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Oscar the Grim Reaper Cat?
New England Journal of Medicine ^ | 07-26-2007 | David M. Dosa, M.D., M.P.H.

Posted on 07/26/2007 8:07:14 AM PDT by pwatson

A Day in the Life of Oscar the Cat

David M. Dosa, M.D., M.P.H.

PubMed Citation

Oscar the Cat awakens from his nap, opening a single eye to survey his kingdom. From atop the desk in the doctor's charting area, the cat peers down the two wings of the nursing home's advanced dementia unit. All quiet on the western and eastern fronts. Slowly, he rises and extravagantly stretches his 2-year-old frame, first backward and then forward. He sits up and considers his next move.

In the distance, a resident approaches. It is Mrs. P., who has been living on the dementia unit's third floor for 3 years now. She has long forgotten her family, even though they visit her almost daily. Moderately disheveled after eating her lunch, half of which she now wears on her shirt, Mrs. P. is taking one of her many aimless strolls to nowhere. She glides toward Oscar, pushing her walker and muttering to herself with complete disregard for her surroundings. Perturbed, Oscar watches her carefully and, as she walks by, lets out a gentle hiss, a rattlesnake-like warning that says "leave me alone." She passes him without a glance and continues down the hallway. Oscar is relieved. It is not yet Mrs. P.'s time, and he wants nothing to do with her.

Oscar jumps down off the desk, relieved to be once more alone and in control of his domain. He takes a few moments to drink from his water bowl and grab a quick bite. Satisfied, he enjoys another stretch and sets out on his rounds. Oscar decides to head down the west wing first, along the way sidestepping Mr. S., who is slumped over on a couch in the hallway. With lips slightly pursed, he snores peacefully — perhaps blissfully unaware of where he is now living. Oscar continues down the hallway until he reaches its end and Room 310. The door is closed, so Oscar sits and waits. He has important business here.

Twenty-five minutes later, the door finally opens, and out walks a nurse's aide carrying dirty linens. "Hello, Oscar," she says. "Are you going inside?" Oscar lets her pass, then makes his way into the room, where there are two people. Lying in a corner bed and facing the wall, Mrs. T. is asleep in a fetal position. Her body is thin and wasted from the breast cancer that has been eating away at her organs. She is mildly jaundiced and has not spoken in several days. Sitting next to her is her daughter, who glances up from her novel to warmly greet the visitor. "Hello, Oscar. How are you today?"

Oscar takes no notice of the woman and leaps up onto the bed. He surveys Mrs. T. She is clearly in the terminal phase of illness, and her breathing is labored. Oscar's examination is interrupted by a nurse, who walks in to ask the daughter whether Mrs. T. is uncomfortable and needs more morphine. The daughter shakes her head, and the nurse retreats. Oscar returns to his work. He sniffs the air, gives Mrs. T. one final look, then jumps off the bed and quickly leaves the room. Not today.

Making his way back up the hallway, Oscar arrives at Room 313. The door is open, and he proceeds inside. Mrs. K. is resting peacefully in her bed, her breathing steady but shallow. She is surrounded by photographs of her grandchildren and one from her wedding day. Despite these keepsakes, she is alone. Oscar jumps onto her bed and again sniffs the air. He pauses to consider the situation, and then turns around twice before curling up beside Mrs. K.

One hour passes. Oscar waits. A nurse walks into the room to check on her patient. She pauses to note Oscar's presence. Concerned, she hurriedly leaves the room and returns to her desk. She grabs Mrs. K.'s chart off the medical-records rack and begins to make phone calls.

Within a half hour the family starts to arrive. Chairs are brought into the room, where the relatives begin their vigil. The priest is called to deliver last rites. And still, Oscar has not budged, instead purring and gently nuzzling Mrs. K. A young grandson asks his mother, "What is the cat doing here?" The mother, fighting back tears, tells him, "He is here to help Grandma get to heaven." Thirty minutes later, Mrs. K. takes her last earthly breath. With this, Oscar sits up, looks around, then departs the room so quietly that the grieving family barely notices.

