RIP Norman

When I brought Norman home on Friday he was fine. We played for over an hour and he was jumping and running like normal. I put him back in his cage a went to sleep.

On Saturday I was busy all day because my cousin came into town. I didn't check on Norman because he was sleeping like he usually does during the day. After a long dinner and going out buying movies my cousin, Laura and I went back to my place. Norman was still sleeping. I thought this was odd because it was his most active time. I thought he was mad at me for not giving him his dust bath or letting him out yet (they are very big on schedules). I gave him his dust bath and he just sat in it and didn't move. I took him out and he just kinda flopped out. I was so worried. I knew something was wrong when I gave him a cranberry and he just dropped it. It was already late so I put him back in his cage so he could sleep and hoped for the best.

When I woke up he seemed okay. He was sleeping and breathing. I had breakfast with my cousin and took him to his friends so he could go back to school. Then I went to the pet store with Laura and bought some medicine and things to make him feel better. When I came home I went to give him his medicine and he didn't put up any fight he just looked exhausted. Then I noticed the entire underside of his head and hads had damp matted up fur. Like his nose had been running. I tried to clean it but it wouldn't come out and it was dyed orange from the carrot he had been lying on. I panicked. I called about 10 vets, all the ones that said small animals but they were all either closed or had noone who could work with "exotic pets". Exasperated I tried to make him as comfortable as I could in his cage and I let him sleep praying that he would make it through to the next day so I could take him somewhere.

My brother called to talk to me about it and I went to go check his breathing. Then Norman had a seizure after a few gasps for breath and died. I couldn't believe it, he had just died, and I couldn't do anything. I cried all last night for the loss of my great pet, and for the feeling of utter helplessness I felt. noone would see him, the medicine did nothing, he just left me and I don't know why.

And thats where I am now. Facing a day at work knowing when I get home he wont be there when I get home. I don't know how I am going to get through today. He was only there for 2 weeks but he made being alone in a new place so much easier. I will miss my Norman.