Scientific Explanation?

[BigSoonerFan]

I read an article the other day about a cat that was adopted by a church in Pinehurst. The cat became good friends with one of the staff at the church. Upon the man's death, the cat could not be found after the funeral until he was discovered on the grave of his friend, where he stayed for two days.

Assuming the information in the story was correct, let's go ahead and make the assumption that the cat knew his friend was there. What can explain that he knew, assuming that the casket was sealed properly?

[imported_luckyme]

Assuming a true story, you or I could think up half a dozen possible explanations just while we are stirring our coffee. Is there a more specific point you are trying to reach?

[Borodog]

Most coffins are not hermetically sealed. It's quite a racket in the funeral business to sell grieving relatives "seals." These seals act to contain gases that normally escape the coffin during decomposition, and can lead to rather unpleasant results like liquification of the dearly departed and the underground explosion and collapse of the coffin.

[BigSoonerFan]

[ QUOTE ]
Assuming a true story, you or I could think up half a dozen possible explanations just while we are stirring our coffee.

[/ QUOTE ]

For example?

[BluffTHIS!]

He jumped in the ambulance that took the body to the morgue, and then hopped a ride to the embalmers. From there he again stowed away on the ride to the funeral home, where he sat faithfully unobserved under the casket. Once again he jumped in the hearse that took the casket to the cemetary, and discretely jumped out and hid behind a tree to avoid being noticed during the graveside service. Then when all the mourners had left and the grave diggers had filled in the grave and themselves left, he sauntered over to the grave and used the freshly filled in earth as a litter box, whereupon he was finally spotted.

[ QUOTE ]
He jumped in the ambulance that took the body to the morgue, and then hopped a ride to the embalmers. From there he again stowed away on the ride to the funeral home, where he sat faithfully unobserved under the casket. Once again he jumped in the hearse that took the casket to the cemetary, and discretely jumped out and hid behind a tree to avoid being noticed during the graveside service. Then when all the mourners had left and the grave diggers had filled in the grave and themselves left, he sauntered over to the grave and used the freshly filled in earth as a litter box, whereupon he was finally spotted.

[/ QUOTE ]

ah hah! my dear Watson, but by whom was he spotted?

[eastbay]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Assuming a true story, you or I could think up half a dozen possible explanations just while we are stirring our coffee.

[/ QUOTE ]

For example?

[/ QUOTE ]

For example the cat followed other church staff to the site of the burial? Is that really so perplexing?

eastbay

[benkahuna]

[ QUOTE ]
These seals act to contain gases that normally escape the coffin during decomposition, and can lead to rather unpleasant results like liquification of the dearly departed and the underground explosion and collapse of the coffin.

[/ QUOTE ]

OMG!

!!!!

[purnell]

Cats often sun themselves on piles of dirt. Maybe it can still smell a trace of its meal ticket at the gravesite. Are you suggesting that there is some non-scientific explanation?

[TomCollins]

The most logical explination - THIS IS A FREAKING URBAN LEGEND!