Biologists at the Veterans Administration Hospital in Long Beach, California, wondered whether cats could sense the presence of X rays. Researchers exposed the felines to X-radiation and found the greatest effect occurred when the radiation was aimed at the olfactory bulb. According to a report in New Scientist however, the cats still retained some sensitivity to X rays after the olfactory bulb was removed. So, there may be more than one sensory receptor capable of detecting X rays, the scientists concluded.
And this brings us again to the question: how paranormal are pets, actually? Do they really have a sixth sense?
Image via Wikipedia
Homecoming Cats & Dogs
The cream-colored Persian cat Sugar was the pride of Mr and Mrs Woods of Anderson, California. In 1951 they decided to leave the area and because cars frightened the cat, they reluctantly left Sugar behind with the neighbors and drove to the farm in Oklahoma where they had found a new residence. Fourteen months later, Mrs Woods was standing near the barn when a cat leapt through the window and landed on her shoulder. There was no doubt this cat had to be Sugar: it had exact the same defect from which Sugar suffered – a deformed hipbone.
The homing ability of dogs is astounding. Nick, for instance, Doug Simpson’s dog, disappeared during a camping trip in southern Arizona in November 1979. Simpson spent two weeks searching for the German shepherd, but eventually returned to his home in Pennsylvania. Four months later, Nick showed up at the home of Simpson’s parents in Selah, Washington. The dog had crossed the Arizona Desert, the Grand Canyon, the Rockies, frozen streams and snow-covered mountains, and countless highways… to collapse from exhaustion on the driveway where Doug Simpson’s old car was parked.
The longest homing effort recorded, was achieved by a collie in 1923. Bobbie belonged to a family in Silverton, Oregon, and was lost on a family vacation in Walcott, Indiana. Six months later he made it back home, after traveling more than 2,000 miles. His route was traced through Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho. He had crossed the Rockies in the middle of the winter…
Image via Wikipedia
A Sense of Earthquakes
Pets seem to sense the precursor to earthquakes: the drastic changes in the magnetic field of the earth. They become nervous and frightened and often go into hiding. It was reported that in Japan, before an earthquake, goldfish tried to jump out of their bowls and in China pet birds attempted to escape from their cages.
Jim Berkland, chief geologist for California’s Santa Clara County, is convinced that when the number of lost pets increases, it means the state may be hit by a quake. After his own cat ran away right before an earthquake, he went through the lost-and-found classified sections of three newspapers, counting the missing cats and dogs. He combined the number of missing animals, data on geyser and tidal activity and the position of the sun and moon, in order to ascertain when conditions are most favourable for a quake to occur. His predictions have an 82 per cent success rate.
Image via Wikipedia
Psychic Missie
Mildred Probert, a retired pet store manager from Denver, was the proud owner of a little terrier with extraordinary talents. The breakthrough of “Psychic Missie” came on New Year’s Eve in 1965, when she was interviewed on KTLN radio. There was a transit strike going on in New York, so the talk-show host asked Missie when this would be over. The questions could be answered by the number of times Missie barked… and that would be by January 13. This turned out to be the exact date the strike ended. Missie also successfully predicted the outcome of that year’s World Series.
Since the little dog had often predicted delivery dates for babies, a pregnant woman once consulted Missie.
“September 18,” the terrier barked. “At 9:00 P.M.”
The pregnant woman chuckled. “I am scheduled for a Cesarean on October 6,” she said. “And my physician doesn’t work in the evening.”
But on the 18th the woman went into labor unexpectedly and she was rushed to the hospital, where her baby was born precisely at 9:00 P.M.
Missie’s psychic career didn’t last long. She choked on a piece of candy in May 1966, just at the time Disney was planning to turn her into a movie star.
More Historical Mysteries here!
Liked it
User Comments
Sterling Christianson
On September 18, 2009 at 9:42 am
From first hand experience, my buddy Sal had two awesome little cats. He was in the middle of a divorce and his ex took his cats,,,,oh, about 100 miles away. He was pretty torn up about this. A week later, both cats showed back up on our back deck, scratching and clawing to get in. Of couse we let them back in with great pleasure and somewhat like a re-union of lost loved ones. We just couldn’t believe they could make it back on their own like that. I’m not sure if it was paranormal, but we were both quite happy they had returned. They were a bit straggled and weather beaten but loyal to their master or just glad to be home. Very interesting article Patrick. As usual, a great article regarding psychic phenomona.
lindalulu
On September 18, 2009 at 10:17 am
I truly believe in paranormal in humans and pets. What a great article Patrick!
ken bultman
On September 18, 2009 at 10:35 am
Animals are not human and they have ways we do notl They are gifted.
