WoW Petopia Community

I lost my kitty yesterday. 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

Aw....I'm so sorry. We're never ready to say goodbye to our family members.....our best friends....

Tahlian my heart's aching for your loss. 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

Lots of hugs from me.

I'm really sorry for your loss.

Very sorry to hear about your cat passing away.

I'm so sorry.

/hug

Aww, I'm so sorry Tahlian. Norman was a handsome boy and it sounds like he thoroughly enjoyed seventeen long and happy years by your side. I hope you feel better soon.

I'm terribly sorry to hear about your cat, it's never easy to lose a beloved pet It sounds like you were very lucky to spend his long life with him. That photo is beautiful.

Wow, so sorry. Losing a beloved pet is the absolute worst.

I'm very sorry for your loss.. our furry friends are a special part of our lives, and I'm sure you were to Norman as well.
Norman will never really leave you, but will live on in memories.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.
There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together.
There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.
The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

It never gets easier to lose a loved one of any species. But know that we're here and we share your pain.

I'm so sorry. He was such a beautiful cat too (I'm a sucker for black cats). At least as long as you remember him, he'll always be with you.

Aw, he was a beautiful cat. (Or should I say, handsome?) You won't forget all the years he's spent with you. I know I certainly won't forget my own cat when she finally moves on (Which, sadly will most likely be soon. She's 18.)

He wouldn't want you to mourn for too long. <3

An epilogue to Norman's story...on Halloween, we went out for a late brunch, then meandered over to the Greater Birmingham Humane Society. While we were there, we looked at cats. We knew we wanted one eventually, to fill Norman's pawprints - a younger cat, old enough to get out of the way of an excited greyhound who doesn't always pay the best attention to where he puts his feet.

As we window-watched, my hubby kept saying he wasn't ready for another cat. We eventually filled out an application and went to one of the rooms to meet "Sashimi," a 3-month-old male Siamese. They handed Sashimi to my hubby first, and that little cat started to work on him right away, literally standing on his head to charm him.

As a participant in the ASPCA's October challenge, our humane society was waiving adoption fees throughout October...and so Sashimi ended up coming home with us. My hubby hasn't stopped grinning since that afternoon.

Sashimi is, by the way, now renamed "Merlin." As a pagan, our usual practice on October 31 (Samhain) is to have a quiet evening, perhaps light a candle and think on those we've lost during the past year. I should have known Norman wouldn't have wanted us to think of him that way, for us to be unhappy...so he sent us Merlin. Typical Norman, taking charge of things that way.

As soon as I get the pictures off my brother's camera, I'll post them up so the newest member of the family can be seen.

That's wonderful to hear Tahlian!

I can't wait to see pictures of Merlin! It made me tear up to think of Norman taking charge and sending you a new friend.

[Aside: *wave at other pagans*]

Loads of hugs from me..
Pets is like our children so its so hard when they go away
My condolenses

Tahlian I feel so sorry for your loss, it's horrible
and Astratia you made me cry