Our Stories - Life is Precious

He’s the Cat’s Meow!!
Alice

Jun, 2015

Alice, who resides in an Assisted Living Facility, told her hospice team that she would enjoy a visit from a cat. As wonderful as they are, for Alice, a dog would not do, as “cat people” can completely understand. 

Volunteer Coordinator Julie was having no luck, even though she pursued various avenues with volunteers and community resources, to find a cat who could visit.  Laurie Timmer, Spiritual Care Coordinator at Hospice at Home volunteered her cat, Murphy, as he is very social and has a special family legacy. 

Laurie inherited Murphy from another Hospice at Home patient, with whom he lived in a nursing home for a few months. Murphy was quite the celebrity at the nursing home, with residents knocking on his owner's door to visit. He was even the “author” of a column for the facility’s newsletter!

Murphy’s humans were animal guardians and pet enthusiasts, and had provided many opportunities for people to have encounters with all kinds of animals, including farm and domesticated pets. Laurie believes it is an honor that Murphy can carry on this family legacy.

With the help of Pet Peace of Mind, which assured that Murphy had his necessary vaccinations and claw covers, he visited Alice where she lives. Murphy sat serenely on Alice's lap and enjoyed Alice's stroking, petting and verbal admiration of his splendid characteristics.

Alice’s smile was constant during her conversation with Laurie and Alice’s friend/caregiver, Carol. Murphy and Laurie are looking forward to many more visits with Alice.