 chances. Thanks so much to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/backdoorskatepark" target="_blank">Billy at Backdoor Skatepark</a> for inviting us and supporting Bella & Buttons<br />
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Here's more about Marnell from the Redbull website:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PZGkuCCi7YI/UaZs-NWxi-I/AAAAAAAAAVM/ziGRJ2znNy4/s1600/940x540q80.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="364" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PZGkuCCi7YI/UaZs-NWxi-I/AAAAAAAAAVM/ziGRJ2znNy4/s640/940x540q80.jpeg" width="640" /></a>Time will answer our questions about what happened to Lewis Marnell, but it's going to take a little longer to figure out what exactly the skate world lost when this Swedish-Aussie Rastafari died suddenly last week at age 30.N<span style="font-size: 1.1em;">o friends or family have spoken to press and the cause of death is still unofficial, though since a short</span><span style="font-size: 1.1em;"> </span><a href="http://xgames.espn.go.com/skateboarding/article/8860662/nike-almost-professional-skateboarder-lewis-marnell-dies-age-30" style="border: 0px; color: #05216b; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">ESPN post</a><span style="font-size: 1.1em;"> </span><span style="font-size: 1.1em;">claimed that Marnell died of "reported complications related to diabetes," many others have gone with the story.</span></div>
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Early this week an email from the Marnell family was forwarded to RedBullUSA.com explaining that the cause of death was "a massive hypoglycemic reaction which did not respond to ingested glucose." Our deepest condolences go out to Lewis' family and close friends.</div>
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Type 1 diabetes was at the center of discussion on skate sites and Facebook, as Marnell was diagnosed when he was 10 and needed insulin shots and gummy sour watermelon candies at the ready every day of his life.</div>
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No matter what happened, a light has gone out in skateboarding. Marnell's talent was the rare type that's immediately evident in a few seconds of video or even a photograph. A naturalism developed only through thousands of hours practice and countless falls over hard, uneven, paved ground -- Marnell's best surface.</div>
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Watch Marnell's body in flight, or even the shadow the flash sometimes leaves on a wall behind him. Like Brian Herman, or <a href="http://www.almostawebsite.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #05216b; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Almost</a> brethren <a href="http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/Satellite/en_US/Profile/Ryan-Sheckler-021242752651604" style="border: 0px; color: #05216b; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sheckler</a> or Daewon, Marnell had full control over his body, his board, and when and where the two would come back together so he could land with the rare and perfect "chock" sound of all four rolling wheels touching down at once.</div>
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And it's one thing to land 360 flips or switch heels like this, but it's a whole other thing to land them down big drops at high, Tom Knox-type speeds, and it's a whole OTHER thing to land them over sets of stairs or broken aprons of concrete in a gravelly parking lot. Marnell made it look not just easy, but natural.</div>
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He wore big pants tucked into the tongues of loose Nikes and dreads that nearly reached his waist, but his skating was hard, fast, and clean in the rare <a href="http://www.redbullusa.com/cs/Satellite/en_US/Article/meet-willow-021243294882597" style="border: 0px; color: #05216b; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Willowish</a> way that makes you either want to skate or to quit skating.</div>
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Marnell was born in Melbourne in 1982 and grew up in both Australia and Sweden. By age 12 he was ditching school to go skate, eventually dropping out of his Swedish high school to pursue skating in Australia full time. His dreadlocks appeared about a decade ago. He was sponsored by Menace Skateboards (later City Stars) and Axion Footwear before signing with Nike SB, Volcom, and Almost.</div>
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"You are a true inspiration and you will be missed," <a href="https://twitter.com/daewon1song/status/293040183459328000" style="border: 0px; color: #05216b; font-family: inherit; font-size: 13px; font-style: inherit; font-weight: bold; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">tweeted teammate Daewon Song</a>. "Thank you for showing the world your amazing gifts, and thank you for being such a positive, kind, and giving friend to all."</div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="474" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/60848370?autoplay=1" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="843"></iframe>Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-75927837026708117042013-05-25T16:03:00.001-07:002013-05-25T16:03:13.889-07:00Our First Week With Buttons...And what a week it's been.<br />
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I knew that Buttons would be a wonderful tool to help us take care of Bella. Nothing could've prepared me for the things I've seen this week. This dog is a very special boy, I could tell after he had been here for 10 minutes when he squared up on Bella and put that foot in the middle of her chest to tell her there was something wrong. A high BG right after breakfast.<br />
