I am in the process of listening to The Lady and the Panda by Lisa Croke on compact disc in my car. This true story is about Ruth Harkness who wants to complete her dead husband's quest to capture a giant panda in China. The book is about her life, journey and success.

While listening to the book read aloud, the sections about the widow's reaction to finding and caring for the infant baby panda, I was struck with the amount of love and caring that were reported between baby panda, Su-Lin, and Harkness. Not that I was surprised at the nurturing, but of the notice of it by others. They were surprized that the socialite fell so hard for the furry baby.

The author goes on to say that Harkness was changed by the acquisition of the baby. That it brought out the nurturing and mothering instincts in the widow. The fierceness that she felt when the baby was threatened to be taken from her. Her diligence with the round the clock feedings. Her worry over the correct formula and too much contact with strangers. Her total exhaustion in giving her life over to this infant animal. Sounds just like a new mommy.

And has gotten me to think about pets and the stories that they give to infertility and being childfree. Before I had my children, I had a beloved dog. And at the time, I mothered her with the same fierceness that I love my children now. If we were to have a pet at this time, the status would be different because of the kids. But without my kids in the picture, I look back and remember the same emotions in caring for both. When I talk to my friends and clients that don't have children, I tell them this. They don't believe me. But I believe with all of my heart that these intentions come from the very same place.

And then it makes me wonder if I am in the minority. But I don't believe so.