Other blogs in this series:     Dogs and Cats #1      Dogs and Cats #2

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Okay, so that last one isn't a dog!

Here's to the kids who are different;

The kids who don't always get A's.

The kids who have ears twice the size of their peers,

And noses that go on for days....

Here's to the kids who are different,

The kids they call crazy or dumb,

The kids who don't fit in, with the guts and the grit,

Who dance to the beat of a different drum....

Here's to the kids who are different,

The kids with the mischievous streak,

For when they have grown, as history's shown,

Its their difference that makes them unique.

                                                                                                                         author Digby Wolfe

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This week, October 7-13, is Mental Illness Awareness week.

One of our daughters has schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder and, to be honest, life is tougher than people realize. The hardest thing for my husband and I is that we can never, ever totally relax. But as hard as it is for our family, it's even harder for our daughter because she struggles with depression, psychosis, minimal self-esteem and self-worth, social difficulties, prejudice, and extreme sadness every day. Things other pre-teens take for granted are beyond her reach.

Our daughter takes four different types of mind-altering drugs each day just to be able to function. And the thing that's so heart-breaking is that she's done absolutely nothing to deserve these challenges; she inherited the mental illnesses from her birthmother. She had a suicide plan at age four so wasn't ever able to be a typical, happy child.

What does she need most from people? Love, acceptance, and understanding. So please read the facts about mental illnesses below and share with as many people as you can; the more who understand, the better it is for our daughter and everyone else who suffers as she does. Thank you.

 From their over-the-top pelt design to their punk manes, zebras don't look like the type of animal you want to mess with. Both Africans and Colonists tried taming these animals; but, other than the occasional success, it was all in vain! Throughout the years, articles have been written bemoaning that the zebra's unpredictable nature and tendency to attack people precludes them from being of any domestic use.

 And I find myself cheering for these unpredictable beasts. How wonderful that they've made themselves unattractive for exploitation! For that's what we (mankind) tend to do, don't you think? With us there seems to be little give-and-take and way too much take-take-take. I'm not talking about the factions that support nature and her bounties but, rather, the majority who want to know what nature can give them.

It reminds me of a quote from John F. Kennedy's Inaugural Address (January 20, 1961): 'ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country.' I think it's appropriate today to reiterate that sentiment with one change: ask not what nature can do for you - ask what you can do for nature.

It's time f0r us to start giving back. And in the meantime, Go Zebras!

 ...and why I believe many humans could learn a thing or two about parenting from these creatures.

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TO BE

DIFFERENT

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Don't forget to download the FREE Animal Tales chapter book for 7-11 year olds 

from my website at http://dr-rhia.com/blog

Dear Diary:

Walking around some of the poorer areas today reminded me of how lucky I've been in life. My family was poor but I've worked hard and have been given opportunities to create a better life. I think it behooves us sometimes to revisit where we came from and to remember all the helping hands we've had along the way. It keeps us humble.

And, irrespective of where we stand politically, I hope we can agree with the sentiment in this quote from Michelle Obama...