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From there it was about 36 hours of intensive training with our trainer Phoebe. (Phoebe was so awesome that she deserves her own posting. But Bella bonded with her almost as quickly as she did with Buttons). Since Phoebe left us until early August, we have been working with Buttons nearly constantly. We've taken him out and about, walked him through just about every aisle in two different Wal*Marts, he's been to Bella's Endo appointment and to Sheetz several times. We've been focused on his obedience work but he's been a natural at alerting to Bella. He's gotten the paw alert down but still will stop and stare holes in Bella or simply get the hiccups if something is off. Of all the alerts he's given, and it's been a lot of them he seems to be 95%-98% accurate. We have a log and I'll go back and be more scientific about the numbers. Several times he has alerted and the numbers seem to be perfect, but we'll look and see she has enough insulin in her pump ready to be dispersed that she would be dangerously low in no time.<br />
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I've seen this dog make a complete stranger cry who witnessed Buttons alerting to a low. This dog has made me want to cry just seeing Bella's confidence with him. After her first night with Buttons I asked Bella how she slept and she replied "My dog protected me" very matter-of-factly. <br />
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It is still a long road, Buttons is a puppy and will challenge us I'm sure. But he has already proven to be exactly what we expected, it will still be a while before we can sleep through an entire night leaving it up to him but that day is coming. I slept through the 2AM alarm last night and woke up at 4:19 to a Black Lab paw to the head. I got up and checked a guy and Bella's BG was 88. Her low range starts at 89. Good Low Buttons...Keep them coming!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hide and Seek in Lowes</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bella, Phoebe & Buttons!</td></tr>
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<br />Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-87705506382085884502013-05-20T04:58:00.001-07:002013-05-20T04:58:38.667-07:00Buttons day 3....Before I go into our Day #3 adventures, I'd like to once again thank everyone who has supported us and donated to help us get Buttons. The things I've seen this dog do in the past two days have been made possible by all of you. We still have about 1/3 of the money left to raise to finish his training but we are so very grateful to each and everyone of you that has supported us so far and in the future.<br />
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Sunday's training was again intense and tiring. We started out with a trip to Lowe's to see the dogs in a noisy environment with lots and lots of distractions and once again they did great.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AzbrFTu4UeM/UZoLggRb5fI/AAAAAAAAAS0/v9kXGI5DCDQ/s1600/IMG_2339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AzbrFTu4UeM/UZoLggRb5fI/AAAAAAAAAS0/v9kXGI5DCDQ/s320/IMG_2339.jpg" width="320" /></a>Buttons alerted to a low in lowe's. What a good boy. Among all the distractions at lowe's slamming toilet seats are a good one. We also played hide and seek, so that Buttons will be able to find his girl if he needs to. </div>
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We then went to lunch at Arby's...<br />
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The day wrapped up with a trip to the playground. Buttons went up all of the equipment and even went down the slide twice just to stay by his girl. All this and he still very accurately alerted to lows at the playground while bella was playing hard.</div>
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Buttons worked on an awesome command today, "place". The blanket is an invisible crate. He stays on it, thinking it has walls. </div>
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Before bed Buttons alerted low again. We checked and Bella was 138 which is in range but she had over a unit of insulin onboard her pump which can drop her 100 points. Good low Buttons, and Good Night! Another tough day at his new job!<br />
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<br />Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-25407907942355084462013-05-18T18:43:00.001-07:002013-05-18T18:43:03.345-07:00Buttons day #2<div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GIThVfWT5TE/UZguJTur_JI/AAAAAAAAASk/s7wdAOj7yNg/s640/blogger-image--1868784345.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-GIThVfWT5TE/UZguJTur_JI/AAAAAAAAASk/s7wdAOj7yNg/s640/blogger-image--1868784345.jpg"></a></div>Another tough day of training for us. Started off with Button's well puppy visit with the vet. He got a couple of vaccines but everything checked out with him. <div>Then it wAs off to petsmart for some more buttons supplies. Then we walked through the dollar tree. First terribly rude people experience. A lady got upset because we were working and didn't stop to indulge her. For lunch we met Bella's 'betes' sister and her diabetic alert dog, Hope. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WFD4CP90A5o/UZguHMxx4wI/AAAAAAAAASU/FFMFcMdJ3_k/s640/blogger-image--139729246.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-WFD4CP90A5o/UZguHMxx4wI/AAAAAAAAASU/FFMFcMdJ3_k/s640/blogger-image--139729246.jpg"></a></div><br></div>When lunch was over we took the army of DADs to the mall. Everyone did really well. Back home we reviewed our obedience work and added some new commands as well. </div><div><br></div><div>So far wonderdog buttons has been great at alerting to highs, we haven't had any lows yet but I'm sure he can catch those as well. