Making the Rounds with Oscar

Making the Rounds with Oscar tells the story of a cat living in a Rhode Island nursing home who appears to predict patient deaths by sitting with them in their final hours. Dr. David Dosa, a geriatrician at the facility, investigates the claims about Oscar's abilities through interviews with staff members and families. The narrative follows Dosa's evolution from skeptic to researcher as he documents Oscar's behaviors and impact on the dementia unit where he resides. Through his investigation, Dosa encounters families dealing with end-of-life situations and examines how both humans and animals process death. The book combines medical observation with personal reflection, using Oscar's story as a lens to explore dementia care, palliative medicine, and the bonds between humans and animals. These interconnected themes create a meditation on mortality and the different ways we face life's final chapter.

Readers found this to be more about dementia care and end-of-life experiences than about Oscar the cat, which surprised many who expected a pet-focused story. Readers appreciated: - Clear explanations of dementia progression - Sensitive handling of death and grieving - Personal stories of patients and families - Medical insights balanced with emotional depth Common criticisms: - Title misleads about content focus - Too much about Dr. Dosa's personal life - Repetitive stories and structure - Limited content about Oscar One reader noted: "This book taught me more about dementia than any medical text." Another wrote: "Expected cute cat stories, got an education in elder care instead." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (14,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (1,000+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (200+ ratings) Most readers recommend it for those seeking understanding about dementia and end-of-life care, not for those wanting primarily cat stories.

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🐱 Oscar, the cat featured in the book, earned international fame and was featured in multiple major news outlets, including The New England Journal of Medicine, for his alleged ability to predict death in nursing home patients. 🏥 Dr. David Dosa, the author, is a geriatrician at Brown University and wrote this book not to focus on Oscar's abilities, but to highlight the importance of end-of-life care and dementia treatment. ⚕️ The Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, where Oscar lived, is specifically known for treating patients with severe dementia and Alzheimer's disease. 🔍 Initially skeptical of Oscar's abilities, Dr. Dosa documented more than 50 cases where Oscar accurately predicted a patient's death by curling up next to them in their final hours. 🌟 The book was translated into over 20 languages and became an international bestseller, helping to spark important conversations about palliative care and the role of animals in healthcare settings.