{"id":1413,"date":"2010-12-02T20:48:54","date_gmt":"2010-12-03T04:48:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/?p=1413"},"modified":"2017-08-07T15:23:21","modified_gmt":"2017-08-07T22:23:21","slug":"cheated-fake-charity-avoid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lenpenzo.com\/blog\/id1413-cheated-fake-charity-avoid.html","title":{"rendered":"How My Great Dane and I Got Cheated By a Fake Charity"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"DustyHoneybee\"

The Honeybee and Dusty share a tender moment.<\/p><\/div>\n

Well, I’ve been moonlighting again for American Express’s cleverly titled Currency blog. I know. But this Christmas the Honeybee decided to ask for the first seven seasons of Grey’s Anatomy<\/em><\/a>. No, not on Blue-ray DVD — she wants the whole cast to perform it live in our living room, and that ain’t cheap, folks.<\/p>\n

Anyway, earlier this week I shared a learning experience from my younger days that just goes to show that, sometimes, I really can be as dumb as I look. Here’s a preview…<\/p>\n

Back in my bachelor days, Saturday afternoons were intended primarily for recovering from Friday night club-hopping and allowing me to recharge my batteries so I could go out and do it all over again later that evening.<\/p>\n

I’ll never forget one of those lazy Saturday afternoons in particular, not too long after I bought my first house. My Great Dane, Dusty, was by my side and we were both napping on the living room couch when a couple of hard raps on the front door jarred me from a gentle slumber, and set Dusty off as Great Danes are wont to do when a stranger comes a-knockin’ .<\/p>\n

Before I go any further, let me just say that Dusty was not only a faithful companion and one of the best dogs I ever had, he was also quite possibly one of the largest Danes in America at the time. Dusty was huge even for a Dane, weighing in at 175 pounds. In fact, despite his massive weight, Dusty was actually a bit on the thin side only because his frame was so large. Dusty was so massive that every time I took him out for a walk cars would routinely pull over and people would ask to take a picture with him.<\/p>\n

Back to my story… Anyway, upon opening the door I was greeted with a big friendly smile by a man wearing a t-shirt that had the name of my local fire department on it. He was also carrying a large fireman’s boot in his hand.<\/p>\n

“I’m with the fire department and we’re collecting money to buy gifts for needy children during the holidays. Would you care to make a donation?”<\/p>\n

As he said that he raised the boot in his hand and it jingled — presumably with change from the donations of my neighbors. Although I was still only half-awake, I couldn’t help but notice the boot had a couple of ten-dollar bills conspicuously hanging out of the top.<\/p>\n

Now back then I rarely donated anything to charity but, for some strange reason, on this particular afternoon I felt as if it would be bad karma to let the fireman leave without giving him something. I mean, how could I turn my back on needy children during the holidays?<\/p>\n

So I gave the friendly and appreciative fireman ten bucks and sent him on his way. With the fireman gone, I was only too happy to resume my Saturday afternoon nap; unfortunately, my mind wouldn’t let me…<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\"LenDusty\"

Dusty with yours truly, back when I was too poor to afford a decent pair of jeans. (And, yes, I used to have hair.)<\/p><\/div>\n

Okay, if I show you any more, American Express will have to cancel my credit card. So for the rest of the story, as well as tips on how to do as I say and not as I do, please drop on by the Currency website and leave a comment there — I get $23,000 from American Express every time somebody writes in to say something about my article. Actually, not really, but I can dream. There I go again, off on a tangent.<\/p>\n

Oh, and if you happen to know how I can get in contact with the agents for the cast of Grey’s Anatomy, please, drop me a line.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Well, I’ve been moonlighting again for American Express’s cleverly titled Currency blog. I know. But this Christmas the Honeybee decided to ask for the first seven seasons of Grey’s Anatomy. No, not on Blue-ray DVD — she wants the whole cast to perform it live in our living room, and that ain’t cheap, folks. 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