Wednesday, May 03, 2006

Good Bye Puddin Pop


Sweet Norton

You came into our lives on a warm summer evening in 1988. Abandoned with your brothers and sister on the side of a road in New Haven, Ct. One of you ran into the woods, another went with another person who happened upon the scene, and you and your sister came home with us. Maybe you were 5 weeks old. How cute you both were curled up together in the bathroom. We could not part with you. 2 years later, we got you a brother. You were mother to him, as your sister was just too jealous at first. Norton and Ralph, 2 inseperable friends.

You were the smart one. I knew you understood me when I spoke to you - and you proved it one day. Walking around the house with some newly washed socks in your mouth, you heard me say "Norton, put those back in the basket" and you turned around, walked back to the basket and dropped them there. That was the last time you ever let on that you understood me.

I think your Daddy and I lost 8 lives when you almost died from crystals in your urine. God led us to Dr Mishricki, who lived right down the street and we never knew it until that afternoon. You were hours away from going to the bridge and he was a miracle worker. He gave us 14 more years with you.

I think you spent somewhere around 5,000 nights curled up on the top of the couch behind me, punching me in the head every 20 minutes or so, and then putting your head on my shoulder and going to sleep.

Stealing cookies. Licking all the powdered sugar off the donuts in the box. Your love of bread. Your fear of the grass. Sitting in the middle of your circle of toys and crying when Ralphie went to the bridge. Mothering the next generation, Sammy and Miles.

Sweet, gentle Norton. Always wanting to be pet, but not wanting to be held. You preferred to just be near and touch with a paw or two. Always your daddy's best buddy.

You spent your lifetime purring non stop. When you did stop, we knew you were sick.

Ralphie came calling for you at 4:4oam this morning. Go and run and play with your little brother, your best friend. Keep an eye on your sister Trixie and come for her when it is her time. Watch over the little ones and any more that may come after. Let me see you in the shadows on occasion, as it is always harder for those of us left behind. Wait for Daddy and me. We will come for you when it is our time, and we will all cross the Bridge together into forever. You were more loved than you know, and the hole in our hearts will never be filled.

Rest well little puddin pop.

41 comments:

The Fluffy Tribe said...

Oh, oh goodbye Grandpa Norton. We are crying tears for your loved ones left behind. Have a wonderful reunion with Ralphie. You will be so missed because you are so loved. ~Poiland Tribe

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Heaven opened up it's door and waiting for Grandpa Norton was his best buddy Ralphie....

Hey Norton ya wanna play? Come on in it's real nice here. We can play and have a good time and wait for our others. We'll watch over them and keep them safe. They know we're there, cuz they see us sometimes,'specially in their dreams. Come on Norton...time to play wif me!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My deepest sympathy Mary. Norton was such a sweet boy. He is in his furever home now and you can bet he is watching and waiting for you at Heaven's Gate -- the Rainbow Bridge. He's just lighting a candle to show you the way.

Our purrayers....

Abby & the gang
Debra

ANGEL ABBYGRACE said...

Heaven opened up it's door and waiting for Grandpa Norton was his best buddy Ralphie....

Hey Norton ya wanna play? Come on in it's real nice here. We can play and have a good time and wait for our others. We'll watch over them and keep them safe. They know we're there, cuz they see us sometimes,'specially in their dreams. Come on Norton...time to play wif me!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My deepest sympathy Mary. Norton was such a sweet boy. He is in his furever home now and you can bet he is watching and waiting for you at Heaven's Gate -- the Rainbow Bridge. He's just lighting a candle to show you the way.

Our purrayers....

Abby & the gang
Debra

Ivan from WMD said...

Oh no, such sad, sad news. We meow in sorrow. :-(

We are so sorry for your loss.

Quinn and Angel brandi said...

What a sweet tribute to a sweet wonderful old friend!

I know thoughts and purrayrs will be headed your way for the loss of your dear one. I send mine.

Kukka-Maria said...

Sweet Grandpa Norton...our mom is crying for your family's loss.

What great memories you have of such a great companion. Our thoughts are with you as you learn to move through life without that sweet ol' boy.

Myst and Blackie said...

Trixie, Sammy, Miles & Beans - we are sorry for your loss of Norton. We know it is hard to let go but we know he is in better place. We send you purrs. Our Mom is crying over your tribute.

Mia, Ghost & Jen

PrincessMia said...

Goodbye Grampie Norton, what an amazing life you had. I am sad for your beans and your sisfur, Trixie, and Sammy and Miles. They loved you a lot. God bless.

Mia and her beans.

Gemini said...

My mom read your post and she cried. She said it is so hard to loose the elder cats and their wisdom but it is good to know that he went peacefully.

What is it with orange cats and crystals? Our Iggy Cat )who has also crossed the Bridge) had them too. He does come to visit from time to time as no doubt Ralphie does and Norton will too.

Chey, Georgia and I will sing for him today. My mom will think of you all and your loss.

Mrs. Sniffles said...

Good-bye Grandpa Norton!! We will miss you furry much. I hope the other Meezers are doing ok without you.

Shaggy and Scout said...

We are crying too. He was a fine old elderly gentleman.

Zeus said...

I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Norton was very much loved, and it shows in your words, so much so that it has brought tears to my eyes. I am sure his spirit will continue to be by your side until he can guide you home himself in person.

- Marina, Zeus' human pet

Fat Eric said...

Oh Meezers and family. We are so sorry to find out you have lost Norton. We know he had a long and happy life with you and he is going to be with Ralphie, but it is still hard to say goodbye. We hope Sammy and Miles are giving everyone lots of kisses to make them feel better, especially Trixie. Norton was a credit to all Gorgeous Gingers.

Fat Eric and his humans

Mattingly said...

