Name: Robin Fiskaa
E-mail: ivorykbkb@yahoo.com
Date posted: February 16, 2010 - 07:02 pm
Message: I have been involved with kitty rescue and adoption for about 6 years. Back in 2006 I fostered a mommy cat with her 6 babies, and I had named them all after Santa's reindeer. In the summer of 2006 my mother was diagnosed with Stage IV ovarian cancer and was sent home from a two week stay at the hosptial with hospice services. As the weeks went by she deteriorated. Although she had always had pets she asked me one day to bring home one of the kittens for a visit....Had "Cupid" not been adopted I would've brought her home because she was so loving and friendly. When the day arrived to go to visit my mom I chose "Blitzen", an adorable 12 week old black kitten to bring home to show her. At this point my mom was bedridden, had a catheter, was not eating, didn't speak much anymore, and just spent the days listening to her music. I arrived with Blitzen and I could tell she was very excited...I took him out of his carrier and gently placed him in the bed with her and instead of walking around and investigating things, he curled up at her left side and remained there the entire day until we left to go home. I was amazed, and I always felt that he "knew" my mom was ill and that his job was to comfort her. She did not pass away that particular day but little Blitzen had that sixth sense... and I still swear to it to this day.

Name: Sharon Payne
E-mail: paynes@se-polk.k12.ia.us
Date posted: February 12, 2010 - 12:49 pm
Message: This past November when my mother passed away she was visited by the nursing home's cat, Jane. During the 5 days of my mother's passing Jane comforted both Jane and me. I love the facility where my mother was at and likewise the workers there. I believe that nearly every worker visited me daily to see how my mother and I were doing. Each of them mentioned the mysterious powers that Jane, the cat, possessed. They had noticed that Jane seemed to know when a resident was near death, just as Oscar did. I slept in a recliner beside my mother's bed and kept a round the clock vigil. The staff of the facility made up a bed for me in a vacant room because they were worried that I wasn't getting my rest. I opted to stay with Mom even though they superstitiously promised to keep Jane out of the room they had prepared for me. They believed with all their hearts that if Jane visited your room it was a sign of impending death.

I loved the comfort Jane provided to my mother and me. I also very much enjoyed your book. It brought back many memories of the journey I was on with my mother. Thank you for writing this wonderful book that very accurately describes the journey of Alzheimer's patients and their families!

Name: Mike Boyer
E-mail: Private
Date posted: February 11, 2010 - 12:05 pm
Message: I just finished your excellent book and wanted to thank you for takng the time to share your observations with us.

Oscar looks very much like my
Rocky, who is also a most perceptive cat.

Now that I have finished your book I am donating it to the local library.

Name: Emy Beach
E-mail: ebeach325@comcast.net
Date posted: February 10, 2010 - 08:03 pm
Message: Hello Dr. Dosa, I just wanted to send a short note due to the incorrect e mail I sent previously. My correct e-mail is;
ebeach325@comcast.net. I apologize for the error, and once again thank you for this wonderful book. Please give a hug to Oscar from me.

Name: Emy Beach
E-mail: ebeach3252comcast.net
Date posted: February 10, 2010 - 07:02 pm
Message: Hello Dr. Dosa, Thank you for writting such a heartwarming, thought provoking, and informative book. I purchased the book on Sunday February 7th, and finished reading it that evening. I lost my beloved kitty "Matilda" to feline mammary adeno carcinoma (breast cancer) last May 8th 2009. So reading about Oscar, and seeing his photograph on the cover surely warmed my hearth. Reading about all of these families stories, the love, and sacrifices that were made, left me thinking if I would be bless enough to find a facility like yours that seems to care deeply enough about their patients, if, and when that time comes for me. Will there be a being like Oscar that will accompany me until the end. Thank you very much again for writting this wonderful book. May God bless you, your family, and your wonderful, and loving staff at Steere Nursing Home. And may our good Lord continue to use Oscar as His instrument of comfort, peace, and, love.