We let our formerly feral Norm go to the Rainbow Bridge Thursday afternoon. He had been winding down, losing weight and eating less over the past few months. In April 2018 he was diagnosed with either IBD or lymphoma. He had swollen lymph nodes and a thickened intestine. After two vet consults, I decide against exploratory surgery to find out what is wrong.Often they don't find out anything and Norm would have to heal from surgery.
We got him eating again and moved him into our home from the cat house. He thrived for a good year and a half but over time he was slowing down. I had been treating him with natural remedies for cancer and IBD to cover all bases. Last year he had a bout of not eating in July but we got him going once again. This time even with appetite stimulants, slippery elm and other things, he was not responding. He had almost two years of quality life after his diagnosis.
Snowball giving Norm h*ll.
Snowball and Norm snuggling
Snowball after he came home form the vet hospital. Norm was so happy.
What can I say about this great personable cat. Living in the cat house he was a shy, reserved cat. Except for Snowball for some reason. They were not from the same litter (Snowball was the only survivor of Lily's first litter) but he loved Snowball and was with him every second, much to Snowball's chagrin. They fussed and fought but Snowball still let Norm be his buddy. I have a theory - that Norm secretly wanted to be head cat but Snowball was, so Norm accepted being was second in command.
Eating with Snowball, and Sam
When Norm moved into the house without Snowball, he became the head cat he wanted to be - without even trying. All the cats deferred to him or gave him a wide berth. He was never aggressive or pushy. He was not lonely as Woody was his litter mate and they often along with Tabitha napped together. Norm's name came from the Cheers show - Norm, Sam and Woody were all in Lily's second litter along with Georgie. We had many nicknames for Norm - Normy, Norm Norm, and Norman as they called him at the vet.
Norm always seemed to get food on his face when he ate and in later months he was not grooming as well so it was obvious. He would come into the kitchen and ask for his food. Such a personality!
My nurse
Inside the house with us, Norm became an outgoing love bug who loved cuddles with us or the other cats. He disappeared when anyone came to visit.. He was still quiet but had a way of letting you know what the wanted. He snuggled with me on the bed when I was reading or not well.
The past few months he had taken to spending all his time with Woody and Tabitha - napping in a pile, coming on the bed to wake me up in the morning or sitting on the couch with Don. I called them the three mouseketeers. Norm loved being on the porch or looking out the window.
A few months back
Chester the Maine Coon mix we adopted in July 2019 became Norm nemesis. Chester was not aggressive but I think was afraid of Norm even tho Norm was smaller. When they met up in the hall, it became a silly game of who would let the other by first. Norm never really did anything except maybe stare intensely at Chester but Chester would get all worked up and dash by Norm. Often even swatting Norm but Norm just ignored him.
Norm watching Chester
Norm and Chester in the hall
A rare time when both were on the porch but the door to the house was open in case.
I thought I would let Norm go last week but he rallied over the weekend with appetite stimulants. By Wednesday I could see he was floundering, and getting weaker. He was spending all his time sleeping in out of the way places cozy places and not coming out to eat. On his final day, he slept on the bed with Woody. Don and I spent time with him and told him how much we loved him.
Norm Thursday with Woody - you can see how much weight he lost.
We usually have the vet come to the house but he was booked until Monday. We did not think Norm would make it until then so we drove him to our other vet. Norm sat on my lap and enjoyed the sun on him and curiously watching people and things go by. Don said he was surveying his options as to what he would return to life as. He dosed a bit before we arrived at the vet.
Norm's grave
His passing was very peaceful in a room with a lovely wooded view. I was leaning over him sending Reiki and love with his head cradled in my hand. I think he was gone as soon as they administered the sedative. He is buried with some catnip and treats (his favorites) in our cat cemetery next to Only who passed a year ago next week. We will miss this quiet mancat so much. I know his momcat Lily and siblings Georgie and Only were there to welcome him to the other side. This is the hardest thing about rescue - to have to say goodbye to so many wonderful animals.
Mr Kitty here today. We have been having a heat wave since June - most places in the 90s but we have been in the upper 80s instead cuz we are in the mountains. Still hot. I like it hot since I come from Massachusetts so I beg to go out on the porch and just bake in the sun. I lay sprawled out like a beached whale soaking up the sun! The humans won't let me stay out there except for early morning and later in the day so I don't overdo it.
Two Spot is out in the cat house and it is warmer there - it is built into the hillside so is cool in the indoor room and the porch is shaded with lots of fans. Most days it is only 80 degrees out there. If anyone looks too hot then the beans wet them down with cold water. Al likes that!
