Scan barcode
A review by mudder17
Making Rounds with Oscar: The Extraordinary Gift of an Ordinary Cat by David Dosa
4.0
3.5 stars
I enjoyed this listen, although I thought this book would be more about Oscar than about Dr. Dosa. Oscar was "just" an ordinary cat, but in my opinion, all cats are special for one reason or another. Dr. Dosa would not agree, but then again, he begins the story saying he isn't a cat person, and that Oscar was not a particularly affectionate cat (Oscar passed away last year, 2-22-22). Dr. Dosa is a geriatric doctor who works at Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation in Rhode Island.
This story is more about Dr. Dosa thoughts about end-of-life decisions that people face, but Oscar has been part of his story for years. Whether Oscar actually had the ability to predict death (possibly by detecting chemicals emitted by the body as it starts to near death), the fact is that he was a comfort to many families. There were several places in this book where I was moved to tears and almost every time it was through the words of a loved one describing the end of their family member's life and what Oscar meant to them during that time. This book also made me think about our family's own journey with my father and now, potentially with my FIL. Several times this book made me think of Atul Gawande's Being Mortal, which is a much more extensive and well-written book having to do with end-of-life decisions. If you like this book at all, possibly because the cat drew you in, I urge you to read Being Mortal.
Yet, even though this was not on the level of Being Mortal, I enjoyed listening to the book, and I especially enjoyed learning about Oscar and the way he helped families transition. My family is a cat family and I hope that in the end, we will each be surrounded by cats and our loved ones. Whatever the truth is about Oscar in terms of foreknowledge, etc., the fact is that his presence made the lives of many families better and that makes me smile. If you're looking for a quick story with some sadness as well as some smiles, I can recommend this listen.
I enjoyed this listen, although I thought this book would be more about Oscar than about Dr. Dosa. Oscar was "just" an ordinary cat, but in my opinion, all cats are special for one reason or another. Dr. Dosa would not agree, but then again, he begins the story saying he isn't a cat person, and that Oscar was not a particularly affectionate cat (Oscar passed away last year, 2-22-22). Dr. Dosa is a geriatric doctor who works at Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation in Rhode Island.
This story is more about Dr. Dosa thoughts about end-of-life decisions that people face, but Oscar has been part of his story for years. Whether Oscar actually had the ability to predict death (possibly by detecting chemicals emitted by the body as it starts to near death), the fact is that he was a comfort to many families. There were several places in this book where I was moved to tears and almost every time it was through the words of a loved one describing the end of their family member's life and what Oscar meant to them during that time. This book also made me think about our family's own journey with my father and now, potentially with my FIL. Several times this book made me think of Atul Gawande's Being Mortal, which is a much more extensive and well-written book having to do with end-of-life decisions. If you like this book at all, possibly because the cat drew you in, I urge you to read Being Mortal.
Yet, even though this was not on the level of Being Mortal, I enjoyed listening to the book, and I especially enjoyed learning about Oscar and the way he helped families transition. My family is a cat family and I hope that in the end, we will each be surrounded by cats and our loved ones. Whatever the truth is about Oscar in terms of foreknowledge, etc., the fact is that his presence made the lives of many families better and that makes me smile. If you're looking for a quick story with some sadness as well as some smiles, I can recommend this listen.