As a tribute to Norwood and his zest for life, I knitted Norstar knit bombs⭐️ and sent a few out to friends and family to tie on a tree along their favorite trail or walkies path.
Our friends from Five Sibes said it best, Norwood would love looking down to see his stars all over the world. It's the best way that I can think of to honor him.
Tula was the first to hang her Norstar. No place better than the backyard chomp zone.
Norwood would do a triple spin move then zoomie back and forth to beat the jaws of the bear.
He loved it.
Our friend Tammy hung her Norstar along a favorite running trail in New Hampshire where he can listen to the bull frogs sing. He's definitely in his happy place.
I've had several of our pals ask if they can buy one.
In Norwood's memory, I'd be more than happy to send you one. Here's what you need to do:
1. In the comments, mention you would like a Norstar.
2. Email me your mailing address to norwoodunleashed@gmail.com. International pals are welcome too.
3. Donate $10 to my soon to be new baby boy Baby Seager's rescue, Animal Rescue Front. Go to animalrescuefront.org and find the donate page. If you prefer to donate to your fav local charity, that's fine too. It's voluntary and honor system.
4. Wherever you hang your Norstar, please share on twitter, Instagram, Google+ or Facebook and hashtag it #Norstar #livenutty or tag me.
I'd love to share all the places he now shines over.
It's been hard. Harder than I thought.
It's taken me this long to write a post and update Norwood's blog pals.
Here's what happened to my sweet boy.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
12:30am March 5th, 2015
I lost my best friend to hemangiosarcoma.
I had no idea.
It was a total shock. It was a complete surprise. This type of cancer has few and subtle signs.
He simply had a persistent cough which over 2 weeks progressed to lethargy and decreased appetite.
I took him into the vet and we treated for kennel cough. Hoping that was it.
I took him back a couple days later. He wasn't doing any better, only worse.
X-rays showed his lungs had small nodules all over. Cancer was mentioned but to be certain, we were referred to Tufts Vet School for ultrasounds.
The plan was to go the next day for more tests.
On our way home from the vet, Norwood's symptoms worsened dramatically.
He was breathing fast. He wouldn't walk.
I carried him upstairs. He wouldn't lay down. He was in pain. His breathing was rapid and labored.
It couldn't wait. I took him immediately to Tufts emergency.
The ultrasound showed a spleenic tumor and liver tumor and it spread to his lungs.
He was bleeding internally and fluid built up around his little heart and chest cavity.
This fast spreading aggressive cancer took over him.
There was no decision to make.
It was time to say goodbye.
It's been a month now.
I miss your little peanut head coming to the side of my bed to say good morning.
I miss beginning and ending the day with a walk with you.
I miss seeing your ears bounce around making shadow dances.
I miss when I leave for work, giving you a frozen yogurt cup and getting a yogurt lip kiss goodbye.
I miss your "on it" attitude, taking on anything and everything.
I miss that you loved everyone you met. Wheelchair. Hats. Disabled. Old. Young. Homeless. No Problem. You would greet them with a kiss and noticed you made them feel loved.
I miss seeing you spin around and zoomies by Tula and her chomp zone. You would side eye her, spin and move on. I always laughed.
I miss running the trails with you and seeing your complete joy of running free.
I miss that every thing made you happy, even going to the vet.
I miss having you snatch a carrot from my hand and hearing you crunch it after your meals.
I miss watching you fall asleep while I give you a haircut.
I'll miss watching you go to every pond and seeing you put your face underwater trying to bite anything hoping it was a frog.
I miss when I come home, you'd jump up on my bed and launch a full hug while we swayed back and forth.
I miss that when Fun Aunt Dee is in the front seat, you put your paw on her, demand a treat and then sniff her head and try to kiss her.
I miss when I work from home, you are no longer there staring at me from the couch.
I miss knitting you bowties and setting fashion trends.
I'll miss that we will no longer run in races and you howl at the race start.
I'll miss watching you fly off my kayak and swim like a boss.
I'll miss watching you trying to catch a fish by pacing on the water and then pounce.
I'll miss that a house fly would entertain you for hours.
I miss your fierce athleticism. Full throttle.
I miss your space invaderness. Always next to or on me. Always in your sightline.
I miss that you knew my routine better than anyone. Always anticipated my next move.
I miss seeing you flip upside down. any time. any where. in front of anyone.
I miss kissing you on the head and saying good night.
I loved your nuttiness.
I loved your sweetness.
I love that I have all things frogs around our home because of you.
The truth is you seemed indestructable. You would fly between trees at the fastest of speeds.
You'd leap over logs. You'd jump off my kayak and swim like a fish. Fearless.
But you left just as you lived life.
All or Nothing. Poof! You're gone.
I believe you left like a shooting star.
When you look up in the sky, look for a Norstar.
He's the brightest star up there.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you for being the best part of my day. Each and every day.
