Moments With Baxter: Comfort and Love from the World's Best Therapy Dog [Hardcover]

Melissa Joseph (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 1, 2009

'Baxter's inspirational story reminds us how dogs can teach us to live fully in each moment, even if that moment may be our last.' --Cesar Millan, professional dog trainer and star of Dog Whisperer

'A testimony to the powerful connection between pets and people.' --Joe Camp, author of The Soul of a Horse and creator of Benji

Moments with Baxter is a collection of touching, true stories about the poignant connection between Baxter, a 19-year-old therapy dog, and the hospice patients and their families to whom he brings comfort and love. During the last four years, Baxter has helped hundreds of patients ease out of their lives with dignity and peace. His uncanny intuition and almost human responsiveness demonstrates the unique and inextricable bond between human and dog. 36 true and touching stories of canine/patient connection.

Interior photography by Dennis Bussey.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Baxter comforts patients at San Diego Hospice and Palomar Pomerado Hospital in San Diego, where he lives with his owners, Melissa Joseph and Dennis Bussey. Originally from Jackson, Mississippi, Melissa Joseph is an adjunct teacher of writing and literature who adopted Baxter when he was two years old. Her husband, Dennis Bussey, took the photographs in the book while volunteering at San Diego Hospice and the Institute for Palliative Medicine.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 223 pages
• Publisher: Sage Press (June 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0981881300
• ISBN-13: 978-0981881300
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.8 x 8.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #339,165 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #57 in Books > Medical Books > Medicine > Hospice Care

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Comfort Only a Furry Friend Could Give August 11, 2009

By Rebby

Format:Hardcover

From the time I was a child, I had a deep connection to animals. Over the years, I've found them to be my friends, confidants, counselors, and most of all, my family. Being an avid animal lover drew me to Melissa Joseph's Moments With Baxter: Comfort and Love from the World's Best Therapy Dog. I couldn't wait to get started on this book once I saw Baxter's sweet face staring at me from the cover. Before I knew it, I had finished the book, as well as half a box of tissues.

Each chapter deals with a different experience Baxter had while working as a therapy dog. The overall theme of this book is how animals can be comforters in our greatest time of need. We are introduced to dozens of people who benefited from the love that a little dog can give. The accounts are incredibly sad, as the reader can always feel death looming nearby, but they are also uplifting and inspiring in a way I did not expect.

Melissa Joseph is able to capture that unique connection that therapy dogs establish with their patients. Her writing is very simple, but eloquently so, in that she makes you feel the moments as if you were actually there. The book is accompanied with bright, colored photographs of Baxter with the people he helped. One of my favorites is of Baxter in his red wagon, next to a woman whose last wish was to see the latest Harry Potter movie with her furry friend in the theater.

The stories were all special in their own ways, but some left me feeling unsatisfied. Not at all because Melissa Joseph wasn't doing her job; in fact, it's the exact opposite. Her storytelling skills made me want to know more about these people.... I'm aware this book is focused on Baxter and his encounters, but I couldn't help but think about the lives these people had before fortune landed them in hospice. I found this particularly surprising because I'm not a big fan of biographies of any kind, but something about this book made me want to dive into these people's histories.

This book is wonderful, to say the least. The stories are touching, the pictures are captivating, and all proceeds are donated to related charities. It doesn't get much better than that. I would recommend this book to everyone, especially animal lovers and those dealing with death and dying. Trust me, once you stare into Baxter's eyes, you won't want to put the book down. Read more ›

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Unique Bond Between Human and Dog July 4, 2009

By Sheri Bell-Rehwoldt

Format:Hardcover

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.''

[...] Read more ›

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Book About an Amazing Dog August 2, 2009

By April M. Hanson

Format:Hardcover

Moments with Baxter, by Melissa Joseph, is the inspirational story of a unique therapy dog that not only helps ease the suffering of those who are dying of terminal illness, but also helps their families to cope with their grief.

The story begins by describing how Baxter became a therapy dog during what most would consider to be the last stage of his life. We then follow Baxter from room to room as he visits those who are dying and get to witness the power unconditional love has in easing the suffering of those in pain.

Often called an angel by those he interacts with, Baxter seems to know what each person he encounters needs the most. Whether it's licking the patients hand or just lying with someone while putting his head on their chest, Baxter has a natural instinct when it comes to his work that makes him one of the most amazing animals I have ever read about.

This book really made me think about life and how I view death. I fully believe no one should die alone and that is the crux of the hospice system. Patients are made as comfortable as possible and family is given the freedom to grieve, it's a dignified death and the addition of therapy animals to this process seems to make it just a little easier for everyone involved. That is Baxter's job, to ease the pain and suffering of those going through the unimaginable.

Melissa Joseph has done a remarkable job of putting together the stories of those Baxter comes in contact with and the addition of color photos of Baxter at work really compliments her compassionate words. This combination really shows the affect Baxter has on people and gives the reader some insight into the relationship between animals and people that they may not be aware of....

I highly recommend Moments with Baxter to animal lovers, healthcare workers, and anyone dealing with a terminal illness in some way but make sure you have some tissues handy because you are definitely going to need them. Read more ›