Oscar ain't the first

I doubt that Oscar the cat is the first one to have proven he knows when elderly nursing home residents are about to die. In fact, the last cat we had at work (prior to the one we have now) reportedly exhibited exactly the same behaviour. In the last hours of the person's life, he would come into the ward and sleep next to the dying resident on their bed. This provided peace of mind to the nurses (who cannot always stay at the bedside of the dying) to know that none of the residents would die alone.

Now, of course, everybody is asking how the cats know with such accuracy when a person is going to die. Do they recognise some smell or substance that is released in the hours prior to death? Or perhaps a change in the resident's activity? Secondly, what explains the behaviour of the cat? Does it really sense that the dying need company, or is it motivated by its own needs, such as warmth?

In any case, this is a really strange phenomenon, and I'll be interested to see what scientists come up with to explain it. All in all, it probably suggests that cats are more deserving of the title "man's best friend".

Not the end

My Grandpa passed away at 10:05am yesterday, after a long battle with cancer and emphysema. We were with him when he went, which is what all of us wanted. He also went peacefully, which was a blessing considering his condition.

I'm gonna miss Grandpa heaps. I'll never forget the times we went fishing, rabbit shooting, and later on, hanging out at the local RSL. He was a special bloke - and everyone knew that. He was loved by everyone who cared for him.

After that day I couldn't help thinking about how much I hate death, poverty, sickness, abuse, violence, and everything else bad that happens in this trashed world.

But you know what? God feels the same way as me (and you), about the way the world is these days. And he's not just sitting back and watching - he's doing something about it, and calling people like us to do something too. It'll get worse, for sure, but you watch (or better, get ready), because one day the trashy, messed up world will go out with a bang and the new earth will be ruled with justice and peace, by the best King of all Kings. Check it out in the book of Revelation in the Bible.

For now, dying is a part of life. I sure wish it wasn't. But thank God it's not the end, just the beginning of true life.

Rest in peace, Grandpa. I know you're with Jesus and Grandma now, which is much better than when you were struggling here.