On his way back to the charting area, Oscar passes a plaque mounted on the wall. On it is engraved a commendation from a local hospice agency: "For his compassionate hospice care, this plaque is awarded to Oscar the Cat." Oscar takes a quick drink of water and returns to his desk to curl up for a long rest. His day's work is done. There will be no more deaths today, not in Room 310 or in any other room for that matter. After all, no one dies on the third floor unless Oscar pays a visit and stays awhile.

Note: Since he was adopted by staff members as a kitten, Oscar the Cat has had an uncanny ability to predict when residents are about to die. Thus far, he has presided over the deaths of more than 25 residents on the third floor of Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Providence, Rhode Island. His mere presence at the bedside is viewed by physicians and nursing home staff as an almost absolute indicator of impending death, allowing staff members to adequately notify families. Oscar has also provided companionship to those who would otherwise have died alone. For his work, he is highly regarded by the physicians and staff at Steere House and by the families of the residents whom he serves.

Source Information

Dr. Dosa is a geriatrician at Rhode Island Hospital and an assistant professor of medicine at the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University — both in Providence


TOPICS: Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: fifthposting; oscarthecat
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To: OpusatFR

“Animals can either smell the change in the body chemistry or have another sense we do not understand.”

I don’t doubt it. The question is, why should they care? For all the vitriol some jerks on this board spew towards cats (if you just don’t much care for them, fine - I don’t care much for birds or pet rodents, but I don’t “hate” them) they definitely show affection towards some people and I’ve seen them stay very close to people who were dying. Why should they do that if they care so little about people as some people here claim. And don’t give me any of that guff about them looking for food or something - I’m not buying it.


21 posted on 07/26/2007 8:26:42 AM PDT by -YYZ- (Strong like bull, smart like ox.)
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To: LambSlave
"Jesus is enough, she doesn't need the cat!!"

Re-read the story. The notification by the cat gave the nurse time to contact the family so they could have a priest give the last rites. Maybe she needed the extra help, and Jesus sent the cat to make sure.

22 posted on 07/26/2007 8:29:59 AM PDT by Wonder Warthog (The Hog of Steel-NRA)
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To: Jokelahoma
Cat Diary

DAY 752 - My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while I am forced to eat dry cereal. The only thing that keeps me going is the hope of escape, and the mild satisfaction I get from shredding the occasional piece of furniture. Tomorrow I may eat another houseplant and cough it up on the carpeting.

DAY 761 - Today my attempt to kill my captors by weaving around their feet while they were walking almost succeeded, must try this at the top of the stairs. In an attempt to disgust and repulse these vile oppressors, I once again induced myself to vomit on their favorite chair...must try this on their bed (again).

DAY 762 - Slept all day so that I could annoy my captors with sleep depriving, incessant pleas for food at ungodly hours of the night.

DAY 765 - Decapitated a mouse and brought them the headless body, in an attempt to make them aware of what I am capable of, and to try to strike fear into their hearts. They only cooed and condescended about what a good little cat I was...Hmmm. Not working according to plan...

DAY 768- I am finally aware of how sadistic they are. For no good reason I was chosen for the water torture. This time however it included a burning foamy chemical called "shampoo". What sick minds could invent such a liquid. My only consolation is the piece of thumb still stuck between my teeth and the tiny bit of flesh under my claws.

DAY 771 - There was some sort of gathering of their accomplices. I was placed in solitary throughout the event. However, I could hear the noise and smell the foul odor of the glass tubes they call "beer." More importantly I overheard that my confinement was due to MY power of "allergies". Must learn what this is and how to use it to my advantage.

DAY 774 - I am convinced the other captives are flunkies and maybe snitches. The dog is routinely released and seems more than happy to return. He is obviously a half-wit. The Bird on the other hand has got to be an informant. He has mastered their frightful tongue (something akin to mole speak) and speaks with them regularly. I am certain he reports my every move. Due to his current placement in the metal room his safety is assured. But I can wait, it is only a matter of time.

