Posted Jul 26, 2007 at 05:04PM by Nicolo S. Listed in: Self Well-being Tags: Brown University, Associated Press, New England Journal of Medicine
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Oscar the cat - Image 1Who said black cats bring bad luck? In Rhode Island, a two-year old white feline named Oscar joining you in bed means you're going to die a few hours after.

The Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where patients with Alzheimer's, Parkinson's disease, and other illnesses are treated, adopted Oscar as a kitten. Six months have passed before they noticed that he does his rounds, sniffing and observing patients, before curling up beside those that will die in less than four hours.

After observing Oscar in 25 cases, the staff came to believe that the cat is very accurate. Since then, family members of patients "chosen" by the furry death bringer are notified on what's about to happen. Even David Dosa, a geriatrician and assistant professor of medicine at Brown University, believes Oscar's ability. He stated in an essay on the New England Journal of Medicine:

He doesn't make too many mistakes. He seems to understand when patients are about to die. Many family members take some solace from it. They appreciate the companionship that the cat provides for their dying loved one.

Another doctor from the nursing house, Dr. Joan Teno, who specializes in treating the terminally ill, said that Oscar is better in predicting death than people who work there.

Oscar is serious about his work, and very moody about it. "This is not a cat that's friendly to people," said Dosa. Once, a family wanted the cat off the dying patient's bed. He was taken out, but his meows were nothing but signs of displeasure.

Up to now, it can't be explained how the feline can "predict" death. Teno suggests that the cat may be using the scents of dying patients, or he can tell by looking at the nurses' behavior. Staff in the nursing center don't mind if Oscar is left shrouded with mystery. A wall plaque was even given to him for his "compassionate hospice care."

Photo from Associated Press


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7 Comments


Sort by:
   by daveymontgomery (Unregistered) - 2007-07-27
 » serial killer

are you sure its not some serial killer using the cat to pick his next victim?

   by espen (Unregistered) - 2007-07-27
 » ...

dont be dumb, humans are most cruel

   by *****ty cat (Unregistered) - 2007-07-27
 » The cat is waiting

For his next meal, cats are known to eat their masters, so this cat must LOVE human flesh!

   by Advertising -
   by 7even (Unregistered) - 2007-07-27
 » *canable*

*cough* i had some flesh in my throat. this cat visited my house, or one that looked like it, and it gave me fish :q

   by me (Unregistered) - 2007-07-27
 » lol

"so cute, you'll die" - ROFL!!!

   by ikemike (Unregistered) - 2007-07-27
 » codemayhem.net

cool, im going to take this time to advertise a site.


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   Re: WACOMalt (Unregistered) - 2007-07-29
 » shameless self promotion can go shoot itself

dont do this... ever.


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