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Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat |  | Author: David Dosa
Publisher: Hyperion
Category: Book
List Price: $23.99
Buy New: $13.79
as of 3/10/2010 12:56 CST details
You Save: $10.20 (43%)
Seller: cseereader
Rating:  61 reviews
Sales Rank: 240
Media: Hardcover
Edition: 1
Pages: 240
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.8
Dimensions (in): 8.3 x 5.8 x 1
ISBN: 1401323235
Dewey Decimal Number: 362.1756
EAN: 9781401323233
ASIN: 1401323235
Publication Date: February 2, 2010
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
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. Praise for Making Rounds With Oscar "This touching and engaging book is a must-read for more than just cat lovers; anyone who enjoys a well-written and compelling story will find much to admire in its unlikely hero."
-Publisher's Weekly "I love this book -- Oscar has much to teach us about empathy and courage. I couldn't put it down."
-Sarah Gruen, author of Water for Elephants "At its heart, Dosa's search is more about how people cope with death than Oscar's purported ability to predict it."
-The Associated Press "Beautifully written, heartwarming [...] Told with profound insight and great respect for all involved, this is more than just a cat story (although it will appeal to fans of Vicki Myron's Dewey)."
-Library Journal "You'll be moved."
-People
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 61
 Less Guilt March 10, 2010
Bookfestival (Aiea, HI)
'Making Rounds With Oscar' helped relieve a lot of guilt I felt for "not doing enough for my mother". 'MRWO' showed me that you have to let go. I love Oscar and I love his book.
Thank You for "Getting It" and for Oscar March 8, 2010
Glo
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
It heartened me to see a geriatrician who understands the impact and agony of dementia, not only for the patient, but for the family/caregiver.
My 88-year-old mother has had dementia for ten years. As I was struggling to get my combative mom ready for an appointment at the office of her geriatrician of many years, expecting to see the PA as the doctor seldom bothered with her, my phone rang and one of the geriatrician's employees was calling to tell me not to bring my mother in as "Dr. W--sman feels she would be a waste of his time."
I've never gotten over the shock of this ugly attitude toward dementia and the elderly. And from a "doctor" who claimed to practice geriatrics! And Medical Director for a respected MI hospital physicians organization!
Thank you for writing with such understanding, compassion, and of course, the joy of Oscar, a most amazing cat.
I Highly recommend This book March 8, 2010
Auntie Em (Cleveland, OH)
If you have a loved one with Dementia, are a caregiver, or have just lost someone with Dementia - READ THIS BOOK. - We just lost my Father to Dementia related causes - and I can't tell you how this little book helped me come to terms with what we had just gone through. I have already given copies to, or recommended it to other friends in similar situations. Dr. Dosa is compassionate and understanding, and he uses the stories of Oscar's "patients" to explain Dementia - and the common thread all families dealing with the disease share. Some of the stories will make you cry and some make you smile but in the end you will know that you are not alone - and it just may help you.
 LOVED IT! March 8, 2010
S. Darnall
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
This is a wonderful book, especilly for animal lovers. And it also gives us an insight into
our nursing homes and things we can do to make the residents more comfortable. This is
so typical of a cat. They certainly do their own thing and you just have to follow along
with them. Knowing that Oscar made the residents and their families more comfortable at
the end is truly a story of love.
An Inspirational Story of an Amazing Cat and the People He Helps March 7, 2010
R. Angeloni (Northern California, USA)
In "Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat," David Dosa, M.D., chronicles the activities of Oscar, an ordinary house cat who lives at the Steere House nursing home in Rhode Island. Oscar has an amazing ability to predict when one of the home's residents is about to die; he literally climbs into bed with the patient and quietly lies next to them.
I remember reacting with skepticism when I first heard about Oscar in 2009. The story of a cat who can predict when nursing home residents were about to die had made the national news, but I figured it was much to do about nothing. The cat, after all, is living in a nursing home filled with very old, and very sick, patients. And while Dr. Dosa cannot tell us how Oscar can predict when a resident is about to die, he does tell the story of an amazing cat who does provide an inordinate amount of support, companionship, and comfort for the residents, and their families.
In "Making Rounds with Oscar," Dr. Dosa tells the stories of a number of the residents who live at the home. Many of the patients have dementia, and are in the final stages of life. Oscar is one of the cats who live at the nursing home, there to provide a "home-like" environment for the residents and visitors.
But Oscar is more than just a regular cat. He does seem to know when a resident is about to die, does everything possible to get into the resident's room, and jumps on the bed to be with the patient when he or she dies. He provides comfort for the patient, and for their family members, who are suffering as they watch their loved one pass away.
Dr. Dosa has a conversational writing style, and the book is very easy to read.
While the subject matter, people with dementia who are in the final stages of life, is not a happy one, Dr. Dosa tells the story of the devoted and hard working staff of Steere House who do everything they can to make the residents as comfortable as possible, and a cat who has the uncanny ability to provide a great gift of compassion and companionship to people when they need it the most.
Highly recommended, especially to animal and cat lovers.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 61
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