Wait…what…isn’t today a Tuesday? So what kind of sorcery is this where we post something on a Tuesday, you ask? Well today is a most special day. It’s Norman’s second heavenly birthday and simultaneously it’s World Pet Memorial Day so we just couldn’t not post today.
According to the National Day Calendar, every second Tuesday in June is designated as a day where pet owners can remember their precious fur angels. The fact that it falls on his actual birthday made it seem all the more poignant in preparing a post. Today’s celebration is also an opportunity for people to do something kind for those who have recently lost their beloved pet.
Norman’s legacy continues to surface at some of the most unexpected times. Last week, Wilson and I needed to attend a meeting at Lutheran and were greeted by a group of staff in the coffee shop who squealed “ooh, it’s Norman!” and came running up to us. There was a bit of a sharp stab to my heart but I smiled and noted that the floof now on the end of my leash was actually Wilson and let them know that Norman had passed. They were saddened to learn about Norman but luckily Wilson distracted them with a nice butt wiggle along with his own way of gaining attention that encouraged them to focus on the current floof. Obviously it wasn’t as simple for me but I was grateful they remembered my big guy and I was happy they fawned over the new guy. I thanked them for welcoming Wilson and then we headed on to our meeting. But Norman continued to occupy space in my heart and recalled some of the more memorable visits we shared. He was so beloved in the short few years that he brought joy to everyone at Lutheran. I know people are enjoying Wilson’s presence as he’s stepped nicely into the role that was paved by the extra-special therapy dog before him. I continue to hope Wilson brings as many smiles and joy to staff and patients as his predecessor did but I know the love affair with the sheepdogs all began with Norman being one of the most mellow and sweetest dogs to ever grace the hospital’s program.
Happy heavenly birthday, sweet boy. Sure do miss you, big fella. You’ll always occupy a special place in my heart. Love ya.
Live, love, bark! 🐾
They touch our hearts.
Aye…they definitely do that!
Norman was a special boy. He brought much joy to many people who needed the most. I miss him, but I’m so excited about Wilson! He is a big floof, and he is going to do a great job carrying on his big brother’s legacy.
Thanks, Amy. Norman was a very special boy and Wilson is doing well to fill those big paws. I’m so grateful people have enjoyed their visits.
Lulu: “Happy belated birthday over the Rainbow Bridge, sweet Norman! See how much everyone here misses you?”
Thanks for the belated wishes, Lulu. We appreciate everyone’s heavenly birthday wishes for sweet Norman.
We never forget you, sweet boy❤️Happy Heavenly Birthday and a Soft Pawkiss for your mommy and Wilson🐾😽💞
Aww, you’re too sweet. Thank you! Hugs and tail wiggles.
Thank you. I did not know that today was that holiday. I try to think of my angels eveery day,
I think we all do. Learning of this latest ‘holiday’ was a bit of a surprise to me but like you, I think of my fur babies everyday. They are firmly anchored in my heart and memories.
A beautiful tribute to a beautiful boy. Norman will always bring a smile to my face.
Thanks, Marc. He was a really special boy. Just wish I could have rescued him sooner so we’d have had more time together. He had a knack for touching people’s lives and hearts in so many ways.
You made the time you had count, for so much.
💙
Happy heavenly birthday Norman. His face just shines sweetness! I don’t need a day to remind me to think of my past pets and I’m sure most people don’t, but it’s nice to have one!
Thanks, Martha. He was a real love and while it’s painful, I’m also grateful his legacy is still prominent in folks’ hearts and memories. You’re right, none of us need a reason to recall our sweet fur angels but a formal day hopefully give us all some comfort. 💙
What a lovelee post about “Sweet Norman”…….THE Poochie of mee heart. Hee was so lovelee.
Wee bet it was a ‘tug’ on yore heart Miss Monika when Lutheran peepss thott Wilson was Norman…. Norman left beeg pawss to fill. Wilson iss doin a most xcellent job tho’!! Hee iss pawtastick two!!
***nose bopss*** BellaDharma an {{{hugss}}} BellaSita Mum
Pee S: Thanx fore THE purrty card an fotoss!! Yore so sweet Miss Monika!
Thank you, it really was a hard tug. Glad the card arrived. I never know with our mail system. I included Wilson’s hospital business card with info on the reverse side-it had just arrived. The other is our Ranch biz card. 😉 Enjoy!
Happy Birthday to you in Heaven, Norman, and we send your mom and Wilson a huge hug♥
Thank you kindly for the birthday wishes, Duke. And thanks for the hug too. We appreciate them any day. ❤️🩹
hugs to you and hugs to all who miss someone so dearly that day…
Many thanks, Katy. We send hugs to you’re missing the Easy Rider. ❤️🩹
Norman was so wonderfully special.
Thanks, Terry. He truly was special and loved by all who knew him. ❤️🩹
Sending hugs as you remember your sweet boy. XO
Thank you, Ellen. Today we remember all our past pets. ❤️🩹
He was a handsome guy who lives on in the hearts of all his followers. I learned about the breed through him! Sending hugs!
