Friday, April 15, 2011

The Favorite Cat

Norman a/k/a Normal a/k/a Norm a/k/a Normie
1999 - 4/11/2011
Well, dang it, here come the tears again.  I thought I was finished.  Please meet Norm.  We adopted him from the Humane Society in October, 1999.  He was not one of the crazy little kitties, crying and  begging for attention.  He merely sat there gently placing his paw against the cage saying "Please get me out of here.  These people are nuts."  So we paid the $40.00 and took him home where he enjoyed quite the life of doing pretty much whatever he pleased.   Over the course of the last several years many stray cats and dogs have come and gone - mostly come.  Norm reluctantly put up with them, although everyone knew he was king.  He was not a lap cat, but on his terms, he loved having his head and ears rubbed and purred so loud that you couldn't carry on a conversation.  
He did not have a mean bone in his body, but he did have attitude.  If he wanted food and one of the other cats was eating, he didn't bother trying to compete.  He would simply look at them, and if that didn't work, he would place his paw into the bowl and drag it over to him.  The other cats would look at him in amazement.
He passed away on Monday from congestive heart failure.  He was ready to go.  He waited until my husband took him away from the other animals and people, looked at him, meowed, purred and gently drifted off to kitty heaven.  I had given him everything I could - good food, a lot of space, and a lot of love and attention.  He slept with me a few nights before he died.  He had trouble sleeping because of his labored breathing, so he purred and needed to be rubbed for hours, which I eagerly obliged because I knew the end was near.
We still have 5 cats, none of which are Normie.  I could not attempt this painting for a few days, but I felt like I just had to do it.  When I did, Normie and I talked our way through it.  I think he was happy with the result although he's not sure why I added lavender to him.   
At the top of my stairs is a large print of  The Favorite Cat,  the famous lithograph done in the 1800's by Nathaniel Currier.  I plan to to replace it with the real Favorite Cat in the very near future.  I miss you Normie.

14 comments:

  1. Lisa, it's awesome, and Norm would be so proud! In a cat kind of way, of course. I think you are brave to paint him so soon. I have 3 dogs I've never had the nerve to paint, even years later. Hugs!

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  2. Love the painting and so sorry for your loss. I am not a cat person(I have two dogs) but my daughter, Margaret has five, and daughter, Ivie, has four.

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  3. OK, tears dripping now. You are a wonderful writer as well as a beautiful painter, girl. My heart is heavy for you. I have another good friend whose beloved cat died this week. So sorry... I'm a cat AND dog person and I think they're both special, and I could never choose one or the other. I have one cat that won't sit in our laps but likes to be held and carried. And if we try to talk to each other while she's being carried she softly puts her paw on my mouth.... Ssssshhhh... this is not 'people' time... this is kitty time.... Sending you a hug.

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  4. Thank you so much for your hugs and thoughts! I think he is proud of it Monica. It didn't just flow out of me - I had to work at it, but it seemed to come together with Norm's spirited assistance.
    I, too, am a dog & cat person. . . and chickens, and rabbit, and parrot, and cows. Oh nevermind! Kelley your kitty story is too cute - shhhhhh. If my husband did that I'd bop him - if the kitty did it, it would be endearing. Kitties get away with so much. Thanks again!

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  5. I love the painting of Normie. I know he is pleased too. I still can't believe how he knew it was time to go, and simply went to kitty heaven. I agree with Kelley, you have a gift of writing too.

    I hope you have a good weekend. Hope y'all don't get the weather tomorrow that blew through way today. We had tornadoes all around us. I grabbed George and sat in a closet under our stairs. The poor other two kitties had to fend for themselves!

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  6. Oh Lisa I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Norman sounds like he was one awesome dude of a cat. They do have such personality and I think that perhaps Norman and Bootsy our tabby our related. He is not a lap cat either. Bootsy would never appear when my mother and father would come together to visit. The first time my mother came to visit after my father's passing three weeks ago, Bootsy appeared out of no where and sat on her lap.
    Cats know Lisa. They sense our inner feelings. They also know when it is time to go.
    Sounds like you gave him such love. Feel good about that and your wonderful ability to tell his story and your lovely painting of him. Sending you a big hug.

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  7. Lisa,
    Your painting of Norman and the story of his passing has me in tears. I am so sorry for your loss. I think you did Norman proud! Yes, he knows and loves that painting also. What a wonderful pet he was and he will always have a little place in your heart. I know- I still miss Maggie all the time. Pets are heart grabbers:) Hugs to you! Hang in there!

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  8. Your words of support, and stories of your own pets are so meaningful and heartwarming to me. Those of us who "get" animals treat them and consider them family. I have a feeling it is the same gene that leads us to be artists. Some people just don't get it, or get us. Thank you for your kind thoughts, words and hugs! I feel them.

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  9. Lisa. I am a little weepy as I think you and Normie! Animals have a sweet way of filling up our hearts and wrapping us so tightly around their little paws(and some not so little paws) I miss Normie for you. You are a good mama. Such a sweet painting! love love love

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  10. Lisa, what a heart wrenching story! (Snif... snif) Our pets certainly capture our hearts. Wonderful painting of Norm!

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  11. I love that stare on his face. Lots of character!

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  12. Congrats on your blog and your painting efforts. Thanks for being my FB friend.

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  13. What a special memorial to Normie! You have done him justice and his personality and loving nature are captured for eternity! (My kitties are envious!) Very exceptional and poignant piece -- you should be proud!

    Kat

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  14. Lisa I love him, and never even got to meet him. My heart goes out to you that he is an angel now. He was a most special kitty. Thank you for sharing his story.

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