Only loves the heat and lays out on the screen porch of the cat house in a stupor and he is in his glory! Of course he doesn't mind getting wiped down with cold water either!
Norm or Normy as the beans call him is a shy guy and keeps to himself unless he is with Snowball who he adores! (I am not sure what THAT is all about.) He comes out to the porch during the cooler parts of the day.
Now Woody shares life in the house with me. Even tho he is a youngster at nine compared to the rest of us 15 plus year olds, he was brought in due to Al bullying him in the cat house. He lives the life of Reilly now so he is the one who lucked out!
Snowball is the head honcho of the cat house and he knows it. He and Al go at it a lot since Al thinks he is the head cat. Al has his own room within a room out there but in the hot weather, the beans have kept Al's room open for anyone to come in and for Al to go where he wants. So far they have been pretty peaceful. The heat is enough to keep everyone's minds occupied elsewhere.
And then there is Sam. He is the only one with a tipped ear. He looked so much like Georgie and Norm that no one could tell him apart so the beans had the vet tip his ear when he was neutered. He is the most reclusive one - is never out, always hiding in a box, cabinet or under a chair. He comes out for food - thus this shot! If the beans can get their hands on him (when he is out eating) he loves petting. Go figure!
And last but never least is our Al. He is a charmer with the humans but a bully with the cats. With his long furs he is minding the heat more than the others and loves to be wetted down - really soaked. He has been very mellow too lately - maybe as he gets older he is finally chilling out.
Hope you have enjoyed this visit with all our mancats. Maybe next week we can feature the ladycats. Hint...hint. *wink, wink*
P.S. For those of you not on Facebook, Georgie had to spend a day and overnight at the ER vet this weekend due to being severely constipated and blocked. After several enemas, they got her opened up. Being diabetic this is more challenging because she was vomiting and not eating. The humans will now be vigilant in keeping an eye on her input and output - when she uses the litter box, giving her lots of Miralx and making sure she eats plenty of food. It is a challenge to monitor her this way with all of us to care for too.
With all of the huge vet bills we have accumulated for Georgie over the past month or so, we will be hosting an auction within the next few weeks (will keep you posted) and also have added a Wish List on Amazon for our essentials like food and medications. Check it out and please share!
It is that time of year again - Rubber Ducky Day! Mom loves to post pictures of us with our Rubber Duckies.
Georgie is more sleepy than interested in hers.
Instead of the usual "Rubber Ducky Song" sung by Ernie of Sesame Street fame - today we have a cool video of Little Richard singing the song. Waay cooler, right?
Did you know that the rubber ducky was inducted into the the National Toy Hall of Fame in 2013? The museum, located in Rochester NY explained - "With their bright color, smooth texture, and (for some) squeaky or
quacky sounds, rubber ducks sharpen toddlers’ senses. Their presence in
the bathtub soothes youngsters’ fears of water and water immersion and
makes good clean fun of the routine hygiene they’re learning."
Two Spot snuggles with his duckies.
Another trivia bit on rubber duckies - On Aug. 8, 1981, Baltimore Mayor William Donald Schaefer — nicknamed “Donald Duck” —
jumped into a 79° seal tank at the city’s National Aquarium, clutching a
rubber duck and wearing a Victorian bathing suit, in a stunt to draw
attention to the institution.
Snowball is debating whether he wants to be near these funny yellow things.
Norm looks perturbed that the duckies have joined him in his bed.
Mom didn't get to post this last night as we had BAD storms and even a tornado watch - very scary! The storms lasted until 2 in the morning and ended with one huge clap of thunder that sent us all into hiding. It sounded like something got hit right over us but this morning nothing looked amiss. So us mancats are very thankful nothing was damaged in our area last night. Wishing you all a happy week!
Two Spot hamming it up
Al napping - his ear tips get dirty - time to wash them.
Woody reporting today. Sheeez...Mom almost for got our favorite day - International Box Day!!! What cat doesn't love boxes - they are great to play in, nap and even hide in. Whenever we get a package in the mail it is the box we love best right? So Happy Box Day kitties!
Snowball and Norm go at it quite a bit - all because Norm wants more attention from Snowball who would rather be left alone. Snowball gives Norm the whap and bitey here.
Norm whaps back!
Big bitey move from Snowball.
Things are getting serious now. Snowball is pretty fed up - look at Snowball's ears!
Norm decides to call it quits!
Hope you enjoyed our Tuesday Tussle! Mom doesn't usually catch this much action on the flashy box! Who fights with who in your house?
