MoBOB,

My wife and I had many discussions about what to do after we discovered our infertility. The cost and uncertianty of artifical means was more than we could bear but adoption also scared me. How could I love a child that didn't spring from me?One night I was sitting in my chair praying for God's guidance on this when Oz, my cat, lept up into my lap. He snuggled down and begin purring. I scratched him under his chin and absently murmured, "Love ya, little buddy."

D'oh! It hit me like a sledgehammer. I loved Oz and he's not even the same species as me! After that realization all fear of adoption left me. Because of Oz I now have been to China twice and have the most amazing children anyone could ever hope for!

Funny side story: One day while shopping about 8 months after bringing DD1 home a store clerk asked me if she was adopted. I answered without thinking, "No, she's my child." The fact that she had been adopted had been completely lost from my mind.

Oz is still with us, but he's over thirteen years old now. He doesn't do much other than eat, sit in the sun or lay purring in my lap. Someday much too soon I'll have to hold him in my lap as a vet inserts a needle. Then he'll pass on to the place where good cats go. A lot of dogs can lay claim to rescuing a family, but Oz will probably be the only one there that can claim he created a family.

Once again, you have my deepest sympathy.

-Blast