Death Care Books

This book is the most amazing book I have ever read. I don't like to read and I finished this book in one setting. This book really makes you realize what is important in life and makes you thankful for what you have. The art in this book captures what the people were feeling at the time and you can really see how this is portrayed.

I got this book for a friend who was grieving for her lover, who had died suddenly. I hesitated to give it to her because it has some powerfully disturbing images in it which, if taken out of context, I felt might magnify her grief. In the meantime my mother borrowed it and felt the impact of the images and feelings in this book- she said they helped her to remember. She then gave the book to her neighbor, whose son had just died in a car accident. The neighbor decided to explore art therapy as a result. This is a beautiful, powerful book, transformative for readers who might be grieving. I did eventually get a copy to my friend and she called that same day to tell me how much it meant to her. I haven't, thankfully, experienced the kind of grief these people have, but their stories and their art resonate even for me. The hole in me since the day you died is a book that changes lives.

This book is a wonderful example of the incredible power art can have in the mental health field. It recounts the stories of a handful of people who have been aided by art therapy. The book combines powerful personal stories with beautiful, high quality reproductions of original artworks. This book is a must have for artists, mental health workers, and anyone else who enjoys learning about people and the extraordinary things we do.

Great book for everyone. Everyone has to deal with death, unless they die extremely young. M. Lattanzi-Licht covers many difficult senarios of death and dying. On p.179 Lattanze-Licht says,"This reality is intensified when the child is caring for a dying parent and feels confounded by the magnitude of the tasks". Get the book and read more!!!

Great book, and a necessary read- especially for those of us living in death-fearing cultures. Having been a hospice volunteer for 13 years, I've seen a dramatic difference in end-of-life care when patients, their families, and their medical caregivers are educated on the hospice philosophy. It's a beautiful stage of life, the dying process, when handled with the respect every other stage of life deserves.

I found this book educational and easy to read. It provides a very clear picture of hospice and palliative care to the layperson. I wish that more physicians and their staff would read books like this so they could better prepare patients and their families for hospice care. I also wish I had read it before my mother died because I would have known better questions to ask our hospice and perhaps would have received better care for mom, myself and the rest of the family.

The title is a little off-putting - I did not think I wanted to read about hospice patients' last days. A friend convinced me to look at it. It is fantastic. The author relates her experiences taking 2 dogs to a hospice. Each chapter is about her encounter with a different patient. Each story evolves into a parable about life, and death. You will cry. But you will also laugh and be uplifted. You will be amazed at what animals can do to lift the human spirit when it is down. I am not aware of the author writing any other books, but I would love to read more from her - she paints a picture that is so vivid, you feel like you are in the room with her and the dogs. I have given this book to many of my friends and they all are raving about it. You must read this book!

This book is wonderful! It describes the authors visits to a hospice facility with 2 dogs. She paints a vibrant picture of the visits. Each chapter discusses a different visit. Each chapter also describes a lesson in living - the author weaves a philosophical lesson in life into each visit. The books title may mislead. I was initially put off by the thought of reading about hospice, but it is not so much about death as it is about life. It is warm, funny, and, yes, sad too. You will cry (as my wife and I did) but you will also laugh and feel warm to read how these incredible pets did so much to smooth the hospice patients last weeks. I have lent this book to my friends and they all are raving about it.

This is a fantastic book. At first, I was reluctant. I thought that it would be very sad. It is heartwarming. Michele brings you into the story as though you were there. It is very well written. It demonstrates the true healing powers of our beloved companions. Don't miss reading this book!

Phillip Jones is a tender friend to the whole human soul. His writing transcends terms like 'Eastern,' 'Western,' or 'Indigenous.'

I felt the breathing and the heartbeat of God when I read this profound little volume. We all lose someone; we all die. For Jones, death is the Great Intimacy, the return, the birth from time into eternity.

Jones as such is a midwife of God, supporting our awakening and return to our Source. Read this book and absorb its reverence. I want Jones present at my death!

This easy to read, yet very insightful and inspirational book is by far the best book I have ever read on this subject. In many ways it stands out above the rest because it has some really unique information not found out there in other books on the market. I love it. It has helped me so much! I'm in my early 40's and I have already gone through more than one sudden and unexpected brushes with death. I say this book is a must for everyone because we all need to be prepared for death and to overcome our fears of it. Whether you have a love one who has died or is dying or just want to overcome the fear and be prepared for that unknown moment yourself, this book is great---it's truly an inspiration for all of us! Beautiful pictures & design. I'll be recommending it to many people.

Light on Death: The Spiritual Art of Dying addresses the issues each of us faces when confronted with the pending loss of those we love. This book provides clear and direct guidance for supporting loved ones during their final right of passage. I found this book to be most uplifting, and I recommend it to any and all.

The man who wrote this is my uncle and this book brings tears to my eyes and it's beautiful. I reccomend it to everyone!

This is one of the best books I have ever read...not only was it based it my hometown and I know some of these people, but it gives you the kind of compassion not ordinarily given to someone you've never met. I hope this book has been an inspiration to reach out to those with AIDS, or for that matter, anyone with a physical problem that needs someone to be there when no one else will.