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Df5F2iw3RP0/UZguIdN0AhI/AAAAAAAAASc/ro1gVQ2MC0w/s640/blogger-image--1927398214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-Df5F2iw3RP0/UZguIdN0AhI/AAAAAAAAASc/ro1gVQ2MC0w/s640/blogger-image--1927398214.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-51816012673415015942013-05-17T17:48:00.002-07:002013-05-18T05:05:44.699-07:00It's Buttons Day!What a great day today was! Buttons came at 9:00 am today. He immediately went to Bella as if he knew why he was here. Within 10 minutes of getting out of the car he began pawing Bella. We thought it was a cute way of him saying "hi". Until the trainer let us know that pawing is an alert and sure enough Bella's BG was close to 300. Nearly 100 points out of range. Mind Blown!<br />
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From there we got to know Buttons and did some basic obedience with him. Then we went to do some work in the public. We went and walked through Target and TJ Maxx. Buttons did great, Mom and Dad did okay. Buttons has a "shop" command, more on that later. After that back home for a rest and obedience work with Mason, Bella and Buttons. Buttons learned how not to eat Bella's crackers if they drop on the floor.We're all worn slam out as they say, but a great day overall. Buttons has a well puppy check tomorrow with the vet and then more training. Bella has been having high BGs all day and Buttons has caught most of them with a paw or a nudge. He's an amazing dog already. This will be lots of work but it will be worth it. Thanks again to everyone who's helped us get this far.<br />
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We are putting the finishing touches on our preparations. Collars, tags and carseat covers. We have set up meetings with Farmville Fire and Police to talk with them about Buttons and what they'll need to know. Picking up stray toys that puppies may want to eat.
We'll be training pretty hard until Monday. It should be a very challenging and rewarding weekend after almost a year of waiting.
Hopefully we'll be posting pics and stories in the evenings.
Thanks again to everyone who has helped us get this far. We cannot express how much your support and donations have meant to us.
Tomorrow is the big day!Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-63161812018756727662013-04-28T08:24:00.003-07:002013-04-28T08:27:10.901-07:00The "Dog" Festival Day 2:Getting all set for day 2 of the "Dog" Festibal as Bella calls it.<br />
Had a great day yesterday with Mimi, Miss Kathie, Mason, Aidan, Aunt Nanny and Uncle that Guy.<br />
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Seems like there weren't as many people there this year but as always we made new friends and reached even more people with Bella's story. Thanks to everyone who donated so far... <br />
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<br />Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-63233919751835593112013-04-27T04:28:00.003-07:002013-04-27T04:28:39.704-07:00Today is the Day...It's <a href="http://www.farmvilledogwoodfest.com/" target="_blank">Dogwood Festival Day</a> in Farmville! We're getting ready to set-up and get to work raising awareness for Type-1 Diabetes and Diabetic Alert Dogs and funds (hopefully) for Buttons.<br />
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We will be out all day today and tomorrow as well! Stop by if you're in the area.<br />
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I will try to update our experiences and adventures as the day goes on.<br />
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If you're in the area we have T-shirts, wristbands, hairbows and barrettes. As well as 2 raffles, One for a photo session package from <a href="http://www.ericaletchworth.com/" target="_blank">E.L. Photography</a> of Farmville and One for a giftbasket including a birdhouse from Jeff Garvey at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/recforthebirds?fref=ts" target="_blank">Recycling is for the Birds</a>.<br />
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<br />Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-43357969682081552352013-04-22T06:39:00.002-07:002013-04-22T06:39:25.004-07:00Countdown to the Dogwood FestivalWe will have a booth at the <a href="http://www.farmvilledogwoodfest.com/" target="_blank">26th Annual Dogwood Festival</a> in Farmville NC this weekend. We'll be in the non-profit vendor section. We're hoping to raise more awareness among our Farmville neighbors and visitors. We'll have t-shirts, bracelets, hair bows and brooches for sale as well as a couple of raffles one of them is a photo session with <a href="http://www.ericaletchworth.com/" target="_blank">E.L. Photography</a> in Farmville. We'll try to update the blog and facebook pages throughout the weekend.<br />
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Hope to see everyone there.<br />
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Speaking of E.L. Photography...<br />
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<br />Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-66521512183098005342013-04-18T10:21:00.001-07:002013-04-18T10:27:05.408-07:00Origami Owl fundraiser for BellaBella's wonderful Aunt "Nanny" (A.K.A. Uncle That Guy's wife) has organized an Origami Owl fundraiser for Buttons! <br />
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The fundraiser is active now through April 30th. You can take a look at <a href="http://www.lesliedolde.origamiowl.com/">http://www.lesliedolde.origamiowl.com</a> and maybe treat yourself or find something unique for Mother's Day.<br />
