PetStupid.

I'm really curious about this one. Please read the following and take the poll to the right.

Noah and I went to PetSmart yesterday to get cat food for my fur kiddos (Daisy & Bean). Shopping with Noah is not easy. It never, ever is. But some days are better than others. Some days he is calmer and listens better. Other days I chase him through the store. On this particular day he was somewhere in the middle. He was very excited to see the cats there that are from the local shelter and all the fish. He helps me pick out catfood and tries to be a very helpful shopper. After walking the store twice I told him it was time to go (this is always the toughest part) and he followed me to the line. We were third in line and there was only one register open. yikes. These are the times I cross my fingers and hope he stays with me so I don't have to abandon the cart and chase him. He was pretty good. He did wander a little bit, but not far (I could see him the entire time). He would walk away and then walk back to me, he was making noises and talking (his words were not easily understood) and twice he tried to pick up the cashier's phone (which was much too close to the line-- he could reach it from where I was standing). By the time we checked out he had been running around and talking for about five minutes. Immediately she said "isn't he an energetic one?" (whatever). I replied "yes, he is." She then said, "You must have your hand's full-- he never stops (and it was an annoyed tone, not an "I think he's cute" tone). So (partially to put her in her place) I said, "he has some special needs." and she replied with, "Yes, I can tell." What?! Are you kidding me? Again, I was shocked. Why I am not used to ignorant people saying ignorant things is beyond me. Honestly, I get it at LEAST once per week (a comment, a look, a stare, a question... something) and I just don't understand how people are so fricken sheltered. So this time, instead of just sharing the story, I wanted feedback. I know it's tough because no one has walked in my shoes, in his shoes. But imagine having this boy. This amazing, caring, inquisitive, wonderful miracle of a boy. You know you can't keep him in a bubble, so you take him out into the world knowing there is this risk of ignorance. And you feel lucky and blessed that he is so innocent that he thinks everyone in this world is good. That when he walks up to complete strangers and says "hi, my name is noah." and they ignore him or look at him oddly (because his words are not always clear) that you have to hold back your words, your hands, your everything. Because you know that they have no idea. Not a clue. They couldn't know that it is a miracle that this boy is even here. That the fact that he is walking and talking at all is such a gift. They could never know that he fought 84 days of his life when he was born to come home at only 4 lbs on oxygen and heart monitors. They don't know any of those things. And it's too bad because to know him is to know someone that can profoundly impact how you view the world and the people in it. He is not simply 'special needs.' He is special everything.

So, to that 60 year old woman at PetSmart-- I am sorry. Sorry you live such a sheltered, shallow life. It's truly your loss.