He'd been a bit off, and the vet had been treating him. For all that Norman was going through, his blood sugars were great, so we didn't think there was anything seriously wrong. The vet told me that he showed symptoms of congestive heart failure, but that he would have good quality of life on heart meds, as many cats did. We wound up having to go back and have the fluid drained that had collected in Norman's abdomen...and once the fluid was drained, my vet found a large mass in his abdomen. So we brought Norman home for the weekend, and took him in Monday to ease his passage across the Bridge.Norman was ready...I just wasn't. But then, I don't think I'd have ever been ready. He was at least 17, maybe a bit older. I had him longer than I've been married, and wherever I went in the house, Norman was always with me, a black shadow right behind me. He slept on my bed, he insisted on sharing my chicken soup with me, he watched my raid's exploits in ICC from beside my elbow. I used to get so mad at him for some of his bad habits. Now I wish I could hear him chewing up paper to let me know he was hungry and wanted dinner NOW just one more time.
He wasn't "just a cat." He was a short, furry person and he damn well knew it. Norman was a hell of a cat, a one-of-a-kind...and by the gods, I love him and I miss him.
Norman - the best damn cat in the world. 1993 - 10/25/2010
I know what you must be going through, and all I can say is to hold on to your fond memories and give yourself time to heal. It's so hard for the first while, but you will definitely be able to look back and smile on the past. My thoughts are with you and Norman, the best for him in the afterlife. <3