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Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-54877610865420662062013-04-09T11:27:00.001-07:002013-04-09T11:27:21.348-07:00Facebook t-shirt giveawayBella's Facebook page is now at 294 likes. We will send a blog for a dog t-shirt to like #300 & #350 <br />
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www.facebook.com/bellasdog Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-7874535384559310122013-04-08T12:59:00.001-07:002013-04-08T12:59:44.823-07:00Buttons is coming...Bella has recently been matched with her service dog. "Buttons" will be here to begin his training in 39 days. We still have about 1/3 of the cost to raise but things are moving along and the reality is setting in. We have a lot coming up in the next several months and we'll try to post more often with all of the exciting happenings.<br />
<br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KKFe2C0fQFE/UWMhryHIZFI/AAAAAAAAAMo/G9XIAkrw-G4/s640/blogger-image-260021699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KKFe2C0fQFE/UWMhryHIZFI/AAAAAAAAAMo/G9XIAkrw-G4/s640/blogger-image-260021699.jpg" /></a></div>Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-57113520170677907062012-12-20T05:17:00.001-08:002012-12-20T05:17:29.725-08:00Enter Mr. Pumpy Pump.<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sAvWBjS08Og/UNMHKmlBM2I/AAAAAAAAALY/SEL3Et8tOu4/s1600/28780_459016654134238_1420734921_n-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sAvWBjS08Og/UNMHKmlBM2I/AAAAAAAAALY/SEL3Et8tOu4/s400/28780_459016654134238_1420734921_n-1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful photo by <a href="http://www.ericaletchworth.com/" target="_blank">EL Photography</a></td></tr>
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There has been so much going on that we haven't had time to write in weeks. We've been getting ready for the holidays, doing glamorous photo shoots and of course continue the street fight on Bella's diabetes.<br />
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The big news is that Bella was approved by her endo for an insulin pump. After a week or so of working with several companies and our insurance and the all to temporary medicaid we managed to have her pump delivered on 12/3 and "installed" on 12/5. Bella got to pick a blue pump that has been named "pumpy pump" which is a fine name. She'll be happy to show him to you.<br />
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In case you are not steeped in Diabetes terminology the pump is a small device that is attached to Bella through a tube and constantly delivers small (basal) amounts of insulin 24/7 just like the pancreas would. This eliminates the need for the A.M. Lantus (long acting insulin shot). One shot down. After meals the pump allows us to Bolus or add extra insulin to cover her carbs and compensate for any highs. This eliminates the after meal shots! Now instead of having 5-7 shots per day, we change the location where the pump attaches every 3 days. Bella is super excited about this because no kid wants that many shots. We are also super excited about it because we don't have to give shots either.<br />
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So far the pumping has been successful except for two days ago when the site where the insulin enters the body was not inserted properly and no insulin was delivered for a few hours. We had a couple hours of extreme highs 600+, that we didn't know what was going on. We figured it out and within an hour she was back to normal range. No other problems. I think the dosage is about where it needs to be.<br />
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We've done a photo shoot with Erica at <a href="http://www.ericaletchworth.com/" target="_blank">EL photography</a> in Farmville also. Erica is the official photographer of all things Dolde and went above and beyond with this one. She really captured all kinds of stuff in this. Not your typical 3 y/o portrait.<br />
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Lastly we've been fundraising for Bella's dog and making progress. Thanks to everyone at the Craven County Christmas Craft show and everyone from Lenoir Community College who have donated. I can't express my gratitude enough. We are now over 55% of our goal.<br />
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<img alt="Bella's+Dog" height="191" src="http://www.jlion.com:80//tools/Thermometer.aspx?MIN=0&MAX=25000&VT=4&T=Bella's Dog&IV=13800&M=0&SC=0&CS=3&CI=en-US&TH=0" style="border: 1px solid black;" title="Bella's+Dog" width="130" />Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-75454485180260140782012-11-19T15:36:00.003-08:002012-11-19T15:36:35.896-08:00Bella's VideoWhen we were in New Bern at Mumfest, we met a really nice man named Chris Howe. He has T2 diabetes and wanted to make a video on Bella. I think it turned out great and I still cry every time I watch it. Thanks, Chris!!!!<br />
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<br />Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-54142251306781576202012-10-26T09:26:00.002-07:002012-10-26T09:26:49.164-07:00a different kind of night.we had another bad night last night. bella didn't go low overnight, but went REALLY high. we checked her before bed and her BG was 176. in our minds, we are comfortable with her being a little high before bed. we gave her a snack, just as normal. i was really tired from yesterday's scary low BG incident and fell asleep early. nathan checked bella at 11pm and she was 526!!!! (for those of you who don't know, normal BG is between 90-120. also, BG over 500 was what put bella in the hospital before) he thought maybe it was a misread, so he checked again...437. he gave her a dose of insulin to being her down. i got up at 2am to bella screaming. i ran upstairs and checked her BG. again it was over 500. i gave her another dose of insulin to hopefully lower her BG. at 4am she was down to 293, which is still high, but not scary like over 500! i have to call the endo again today to figure out what we need to do for her. all this trial and error is making me crazy!<br />