Jackie118
On September 18, 2009 at 12:15 pm
I’m convinced animals can see and hear things that humans (on the whole) are unable to. Over the years I’ve had numerous pets and all of them, at times, seem as if they’re on a ‘different plain’!!
Really interesting article … but not sure I agree with the X-ray test on the poor things just to prove or disprove a point though.
WriteEditSeek
On September 18, 2009 at 2:54 pm
Very cool article. Scientist Rupert Sheldrake has done a lot of research into pets’ sixth sense. I listened to a radio program where he was talking about studies he had done with animals that proved they could sense when their owners were coming home, even when the times that they came home varied. He set up cameras in the house, and invariably the dogs and cats would start getting excited when their owners were a mile or two from the house. Amazing stuff.
CaSundara
On September 18, 2009 at 4:51 pm
This was fascinating. I’ve always believed cats have a sixth sense, but those dogs traveling all those miles to get home is just unbelievable. Excellent article!
thestickman
On September 18, 2009 at 7:27 pm
Interesting article
Athlyn Green
On September 18, 2009 at 11:12 pm
I had a parrot and we had a psychic connection. I could always tell ahead of time when she needed to relieve herself or if she was thirsty. I could actually feel these sensations in my own body.
We would be driving with her in the car and I would get my husband to pull over to the side of the road. I would open the door and extend my arm and Muggles would crawl out and do her thing.
We could travel for miles and I could always tell. This was handy because it made for a clean car.
One time, we had someone in the car who was skeptical and who claimed that the bird was “just doing what was expected of it,” so my husband pulled over and I put my arm out. I coaxed Muggles out on my arm. Muggles looked at me, very puzzled, inched out on my arm and just perched there.
This was an interesting read. I’ve heard of animals that have covered long distances to return home.
Prettywolf
On September 18, 2009 at 11:23 pm
wow! very interesting article… it makes you think about if they really could have a sixth sense or not or if just a few have a sixth sense and the rest don’t
Storm Jackson
On September 19, 2009 at 12:08 am
I absolutely love this article. This goes to show people that dogs and cats are not stupid as some may think. That is awesome how some of them traveled thousands of miles to get back home. Unbelievable!! Great article to share with fellow animal lovers!!
cassandra antares
On September 19, 2009 at 12:29 am
A great article!! I read that before the really big tsumani several years ago, that the animals moved inland. Like bats having radar maybe?. My cats have always looked up and around like they are looking at something in amazement, when strange energies are in my house. Great job!!
PropTrader
On September 19, 2009 at 2:45 am
Awesome work
lillyrose
On September 19, 2009 at 4:14 am
fantastic article. When I worked as a vet nurse we used to get dogs coming in with supposed behavioural problems the day after a full moon!
Lost in Arizona
On September 19, 2009 at 11:19 am
I’m a firm believer that animals have a sense of perception, whether it’s a sixth sense. Animals are very keen on their surroundings and intelligent. Prior to my mother being diagnosed with cancer, my mom’s dog Suki (a shi ztu), would constantly lay across her and not want to move. That dog would literally have to be forced to go outside or eat. After she was diagnosed, that dog was inseparable with my mother, even until the very end. The dog had a way of providing comfort to my mom. My dog Tobi does a weird thing with my children before they become sick. It’s as if he knows when they’re coming down with something, and he’ll stick by their side as if telling them that it’ll be okay. Because of this behavior, my oldest has become so attached to that darn dog, that she constantly has to have him by her side, even when sleeping…lol. Animals are a wonderful.
sandie
On September 19, 2009 at 4:30 pm
so sad to hear the dog choked on a candy bar, pets are very good for people who are with drawn and dont talk, they come out of their shell if they pet a dog or cat,its amazing.Good topic.
Bo Jack Russo
On September 22, 2009 at 6:29 am
This was great they know a lot of things we don’t.
Francois Hagnere
On November 4, 2009 at 11:02 am
Very interesting. We are indeed far from knowing the faculties our pets really have in addition to all the love they give us.
Thank you Patrick.
Post Comment