I just finished The Book of Sorrows by Walter Wangerin, Jr. The scene was when Ferric's daughter was about to die due to his own neglect. The Dun Cow comes to his daughter, lays down beside her, and gives her nourishment. Here's what the book says, "If Hopsacking (that's the daughter) did not die, then Ferric was forgiven. He was given a daughter again in spite of himself and his neglect. He was given a daughter for the first time, again." This was one of my favorite scenes.
I've heard of Notes From a Tilt-A-Whirl and have been wanting to read it! I read 100 Cupboards and really enjoyed it.