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on another note, i finally was able to open up and vent about my feelings since bella was diagnosed in june. i had A LOT of pent up emotions and had a good, long cry.<br />
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we were trying for a dolde jr. #3 before bella was diagnosed. i had a miscarriage in March that was very difficult for nathan and i to deal with, but we kept moving forward trying. her T1 diagnosis had to put a quick stop to having another baby. both my pregnancies weren't easy pregnancies and i was terrified if i was preggers while standing in for bella's pancreas at the same time, something bad might happen with the pregnancy from stress. i was never able to mourn for the baby we lost, the baby that we could have had, bella's diagnosis and most of all, the loss of bella's innocent childhood. she goes through more finger sticks, needles and feeling crummy than most people will in their entire lifetime.<br />
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hopefully, the endo can make some suggestions today that will make the weekend easier on bella.<br />
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*fingers crossed*<br />
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~K~Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-90575387045425758752012-10-25T14:34:00.001-07:002012-10-26T09:07:04.698-07:00I'm numb.Things had been bearable (if you can even call it that) up until yesterday. I talked to the nurse at the Endo yesterday to find out why Bella's BG was all over the map. She made some suggestions to try for a couple of days. I was super stoked to try her ideas to make night time easier on Bella and me.<br />
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The first suggestion was to give a fatty snack before bed because the fat slows the absorption of the carbs and would help keep her BG level overnight. WRONG (at least last night). I checked Bella at bedtime and her BG was good. I gave her ice cream before bed and then checked her BG again before I went to bed. Still good. I got up at 2AM to check and she was REALLY low at 63. I had a hard time waking her and she was super cold. I panicked and gave her whatever I could get her to eat. She ended up having a couple of glucose tabs, a pack of smarties and half a pack of fruit snacks. Within 20 minutes she was back up to a low normal number BG, so I felt confident that I could let her go back to sleep and catch some sleep myself.<br />
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She ended up sleeping until 10AM because she was so tired from all the 2AM activity. We had a good morning and her brother had early release from school today. We went to pick up "Bubby" and run some errands. I was sure when we got home her BG would be low. It was actually high. I fed her lunch, gave her insulin and put her down for a nap. She woke up screaming 2 hours later. Nathan went upstairs to get her and she was inconsolable. He checked her BG and it was 84. Her eyes were glazed over and she wouldn't open her mouth so we could get any sugar into her. She was like a limp doll in my arms. She fought us until Nathan pinned her down and I rubbed honey on her gums. In a few minutes she came around and would eat a snack. I rechecked her BG and it's back to normal. I have never been that scared in my life.<br />
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Days like this make me so sad. I HATE diabetes. No one, however old or young, should have to deal with this awful lifestyle. It is so taxing on the entire family. The whole family has to live with diabetes, even if they don't actually have it. The stress is literally making me sick. I struggle with depression myself and I am on several medications to help with it. I am so stressed and anxious that I just want to climb in the bed until tomorrow. As some of you know, I have been on Weight Watchers and trying to improve myself inside and out. Days like today make it really hard for me to keep motivated. I feel sad and helpless that my sweet little 2 year old has to live like this, with the ups and downs, and with feeling crummy more often than not.<br />
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Diabetes, YOU SUCK.Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-46021215342963242182012-10-21T17:17:00.000-07:002012-10-21T17:19:05.365-07:00A long overdue confession.As you know, Bella was diagnosed on 6/19/12. It was a day we will NEVER forget as long as we live. The first month almost killed me. I thought every single day that I couldn't do..it was too much. As the days, weeks and months have progressed, things have gotten easier. NOT easy, but easier. Nathan and I don't even have to verbally communicate about what Bella needs, it's just become second nature.<br />
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When Bella was born in February 2010, I quit my job as a Licensed Vet Tech. I LOVED what I did and I still miss working with animals every single day. It was one of those universe preparing you for something larger moments, I suppose, because if I was still working when Bella was diagnosed with T1 in June, I would have had to quit. She needs 24 hour care. She sleeps in my bed every night so I can check her BG every 3 hours. It is an all consuming life to live. I had plans the beginning of June to volunteer at the Humane Society, but that didn't happen either. In the shuffle of day to day life filling in as Bella's pancreas, I realized that I have lost my identity. I don't feel like I am anything except Mason & Bella's mom, a pancreas and a wife.<br />
