BS: Cat Forsees Death?

Subject: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Mickey191
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 12:08 PM

On the CNN News this AM: A Nursing Home cat seems to be able to tell when a patient is near death. He generally makes the rounds and leaves the various patients quickly. The exception is when he stays with the person for 3 or 4 hours in a comforting mode - then death ensues The staff has seen this happen 25 times. It gives them time to call the patient's immediate family to come for a last visit.
Once he was removed from the bed and stayed outside the room pacing and howling. The person passed away.
Your thoughts?

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Rapparee
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 12:11 PM

Banshee, dementor...in disguise.

Nurses and care givers could probably do the same thing IF they were empathetic enough.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: JennyO
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 12:17 PM

I can believe this quite easily. My cat Onyx always comes and wants to climb into my lap and put her head under my hand when I am feeling unhappy. A few years ago when I broke my ankle, she was especially attentive.

She does the same thing with John when he is not happy too. He is not a cat person, but she has won him over because she is so obviously affectionate at those times. It's like she instinctively knows that stroking a cat is a calming soothing activity.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: beardedbruce
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 12:19 PM

Should I be worried that my cat is being affectionate recently?

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Ebbie
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 12:20 PM

lol, bb

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: JennyO
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 12:23 PM

Those sort of thoughts actually occurred to me, Bruce. I shouldn't worry though, because I think it is just a general sign that they are empathetic to human feelings and distress.

On the other hand, have you changed your aftershave to "Eau de Poisson" lately?

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: skipy
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 12:30 PM

I must be close to death twice everyday! As soon as I open a certain cupboard in utility & take a can out.
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: DebC
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 12:32 PM

Here is the article from today's Boston Globe

Deb

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Rasener
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 12:37 PM

The cat probably sees the staff injecting the poison into the patients arm!.

Maybe the cat should have CCTV linked to it, so it can record whats going on.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: pdq
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 12:38 PM

Perhaps the cat is owned by Jack Kevorkian?

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 12:40 PM

Why not - there are physiological signs that (as posted above) anybody sensitive to them should be able to find. The nurses when my X was dying knew almost to the minute when he would...

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 12:47 PM

"SPOOKY"

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: JennyO
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 12:47 PM

I must be close to death twice everyday! As soon as I open a certain cupboard in utility & take a can out.

Well cupboard love is another matter. In that case they aren't climbing in my lap - more getting under my feet and miaowing loudly. I think they are trying to tell me that if I don't feed them soon, my life won't be worth living ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 01:23 PM

I thought this was a beautiful story. Animals can be so much more sensitive to such things than humans. They are open, receptive and take the time to notice such signs. What a lovely way to let go with a moggie by one's side. And, how wonderful this cat has taken it upon him/herself to do so.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Becca72
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 01:29 PM

Aw hell, I woke up with THREE of em on me this morning!! :-)

I actually found this story pretty heartwarming ( I read it on Yahoo earlier). This cat is otherwise not the snuggly type, except when he senses someone is near death.

I completely agree with Kat's post above. That's the way I'd want to spend my last couple hours.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: GUEST,Jim Dixon
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 01:56 PM

Somewhere I read about a doctor who is trying to train a dog to diagnose skin cancer by smell. It sounds plausible. If dogs can find heroin or cocaine, maybe they can find skin cancer the same way.

Maybe dying people give off a scent that cats can detect but people can't.

Why a cat would be attracted to that smell is another question. Maybe the cat just wants to sleep where he won't be kicked out of bed.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Greg B
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 01:59 PM

If I'm feeling unwell, Boots generally comes and settles his
front half on my chest for a little while, so our hearts are
close together, and purrs.

And you know, it makes me feel better, sometimes all better!

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 02:03 PM

Nothing surprising about this story to me. Yes, animals can sense when someone is near death.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 02:08 PM

Yes, dogs can smell cancer according to these studies.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: GUEST,jOhn
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 03:24 PM

Maybe its an evil cat, and its killing the people?

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Mickey191
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 03:31 PM

Guest jOhn, If the cat is a killer cat-I've got a few in D.C. who'd I love to send him to. One of them lives ....... I'd Better not say - or I'll be hearing a meow at my door tonight.

Kat, I've seen, on tv, the dogs who sniff out cancer. They could not be fooled! Got it right every in trial shown.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 03:46 PM

Is this what the doctor means when he says you need a cat scan?

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Greg B
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 06:05 PM

Hissssssssssssssssssss......

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 06:20 PM

The cat scan is fine, it's the lab tests you have to watch out for... those guys are thorough!

Sweet story and totally plausible. I've had experience with animals knowing when I was hurt, upset or needed some extra loving care with the option of teeth and claw.

I was beaten up by a former partner and fled to safety to my friends in the pub across the road. They owned a boxer dog who was devoted to their son. I took refuge in his room, with his mother and the dog. When the son bounced into the room, the dog stood in front of me, teeth bared, growling at his beloved master, who stopped dead in his tracks - he'd never EVER had his dog growl at him. Once I'd reassured the dog, he let his master in the room properly again.

Animals know...

