Thursday, July 26, 2007

A FUZZY GRIM REAPER


I came across this article on the web today (some of you may also have read it), about this cat Oscar. Oscar lives in a nursing home where most of the elderly are living with dementia or terminally ill diseases. He has been living there for the past 2 years - he was adopted by the staff when he was a kitten.

The thing about Oscar is he can predict when someone is about to die, within a 4 hour time frame. Sounds crazy huh? But apparently he has been right about over 25 deaths. He simply curls up beside the person who is about to die. Doctors and nurses first thought it was a strange coincidence but now think he can actually tell when someone is about to die. Apparently when the staff sees him take his place beside a resident, they immediately call the family members so they can arrive in time.

So people are speculating whether he knows this based on the cues of the nurses, or if he really have an ability to perceive when someone is about to die. I personally think it's instinctual. I mean if an animal can tell a storm is coming, why can't they know death is coming? We already know that animals have sensory abilities much more magnified than humans. Perhaps it's the release of a chemical before death or something. I mean how does a bloodhound track people? Smell. There are even pets that can sense when someone is about to have a seizure. Is it so hard to believe that a cat wouldn't smell death?

Hopefully the residents don't really know the association with this cat and the life beyond. I know I would be freaked out if this cat perched beside me! However, perhaps it is a comfort to have a furry friend puring beside you as you slip away. In any case, I thought this was reallly interesting.

7 comments:

Valerie said...

Wow that is interesting. I hope he comforts those when there time is short.

Anonymous said...

Oh my. I firmly believe that animals have wonderful instincts.

Thanks for sharing this!

k8 said...

i read that too. i believe it but it's a little creepy.

Anonymous said...

That's spooky as all get out. Wonder what would happen if they kick him out of bed, will the people continue living??

That's what I'd do.....what else do they have to lose by trying?

Maria said...

I think it is instinctual too. One day we will all come to realize that animals have a whole other set of senses than we humans do. We are so arrogant, you know? To think that we are superior to animals. We all have a place in the circle.

Anonymous said...

I heard about this cat today too. Very freaky but I believe it. I found it to be very interesting.

Anonymous said...

I read about that cat too, and it is interesting, and I think you're right, their senses are much more advanced than ours.

But like you, I wouldn't let that cat get anywhere near me! ;) I'd be going "shoo, shoo, get away! I'm fine!"