David Dosa

When Oscar arrived at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rhode Island he was a cute little cat with attitude. He loved to stretch out in a puddle of sunlight and chase his tail until he was dizzy. Occasionally he consented to a scratch behind the ears, but only when it suited him. In other words, he was a typical cat. Or so it seemed. It wasn't long before Oscar had created something of a stir. Apparently, this ordinary cat possesses an extraordinary gift: he knows instinctively when the end of life is near.

the extraordinary gift of an ordinary cat

Making rounds with Oscar

Förord av Nils Uddenberg, författare till Gubbe och katt. Det är vårdhemmets sjuksköterskor som först märker det. Gång efter gång vet den buttra katten Oscar något som vårdpersonalen inte vet. När en patient inte har långt kvar, hoppar Oscar upp i sängen och håller patienten sällskap de sista timmarna i livet. Läkaren och geriatrikern David Dosa tror inte riktigt på det, han är ju utbildad naturvetare och skeptisk till den här sortens påståenden. Men det händer gång på gång och till slut kan han inte längre blunda för Oscars ovanliga gåva. För att gå till botten med frågan börjar han samtala med sin personal och sina patienters närstående. Samtalen ger honom insikter som han skriver ner. Det blir en varm och fin, rent av uppmuntrande, berättelse om hur relationer och livet som helhet förändras när en nära och älskad blir dement. Och vad en liten katt kan göra för att förgylla den sista tiden i livet, både för patienten och för de anhöriga. David Dosa jobbar fortfarande på vårdhemmet i Providence på Rhode Island, vid sidan av sin forskning inom geriatrik vid Brown University. Även Oscar tassar fortfarande omkring på avdelningen. Deras bok blev snabbt en New York Times bestseller och en internationell försäljningssuccé med utgivning i sjutton länder.

En vanlig katt med en ovanlig gåva

Sjukhuskatten Oscar

Making the Rounds with Oscar

Shares the author's experiences of working with the elderly and the story of a unique nursing-home cat whose uncanny, apparently precognitive vigils at the sides of residents who are about to die has enabled staffers to administer patient care and noticeto loved ones.

The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat

Making Rounds with Oscar

A remarkable cat. A special gift. A life-changing journey. They thought he was just a cat. When Oscar arrived at the Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rhode Island he was a cute little guy with attitude. He loved to stretch out in a puddle of sunlight and chase his tail until he was dizzy. Occasionally he consented to a scratch behind the ears, but only when it suited him. In other words, he was a typical cat. Or so it seemed. It wasn't long before Oscar had created something of a stir. Apparently, this ordinary cat possesses an extraordinary gift: he knows instinctively when the end of life is near. Oscar is a welcome distraction for the residents of Steere House, many of whom are living with Alzheimer's. But he never spends much time with them -- until they are in their last hours. Then, as if this were his job, Oscar strides purposely into a patient's room, curls up on the bed, and begins his vigil. Oscar provides comfort and companionship when people need him most. And his presence lets caregivers and loved ones know that it's time to say good-bye. Oscar's gift is a tender mercy. He teaches by example: embracing moments of life that so many of us shy away from. Making Rounds with Oscar is the story of an unusual cat, the patients he serves, their caregivers, and of one doctor who learned how to listen. Heartfelt, inspiring, and full of humor and pathos, this book allows readers to take a walk into a world rarely seen from the outside, a world we often misunderstand.

David Dosa

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