I Believe...

Here's a story out of Rhode Island...

Cat Predicts Nursing Home Deaths

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.

"Many family members take some solace from it. They appreciate the companionship that the cat provides for their dying loved one," said Dosa, a geriatrician and assistant professor of medicine at Brown University.

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.

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I actually believe this story because there was a cat at the Masonic Nursing Home where my grandparents were living that would do the same thing. In fact... when my grandfather passed away, this was the first thing my niece asked my brother when she found out her great-grandpa had died... "Was the cat in the room?"! And what was interesting... I think we all were wondering that same question.

Animals are amazing!!