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Recently, I decided I needed to find myself again. When I look in the mirror I hate what I see. I stress eat and since this summer has been SO incredibly stressful, I put on weight. Instead of wallowing in self pity, I decided to do something about it. I joined a group of other T1 moms and we are supporting each other in weight loss. I started Weight Watchers October 1& I have done very well so far. Not even one temptation and I have stayed strong and motivated! I am very proud of myself :) I had wanted to be able to exercise as well, but I had terrible knee pain in my right knee, which made even getting up off the couch to walk through the house excruciating. I had a doctor appointment last week and got a steroid injection in my knee. Guess what? It's as good as new....maybe even better!!!! Now I am able to exercise! I have been walking our dog at least once a day, sometimes twice. We go for 30-45 minute walks. I started working out with weights today. I know the weight didn't appear quickly, so it's not going to just disappear quickly, but I am feeling better about myself, more confident and I feel like I *might* just be finding myself again! It's very stress relieving to be able to take care of myself for once. Remember moms, you can't be a great mom if you don't take care of yourself first!<br />
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And one final comment, Bella is going to sleep in her bed for the first time in 4 months tonight! Wish us luck!!!!<br />
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~K~Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-18970285579503702642012-10-17T10:14:00.000-07:002012-10-17T10:14:58.495-07:00New Bern Fundraising Weekend Pt. II<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bella getting ready to spread the word.</td></tr>
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Thanks to the guys at Mr.Tire (Colony Tire) in Greenville we were able to get to New Bern for the rest of the weekend after the bump in the road on Friday. They put in plugs, wires and rotor and the car was ready to go by closing time on Friday. It only took a couple of cupcakes and bracelets to make it happen.<br />
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We were outside in front of the convention center on Saturday and Sunday, we had access to a lot of the foot traffic going to MumFest, although we weren't technically part of it. Even though we were very disappointed that the Chocolate Explosion was postponed we still had a very productive weekend. We now have our display table setup and approach down to a science. We look forward to doing more festival type events now.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bella and Skyler made an instant T1-D bond.</td></tr>
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All in all we learned a lot and we met a lot of great people. We also have greater confidence in sharing our story and educating on T1-D as well as Diabetic Alert Dogs. It gets more amazing how many people's lives are effected by diabetes.<br />
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Bella met some great older kids that were T1-D and we got to see them bond almost instantly. On Sunday an 11-12 year old T1-D kid bought a bracelet and introduced himself to Bella as diabetic. Bella shook his hand got a huge smile and said "Me Bell-ha have 'betes too!" Which would've been the cutest thing ever if diabetes wasn't so dumb.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aidan, Bella & Billy</td></tr>
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We also met some great dog people as well. We met <a href="http://www.facebook.com/lucastheservicedog?fref=ts" target="_blank">Lucas the Pit Bull Service Dog</a> who has his own Facebook page. He was a big sweetie and when he's not helping his handler with her heart condition he's trying hard to change the perception of his breed. We spoke briefly with '<a href="http://www.facebook.com/ADogsDreamNC?fref=pb" target="_blank">A Dogs Dream</a>' about a future fundraiser together.<br />
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We also met the wonderful folks from <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/WELLER-KENNELS/126807254005064?fref=ts" target="_blank">Weller Kennels</a>, out of New Bern who were our neighbors for the weekend. Really can't say enough about how kind and generous they are. They do awesome work with retrievers as well. We met Billy and the whole family fell in love with him.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bella & Lucas.</td></tr>
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The Doldes were almost out in full force as Uncle Adam, Aunt Nanny (Leslie) and cousin Aidan came down from Durham for the day to help out. It's really great to be within 90 miles of Doldes once again.<br />
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Last but not least our other booth neighbors were the Phi Theta Kappa from Craven CC. They were selling Marshmallow guns which kept us busy for two days. One of their members will be doing a documentary on Bella for a class project. Which we will post on here once complete. <br />
