Name: magnolia
E-mail: Private
Date posted: April 30, 2010 - 02:20 pm
Message: Last month, after over a week in the hospital, my brother was admitted to an in-patient hospice facility. My husband and I had visited with him every day during this final illness, meaning our two cats had been spending alot of time alone. Since they both are spoiled rotten, we were being shunned by one, and getting dirty looks and "attitude" from the other each day when we made it home.
When we got the dreaded telephone call at 1 a.m. that my brother had left us, we just sat in the living room, trying to process the fact that I had just taken him pecan pie that very day, and that I had promised to bring him a home-cooked meal that I would now never be able to prepare for him.
We noticed the two cats who usually never got up during the night, sitting quietly on the floor staring at us. I know it sounds stupid, but it was like they wanted to make eye contact! It was only then, we knew they were trying to comfort us. If I live to be a hundred, I will always believe these two companions somehow figured out that we were grieving, and they were needed. This strange support lasted until after the funeral. We still talk about it...
I am nearly finished with your book. I do NOT want it to end. How I wish my mother could have had a doctor like you when she was battling alzheimers. You are a gift.

Name: Gail Murray
E-mail: Private
Date posted: April 28, 2010 - 04:08 pm
Message: Fifteen years ago when I went through a dreadful year of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation, I was blessed to have an Oscar-like cat. Smokey would get on me, snuggle close, and just purr and purr. It was the most comforting treatment of all. Thank you Smokey, thank you forever.

Name: Mary Ellen
E-mail: Private
Date posted: April 27, 2010 - 06:41 pm
Message: I just completed reading your fantastic book, and I know that Oscar has a very special gift not only for the dying patient but also for their families. I've read that cats and dogs can do wonders for the sick , by lowering their blood pressures and calming effects. Thank you for sharing this beautiful story about Oscar .

Name: terri arnold
E-mail: 5001@windstream.net
Date posted: April 26, 2010 - 04:48 pm
Message: dad had been at an alzheimers' facility for almost 2 years. after a week at the hospital, we were settling him into a room at the neighboring facility. he was already struggling to breathe. within moments of our arrival, a young cat peered around the corner of the doorway...the expresion in that cat's face is hard to explain but i just sensed a peacefulness, the cat somehow was telling me everything was going to be okay. i asked the nurse if it was "one of those cats"...she said she wasn't sure...this cat was kind of new.
well, 4 days later, dad had died. as i cleaned out his room, that cat came by the room; again there was an aura of peace surrounding that cat that i just can't explain. tbe nurse then told me the cat had been in dad's room for almost two straight days... when i brought a thank you basket to the facility later that week, i included cat treats for my special friend.

Name: Susie Watson
E-mail: Private
Date posted: April 11, 2010 - 01:16 pm
Message: Dr. Dosa - I just want to thank you for such a wonderful book. I just finished Making Rounds with Oscar, and only wish it had been available when my mother was alive. I kept her at home with me, my dog and two cats, as long as I could. But,ultimately, I could no longer care for her myself. She loved being at home with the animals. I have always had cats and know the sedative, healing powers they possess. I would like to be able to send you a picture of my sweet Shelby (my dog who died 2 yrs ago). After my mother died, I adopted Shelby - upon geting to know her, I found that she was the sweetest most intuitive dog I had every been around. So, I had her certified as a therapy and she was able to visit nursing homes until she became ill w/cancer. What a blessing for her and those people she visited and loved. If there is a way I can share her picture with you, please let me know. I have 2 wonderful pics with her pals in the nursing home.