More sadness in our little community. My Mom and I are so sorry for your loss. It's good to know that he and Ralph are united again and that he will be there to help guide Trixie when it's her time. We hope you are all holding up well and doing ok with the transition to life without him right next to you. Hugs and purrs to you all.

Spock said...

Oh, we are so very sorry for you guys. Poor Trixie. And Miles & Sammy too of course. Mary, mine Momma says she's crying with you. Headbutts & furry hugs.....

Edsel/The Pooch said...

oh my, we are so sorry for all of you. but we know Norton was loved - and knew it - and that is the best gift ever to give a kitty. he blessed your lives and you blessed his. we will light a candle for him tonight to help light his way to the Rainbow Bridge.
Edsel and Edselsmom

Sharyn Ekbergh said...

We are sorry too to hear about Norton. I was just thinking how precious a fine older cat is. He sounds a like a wise gentleman.
We dream of the Bridge and the loved ones we will see again there someday.

Badness said...

So sorry to hear about your Grampa Norton. Our purrayers are with you.

Carolina Cats said...

Oh no, we are so sorry to hear about Grampa Norton. What a beautiful tribute to him and your lives together. Sending purrs and hugs to Gramma Trixie and the whole family. Norton is your Guardian Angel now and watches over you with his beloved brother Ralphie.

Nora, Finnegan & Buddy

Petey said...

Bye Norton

Twizzler, Jack, Fwankwin, and Gracie said...

We are so sorry to hear of your loss. Your post was very beautiful. Sending purrs & headbutts to all your family.

Just Ducky said...

What a nice story about Grampa Norton. Mum has leaky eyes from your lovely story of your life with Norton.

You are right the hole in the heart will always be there. Purrs.

Unknown said...

Hugs to you all during this difficult time. Having Norton in your life was a blessing that you should always hold close to your heart. It is so hard to let go when a family member crosses, just know that he is still with you no matter what. Our love and prayers go out to the ones left behind in your family. I know that Crystal will meow a welcome to Norton for us all. Jamesie, Scooby and Mother

DK & The Fluffies said...

“The quality of mercy is not strained; It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven
Upon the place beneath. It is twice blessed-
It blesseth him that gives, and him that takes”
. -Shakespeare

Bless his gentle soul. Love from Sophia, Fiona, orlando, Joaquin, Xavier, Carmen & DKM

Smeagol and Strider, Mystery (Sunnin' at the Bridge) and Gizmo too! said...

We are so sorry to hear about Norton. Your loving post made our Mom's eyes leak alot; we are sending purrs to you all. Norton had a wonderful life with you and you will all be together again someday.

Big Piney Woods Cats said...

There are no words, right now, just tears.......we read on Mia and Ghosts blog that Norton had gone on to be with the others who went before. We know how hard it has been for you all these weeks; now the pain and sickness for Norton is over, and yours has begun. We are so sorry!!
The Calico Girls and Mom

Lone Star Purrs said...

Our thought and purrayers are with y'all too. Momma's eyes were leaking, even tho she's at werk. May you take comfort in knowing that the brothers are back together again and waiting for you join they someday.

~Meeko, Kiara, and Momma Becca

Max said...

Oh man.
I'm so sorry.
I'm glad you got to have him for so long and that he has good kitties waiting for him at the Bridge, but I am still so sorry :(

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Magoo, Smudge, Bella & Dolce said...

I didn't see the message until this morning. Please accept my deepest condolences on your loss of Granpa Norton. He lived a long and well loved life.

The Crew said...

What a wonderful tribute to a dear friend & companion. He surely knew how much you loved him.

cruxley's mom said...

It sounds like you were all very lucky to find each other and have each other for so long. I know you'll miss him very much for a long time. When our sweet Miss Kitty died, she was 15 and Woman cried herself to sleep every night for at least a month. She said she could not sleep without Miss Kitty curled up next to her under the covers. But it finally got easier, and she says Miss Kitty still visits her in her dreams. I'm sure you will see your Norton, too.

Aloysius said...

I was sorry to hear about Norton's crossing over. But how lucky that cat was to have loving humans during his lifetime.

Unknown said...

I´m sorry and now he is running in the sky is so happy Im sure! =^^=
Dios te bendiga y descansa en paz!

Anonymous said...

I'm a bit late but I wanted to say how sorry I am at your loss. Guess we are both going through the same thing this week unfortunately. sigh

Norton was a beautiful cat!

amy and the bad cats said...

what a wonderful tribute to norton. we're all sorry for your loss.

bat & bandit, and amy

Eponine's Cowboy said...

I very much enjoyed reading your tribute to Norton. I know how much you very much miss him.

You Meezers have been so kind to me. Please, please, please let me know if there's anything I can do for you.

Loss is never easy. We must hold strong to our memories.

The Tower Hill Mob said...

Very sorry to hear about your loss. Norton sounds like he had a wonderful life after he found you.

Our own big, gruff Daddy was very sad when we lost our Jiggsy. Thank you for the kind words you offered us.

The Tower Hill Mob

Boni said...

Aw, we just hearded. Mom's been hogging the puter again. Lotsa purrs and headbutts for all of yall from all of us. Mom says she'll even try doing a nice headbutt for you.

You wrote a furry furry nice tribute for Norton. He's gotta be proud and waitin for yall cross the Bridge.

Boni, Sanjee, Mini and Mom

Tommy and Teaghan said...

We just got back from vacation and started to catch up to bloggin when we read this. We is so sorry for your loss of your furry special Norton. He was so lucky to have you for in his life. May your memories of him shine on.

Puggyspice said...

We are so sorry for your loss, yet smiling that your dear friend had such a good life with you.
-Tyler & Nicole

Good bye my sweet Nicky

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