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All in all it was a very exciting weekend! Thanks to the efforts of all the volunteers and visitors. We had a great time. And a special thanks to the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Family-History-Society-of-Eastern-North-Carolina/135918599779475?fref=pb" target="_blank">Family History Society of Eastern North Carolina</a> for your sponsorship and your generous donation. We raised around $800.00 this weekend which puts us right at our 1-year goal for fundraising in a little under four months. Thanks to everyone for your continued support. We continue to be humbled by all of your concern and kindness. Stay tuned for announcements concerning the rescheduling of the chocolate explosion as well!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the sea of Blog for a Dog T-shirts! Big special thanks to Kathie, Mary and Cousin David for all of your help and support.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We still have bracelets and T-shirts for sale if anyone wants one let us know!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you, New Bern we'll see you next time!</td></tr>
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<br />Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-85813440917050512752012-10-12T12:53:00.003-07:002012-10-12T12:53:44.970-07:00Fundraising weekend in New Bern NCToday marks the beginning of the first time we're taking the Dolde show on the road and into the public.<br />
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And it started off the way the Dolde show often does...<br />
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We've managed to get most of the Dolde show to New Bern in spite of this, however.<br />
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The MumFest doesn't officially start until tomorrow but early reports from our stressed out Mommy in the field indicate early donations, t-shirt sales and lots of T1-D info into the ears of lots of nice people. So if it's any sign of things to come we'll have a pretty good weekend.<br />
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Bella's holding up well despite lack of nap, a couple of lows that were quickly attended to. And it sounds like Mason didn't take enough stuff to do. All will be corrected hopefully tomorrow.<br />
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We've bribed the guys at Colony Tire with promises of bracelets and cupcakes and they'll do their best to get us all on the road for tomorrow.<br />
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We'll post pics of our table and what we're doing as soon as we can. Stop by and see us if you're near the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center.<br />
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As always thanks for your support...<br />
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-.n</div>
Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-45666741379450487632012-10-12T05:50:00.001-07:002012-10-12T05:50:32.102-07:00Chocolate Explosion! Postponed. The Chocolate Explosion! has been postponed.<br />
We will be in New Bern today with an informational table, t-shirts and bracelets.<br />
Hopefully we will be there tomorrow and sunday as well. We're having some car trouble so this is up in the air. Hope to see you there between mumfest and the art yacht right by the dogshow!<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">PRESS RELEASE</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE AND DISTRIBUTION</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;">The Craven Chocolate Explosion! will explode at a later date.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;" /><br />
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New Bern, North Carolina (10 October 2012) The Craven Chocolate Explosion! will explode at a later date. The event is being postponed due to circumstances beyond the organizers' control.<br /><br />We desire and are committed to presenting the best show possible for both the public and the exhibitors to enjoy and we apologize that it cannot be done at this time as planned.<br /><br />We invite you to come by the New Bern Riverfront Convention Center this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm to meet Bella Dolde, age 2, and her family. She was recently diagnosed with Type-1 Juvenile Diabetes. We are raffling a chocolate lovers gift basket to<br />assist them in acquiring a diabetic alert dog. Type-1 Diabetics may have chocolate and sweets in moderation.<br /><br />Also, visit our website, <a href="http://www.cravenchocolateexplosion.org/" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.CravenChocolateExplosion.org</a>, to learn more about Bella, sign-up for our email newsletter, and like us on facebook to enter for a "Craven Chocolate" cookbook and other prize drawings.<br /><br />We thank everyone who has assisted us thus far and we look forward to seeing you this weekend to meet Bella and at the future Craven Chocolate Explosion!<br /><br />Media Contact : Contact: David French, Craven Chocolate Explosion!<br />252.349.0405 • info@CravenChocolateExplosion.org •<a href="http://www.cravenchocolateexplosion.org/" rel="nofollow nofollow" style="color: #3b5998; cursor: pointer; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">www.CravenChocolateExplosion.org</a></div>
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Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-56021782710183943242012-10-10T18:10:00.000-07:002012-10-10T18:13:15.032-07:00T-Shirts for Bella!We just got two big boxes of T-shirts from Dan at <a href="http://www.cwpress.com/" target="_blank">CommonWealth Press</a>.<br />
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Shirts are light blue with chocolate ink, printed on the back.<br />
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Here's the breakdown on shirts:<br />
