How to Understand Cats Like Oscar, The Nursing Home Cat

The recent story of Oscar, the "nursing home cat" in a Providence, Rhode Island nursing home is heartwarming, to say the least, and certainly can provide some lessons for all of us, if we're open to them. Not that it comes as any surprise that a cat might behave in such a way; I think any cat-lover knows this to be a routine practice and a built-in capability cats have been given by our Creator.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Open mind & heart
• Cat or kitten
• Love

1. The basics:
   
   Cats are truly mysterious creatures. They're entirely independent, yet fondly affectionate and dedicated to "their people".
   
   Cats seem to be able to read our minds and see deep inside of us, with a gaze that penetrates the soul, and in such a good way! It is as if they're validating our every thought, whether thoughts of fear or anger or hurt or happiness; they acknowledge and agree without reservation and without judgment.
2. This is Mattie (top) and Minky. They are very special cats! Some background:
   
   Cats have been highly regarded in many civilizations and cultures, most notably by the early Egyptians, who actually worshipped cats in their religious practices.
   
   Cats are so keenly "in-tune" with the human world that we could certainly learn some things from them, if only we'd take the time to observe their behavior.
3. The evidence:
   
   The example of Oscar wanting to be with those terminally ill patients in that Rhode Island nursing home is solid evidence there is much more at work than we might think.
   
   To me, it proves that Love is present all around us and it is the true power of Love which enables one of God's creatures to provide comfort for another. Indeed, it is the power of Love which has brought us all to be; and it is the power of Love which will keep us to be.
4. This is Mattie, our lovable male cat. The conclusion:
   
   I often appreciate thinking about some words from an ancient hymn (and later used by James Herriot in one of his books):
   
   "All things bright and beautiful,
   All creatures, great and small;
   All things wise and wonderful,
   The Lord, God made them all!"
   
   Indeed, He did; and He made them all to be capable of knowing Love; and therein is the real beauty of it all!
   
   We are all connected in the all-encompassing Love of our Creator, despite many appearances to the contrary, and despite some of the obvious "folly of our ways".
   
   Fortunately, cats are sometimes able to break through our human stubbornness to help us to see that. If only we could let that Love rule; what a wonderful world it would (truly) be!
   
   Thanks, Oscar; and keep up the good work!