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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: $13.60
as of 3/15/2010 12:54 CDT details
You Save: $10.39 (43%)
Seller: cseereader
Rating:  69 reviews
Sales Rank: 315
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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| Features:
| | ISBN13: 9781401323233 | | | Condition: NEW | | | Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark. |
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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 69
 Angels Come In All Shapes and Sizes March 15, 2010
Shawn Kovacich (The Greatest Little City in the World)
Oscar is one of six resident cats at the Steere House, and elderly care house that specializes in dementia patients. Although the original resident cat, Henry, was not really accepted when Steere House was first built, but he eventually grew on the staff and residence. Now, through studies of how people respond better with animals, the Steere House has six cats.
Oscar was not known to be a friendly cat, rather hiding and swatting at people then cuddling. But, some of the staff and the residence started noticing that when someone was going to die, Oscar was with them. The main nurse, Mary, brought this to Dr. Dosa's attention one day after several months of Oscar's behavior. At first Dr. Dosa didn't think anything about this. He was not a cat person and figured that Oscar was just looking for a warm place to nap, especially after he tried to pet Oscar and Oscar took a swipe at him.
But, once Dr. Dosa saw Oscar at work, he started to rethink him being an ordinary cat. At the urging of Mary, Dr. Dosa started contacting those that had been there when Oscar was helping patients pass. At first he learns how the family has to struggle to find information regarding dementia and care for the elderly. More time than not, they basically stumble upon the Steere House.
From there it is a heart breaking journey seeing a mother or father slowly unlearn everything they knew until they cannot do anything for themselves. But it seems that although a patient begins to lose all aspects of themselves, but basic things still get through. Such as music, children, and animals. The cats at the Steere House seem to make the patients respond more than without.
But it doesn't apply only to the patients. It is a comfort to the family members when they come for visits. Dr. Dosa hears how Oscar was not just around for the patients passing, but also gave hope to the family members. They new everything was going to be all right and that they could go on from the loss of their father or mother.
This is a heartwarming book with several sad tales of Oscar's vigilance. It shows how doctors are human and don't always understand the workings of dementia and how the family struggles to find answers, help, acceptance, and loss. It also shows how animals are not as simple creatures that most people believe. They have feelings and know more about what is going on than what people give them credit for. This is one book that animal lovers should read. It makes you appreciate our furry children more.
I would also recommend that you read the following books:
Jack: The Christmas Collie
Dewey: The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World
The Art of Racing in the Rain: A Novel
Shawn Kovacich
100% Cat Lover
Author of the Achieving Kicking Excellence book and DVD series.
Doubting Dr. Meets Feline Wonder March 14, 2010
Isabella (Indianapolis, IN)
Those who have cats will probably not wonder about Oscar's divine talents. But the doctor that writes about Oscar is not only human, he is humane. A great read from the perspective of a doc recognizing his own mortality and phycial limitations and how an ordinary cat makes him question the medical establishment.
A truly inspiring story of an extraordinary cat... March 14, 2010
S. Kaploe (Olathe, KS USA)
What a wonderfully inspiring book! The book is written on the premise of a very unusual cat named Oscar and the physician who "studied" him. Dr. Dosa, a Gerontologist, is the primary physician on the dementia floor of Steele House, a nursing home. Being of scientific mind, he is a confirmed skeptic that Oscar would be anything other than just an ordinary cat. Mary is the head nurse in charge of the staffing and the well-being of Dr. Dosa's patients. Through Mary's insights and not so subtle nudging, she starts opening Dr. Dosa's eyes that more is going on with Oscar rather than just being an ordinary cat. Not one to ignore a challenge, Dr. Dosa starts to interview families who have had relatives as patients at Steele House. Through several in-depth interviews with relatives, and just plain observation, Dr. Dosa starts to begin to accept that there is much more to Oscar than he thought.
However, the real story in this book is about how dementia (Alzheimer's) truly affects families and their caregivers. Dr. Dosa is an amazing physician dedicated to the care of older patients. But he learns so much more about the complete process and how families learn to cope and love their "new" mothers and fathers. Through Oscar he has learned there is much more to life that just what medicine and science can offer.
Steele House is an amazing nursing home and team of professionals. And to think this all started with a cat (not Oscar).......
Written by a physician in language understandable to a lay person. A must for anyone who has end of life decisions to make. March 14, 2010
Cat lover doc (Steamboat Springs, CO)
Written by a physician in a language that can be appreciated by other physicians or lay people. It is a must for anyone who has end of life decisions to make or before a living will is written. For all of us cat lovers, it is a special treat.
Heart Warming title March 13, 2010
Maria Romano (New York, NY USA)
This is a wonderful, warm book for both cat lovers and people dealing with the infirmities of old age. It has beautiful quotes to introduce each chapter - it's about both a caring doctor and a caring cat. A great combo - at a nursing home and it's not depressing. Oscar is a memorable cat with a unique sense of being with people in their final hours.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 69
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