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Child's S,M,L,XL - $12<br />
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Adult L,XL- $12 XXL- $15<br />
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If you need your shirt mailed it's $2 per shirt eastern and central time zone and $4 mountain and pacific.<br />
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If you want one let <a href="mailto:300pugarmy@gmail.com" target="_blank">Kat</a> know at <a href="mailto:300pugarmy@gmail.com">300pugarmy@gmail.com</a> and she'll set up payment arrangements.<br />
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<br />Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-43060078661469310932012-09-07T09:40:00.004-07:002012-09-07T09:43:15.552-07:00Finding help in the most unexpected places.Ever since we decided to try to get Bella a Diabetes Alert Dog we have enjoyed great support from family, friends and strangers. I have mentioned that in several of these posts and am still in awe of the kindness and compassion of the people around us. This experience has renewed and invigorated old relationships with childhood, high school and college friends. We are not that far into it and the time and effort we've put in has been worth it just for those rewards. It's also been a very sublime experience. Balancing the dreaded thoughts of "what could we have done differently" and "how could we let our 2 year old get diabetes" are thoughts of "wow, what did I ever do to make this person I haven't talked to in twenty years want to help us."<br />
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What's been spinning in my brain lately is the unlikely partnerships we've struck up and how unexpected they have been.<br />
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The opportunity we have with the <a href="http://www.cravenchocolateexplosion.org/" target="_blank">Craven Chocolate Explosion!</a> is one of those unlikely alliances. It came about through timing and the wonderful mother / mother in law of some wonderful friends. What's more unlikely than a Chocolate Festival sponsoring a Type-1 Diabetic kid? It really is perfect. We have received so much support from this group and they are going above and beyond to spread the word and Bella's story. The Chocolate Explosion is being organized by the <a href="http://www.encfamilies.org/Welcome.html" target="_blank">Family History Society of Eastern North Carolina</a>. They have been so wonderful to work with and we can't thank them enough for choosing to help our family.<br />
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Perhaps the biggest surprise has come from the tattoo industry. Kat and I both have our fair share of tattoos, but we are not what you might call active in the tattoo community. About 18 years ago I completed about half of an apprenticeship before realizing that wasn't what I needed to be doing at the time for a lot of reasons. In early August I had an old friend, who I had lost contact with when he left to do his apprenticeship, ask if he could do some benefit tattoos for Bella's dog. We thought it was a great idea, but weren't really sure what to expect. As word got out it quickly grew beyond any expectation that we had. All of a sudden we were receiving encouragement from people within the tattoo community. There was custom made tattoo machine made and auctioned for Bella. And then another. Another studio is planning a raffle for her, and we've been told that a group of artists in Oregon is working on something. It turns out that within the big burly scary tattoo industry there is a very tight sense of compassion and family, whether you know them or not. We are forever grateful to Phoenix Tattoo Studio, Matt Mebane, Rob Rutherford, Aaron Moodie for all that you've done, and to everyone who is planning or have just reached out to us. We appreciate everything greatly. Thank you to everyone who was tattooed for the benefit or bid on a machine we appreciate that too.<br />
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The Tattoo Industry has raised close to $1800 toward Bella's dog in about a month.<br />
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You never know exactly where you can find help, support and inspiration.<br />
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-n.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Request of Matt Mebane- Bella with the proceeds from her fund raiser.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glitter Puppy by Rob Rutherford Machine Works</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> Aaron Moodie Machines</td></tr>
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<br />Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869880054978302568.post-379094751568467282012-08-29T15:43:00.003-07:002012-09-07T04:34:00.834-07:00Big News!<br />
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Big News! <br />
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We've been sitting on this one for a while...<br />
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We are pleased to announce that we have partnered with the <a href="http://www.cravenchocolateexplosion.org/">Craven Chocolate Explosion!</a> and The Family History Society of Eastern North Carolina. They will be donating $2 from each ticket to Bella's Dog!<br />
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Spread the word! We need patrons, vendors and volunteers!<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B1YBr-cKm6U1V1p1TlpuNE95M0k" target="_blank">Download the Press Release</a></span><br />
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Bella's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00241361877612410605noreply@blogger.com0