Cat Predicts Death
Thursdays Monroe Evening News had a front page story of a cat living in a hospice in Rhode Island. The cat is reported to be uncanny in its predictions of which of the residents will pass away next. The cats name is Oscar and he was raised from a kitten in the hospice.
The cat just seems to know and about 4 hours before death, he will curl up on the bed next to the patient and stay there until the person has passed. If prevented from being next to the patient, he paces and cries outside the room until the predicted death has occurred.
Stories like this seem more and more common. Animals are so sensitive that they can smell smoke before the alarms go off, sniff out drugs in luggage, detect cancer on your skin, and even predict when an owner is going to have a seizure. Some of these feats are easy to explain. Smoke and drugs are something an animal can easily smell. And fire is scary even to animals. So having them wake you up when the house is on fire is pretty predictable. But how does a dog know its owner is going to have a seizure? How does the cat know that death is eminent? Is there something to the phrase, “the smell of death”? It would seem that science needs to continue research in this area.
It is obvious that animals see, hear, feel, and smell things that we do not. From the elephants that knew the tsunami was coming, to cats that predict our passing, we have been given numerous examples of their ability to help us. I guess that is why I love animals so much. After all the abuse we as humans do to them, they return it with unconditional love, education, and acts that lovingly impact our lives right up until we die.
August 1st, 2007 at 10:37 am
Animals are so awesome. I think the story is very cool.
I know when I’m sick, I can’t get Scrappy (one of my dogs) to leave me alone, he wants to sit on me at all times. Sometimes I’d rather he just leave me alone but I know he’s doing cause he loves me.
August 1st, 2007 at 6:58 pm
Animals have a range of emotions that only their owners will testify to. They feel sad, lonely, and are concerned when you get sick. Even “lesser” animals know when something is not right with a human. I think it is cool too—