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Oscar the cat seems to have an uncanny knack for predicting when nursing home patients are going to die, by curling up next to them during their final hours. His accuracy, observed in 25 cases, has led the staff to call family members once he has chosen someone. It usually means they have less than four hours to live.
“He doesn’t make too many mistakes. He seems to understand when patients are about to die,” said Dr. David Dosa in an interview.
[…]
The 2-year-old feline was adopted as a kitten and grew up in a third-floor dementia unit at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. The facility treats people with Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease and other illnesses.
After about six months, the staff noticed Oscar would make his own rounds, just like the doctors and nurses. He’d sniff and observe patients, then sit beside people who would wind up dying in a few hours.
Dosa said Oscar seems to take his work seriously and is generally aloof. “This is not a cat that’s friendly to people,” he said.
Obviously. Just nearly-dead people. Beware the cat that loves you when you’re on your way out.
That’s why I’m a dog person. They love me no matter what.
The Lo Zone 
>I can't say that I am surprised about this. When I was a child we had a dog named Trixie who was mostly my grandfather's dog. This was back in the days when people left dogs outside and fed them scraps and an occasional can of Vets dog food. Even though Trixie wasn't restricted in any manner he never ventured more than a block from the house.My grandfather during the last year of his life was in and out of the hospital several times. On the third or fourth day of his final hospital visit Trixie disappeared and was never seen again. It was almost as if Trixie knew my grandfather was not returning.Hey, Lo just happened by, glad to see you back. BIG HUG
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>You're back! Hurray!!!!!!!I missed my favorite blog.
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>Welcome back, Lo. You've been sorely missed.
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>yeah, welcome back. (smile)
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>Hey Lo .. great to have you back blogging … yeah this cat is like my grand ma's dog "DOG" funny how animals are so sensitive to humans yet we can't figure out a damn thing about them huh
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>why did oscar have to be a tabby cat? those are my fave ones. damnnnnnnnnn damnnnnnnn damnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!! hahahaha
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>I always knew that pussy would be the harbinger of death…
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>Since my cat doesn't like to cuddle, this might be something for me to be on the lookout for. Suspicious, out-of-the-blue cuddling … hmmmm.And did someone say Tabby??? That explains it. They're evil!
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>Welcome back Lo.
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