In January this year I uploaded a photo of a soft toy which comforted my aged mother who had just entered a nursing home. See http://www.pbase.com/alexhowen/image/91253414
This little friend sleeps on my mother's bed. She loves seeing her there - she still misses her long time companion cat.
Her emotional needs have breathed life into this little friend.
PS Since doing this image my mother has died (March 2010). She found much comfort in these soft toys.