Annie Besant was considered more than a little eccentric in her day but much of what she achieved in her lifetime, we now take for granted today.
Annie Woods was born in London in October 1847. She wasn’t what one would call a happy child. Her father died when she was just five and Annie’s mother in effect abandoned her and persuaded a friend (Ellen Marryat), the sister of British Naval Officer and relatively prolific writer Frederick Marryat, to take charge of the young child.

Adopting a child is an incredibly stressful process, especially if you choose to adopt from another country. Though the reward of giving a child a family is immeasurable, international adoption often requires an intense commitment in the form of time, energy and money. You’ll also need to pay extra-special attention to your new child’s citizenship status and the associated paperwork. When it comes time to get your child a US passport, additional documentation is often required. Here’s what you need to avoid delays and added frustration when getting a passport for a child adopted overseas:

Black dog syndrome doesn't happen simply because people disapprove of the way black dogs look. Sherri Skidmore runs an organization called the Black Dog Rescue Project, which works to bring cognizance to black dog syndrome and to better adoption rates for these dogs. She thinks there are a number of reasons regarding this phenomenon.