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 07:02 PM

As Liz said, animals know. They just know lots more than most humans give them credit for.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Mrrzy
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 07:23 PM

Oh yeah. And there are dogs who can warn an epileptic in time to pee and lie down, to avoid doing the reverse uncomfortably suddenly.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: John O'L
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 07:35 PM

A cat will always contibute to the psychic kitty.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Alba
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 07:50 PM

I think it is so wonderful that Oscar brings his gift of comfort to the Dementia Patients in their hours of need.

Personally, I don't need any scientific explaination why this Kitty knows and then comforts the dying. I do know there is far more to our fellow creatures than we will ever know.
I am just glad that this moggy does what he does.

Best to all as always,
Jude

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 08:16 PM

Pretty much where I'm at, Alba.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: katlaughing
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 08:36 PM

Mickey, yes, I've seen those dogs on tv, too. It is amazing and wonderful.

I am reminded of a story in my books, "Psychic Pets." I think it was in Poland, during WWII, a small town had a pet goose. That goose would start squawking and in a strange way a couple of hours or so before bombers would strafe the town. It did it so consistently they learned to pay heed. Sadly, one time, after they'd all taken shelter, the goose didn't make it and died in the raid, but not before it had saved a lot of lives.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Rapparee
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 09:55 PM

I don't know about psychic and I don't pretend to know. But I suspect that if people took the time to learn the signs of dying we, too, could be like that cat.

Perhaps we used to be. Perhaps at one point, possibly a very recent point, people knew. But we've lost it, like we've lost so many things, and now it amazes us when "dumb" animals demonstrate what we've lost.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Sorcha
Date: 26 Jul 07 - 10:46 PM

Yes, Rap...I think that due to 'civilization' and other things, we've lost a lot of our sensory perceptions. I include emotional perceptions in that.

Not only the 5 senses, but things like the ability to read body language, 'sense' the Unknown, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 07:26 AM

Silly moment....

Wonder what goes through the mind of the other residents when the kitty decides to pay them a visit....

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: GUEST,Sapper, at Eden Valley Loop
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 08:23 AM

Was on BBC R4 last night.
From what I can gather, Oscar, the cat's name, gives comfort to the dying patient and alerts the medical staff to warn next of kin.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: GUEST,Sapper, en route to Shap Summit
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 08:29 AM

Had meant to include a link on that!!

Click Here

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: John Hardly
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 08:55 AM

A psychic cat isn't nearly so unbelievable as the reality...

...a whole nursing home full of people dying from cat allergies.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Foresees Death?
From: SharonA
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 09:12 AM

Good point, John!!!

Would some kind Mudelf please correct the spelling of the word "foresees" in the thread title? The proofreader in me cringes at that typo every time I skim down the thread list. Thank you!

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: john f weldon
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 10:26 AM

The cat just likes the scent of a good Brompton Cocktail.

(Hint... ...if someone offers you one, just say no)

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 10:29 AM

The article in msnbc pointed out something the other versions seem to have missed. This is not a people cat! Oscar doesn't like laps, being picked up, and doesn't cuddle. Rather than offer 'comfort' to the dieing, he just curls up next to them. I love cats but they're more interesting and more informative when you treat them as cats rather than little Mother Teresa's.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: john f weldon
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 12:40 PM

...or...
http://www.messybeast.com/cat-eat-man.htm

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 12:56 PM

If i have been ill and in hospital my cat won't leave my side.But if i have been camping that's a different matter she is pleased to see me then goes outside.
So i believe they know more than we do.



Scooby.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Cats
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 01:16 PM

I have been poorly these last few days and neither of mine will leave my side.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Bill D
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 01:42 PM

It's hard to guess exactly what happens and what is 'known' by animals who do these things...........I suppose we should just be glad that it isn't Armadillos or elephants who have the 'gift'..

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 05:32 PM

How do you know they don't Bill? I'll bet elephants do.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 06:56 PM

Of course elephants have the gift.. they just can't get throug the cat flap.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: john f weldon
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 07:02 PM

My old cat Foss used to forsee many deaths, mainly those of mice...
...she was 99.4% accurate...

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Jim Dixon
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 07:17 PM

From the article that kat linked to above:

"Cancer cells emit different metabolic waste products than normal cells," Broffman said. "The differences between these metabolic products are so great that they can be detected by a dog's keen sense of smell, even in the early stages of disease."

If dogs can smell it, maybe cats can, too.

And if cancer emits special chemicals, the failure of various organs probably does, too.

My vet taught me that when an animal is experiencing kidney failure, its breath smells like urine.

There's no need to assume the cat in question has any psychic ability. Probably just a good sense of smell.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: Sorcha
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 10:33 PM

Well, whatever it is the cat senses, smells, hears, Oscar is doing something that most humans can't. I'd bet lots of other animals can do it too, whatever 'it' is. Smell seems as good a clue as any other.

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: JennyO
Date: 27 Jul 07 - 11:00 PM

Even if it does turn out to be just a good sense of smell, that doesn't explain why Oscar would choose to snuggle up next to someone who is emitting that smell.

I believe elephants do have a similar gift, but I don't think I'll get one - my vege gardens might get trampled on, and the food bills would be prohibitive ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Cat Forsees Death?
From: GUEST,IBO
Date: 28 Jul 07 - 05:28 AM

What an absolute load of bollocks