Not So Grim Reaper

Well, as long as the cat doesn't come near me. lol

Many of the Nursing Homes in which I or my husband worked over the past 22 years had "resident" pets ranging from the typical--dogs, cats, canaries, parakeets, goldfish--to the less typical--exotic parrots, assorted lizards, guinea pigs, exotic fish, and in one facility, a small horse. Some of the animals were part of scheduled Activities Department programs; some just wandered freely through the homes; some stayed only in the administrative area (and the horse had a small pasture out back. ) I don't recall any animals specifically attending the dying but I know of at least two facilities where the dogs ONLY sat with the Altzheimer's patients and similarly affected patients. The dogs were friendly towards everyone, would greet staff, visitors, and new residents, but once the greetings were over, the dogs would each return to sit with the patients who were essentially lost in their own world.

I used to take my own black Lab to one facility one day each week. Babe only entered a resident's room after being invited inside. She never once jumped on or at a resident (a good behavior she couldn't seem to remember elsewhere ), and also spent most of her time with the post-CVA patients who had trouble communicating. One of the most profound experiences all of us had with Babe in that facility was watching her interaction with a senile and demented patient who's usual behavior was either total silence or heart-breaking screams. Whenever Babe visited the facility, this resident would propel her wheelchair to my clinic and would sit quietly speaking outloud to Babe about events from her life. (Until Babe's first visit, no one in the facility had ever heard this woman say a word and she had been a resident there for over 8 years.)

I don't know what or how the animals sense the human need. I just know the animals meet a profound need. Studies have shown that blood pressure lowers and respiration eases when animals are near or are touched by patients (provided the patient does not have an ingrained fear of the animal). I think "Oscar", the cat in the linked news reports, brings great comfort, even to the dying. At least they are not alone in their final separation from their physical being.

On the funny side, now that his story has been made so public, it would probably freak someone out to awaken from a nap or a night's sleep only to find Oscar nestled up close...especially if that someone expected to go home in a few days. Still, wouldn't it be nice to get a "Hurry Up and Get Your Life in Order" Notice so we could say our "I Love You"s and our "I'm Sorry"s before it's too late?

Lady B

I read an article in our local newspaper about this just today. It seems really freaky in some ways! I have often heard that animals have a sense for many things, from cancers, illnesses and even this- death. But the positives of having any kind of pet around, helps to add years for some in need of a companion. Great story!