Name: Donna Parish-Bischoff
E-mail: vampirella67@yahoo.com
Date posted: July 12, 2010 - 01:03 pm
Message: Loving the book so much ! Thank you for sharing the experience and Oscar with us !

Name: Peg Mann
E-mail: Peginator8@GMail.com
Date posted: July 11, 2010 - 02:57 pm
Message: Dr. Dosa: I just read your book and it was wonderful. My mother had alzheimers and passed away 6 years ago - so many of your stories were very familiar situations to me. I was glad to read your comments that you also would like to see improvements in the nursing homes.
We had a cat named, Jinxie, that would "tuck" my son in every night when he was small. She would get in bed with him and stay there until he went to sleep every night. He's 28 now and has a paw print and the name Jinxie tattooed on his leg. (I'm not into tattoos myself). :)

I have a cat and his name is McCartney (of course, after Paul). He has a toy he loves and after reading your book, I set your book on the library table. McCartney seemed like he became really agitated and started meowing and racing around and the next thing I knew, he put his toy on top of your book. I thought that was really interesting. He's never done anything like that before. I'd had the book at the house for about a week before that and he didn't seem to have any reaction to it until after I'd read it. Maybe he and Oscar communicated somehow. :) I had a lot of strong emotions after reading the book because it made me think about my mother's experiences and somewhat relive some of that time again.

Maybe you can write some more books. Bless you and keep up the great work!

Peg Mann

Name: Sharon Tanner
E-mail: Private
Date posted: July 06, 2010 - 06:21 pm
Message: Dr. Dosa,
I haven't even finished Oscar's book,but I had to stop and share my story. It is of a mother I lost to LBD in 2006. You mentioned in your book that no one knew about LBD. Understatement 4 years ago. To quote you from your book on pg 91...."Though it won't make you feel any better, I understand how hard it is to see someone who still looks like your father, but has lost so much of what made him the person you knew."
I had a Heinz 57 who was the love of my life. For 8 years, he knew every time I was sad or ill. He never left my side to eat, drink or potty until I got up as well. My mother was not big on animals... especially ones inside the house, but when I moved home to care for her, she accepted Little Boy Blue's presence, part and parcel. To shorten a long love story, as my mother deteriorated, Blue kept a daily vigil under her hospital bed in our house. He was under her bed the evening before and at the moment of her passing into Heaven. Blue is with her there now. Her mind is strong and vital again and he is chasing Milkbones. I had him euthanzied in April, due to Cushing's Disease. Yes, Dr. Dosa, pets do, indeed, have spiritual powers. Powers to calm and bring peace to a dying soul and their grieving family. I highly commend the Steere Home for acknowledging this fact. And, I thank you for writing this lovely book.

Name: Julia Turner
E-mail: palmettogirl727@gmail.com
Date posted: July 02, 2010 - 09:24 pm
Message: As a hospice social worker, I have had numerous patients whose furry friends keep vigil at their bedside. They seem to know how to gently jump onto the bed without causing harm, and are quite content in their duty. Oscar surely has a gift for knowing when to begin his watch. Thank you for beautifully supporting the hospice philosophy in your writing. I plan to reference your book in an upcoming project concerning bibliotherapy in the hospice experience.

Name: Julia Turner
E-mail: palmettogirl727@gmail.com
Date posted: July 02, 2010 - 09:00 pm
Message: During my work as a hospice social worker, I have seen many of my patients comforted by the presence of their furry friends, the ones who often keep steady vigil at the bedside. Oscar is a remarkable cat and obviously has a gift for knowing when to begin his watch. Thank you for supporting the hospice philosophy in your writing. I plan to include your book in an upcoming project concerning bibliotherapy in the hospice experience.