23 posted on 07/26/2007 8:33:08 AM PDT by Ignatz (Soylent Green are people, too!)
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To: pwatson

Has it occurred to anyone that the cat may be causing the deaths rather than predicting them? We had a cat that was capable of producing odors from ingested generic Small Frisky’s that would likely cause anyone in a weakened state to succumb to whatever ailed them. Perhaps they should upgrade the cat’s diet?


24 posted on 07/26/2007 8:42:01 AM PDT by metalcor
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To: ladyjane

They also did the story twice on Fox News.


25 posted on 07/26/2007 8:48:00 AM PDT by Lokibob (Some people are like slinkys. Useless, but if you throw them down the stairs, you smile.)
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To: Jokelahoma

Just try posting something mildly favorable, or even just reasonable, about pit bulls and pit crosses. WARNING: Put on your asbestos underwear before you even try.


26 posted on 07/26/2007 8:48:25 AM PDT by libstripper
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To: pwatson

I loved reading this story. My dog sensed my mother’s cancer and always laid with her when she visited. She, too, was in a dementia unit at a nursing home when she passed. She loved animals. My dog is a Belgian shepherd mix, not a lap dog. She was a bit nervous about him but he was ever so gentle with her. They know.

I wish you the best with your parents. It’s a worry and can be a strain but also be most heartwarming and rewarding times of life.


27 posted on 07/26/2007 8:51:25 AM PDT by SueRae
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To: Lokibob; pwatson

Fortunately this post contained the original article that appeared in the New England Journal. I tried to access it last night but was unable.

Thank you, pwatson.


28 posted on 07/26/2007 8:52:27 AM PDT by ladyjane
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To: pwatson
I don't want this cat ANYWHERE around me...
29 posted on 07/26/2007 8:56:43 AM PDT by Bladerunnuh
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To: Bladerunnuh

This is a reverse story.

We had a cat for 16 years....always slept curled up with my wife....every night. If she was away, he’d sleep on her pillow.
Well, he got weak and was acting very strangely one night refusing to leave my bedside. I told my wife to get a towel for him to lay on as I thought he was dying. Our friend of 16 years was gone by morning.....sure glad I put the towel down, it worked and saved the carpet. Strange behavior usually means something, I was just fortunate to see it.


30 posted on 07/26/2007 11:32:58 AM PDT by Jeffrey_D. (The only thing I love more than my FreeperFriends is my God, Family and Country !!!!)
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To: pwatson

Some bonehead wrote fifthposting. The is the only post from the NEJM. Thank you!


31 posted on 07/26/2007 3:51:45 PM PDT by neverdem (Call talk radio. We need a Constitutional Amendment for Congressional term limits. Let's Roll!)
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To: pwatson

It’s the evil cat of death. It should be destroyed immediately before anyone else dies.


32 posted on 07/26/2007 3:58:08 PM PDT by aruanan
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To: pwatson
I think the ancient Egyptians were fascinated with cats because of their instincts. I’ve always felt cats had a third eye into another dimension. I would fall asleep on the couch and eventually go into a deep sleep having the most vivid, full color realistic dreams of places i have never been. when I would wake up my male cat would be lying sphinx like on my chest staring at me. It happened a few times.
33 posted on 07/26/2007 4:00:47 PM PDT by jetson
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To: mtbopfuyn

Mine does the same thing. I can only guess we got the mut of the litter.


34 posted on 07/26/2007 4:05:35 PM PDT by Orange1998 (4 Real)
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Keyword: oscarthecat


35 posted on 02/08/2010 4:27:11 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Happy New Year! Freedom is Priceless.)
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To: pwatson

One of my cats knowsbefre I do when I’m having an insulin reaction. He will start to meow and just make a rucus until I get up and do something. He just knows something isn’t right.


36 posted on 02/08/2010 4:54:38 PM PST by chris_bdba
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To: chris_bdba

knowsbefre=knows before


37 posted on 02/08/2010 4:55:07 PM PST by chris_bdba
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