Norman 18-198
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At a Glance #18-198
| Golden Retriever | Born: May 2012 |
| Male | 70 lbs |
Status: Deceased
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Updates
Tuesday, April 6, 2021
One of the hardest decisions you have to make as a pet owner is to know when the right time is to help them cross. I’ve been struggling with this decision for months. Norman’s quality of life had deteriorated, his blindness and anxiety were just too much for him. For the last several weeks he started spending all his time in the bedroom or office, he stopped going outside and when he did, he wanted right back in.
His simple pleasures of rolling in the dirt, carrying around toys or barking at the other dogs when they played had stopped. I had to start feeding him breakfast in the bedroom because it would be 2 or 3pm before I could get him downstairs. He just looked sad and the pain in his eyes had been telling me it was time but I just couldn’t come to terms with it. His body was healthy but his mind was not.
I loved Norman and he taught me so much. In the short 2.5 years he was with me, I hope I made up for the 6.5 years he had at a mill. The simple steps forward were huge triumphs- his first time sleeping on a dog bed, eating treats out of my hand, carrying toys around and even the handful or two of walks I was able to get him to go on. Those were all little signs he was learning how to be a dog and was a part of the pack.
He also perked up when my dad or brother came around- while I know he loved me, he just loved the attention he got from them. When Magoo and Thor came in he had a small spark in his eye, he enjoyed their company and was “papa Norman”, an awesome foster brother. His tail would just wag non-stop when they’d jump all around him.
This past weekend, Norman got worse, if I left the house at all, he’d bark non-stop until I returned but even when I was home, outside enjoying the weather, he just wouldn’t come out, regardless of how hard I tried.
It’s like he developed a fear of going outside and he went outside a total of four or five times all weekend. Yet, he’d be overly stressed in the house alone, stress panting as if he ran a marathon. He was making it clear to me he was ready…he needed me to help him over.
Yesterday, I gave him one last brushing, something that he loved. He also got two steaks which I think he thought he was already in heaven- he didn't have to share those with anyone else, a frosty paw with whipped cream and endless treats throughout the day.
Yesterday evening, I held his paw as he peacefully took his last breath. He is now up with all the dogs that passed before him waiting for the day I join them. I know he can see again, his anxiety no longer controls him, he no longer needs daily medication or eye drops, he is running and rolling in open fields of grass (or mud) and playing with the endless number of toys and tennis balls.
The house is empty without him and I’m feeling his void. Rest in peace Norman- until we meet again.
Saturday, April 20, 2019
Norman here, Foster Mom said I can share this great news!
I found my fur-ever home just in time for my 7th birthday! I will have a yard to run in, a new mom with a very consistent schedule, and she’s ready to take on my health needs. I’ll even fur-siblings to continue to teach me the ropes.
I have become a happy dog who loves this Golden life I never knew existed. Foster Mom and I want to thank RAGOM for helping me get to where I am.
Friday, February 15, 2019
In the last two weeks I’ve noticed even more positive changes in Norman. He’s so much more relaxed at home and he is a very heavy sleeper now, which makes me believe he’s comfortable.
He has not shredded any toys and is getting used to the radio. We did have a rock-out session in the kitchen, which was probably entertaining and for some reason that helped him get over his radio fear. I’m still working on his fear of the TV, but I’ve noticed he hangs out downstairs one room over when it’s on, so I’m hopeful!
He had his follow-up appointment for his eye and, well, his right one is still struggling. I couldn’t make the appointment but from what was relayed to me, it’s a bit cloudy so he’s on an ointment and an oral steroid. Let me tell you though, this boy does not let anything slow him down anymore!
He’s such a happy dog. I was told that at his vet appointment he was greeting people in the lobby and had no care with the smaller dog in the office.
This weekend we are venturing to Lakeville for a Meet & Greet. So if you are out and about, please stop on by and meet this sweetheart!
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
Norman and I thought we’d pop in for a quick update. Things are going good with this sweetheart and he’s still soaking up as much attention as he can!
I’ve noticed lately he barely gets scared of much anymore. I no longer find myself doing things around the house at a slower pace. Instead he lets me step over him, around him, things can drop next to him, and he no longer goes flying out of the room.
