Kitty of “Death” Voted Top Weird News Story of Year
December 31, 2007 AP News
Oscar the cat bides his time at a nursing home in Providence, R.I. making the rounds, eating cat food, and curling up with those who are dying. The two year-old tabby was adopted from a local humane society as a kitten and brought to the nursing home to cheer up residents. Yet the often aloof cat seems to only offer affection to those who are near death (full story).
The tabby is more accurate than the doctors and nurses in predicting death, going to patients when they have four or less hours to live. In fact, if Oscar shows up at the bedside of a dying patient, the staff immediately calls the family in to say goodbye. Oscar has ushered over 25 patients into the afterlife.
AOL readers have voted Oscar’s story as the weirdest story of the year, and yes, it is weird. But on the other hand, it’s also touching. I love the idea that this creature, who was once abandoned seeks out those who are going into the lonely last hours of life. He sits by their side until they fade away. Also, Oscar’s “cat sense” has allowed family members to be present when a loved one passes.
The other thing I love about Oscar is that he runs to the dying, while the rest of us tend to run away from the dying. Hospice care is a tough field, and a depressing one–your patients are always dying on you. Plus, sitting with people who are dying is heart-breaking. Having sat next to my grandfather in his final hours, I know the importance and the pain of watching someone die. It comforts me to know that in a little nursing home in Rhode Island, Oscar the cat is doing something so few of us want to do–he sits with the dying.
Maybe we can all take a cue from Oscar.
Amy Sondova is a writer specializing in media writing, including interviews and reviews, as well as blogging. Having interviewed over 30 of the top musicians, writers, and speakers in the Christian media, Amy has also written countless columns, reviews, and articles on various topics including mental illness, self-injury, working with teenagers, and Christianity. She lives with her best friend, Sarah, and has two dogs, a cockatiel, and a betta named General Tso.
::
hello, i came across your site. I work at the home where oscar the cat lives. I thank you for your kind words about him. You make alot of sense. If you have read some other posts.. well. people look into it too much.
Oscar is alive, well. and doing his “job”. I saw him just last week do it..
thanks again
Hi! thats a pretty touching story in a weird way. you guys should put more story’s like that they call peoples attention and makes us believe theres someone watching our people in need even though they are not humans.
love your story’s!!!