Greetings! Welcome to the very special September edition of Dr. Pet Mom’s Delightful Pet Menagerie (DPM) Newsletter. This month, my lovely boy, Oscar, passed away. Yes, my heart is breaking but his memories always make me smile. Please enjoy my memories of Oscar’s joyful life!
Oscar, Mr. Bean’s Therapy Cat
Several years ago, Oscar was an older stray cat in need of a home. At the time, I was looking for an older cat to be a therapy cat for my other furry boy, Mr. Bean. I thought an older cat would be a great fit for Mr. Bean, an adult kitty whose health turned for the worse.
We found Oscar at an adoption event in a local store. I knew that the store worked with cat rescues in the area. The cats and kittens lived with foster families, were well socialized, examined by a vet, and looking for their furrever homes.
My first memory of Oscar was his engaging and watchful eye over the kittens in his adoption den. He lay there quietly as kittens leaped over and around him.
The kittens’ playfulness didn’t bother him. Oscar showed a genuine spirit of caring and I knew he would be a good therapy cat for Mr. Bean.
Oscar was the purrrfect companion for my sick kitty. Mr. Bean would hide a lot and not act like his usual self. But with Oscar around to help, Mr. Bean acted more like a cat for a while.
Mr. Bean came out of hiding to enjoy play time with Oscar. Oscar was patient – he knew that Mr. Bean was sickly. They enjoyed each others’ companionship.
Oscar tried to comfort Mr. Bean and was attentive to his moods. Oscar would sit patiently while Mr. Bean ate his food, then Oscar would finish any leftovers. He was a kind and caring therapy cat.
Mr. Bean passed away, but Oscar remained a caring and wonderful therapy pet for his human family.
Oscar, the Family Therapy Cat
He was adopted as “Arthur” but his personality really is an Oscar. One day we noticed that Arthur had a dust bunny attached to his whiskers. I thought about the messy character from the Odd Couple named Oscar Madison. Also, I am a fan of jazz great, Oscar Peterson. And that’s how Oscar got his new name!
After we lost Mr. Bean, Oscar became even more dear to our hearts. The ups and downs of life can bring on anxiety and depression. Oscar turned into a natural therapy cat for my family.
Oscar was a feral rescue kitty. But his nature was full of empathy as he comforted animals and humans alike.
He had an amazing ability to sense your mood. When one of us had the blues, Oscar would curl up next to us for a paw holding, petting and purring session.
Here are some of my fave Oscar memes courtesy of his catdad, SocialClaude.
At the end of a long day, Oscar would greet me, waiting for his usual noggin pet. His purring and greeting always made me smile. Moments of joy are the best kind!
You want to keep any family member as healthy as possible. We kept Oscar healthy over the years. Male kitties have challenges with bladder stones, and we kept him well hydrated and on a special diet for many years.
Rainbow Bridge
Oscar’s guessimated adoption age was around 2 years – we knew little about his life as a feral kitty. Our number one priority was to keep him healthy into his senior years. Oscar shared our lives for 12 years.
But this month, Oscar crossed the Rainbow Bridge. He quickly lost his appetite, moved slowly, or tried to play when he could. But we could tell he was very tired. The vet visits revealed more kidney problems, but liver cancer was too extensive.
Oscar loved us and tried to hang on for us. I selfishly wanted him to share many more years with my family.
I stayed with Oscar to say our good byes. The vet gave me a loving clay mould of his paw prints and a stencil of his nose and paws. I also wear a memorial necklace with Oscar’s noggin.
Yes, losing a pet always leaves a hole in your heart. I think of Oscar spending his days playing with Mr. Bean, meeting new kitty friends, chasing mice, climbing trees, enjoying naps in the sun, and purring to his heart’s content.
All I can say is that my Oscar was a wonderful guy! His gift to my life will always live in my heart. And he’s waiting for me on the other side of the bridge.
Thanks for stopping by!
Dr. Pet Mom
“One day all the cats we’ve ever loved will all come running
towards us and that day will be a good day.”
–Unknown
2024 Book Update
Fall is in the air! The summer has been a challenge with hubby’s heart transplant and my transition into a full-time worker bee and caregiver. Publishing my book, Dr. Pet Mom’s Delightful Pet Menagerie (DPM) Newsletter, is still on my radar. My graphic designer is reviewing the book cover. Final steps are in process.
Such a loving tribute to Oscar! Oscar was indeed special and a wonderful and loving family member. Thanks so much for sharing, De. Pet Mom! Loved the photos, especially the shot of Oscar in his Time Tunnel. The love Oscar shared with you and the love you gave back to him is so beautiful. May Oscar (and Mr. Bean as well) find happiness across the Rainbow Bridge and may you and your family rejoice in knowing that someday you all will be together again.
Thanks for your very kind words, Lou. Oscar and Mr. Bean are my rock stars. They taught me so much about loving animals. Oscar could always make me smile with a gentle touch. His paws will always be in my heart. YES, we will all be together again 🙂