Hospice Tails: The Animal Companions who Journey with Hospice Patients and their Families by Debra L. Stang is a short easy-to-read book of 14 stories about hospice patients and their beloved furry and even scaly animals.
Debra will be available tomorrow to answer your questions. We will host her on this page and also at The Caregiver’s Voice on FaceBook. Simply write your comments or questions below or “LIKE” our FaceBook page in order to interact freely.
Hospice Tails is about the significant role animals play in people’s lives until the very end.
We learn how King the 100-pound Pit bull-Rottweiler hybrid protects and comforts 95-pound Lisa while thinking he’s a lap dog.
We read about hospice social worker and author, Debra’s ability to overcome her fear of King and Demeter, the albino corn snake wrapped around her arm. Pretty impressive for a cat “purr-son!”
We are in awe when Kim, a Vietnam veteran and surgical nurse, reaches out and
“sees” her beloved Poodle-mix, Blue, welcoming her as she takes her final breath.
We can’t help but laugh when we realize that Hal, who struggles to speak after two strokes, doesn’t want to pet the little furry rabbit, he wants to …!
Gus’ family shows up at the nursing home with Lightning, his beloved horse. (Yes, you read that right!)
We learn of the significant role Frankie the Chihuahua plays when he leaps higher than he’s ever jumped before in order to wake up exhausted caregiver, Alex, before Glenn takes his final breath.
And then there’s Louisa who has a strict policy of “No animals in the house” Even Debra is given a lint brush to remove fur from her clothing before entering Louisa’s immaculate house. After Louisa’s husband passes, Louisa harbors a secret.
Animals are important family members. Social worker Debra and the hospice nurse know this as they comfort an uneasy Screwball.
These short Hospice Tails are inspirational and FUN. Debra’s clients’ diverse animal family members play a significant role in helping families during hospice care.
FREE COPY of Hospice Tails for BEST Story
SHARE your own experience with an animal family member while caregiving (150 words max) on The Caregiver’s Voice page on FaceBook and we will mail a copy of Debra Stang’s Hospice Tails to the author with the best story. Be sure to start your story with: “My Hospice Tail story.” (Stories are Due Monday, December 19th at 9amPT. You’ll need to “LIKE” the page in order to post your story. Those without a Facebook account can post your story below in the comments section.) We’ll announce the Award-winner of The Best Animal-Caregiving Story on the 21st of December.)
Brenda Avadian, MA
Alzheimer’s / Dementia Caregiver, Expert Spokesperson, Coach, and Author
Editor, TheCaregiversVoice monthly Newsletter and The Caregiver’s Voice Book Review
Hi Jodi,
Your cat sounds wonderful. I struggle with bipolar disorder, and during one of my worst depressive episodes, I had a cat who was diabetic. I couldn’t make myself get out of bed for myself; for several weeks I only got up because Calypso needed daily insulin shots and a carefully scheduled diet. She carried me through just by being her usual demanding self!
I wasn’t exactly ill but I was on bedrest to avoid premature labor when my cat…who was never a people person…took to lying on my big old belly purring. He was a comfort since I was alone (except for the people on the TV) for most of the day.