Gratuitous Cat Post #3

Hospice Kitty or Furry Grim Reaper?

Oscar may be a little of both. My wife alerted me to this story, which you have simply got to read.

It tells about a two-year old cat named Oscar, who grew up in a nursing facility and has developed the knack of knowing when the facility's residents are about to pass away. Apparently, he curls up at their sides just hours before death. And he is so accurate that the staff knows it is time to call the family when Oscar comes calling.

One of the interesting things about the description of Oscar is that he doesn't seem to be sentimental at all about his duties. He doesn't want to be cuddled, but instead goes about his "rounds" in a businesslike manner.

Oscar presents some interesting questions: Should he do a unit of CPE for more training? Could he benefit from a pastoral care class to improve his bedside manner? Would Duke's Institute for Care at the End of Life be interested in having Oscar as a speaker on campus? The possibilities seem endless.