Due to the progress we have made, I’m going to say Norman can go to a home with dog-savvy kids over the age of 10. I know he’d really think he’d enjoy the attention and pets. We’ve also seen a huge improvement when new people come over to the house—he now wants to say hi instead of running upstairs.
Norman LOVES snow! Just about every time he goes out he’ll get to the lower part of my yard and just roll in the snow. I often find him nose diving to eat it. I really don’t think I’ve ever met a dog that enjoys it so much.
Norman has come such a long way since he came into RAGOM, and I have watched him gain so much confidence. So I know he’s ready to settle into his fur-ever home to continue this Golden life.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Norman is ready to find his fur-ever home. The follow-up appointment we had showed everything is healing and we can begin our search. He does have a follow-up appointment on February 4, so he will not be able to go to his fur-ever until after that.
To see if Norman will fit in your household, here are some things about him:
- Now that Norman’s learned how great this life is, he soaks attention every chance he can. He follows me everywhere: up and down stairs, room to room, and if I’m stationary he’s always at my feet. The only time he leaves me is if the TV is on. He still cannot get over that fear. He also fears the radio in the car.
- He is perfectly fine with cats—my one cat often rubs up against him and the other will chase his tail and Norman is not fazed and has never reacted.
- Norman does get a little stressed out when my younger dogs get overly excited or start to play rough with each other. I think he’d really love a house where it’s a bit quiet and laid back where he can soak up a ton of attention. Now and then he will play with my male out back so I do think he’d like a playful buddy but not a young one.
- Norman is a submissive dog and the few times my Beagle resident has growled at him, Norman will go into another room for a while and it will take him some convincing to join us again. He likes his peace with the other dogs in the house and enjoys their company, so another submissive or docile dog would be great for him.
- Norman will not go potty on a leash. The night he stayed at the vet’s office he held it for almost two days. Since a physical fence is a requirement, this shouldn’t be an issue but it is something I wanted to mention.
- He still struggles jumping in and out of the car. Once he’s in he rides like a champ (if the radio isn’t on). Currently, I still have to pick him up to get him in. Usually it’s the front two feet and then I help him with the back two. Once he’s in, he usually sits and looks out the window!
- Norman must remain on eye drops for the rest of his life—without them he has a very high chance of getting glaucoma and he will go blind. It’s been a great experience watching him get his eyesight back. It has done wonders for him and he’s become such a happy dog, so I cannot stress this enough (and the vet has stressed it to me). These drops run about $45 per month.
- I have Norman’s anxiety under control. He receives Fluoxetine once a day and Trazadone at night. With a transition into a new home, this is something he’ll need to remain on for some time, if not forever. Getting accustomed to a family life has been an adjustment for him.
I absolutely adore this boy. We have had our struggles as he adjusted, but I’ve really enjoyed having him with me. But with three other resident dogs, two cats, and a horse (off-site), he truly deserves a family that can give him more one-on-one attention.
I cannot stress how sweet he is and how much he will love his human. Really, he’s become such a perfect sweetheart and I really hope his next home will adore him as much as I have.
Saturday, January 19, 2019
Rochester ended up with about six inches of snow last night. It's the biggest snowfall since Norman joined my household. He loves it! He has a blast following two of my resident dogs.
Thursday, January 17, 2019
Norman had his cataract surgery on the January 7, and I'm happy to say he is enjoying this new vision of his—and he's become so much more confident. It's been fun watching him see things again for the "first time."
He is still getting three different eye drops every six and eight hours, but he's taking them like a champ. For the eye drops he gets at midnight he usually makes me lift his head for him to put them in, and then he's right back to sleep.
We have another follow-up appointment on January 21, after which we are both hoping he can ditch his cone and get down to getting drops every eight hours.
I can't put into words how much happier he has become in the last couple weeks. He's been getting along with my three resident dogs and has even become buddies with my male dog.
He's come so far since October. I can say he's no longer the same dog he was when he came in. I know the cataract surgery, neuter, and anxiety meds have all helped with this.
We'll update again soon!
Friday, January 4, 2019
We hope everyone had a great Holiday Season. Norman and I would like to thank Molly for sponsoring Norman! It was a wonderful Christmas gift to her parents, Steve and Barb, in memory of their Golden, Charlie. With Norman’s cataract surgery, this will certainly help.
