Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat

Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat by David Dosa, M.D.

Dr. Dosa works with geriatric patients who suffer from dementia. Oscar is one of two resident cats on the advanced dementia unit of the nursing home where Dr. Dosa spends a lot of his time. The staff and patients on the dementia unit quickly notice that Oscar has a unique ability. He always seems to know in advance when a patient is going to die and he insists on being present with them while they pass from life to death.

Oscar would settle himself on the end of a patient's bed prior to their death and simply be. Sometimes he would visit with the patient's family and other times he would just sleep. Oscar seems to know a truth that eludes many people, the gift of one's presence is the most amazingly powerful gift we can offer someone.

Facing difficult times in life can be very scary and unsettling, and facing those times alone makes it even worse. Having someone be truly present in a hard time is very comforting and soothing and yet it is rarely done in our culture. Rather than being truly present with someone in their pain we offer platitudes, meant to show our care but from a safe distance. More than words or things, simply being tuned into and close to someone in the midst of a challenge can be the most powerful show of support and encouragement we can offer. Oscar inherently knew this.

After reading this book, I am left with the idea that Oscar functions as a compassionate guide to the dying, their families and their caregivers. His job is to assist the person in making the transition from this world to the next, like a well meaning parent, making sure their child is well prepared for the harrowing journey ahead.

Making The Rounds With Oscar tells the story of how Dr. Dosa, a hard-fast believer in science and overall non-cat person, wrestles with accepting Oscar's mysterious, undeniable and unexplainable abilities. The story also provides an understanding of dementia and the heartbreaking challenges families experience as they grapple with being powerless to intervene as they watch their loved ones gradually unlearn everything, leaving them empty shells of their former selves.

nugget raids

Theo routinely patrols his space for unattended nuggets. I recently collected some photographic evidence of his handywork.

Operation Hideaway:

An unusual sound of clanking bowls drew my attention to the kitchen. There I found Nahum looking oddly innocent. Interestingly, there were no bowls around that could clank. Moments later, I heard the sound again - it was coming from inside the cupboard.

Nahum serving as lookout while Theo does the deed.

Moments later, Theo emerges after ransacking the cupboards in pursuit of stray nuggets.

Theo, feeling pretty good about himself and not at all concerned about being caught in the act.

Operation Sniff and Snarf:

Minutes after Operation Hideaway went down, I had settled back into my work in the living room when odd sounds emanating from the kitchen again attracted my attention. 

Upon investigating the strange sounds I found Theo shredding a ziploc bag and snarfing down nuggets as fast as his jaw muscles would allow. He had successfully sniffed out a bag of nuggets that I had forgotten to remove from the small pocket of a canvas bag. (The canvas bag can be seen in the first picture, to the left of Nahum.)

Theo's nose for food is astonishing. Even while feeling under the weather and congested, Theo was able to sniff out a sealed plastic bag of nuggets hidden away in a small pocket of a bag.

His amazing ability got me thinking. Dogs are used to sniff out all sorts of things; bombs, narcotics and perishable contraband, but why not cats? Maybe Theo's sniffing talent could be harnessed and used for good! A police-cat could have all sorts of advantages over a dog; cats can move without making any sounds, their amazing agility gives them more options for sneaking up on the bad guys, they do very well seeing with little light and they can jump incredible heights. I think I might be on to something...

fun friday feline factoid - therapy cats

The Delta Society, through their Pet Partners Program, trains and screens human and animal teams to safely visit with people in hospitals, nursing homes, school and other facilities. Delta Society's mission is to "help lead the world in advancing human health and well-being through positive interactions with animals. We help people throughout the world become healthier and happier by incorporating therapy, service and companion animals into their lives."

Debra White writes, in the November 2010 edition of Cat Fancy, that there are currently 10,000 dogs and 193 cats registered as therapy animals around the world. Over the course of Delta Society's Pet Partners Program they have had 1,000 cats registered total.

The number 193 struck me as rather small. I imagine there are a lot of people out there whose lives would be greatly enhanced from a visit with a therapy cat.

expectations

I had high hopes for Willow. I just knew she would be a great mom-cat. I envisioned her being the mom to Rose that she hasn't had. I saw Willow teaching Rose how to be a delightful, dignified female cat.


I even thought I had some data that told me this might be true. The way Willow looks after the other cats by grooming them, cleaning out their ears, and cleaning up any vomit. But apparently once again I'm not living in reality. Willow is not the cat I wished her to be. I hope someday I can get to know her for who she really is rather than who I need her to be.

return

I have always disliked returning home after vacation as it signals the end of something wonderful and the impending return to work. This time felt different. I felt bummed about the end of vacation and yet, I was really looking forward to being reunited with the cats.

It's really nice to have something to look forward to upon coming home!

only two

I spent a week in New Hampshire last week. I saw some beautiful foliage. What I didn't see were many cats. I counted only two.  Do people in New Hampshire have cats?

integration

The quarantine is over!

All four cats are now integrated together. Rose has had a ton of fun playing with Nahum, who has been a great sport. She pounces and paws at him and he graciously lets her have her fun. I bet he doesn't even feel most of her efforts due to his thick layers of fluff!

Theo has been curious about Rose but for the most part he leaves her alone. He did play ambush with her a little. It seems like he is still trying to figure her out before he trusts her enough to engage in a lot of play.

Willow has not appreciated having a kitten around. Rose tries to get Willow to play, but all she gets is a nasty hiss and the occasional swat of the paw. As long as Rose leaves Willow alone, all is well.

Rose walks confidently around the other cats, like she owns the place!