Author Cathy Stapleton

It is an unfortunate reality that the majority of parents cannot be with their hospitalized child 24/7 due to other life demands and obligations. So, there are many hours these young patients spend by themselves. I would like my book Velvet Paws to serve as a source of comfort, humor and reminder to express their feelings, and to help all children who feel alone.

I would describe myself as an empathetic caregiver. Especially when it comes to children and animals. Two separate life events prompted me to write Velvet Paws.

The first being a time in my life when everything I had worked for and held dear was in serious jeopardy and I felt as though I had no control over the outcome. Sleepless nights lead to exhausted mornings as I tried to grasp at any possible solution.

One morning,I sat alone on my couch out of hope and out of options. I started to sob. My cat Oreo jumped on my lap and put his front paws over my heart and began purring as a pet his head and stared into his calm green eyes, I stopped crying. 

I took a deep breath for the first time in weeks and then I just knew. I knew somehow, someway, everything would work out. 

That loving, concerned gesture from Oreo grounded me and reminded me that not everything was lost. I always had him. He loved me unconditionally. He was my constant. 

In the days that followed, I would quietly sit with Oreo and breathe before beginning my day.

I am forever grateful for that animal connection which helped me ride the ups and downs and begin a healing journey.

I remember thinking; if I feel this anxious about circumstances out of my control as a fairly well regulated adult; I can only imagine how children who are diagnosed with long-term illnesses feel. Due to circumstances out of their control, their lives are completely disrupted.

In addition to coping with disease, they have to spend time in the hospital away from their loved ones, school, friends and routines.The creature comforts they once enjoyed are now replaced by hospital beds, IVs, blood work, and invasive treatments. They are always on someone else’s schedule and all due to circumstances beyond their control.

The second event which impacted me was when I was on a nursing school rotation and was invited to observe a pediatric surgery. When the two hour surgery was completed; I asked his nurse if his family was waiting to see him. She informed me he had no visitors and had been in the hospital for over two weeks.

In my attempt to process how alone and frightened this little boy must have felt; I thought of Oreo and wished I could bring him to the hospital to comfort and calm this sweet little patient.

That was not possible but this book, Velvet Paws, was born out of those two experiences.

Understanding the important correlation between mental and physical well-being, I wrote a story about a little cat and a fairy who sneak into the local hospital at night and visit the children.

The cat gently places his velvety paws over their heart and encourages them to talk about their mixed up feelings. Then the fairy whisks all these yucky feelings past the moon until they have no power at all. In return, she brings the child special stardust which is filled with hope, courage and laughter.

My goal is to offer a stuffed cat with the book so the child can have a transitional object to hold while going to different procedures and any situation which might raise anxiety. They can talk to their own stuffed Velvet Paws. He would be their animal companion on their journey. He would be their constant.