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Cat predicts owner's emphysema attacks
AP via KGW.com ^ | January 12, 2009 | staff reporter

Posted on 01/17/2009 4:49:20 PM PST by Daffynition

ALBANY, Ore. (AP) -- Charles Bennett is convinced Blackie the cat has a sixth sense -- he knows ahead of time when Bennett will wake up gasping for breath.

"I've tested this with him, and so I know it's true," said the 72-year-old retired engineering consultant, who suffers with emphysema. It happens too often to be a coincidence, he says.

Bennett doesn't know what the cat hears or senses but often between 3 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. he awakens at his Albany home as the former stray licks his forehead.

"The first time he did that I sat up, swung my feet to the floor and got ready to let the cat outside because that's what I thought he wanted," Bennett said.

"But when I didn't say anything to the cat, he started bumping his head into my side and arm. When I still didn't say anything - I didn't know he wanted me to - he put his teeth on my hand but didn't bite."

Finally, when Bennett said something while getting out his inhaler, the cat curled back up on the bed and went to sleep.

During the 10 days before the cat started his unusual behavior, Bennett said he would wake up at night fighting for breath. He believes the cat was developing an understanding of what was happening.

Since then, Bennett said he no longer wakes up gasping for breath. Instead, he awakens to Blackie licking his forehead.

"I don't know if he's helped save my life or not, but he's saved me from some full-blown breathing attacks," he said.

"I'm now getting more sleep than ever because it takes an hour to get back to sleep after an attack."

Bennett's roommate, Philippa Meehan, calls Blackie a "sentinel.

"I wonder if he stays awake just to be sure he will be there to wake Chuck up. Maybe that's why the cat sleeps so much during the day."

Blackie showed up at the roommates' home in August 2004 and jumped onto a backyard swing, looking to be petted.

A neighbor had been feeding the stray, so Meehan and Bennett asked if they could have the cat. Blackie's been with them ever since.

"We don't know where he came from but it obviously had a home," Bennett said. "The cat had been neutered and declawed. He took to me pretty rapidly."

During the day, Blackie sleeps in his own bed behind the living room couch and likes classical music, she said.

He joins Meehan in the room with the piano when she plays, and when he wants to go outside, he stands on the piano stool and jabs at the keys with his front paws.

"He's in tune with Chuck," she said.


TOPICS: Health/Medicine; Pets/Animals; Science
KEYWORDS: cats; jpb
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1 posted on 01/17/2009 4:49:21 PM PST by Daffynition
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To: Daffynition

2 posted on 01/17/2009 5:08:53 PM PST by JoeProBono ("Creative License. Take as much as you want.")
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To: Daffynition
He is beautiful. We have two, both rescued and they are wonderful additions to our family. These wonderful creatures are a gift from our Creator. We are still endeavoring to understand their intelligence. We witness that it is superior in many respects.
3 posted on 01/17/2009 5:23:26 PM PST by bytesmith
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To: Daffynition

Cat laying on his face? I had a cat that did that once. Woke up in panic cause I couldn’t breathe.


4 posted on 01/17/2009 5:33:31 PM PST by HangThemHigh (Entropy's not what it used to be.)
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To: HangThemHigh

Haha ...reminds me a cat we had ...she slept on my face and no matter how far I threw her off ...she’d always come back.

Maybe she was trying to tell me something .......... I snore????


5 posted on 01/17/2009 5:40:30 PM PST by Daffynition ("Beauty is in the sty of the beholder." ~ Joe 6-pack)
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To: HangThemHigh

Hey, what red-blooded American male doesn’t want a pussy on his face ?


6 posted on 01/17/2009 5:41:27 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps !"~~)
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To: fieldmarshaldj

I like a bit less hair.


7 posted on 01/17/2009 5:42:50 PM PST by Larry Lucido (I was predestined to be an Arminian but am considering choosing Calvinism.)
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To: JoeProBono

8 posted on 01/17/2009 5:44:20 PM PST by Daffynition ("Beauty is in the sty of the beholder." ~ Joe 6-pack)
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To: HangThemHigh

Yeah I woke up gasping for air too, it’s because I am allergic to cats.


9 posted on 01/17/2009 5:48:08 PM PST by Ditter
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To: All

I remember the first time I saw a Cat. I was about 3 years old and I was utterly fascinated by it.

I’ve had Cats ever since then, including the two rescue Cats I have now.

Cats are very smart, intuitive creatures and are very special.

I couldn’t imagine not having them in my life.


10 posted on 01/17/2009 5:57:27 PM PST by Rodney Dangerfield (Barack Obama - "The Fresh Prince of Bill Ayers")
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To: Daffynition

Actually, ALL cats can sense when humans are in such distress. This is just the first one that could care less.


11 posted on 01/17/2009 5:58:18 PM PST by Sloth (I am the governed, and I hereby withhold my consent.)
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To: Larry Lucido
I prefer a Persian to a Sphinx. Some things just don't look good bald.


12 posted on 01/17/2009 6:03:18 PM PST by fieldmarshaldj (~"This is what happens when you find a stranger in the Alps !"~~)
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To: Slings and Arrows

meow


13 posted on 01/17/2009 6:22:04 PM PST by Titan Magroyne ("Drill now drill hard drill often and give old Gaia a cigarette afterwards she deserves it." HerrBlu)
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To: Daffynition

14 posted on 01/17/2009 6:23:26 PM PST by JoeProBono ("Creative License. Take as much as you want.")
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To: fieldmarshaldj

We had to have our beloved Himalayan put to sleep last Fall. A couple weeks later the vet called us to say someone had left a unwanted Himalayan there and they wanted to know if we would like to have her. We did, but she is NOT a Himalayan. LOL She’s a Birman, no mistaking those white feet. She’s a beauty though and we love her.


15 posted on 01/17/2009 6:24:35 PM PST by kalee
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To: Titan Magroyne; Slings and Arrows; Glenn; republicangel; Bahbah; Beaker; BADROTOFINGER; etabeta; ...

16 posted on 01/17/2009 6:24:40 PM PST by Slings and Arrows (0bama must be well-endowed - look at how often he steps on his d---.)
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To: Daffynition

Beautiful baby!


17 posted on 01/17/2009 6:34:01 PM PST by Sunshine Sister
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To: Rodney Dangerfield; Daffynition
"Cats are very smart, intuitive creatures and are very special."

I hear yuz


18 posted on 01/17/2009 6:41:34 PM PST by JoeProBono ("Creative License. Take as much as you want.")
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To: Daffynition

19 posted on 01/17/2009 6:56:57 PM PST by Goonch (Bagarius "goonch” Yarrelli - my friends call me Goonch)
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To: kalee

We also have a Himalayan, he was a rescue. He is so beautiful and the first cat I ever saw that will play fetch. Our other cat is a Birman, also a rescue. She is very laid back, sleeps all day. They are very different in personality but both are such good cats.


20 posted on 01/17/2009 7:04:59 PM PST by Ann de IL
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