It's not often...

that I cry.  Although, I cried last night and I cried multiple times today.

As one who is understanding of much and many, it is a difficult lesson to learn when those you thought were friends who care about you and understand you, don't, and most likely never will.

Nadia, my little 8 pounder, understood my tears more than I would have ever expected.  She looked at me with concern in her eyes and attempted to cheer me up by sporadically wagging her tail.  Her attempts were not lost on me, although I didn't cheer up then.

I am...

genetically mutated.  Or, perhaps better said, is I have a genetically mutated gene.  More specifically a MC1R mutation on the 16th gene.  This making me a...

well I'll let you guess.  A person with a MC1R mutation on the 16th gene are stereotypically known to be: fiery-tempered, opinionated, evil, crazy, ill tempered, sassy, ugly, strong willed, aggressive, smart, fun loving, free spirited and the list goes on.

• As a child I was teased but never because of this, perhaps because the mutation isn't as strong on me as it is for my sister Leah.
• Because society encourages it, I blame my temper on this mutation.
• Having this genetic mutation makes it difficult for anesthetics to work
• This genetic mutation is also related to those with fair skin giving them an increased risk of skin cancer.
• This mutation happens naturally in less than 4% of the world population, and less than 2% of the US population

Some may question if having this mutation really affects anesthetics?  From my personal experiences I can say, "Yes, it does."  For example, during one dentist visit I informed the dentist that it seems to take more Novocain shots than most to get me numb.  To which he responded, "Oh this is a easy place to give a shot, it'll only take one or two."  Thirteen shots of alternating Novocain and Lidocaine later, he conceded and said, "I should have listened to you."  

Having now had more than 20 skin spots removed all of which are "atypical" or in some words precancerous, I can say, yes it is difficult for anesthetics to work with a person with this mutation.  Once while have four skin lesions removed the dermatologist suggested to the medical assistant that she numb all incision sites prior to her making the cuts.  The MA did as she was instructed.  The dermatologist waited a few minutes to return to the room to start the lesion removal.  She stated, "These areas look nice and numb."  As she started her first cut, I nearly knocked her over because, I FELT THE CUT!  After this incident she graciously explained to me that "there is research that suggests tall thin redheaded woman metabolism anesthetics much quicker than the regular population.  I guess this research was right."  From here on out she gave 3 times the amount of local anesthetics to each incision site.  I think it was the safest route for her so she didn't have to worry about getting the wind knocked out of her.

A MC1R mutation on the 16th gene = being a redhead.  I am, a redhead.  I do have: a temper. I am opinionated.  And, I am sassy amongst a list of other positive attributes.

I dare you to know me for who I am, rather than my hair color.

If you think I'm high maintenance...

you should meet my dog, Nadia.  human, Rachael.

Whooops.... my human just caught me writing on her blog.....  YIKES I gotta run!

• Nadia has three sweaters, two pairs of boots, one collar, one harness, and two leashes.  
• She is an in-your-face kind of dog.  
• She is a anxious social.  She wants to be around people or other dogs but yet she's anxious about being left or me leaving her.  When she goes to Doggy Day Care upon arrival she'll hide behind my legs and tuck her nose between my knees so that the doggy care provider "can't" see her.  She assumes if they can't see her then she won't be left.  
• Nadia demands full attention from all living species around her.  I made the mistake of teaching her the term "Tricks for Treats", now not a night passes that she doesn't demand to go through her typical "Tricks for Treats" routine.  If I haven't completed the routine prior to going to bed Nadia will jump up into my lap and put her nose in my face and... yep.... BARK!!  How is it I know she wants her "Tricks for Treats" routine and not to go outside.  Well it's simple, I ask her, "Do you have to go potty?"  If the answer is no she'll just look at me.  If she wants "Tricks for Treats" she'll either do a half roll or wait for me to ask, "Do you want Tricks for Treats?"  and she'll answer with an in-your-face BARK BARK and walk over to the treat cabinet to wait expectantly.  The routine includes a variety of tricks, for each trick she gets a treat; and trust me it isn't the tricks she loves so much it's her beloved peanut butter treats she gets.  The tricks consist of: sit, down, roll, roll again, sit, sit pretty, stand, walk, wait, down, come, sit, down, roll, roll again, sit pretty, stand, under, over, and it continues until the handfull of treats are gone.  It is after this routine that Nadia calms down and will sit by my feet on the lazy chair; not a minute before.
• Expects any available hands to scratch her belly.  
• Believes all toes were created for her to torture.
• Demands to be fed at the same time every day.

And the list goes on... she may be high maintenance but she is my high maintenance dog.