This book was the most painful reading experience I have ever encountered! David was a remarkable person. His life and death will move you beyond belief. It will rip your heart out, and at the same time, teach you volumes about life, loving, friendship and death.

Moments with Baxter is a collection of true stories that showcases how Baxter, an amazingly cute 18-year-old therapy dog, brings comfort, joy, and peace to hospice patients during their final days - perhaps because Baxter, with his share of advanced age ailments, seems so relatable.

Author Melissa Joseph shares that she was initially surprised at the important role Baxter has filled for the last four years, as he was initially skittish when she got him. At only about two years of age, Baxter cowered if Joseph had something large in her hand, or if he heard loud noises. Obviously, this chow-retriever mix had suffered at the hands of at least one human.

And yet, after years of Joseph's loving care, Baxter blossomed to become an angel in fur, if you will, attracting many fans with his calm, friendly, and empathetic demeanor.

In Moments with Baxter, Joseph uses the 36 chapters to share how Baxter chose to interact with individual patients, whether by snuggling or licking. Readers are drawn in by the back story of each patient, as well as by Joseph's honest reactions to each encounter. Joseph wisely included full-color photos, some of the patient's face, some of just their hands, as they cradle Baxter. It's hard to study the photos, as they so clearly depict the frailty of life, yet the book wouldn't be nearly as effective without them.

I was particularly drawn to the chapter in which Baxter is introduced to Paulita, a little Hispanic girl still well enough to be cared for at home. Hooked up to a ventilator, Paulita gets to know Baxter from the support of her mother's arms, as Baxter is placed next to them on the family couch.

"She pulls his tail, pats his head, rubs him, and hugs him," writes Joseph. "He remains attentive to her every move and never flinches. He's like a stuffed animal, there for her needs, always obeying." Baxter even remains calm during the times Paulita's mom turns on the loud suction device that clears Paulita's trach tube.

"Baxter's silence is a loud voice," Joseph further pens. "a voice that speaks to anyone, of any ethnicity, in any language. It knows no boundaries. Baxter's magic is pervasive and palpable."

How ironic that this big-hearted mutt was nearly euthanized by his previous owners because they couldn't afford to treat his heartworm condition!

Sharing Baxter's "magic" is why Joseph wrote the book. Captured by her first-row seats to Baxter's performances, she wants us to be wowed as well. To fall in love with Baxter, yes, but to also fully appreciate, as she says, the "unique and inextricable bond between human and dog."

This raw, honest, and moving book is for anyone who loves canines, is connected to the healthcare industry, or wants a closer glimpse of how others courageously face death. A very special thanks to the patients who allowed themselves to be included in Moments with Baxter.

[...]

We have a Chow/Golden Retriever mix, Reddy-Bear, whose 13 yrs old and looks like Baxter, also abused ("over-hugged", we heard), but we turned her around - best dog ever.
They need training to break some of the head-strong Chow traits, (but they'll stop on a dime when your drop the leash) - they're instinctive and "intuitive". Many G/C share the same temperament once trained.
Thanks for allowing Red to meet Baxter - the Buddha-dog and calming entity to be around - for sure. He enjoys transmitting affection to people that need it. Like a little generator.
The photographs add "story" to the well-written text. Suzie reads the book a little during the week, and goes back to it. It's her "read" now, and she's gifted copies to her friends - and said she'd see you at Earth Song Bookstore in Del Mar, Sat, Aug. 1, 2008.
(I touched noses with Baxter, Suzie didn't, since she was handling "Red". She feels all left out!)

Reviewed by Olivera Baumgartner-Jackson for Reader Views (6/09)

If you've ever owned a pet - or as I prefer to say, only half-jokingly - if you've ever been owned by a pet, the stories from this wonderful book will not surprise you. They will - and they should! - delight you and inspire you, but I bet any "pet parent" will nod and smile while reading about the amazing healing and comforting powers of Baxter, the miracle worker among service dogs.

All of us should pause for a moment and take a really good look at the way most pets interact with us - with pretty limitless patience, gentleness and devotion, unparalleled by anything one could routinely find among humans. They expect little in return, and they keep lavishing their attention on us and giving us so much joy. In the past I've read numerous studies about the beneficial influences of animals on ill people and I've experienced the calming and steadying effect a devoted pet has on me. The absolutely beautiful "Moments with Baxter" by Melissa Joseph takes those observations of mine several steps further. Through a series of thirty-six true stories of Baxter's interactions with terminally-ill patients at San Diego Hospice the author paints a wonderful portrait of a truly miraculous health worker who just happens to be a canine. Baxter is a certified therapy dog and his ability to comfort and ease the suffering of the patients at the hospice is absolutely phenomenal. As wonderful as the stories are, it was the photographs that truly stole my heart. Although Baxter is over 19-years-old now, he has a sweet, innocent face of a puppy and incredibly kind eyes. Now that he's older, he actually has the look of a well-loved and appropriately "worn" teddy bear or one's favorite blanket. The more stories I read, the more I was in awe of Baxter's innate ability to find just the right way to approach any of the diverse and always difficult situations. Even under the toughest of circumstances, where the trained human health professionals were at a loss of how to ease the patient's suffering, Baxter seemed to find just the right approach.

