“Norton Andrew Poppe” April 6 1986 —- July 5 2000
DESCRIPTION:
He was so beautiful but for me the beauty was because of the kind of cat he was not the outward beauty he had. His mother was a pure breed Himalayan and his Father was an orange cat. Norton looked a lot like his Mother. Beautiful sapphire blue eyes with dark brown ears and tail and light brown body with white whiskers and white toes on all four feet. He had a white chest and “tiger” feature framing his magnificent face.
WHAT HE MEANT TO ME:
He was my best friend. We were so much alike. I had a heart problem; he had a heart problem. He was fearful of people. I am fearful of people. He loved to eat. I loved to eat. He did not get along with is sister I don’t get along with my Brother. He was inquisitive loving tolerant and patient with Pickles and his sister. I am the same with Charlie. I was his mom. I felt important that he trusted me to help him when he could no longer jump on the bed. I bought a two-tiered bench so he could walk on the bed and the couch. I made sure his teeth were clean and when he lost one fang in a kitten hood accident (banged his tooth on the clothesline) I got the whole thing removed. I pray he will love me a fraction of how I loved him.
He reassured me through the loss of my job in Cooper City here in Tampa and when I lost my Mom last June 30 he sat by me. I would come home totally depressed and open the door and say: “How’s my big guy”? and he would get off his seat and come over and meow and wave his tail at me. He knows I needed him. Normally he would just be in the same room but not want to be touched. Long distance-much like what I do.
He touched my heart because he was such a good cat and I know all good cats go to heaven. But Norton will definitely be an angel with special wings. He knew how to comfort me even if he was under the covers or under the bed. His tranquil way of bird watching helped me be patient and less spastic. When we would go outside he never ventured far from the place we were at.
He gave me a sense of security and hope when I thought I had no one to turn to for help. God sent me my Nortie. God is so wonderful to have provided such a special creature to me for 14 years and 3 months. I thank God everyday for doing that for me.
The past 14 years and 3 months Norton was always on my mind and my world revolved around his personality. Because of his fearfulness I always had to schedule house appointment when I was there so Nortie would not spaz out. I worried during a thunderstorm and when yard work was done. But I loved that. I was Mom and he trusted me and that was so good for me. I loved him very much and will miss him very much.
HIS ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
He got me to love my big guy – I don’t do that to just anyone. He could open the bottom cabinets when he was hungry-usually at 2 a.m. He could chase a flashlight reflection all around and play hid and seek with it. He could sit in an open screened window and sit in such a way he would push his whole body with such force that the screen would pop out. His way of getting outside! Although he had such inward beauty he outward handsomeness won 3rd place in the “Friskies Cat in America” contest in 1988. He won
$50.00 and we bought a scratching post.
HIS ANTICS:
He loved to dig in the carpet here in this apartment in Tampa. I would yell “No” and he would stop-for awhile anyway. He would hide under the covers when frightened.
HIS LOVES:
He loved to have his whiskers rubbed.
He loved to have the base of his tail patted.
He loved to come in the bathroom in the morning and jump on
the toilet and have his head and backstroked.
He loved to be had fed dry food.
He loved to sit on the lawn chair and his “perch” and watch the birds.
He loved sleeping on the end of the bed.
He also loved the stand on the lawn chair and to be petted.
He also liked to be petted while standing on the bed.
God knew what he was doing when he sent Nortie into my life. I needed security and hope and love that I didn’t have but God gave some of that to me through my big guy. God bless my big guy Nortie and than you very much God for letting me have him for 14 years. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of being there when he went into your arms.
You are a loving compassionate God.
Dolores
