[Zoot]

http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/20070726/t ... 2056d.html

According to David Dosa, a geriatrician at Rhode Island Hospital in Providence, Oscar makes regular rounds, looking in on patients and giving them a quick sniff, before either moving on or settling down for a cuddle.

So accurate have his predictions been, that as soon as the white and tabby harbinger of death curls up with one of the patients, staff immediately start summoning family and clergy to the soon-to-be deathbed.

Do you think there is actually something there? I mean can the cat sense that death will be coming along soon?
I think its really interesting, does the body give off an aura when its about to give up the Ghost or is it just a total coincidence?

I also have another question -
Cake or Death?

[Vivienne]

Yes, absolutely believe it... how cool is this thread. Animals have an uncanny sense about people. And yes, there are auras around your head in different colours (each colour means something different).

[MK Chris]

I found that story interesting as well, but I'm sure there is an explanation for it. Even if it's like a smell the body gives off just before it gives up the ghost, that the cat has taken a liking to.

[Ballbag]

And yes, there are auras around your head in different colours (each colour means something different).

*Cough.. cough...... bullcrap..... cough.. cough..*

[Vivienne]

It's true, balls... it's to do with your state of mind / health, etc.

[Ballbag]

Ok Viv if you say so...... I suppose that God actually exist too?

*Prepares for a verbal attack from the God squad*

[Vivienne]

Of course God exists.. you'll meet him one day. have fun, balls.

[Console]

Do you think there is actually something there? I mean can the cat sense that death will be coming along soon?
I think its really interesting, does the body give off an aura when its about to give up the Ghost or is it just a total coincidence?

A few possibilities spring to mind. The first is that when the body is finally breaking down it releases certain chemicals that cats (or other animals) can detect, and for whatever reason this cat likes the smell of it and 'cuddles' up to the soon-to-be-departed. The second possibility is that it happened purely by coincidence once (the cat just happened to stay with someone that was going to die soon) and since then the belief that the cat is the harbinger of death was enough to push the patients over the edge when they were 'predicted' for death. The last thought that occurs to me is that someone is poisoning the patients and the cat is able to pickup on the smell of the poison. Oh yes, and the could could be an angel in disguise sent down to comfort the soon-to-be-dead in this never before heard of nursing home in Rhode Island.

[Vivienne]

Ever the dismissive one.... the cat is indeed an angel in disguise. I have no question about this

Animals can just tell things about people... they know instinctively even people they like / dislike!!

[Console]

Ever the dismissive one.

Not dismissive, I just think that there's a whole load of possible explanations that should be ruled out before assuming that it's something supernatural. Oh, and before you even think of it, not being able to prove that there's actually something scientific going on is not proof that there's something supernatural going on.

[Vivienne]

oooohhh.... off we go again.... another day, another paranormal thread. Not being able to prove supernatural activity doesn't automatically mean that there will be evidence-based facts, cons. That's life, full of unexplainable activity.

[Zoot]

and since then the belief that the cat is the harbinger of death was enough to push the patients over the edge when they were 'predicted' for death.

Dosa did not offer any explanation for Oscar's uncanny powers of prognostication, which patients were not yet believed to have spotted.

The Patients haven't noticed the connection

[Vivienne]

well done, zoot... the patients haven't even noticed.... but the animals know tho'.

[Console]

Were not 'believed' to have noticed, that doesn't mean that they don't know. Besides, it not like I actually bothered reading the article, it's all third hand information.

[MK Chris]

when the body is finally breaking down it releases certain chemicals that cats (or other animals) can detect, and for whatever reason this cat likes the smell of it and 'cuddles' up to the soon-to-be-departed.

This is what I tried to say but you explained it better.

[Vivienne]

that's just so typical... not even bothering to read the article because it presents something you don't want to have to deal with.

[Zoot]

There is another theory - maybe the cat is killing them with its poison-tipped claws!

[Vivienne]

the cats will have observed an aura: this is what I really think... I would imagine it would probably be black in cases of death.

[Console]

that's just so typical... not even bothering to read the article because it presents something you don't want to have to deal with.

What don't I want to deal with? That people are so gullible of even in such great need of there being something larger than themselves that they believe in a expiration forecasting cat?

[Console]

I would imagine it would probably be black in cases of death.

You imagine? You mean you don't know?

[Vivienne]

so gullible.. including your's truly naturally...... I mean, you dismiss stuff without even reading through articles properly... like I said, the cat will, I imagine, have observed an aura of some kind. Please don't dismiss it.. it's perfectly possible.

[Vivienne]

I would imagine it would probably be black in cases of death.

You imagine? You mean you don't know?

(rolls eyes).

[Console]

ike I said, the cat will, I imagine, have observed an aura of some kind.

You imagine? So you're essentially guessing then?

Please don't dismiss it.. it's perfectly possible.

I won't dismiss it if you concede that it's just as likely, if not more likely, that the is a more scientific explanation for what's going on.

[Vivienne]

I am not "guessing"... I am just making a point, cons. And YES, I WILL concede that it is likely there is a scientific explanation. But, in my heart of hearts, I don't believe it. Once again, viv wins.

[Console]

I am not "guessing"

Of course you're guessing. Unless you know what's going on there of course. Are you the one poisoning the patients?