Thanks, Kate. He was a very special ambassador for sheepies everywhere. ❤️🩹
Dear Norman! Happy 2nd Heavenly Birthday Big Boy!! You left some big paws for Wilson to fill, but I’m sure he hears your angel whispers. Just like Zen hears Ducky’s. We love you Norman!
Thanks, Sue. I know Norman appreciates your wishes today. Sending tender thoughts for your fur angels on National Pet Memorial Day. ❤️🩹
Definitely, Norman was a sweetheart even to us bloggers who never actually met him in person. We are forever grateful to our beloved pets that have passed over for the many gifts that they brought to our lives. They always live on in our memories and hearts. ❤️🩹
Thanks, Eliza. It’s always very touching to my heart to know Norman brought happiness to people in person and digitally. ❤️🩹
Such a bittersweet moment Monika 💜 Wishing Norman a happy heavenly birthday and big hugs for you and sweet Wilson too 💞💜💞 xxx
Thanks Xenia. Appreciate it. ❤️🩹
I loved reading this post about Norman and Wilson. I had wished to have a good therapy dog to go to the children’s hospital after Lexi passed, but it wasn’t to be. Although, in retrospect, Riley would have been perfect. I just couldn’t see it then through the pain.
Thank you. Totally understandable, it’s hard to grieve a beloved pet-there’s no place for the love to go. Riley really would have been a good therapy dog and I suspect he was for a slightly limited audience. 💙
That’s so poignant to have both these days fall together. A pang in your heart indeed. We here miss Norman too, so very much, but having said that we will never forget him either. How could we?? He was SO very special.
Wilson has done a great job already following in his pawsteps…
Happy Heavenly Birthday, Norman!
Thank you. It was as if the heavens knew today was Norman’s birthday on National Pet Memorial Day. He was very special-it’s no wonder people adored him and continue to love his spirit. 💙
What a lovely tribute to Norman. We miss them all, and we will never forget their special nature and how much they loved us.
Please give Wilson a hug from us for Maddie, Molly, Reilly and Mitzi.
Thanks, Dan. It’s often too hard to fathom the many fur angels we loved. Gentle thoughts to you for your pack.
A beautiful tribute to Norman. I think we all miss him as well.
Thanks. I probably would have marked today privately but since it’s National Pet Memorial Day, I thought why not. While today is his birthday, he left this world just 5 days later. It’s an emotional week. ❤️🩹
You know how much I loved Norman. Tons and tons.
♪♫Happy Birthday to you,♪♫
♪♫Happy Birthday to you,♪♫
♪♫Happy Birthday Dear Angel Norman,♪♫
♪♫Happy Birthday to you.♪♫
Have a fabulous day and week, my friend. Big hug to you and scritches to handsome Wilson. ♥
Thanks, Sandee. We appreciate your loving birthday thoughts.
Well now Mom is all teary eyed. She has a real problem getting over losing Madison. We are sorry about Norman but he was a handsome fellow and we are glad you and Wilson are celebrating him today. Hugs to you.
Yeah, it was an especially emotional post for me too (I mistakingly believed it wa a Wednesday and had to edit it after a friend brought it to my attention after it was published). Sending you tender thoughts of comfort about your loss of precious Madison. These remarkable dogs touch our hearts in such unexpected ways. ❤️🩹
it’s so hard to live with the loss and memories of loved ones
happy birthday Wilson, and thank you for uplifting humans by just being there
LeeAnna
Thanks, LeeAnna. I’m trying to redefine my relationship as I relate to each of my fur angels. It’s a process that continues to evolve where there are more smiles than tears. ❤️🩹
Dearest Norman, Happy Heavenly Birthday, darling.
Many thanks, Carole. I appreciate your sweet comment.
Norman…….one of a kind……a total doll and those eyes – and that smile! We miss him too but we know nobody misses him like you do…………….HUGS……..
Love, Pam and Teddy
Thanks, Pam and Teddy. He was a special boy who touched so many people.
NORMAN! Norman … hi, way up there … do you see us? So sad we can’t see you. Guess what? We still love you, oh yeah, we really do, and miss you a whole lot too, cause you were always, well, one really special guy. None other quite like you (and bet there’s none like you up there either!) Anyway, have a happy day, you deserve it. Truth be told, you deserve a happy day every day. Hugs, Ann and June, the cat.
Many thanks for your kind comment, dear Ann and June. He was a very special and sweet boy. I hope he, Sam and the sassy Miss Elsa are enjoying sun-filled naps and long walks together from above and are keeping an eye out for me.
I feel your sadness. “Live love bark”–that’s perfect.
Thanks, Jacqui. He was such an exceptionally sweet boy and everyone at the hospital adored him.
I can’t believe two years have already since you lost your precious Norman! Hugs to you
Thank you. It’s hard to wrap my head around that passage of time. He’s still sorely missed. 💙
There’s nothing like a little early morning sorcery to get one’s blood flowing. Especially, as you say M, when it is about a special angel named Norman. The stars have aligned for you Norman you very sweet and handsome boy. Today you have golden wings as you run free with all the other angels on the other side of the Bridge. ❤️🐾
Thanks, Mike. He was an angel on earth and now at the Rainbow Bridge. ❤️🩹
Dear Norman….a complete love bug.
He truly was. The mellowest sweetest boy who’s sorely missed by everyone who knew him.