We had a low-key Christmas and New Year’s, but Norman enjoyed getting his gifts from Santa, who found a few “Norman-proof” toys. So it has been fun watching Norman trot around with them. I’m still supervising to make sure he doesn’t chew or swallow anything, but these have made him happy!
Over the holidays Norman had four days with me, two weekends in a row. I wasn’t sure how he’d take all the activity with me being home, but he did pretty well! I believe his anxiety meds are kicking in, which is helping his need to be with me all the time.
We are getting ready for his new set of eyes on the January 7. I’m pretty excited for him, and we are so thankful he can have this procedure. Send some positive vibes!
Norman and I just wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year! We’ll update again soon.
Thursday, December 6, 2018
Our house has been a little busy, so I’m behind on an update. Norman is still a complete sweetheart who cannot get enough attention. His happy personality and his waggin' tail just puts a smile on everyone's face!
I’ve had a minor setback with Norman: he’s not sure how to adjust to life as a family member and has developed a bit of anxiety. His anxiety is not because I’ve left, but because he has no idea how to react to all this attention and his anxiety kicks in when I’m home.
For about the first hour I'm home, he constantly paces and stress pants. Once I'm stationed in one room for a period of time he does relax, will lie down, and just observe what's going on around him. The second I move though, he's a half step behind me.
He has been started on Prozac and I’m hoping once it kicks in this will help him. It breaks my heart to think of how starved for attention he was that now that attention he was missing is just too much for him to handle.
He's slowly getting over his fear of the TV, and the other night he jumped on the couch. It didn't last long and his foster sisters kissing him probably helped, but it was a start of getting over this fear. I'm very proud of how brave he was.
Norman’s a smart boy and we have some training exercises to work on. He’s very food motivated so I think with some work and confidence building, he’ll realize this great new life is just going to keep getting better!
Tuesday, November 20, 2018
Mr. Norman had his ophthalmologist appointment on November 14, and is a candidate for cataract surgery. We have this scheduled for January 7, and he will have both eyes done. He can currently see but it is a hazy, blurred vision. So I hope once this is corrected he will stop spooking so much.
Due to the post-op care and post-op appointments, Norman will remain unavailable until mid-January. I was also told Norman will require eye drops every 12 hours for the rest of his life, so that is something his fur-ever home needs to consider when he becomes available for adoption.
He’s a very easy patient and willingly stands or sits for his eye drops, most of the time his tail just wags. I really think he doesn’t care what you’re doing to him if he’s getting attention.
I have finally heard Norman bark. The first time it was because I stopped brushing him, and the second time was because I finished cleaning his ears. I think it says a lot about his personality.
I recently learned Norman cannot have any type of fabric toy; he does chew them and swallows the pieces. So to play it safe I also keep socks, hand towels, or any fabric-type material out of his reach.
His playtime is with supervision and during the day while I’m at work toys are put away. If I catch him with something, he willingly will bring it to me and will let go.
Norman LOVES when I pet between his eyes and his tail just wags when you touch or talk to him. I think the only time he is not by my side is when the TV is on. Even when it’s on mute, he runs off. Slowly, we are working through this.
While I was hopeful this sweetie would have a home for the holidays, I’m thankful I can at least give him his first holiday season outside a breeding facility. We will just have to ask Santa to modify the type of toys he brings this year.
Friday, November 9, 2018
Norman has been with us a few weeks now and is settling in better than I expected. He is such a sweetheart and gives a new meaning to the phrase "pocket Golden." He loves to be petted, follows me everywhere, and just soaks up all the attention he can.
Norman lives with two cats and three dogs. The cats he has no interest in, and he gets along great with the two female resident dogs. But he bumps heads with my male Golden. I’m hoping after his neuter on the November 21 that this slowly gets better.
Norman has two cataracts, his right being worse than his left. He startles easily, is terrified of the TV, and runs into my legs quite often so I do wonder if his eyesight or depth perception is contributing to this. We have an appointment on November 14 with an ophthalmologist, and we’ll get a better idea of what he’s dealing with.
I really enjoy having Norman in the house. He’s a very smart boy and has learned our household routine. He is learning "sit" and he has learned he’ll get more attention if he sits instead of jumping on you. He will make a great addition to a low-key household.
