whales & turtles

I read this little link this morning, the loneliest whale in the world, and it made me really sad and then it made me really think. I have a habit of sometimes caring more about animals than I do about most humans... which is why it usually becomes troublesome for me to have pets [more on that later, I learned something new about turtles this weekend!]

But after I read this I couldn't help but think of some of the kids that I've had the pleasure of working with over the years. The kids that have trouble communicating, the kids who have trouble making friends. The kids who can't speak, or express themselves like the rest of us can. And this little whale story resonated with me so much ....  'her voice is unique'. If we could only think that way about the children that have been labelled, 'special needs', or 'different'. We've attached this negative connotation to them, to their lives, to their being.

But aren't they just unique? And isn't it possible that the behaviour, the actions that we see manifested in the classroom, and in their lives, maybe they are each child's unique attempts to be heard. Their desperate calls for friendship, for love, for acceptance, they go unanswered. Wouldn't that be confusing? Wouldn't that be so confusing every day? oh man .....

{there is a bit more here if you'd like to read, followed by some gorgeous images}

But yeah, turtles!

Last week I killed one of my plants. I hate it when I kill plants. I always feel bad. But it happened. So I went to Kent to buy a new plant. While there, I was looking at their pond in the greenhouse which is home to 3 turtles! And they were great, and I thought, turtles! Why don't I buy a turtle? I want a pet... a dog is out, cats are gross [sorry] but a turtle... I could love a turtle. Off to Pets Unlimited I go [aka the worst place on earth, man it's depressing in there] and find a lovely little 15 year old to answer my turtle questions. It turns out, it's illegal to sell turtles in Nova Scotia. Did you know this?? You can own them, but not sell them. wtf? Apparently turtles carry salmonella... and as explained to me by the 15 year old, their terrariums are cesspools of poop. Salmonella carrying poop. GROSS! No thanks turtles. Is this common knowledge?
If you want a frog though, they've got all different kinds at Pets Unlimited. Just ask for Jamie.