Written with immense compassion, warmth and respect for privacy and dignity of those involved, "Moments with Baxter" by Melissa Joseph is a book that could teach us a lot about the extraordinary bond between humans and animals as well as a number of valuable lessons about dealing with pain, suffering and death. I feel certain that those readers who will find themselves inspired by Baxter's story, and who might want to become involved in similar ministry together with their canine companion, will find the concluding chapter on Therapy Dog Team Training very helpful and informative. "Moments with Baxter" is a book that is both heart-wrenching and heart-warming and I would decidedly recommend it to all animal lovers as well as anybody who might be dealing with issues concerning terminal illness.

My sister, Ann, sent me an early edition of Moments with Baxter. The reader will immediately fall in love with Marley and wish they too had a dog as wonderful as Marley to share with others. Though he looks like a lion cub, he obviously has the heart of an angel in disguise. As humans, we can all benefit by the stories told about Marley and his friends that he visits every week. We need to listen more and be more attentive to the hurts and cares of others. Thank you Marley for being such a Good Samaritan! Thanks sis for sharing such a treasure!

Purchased for my grandson (age 12) who has read almost all of this series and is collecting the complete set. As a grandparent, these books foster the habit of reading and we have taken our grandson to several of the national parks written in this series. We first bought a book about 3 years ago at Mesa Verde and our grandson got hooked on them.

Thanks to the author!

I think this book was very good. It had a lot of action and suspense. In my opinion this book is one of the best in the series because of all the drama and suspense.


This book is about Jack, Ashley, and their parents going to Death Valley National Park and they bring a girl named Leesa Sherman. They all go to a place named Skidoo which is suppose to be a Ghost Town. Ashley tells them this freaky story about a man who got hung because he killed a lot of people. He was buried in a mine shaft. Jack gives Ashly a two-way radio and Ashley and Leesa go and look at some things before a sand storm comes. They see Leesa running toward them without Ashley and she said she lost her during the storm. They keep trying to contact her on the radio Jack gave her but there was no answer. All of a sudden they hear a voice come over the radio saying, "We have Ashley Landon and we are keeping her until Leesa Sherman is returned to us."


I recommend this book to a 11-13 year old or someone who likes mystery books.

I liked this book because there was alot of action when Ashley was captured.I also liked in the end how Leesa went back with her mother and not to the Unit. This is a good book to read. If your interested in this book pick it up and start reading, especially if you like mysteries.

On Angle's Eve was a wonderful book. It made me feel that I now have the necessary tools to confidently handle a caregiving situation when the time approaches.

The book was well written, interesting and the concepts easily understood. I would highly recommend everyone read it.

This author shares her heart-warming stories to inspire readers to overcome fear of dying. Read it. It's wonderful!

Had I read this book prior to watching my sister slowly die as our family suffered along with her, all of us would have eliminated a lot of pain.

Valuable information, includindg insights from major religons, and the interspersed poetry and qoutations earn it five stars

All families, professional health care givers, and hospitals should have a copy.

This book can serve as a practical guide for helping children through very difficult situations. However, after reading this book you realize it is much more than that. It is the way the author recounts her own experiences, as well as the personal experiences of others, that make for compelling reading.

I found this book to be extremely knowledgeable and written from the heart. For those who need this type of guidance, the advice given is written with a personal touch and is truthful and precise.

The writer's personal approach makes this an easy and insightful read. Rather than another book full of only "expert" opinions, she has gathered stories from her own family, as well as others, showing how parents and other adults can help children cope with loss. I wish I had had this book last year--it would have helped me understand my teenager's reaction to his grandmother's death. This is one I'll keep on my bookshelf and plan to send a copy to my sister as well.

I read this beautiful book cover-to-cover in one sitting as I just could not put it down. I think the description might be a bit misleading as it makes the book sound like a sad lament of loss, when in fact it is a joyous celebration of life. "Phantom Limb"also puts life into perspective, and will hopefully alter yours--as it has mine.
Ms. Sternburg explores her relationship with her mother and father touchingly, as her tale weaves back and forth from the past to the present, revealing the delicate nature of the human condition. The story is written in searingly honest prose, each one a self-contained vignette that links together to form the memory of whole human lives. This book is not necessarily just for people coping with loss...it's much more than that. "Phantom Limb" does exactly what good literature should do: it transports the reader to another realm, and it's beauty will stay with you, long after you put the book down.

What a brilliant, heartbreaking, wise book. The central metaphor is haunting and unforgettable. Janet Sternburg, in her heart of hearts, is a true poet.

This story is mesmerizing and painfully real to anybody who has lost a parent to illness. It's beautifully told, without being overtly sentimental. Sternberg skillfully lets us enter her world as a daughter, a caregiver and a woman who is also dealing with the baggage of her own illness. You are with her every step of the way. It is rich in its telling and goes straight to the heart.

I also found the detail in which she describes being an advocate for her mother a fascinating study that can be useful to anyone that is put in the situation of navigating care for ourselves or someone else. Phantom Limb speaks to what so many of us have either faced or will have to go through as our parents age. Bravo!