I think it would be confusing to the child to have "two mothers," but on the other hand everyone needs to know where and who they came from. I was raised from age six weeks by my Grandmother, although I saw Mom often and did spend chunks of time with her. Grandma would threaten to cut off all contact with Mom if I ever seemed to be wanting to spend time with her. I had to learn at an early age to temper my excitiment and love for Mom in order to not incure Grandma's fury. My husband was adopted as an infant. His adoptive parents had been on a list for a couple of years. They knew he was coming. His birth mother gave him up at the birth in May. His "mother" informed the adoption people she could not take him until October because she had to "clean her (always spotless) house." So he was in a foster home for five months before he was handed over to the new "mother." A five month old baby knows his "mom," he knows his home. And he was simply jerked out of that foster home and given to a woman who's first comments were that she did not like how he was dressed and his hair was awful. His childhood was hell. Oh he had food, and a roof, and clothes, and a private school. He was also yelled and screamed at and cursed nearly daily because he did not fit the mold of the "mother's" pre-conceived notion of what "her" son would be. She told him often how he was more trouble than he was worth; what ever convinced her to adopt him. "Sorry little sh*t" was used more than his name. To this day she will not allow anyone to use the word "adopted" son. She goes wild. She will not give him any info that could lead to finding his birth family. Even when he was diagonsed with a genetic blood disorder and the doctor wanted more info to track it, she would not give him a name. She said the situation would be no different than if he didn't know he was adopted; he'd not get any info about "those people" from her. I guess this has tainted my views of adoption, although I know there are many reasons that it is the best option. I also know, or at least hope, that in this day and age a person with his "mothers" issues and mental problems would not be allowed to adopt a child.

AWESOME!!! Loved this post. I am a lurker on Petfinder.com, I like it when the pet has someone take time to describe them fully, and even better when they talk from the cat's point of view. Please take credit for what you did, I believe it definitely helped!!! And it gives you motivation to find homes for more deserving furbabies. I agree with Anne-Marie, post your website; our Frankie passed away recently and even though we aren't ready for a new cat, I have always liked to look and read the pet's stories.

Ryan, A really good story. Love comes from the heart, not the DNA. Thanks for sharing...

Awww, thank you all so much. It's getting a bit easier every day, but the hole in my heart still hurts a lot. Today was the first day I left Ronin and Sasha to meet a friend in town for lunch. The "kids" did ok while I was gone and we went for a nice walk when I got home. Today is the first day Emily has not called me from college sobbing because she's mourning her Chloe Bear. So, I'm hoping that she's healing now, too. Stratfordroad: thank you for that. I truly believe that we will, and since I've had dogs I've loved pretty much my entire life, there will be a huge, happy pack meeting up with me someday. That's a good thought to hang on to :^ )