Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Happy Birthday Nermal!

Last Thursday, March 22, Nermal turned 5 years old! The cake was really for the humans, but I put some cat treats in a little bowl on top of the cake for Nermal. Initially, the cake was interesting for him, until he burned a couple of whiskers, whereupon Nermal wanted nothing more to do with said cake.... I try to keep his birthdays happy for the humans in his life, but for myself, Nermal birthdays ceased to be happy occasions last year, when I realized that they are just a count-down to Nermal's inevitable passing. I'm sorry if that sounds depressing, but it really depresses me to think of how short life is on this earth, and even more so for a beloved pet. I can't even imagine that in another 5, 6, or if I'm extremely lucky, 10 years, I may not have Nermal running to the door to greet me when I come home, or wake me every morning with his incessant purring and face touching.... but such is life..... and while I have him I will make the most of our time.... The cat treats I got him reminded me of that Purina dog food commercial, where the dog jumps up on his human's desk and inspires the human to make dog food in the shape of hearts.... does anybody know that commercial? I've searched YouTube, so I could show it to y'all, but I couldn't find it. The song in the background goes: "There's nothing I wouldn't do to prove my love for you..." So I would like to dedicate that song to my littlest and bestest buddy Nermal on his 5th birthday:

There's nothing I wouldn't do to prove my love for you
You've shown me how much better four legs are than two
So I looooove you!

... I wonder if he even understands.... Happy Birthday little buddy!
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30 comments:

Suzanne R said...

Happy 5th birthday, Nermal! You made it such a fun occasion, for cat and humans, too.

I worry about my cats getting older like that, too. Time is inexorable and sometimes that IS depressing. I can tell that you do make the most of it, especially by having such a nice party for your kitty.

srp said...

Happy Birthday Nermal!! That is one nice cake. What a face! How could you not love a face like this. Many, many more.

Gattina said...

What a cute post ! and don't be depressed you can still have at least 15 years with Nermal maybe even more. My first cat Piccola died after 20 years and it was especially hard because she had shared all important steps in my life ! She met Mr. Gattino with me, got married, got a baby moved, travelled just everything. I even took her with me to Italy ! She is still there, even if I have other cats now. That's life. And we are lucky to have cats and not dogs, because their lives are much shorter. So enjoy the moments you have with Nermal and don't think about maybe's !

Obsidian Kitten said...

Happy Birthday, Nermal! What a handsome fellow you are -- and what a face, oh my goodness!

I worried about my Grey Cat growing older from the time he was about 7. Then he lived quite contentedly to be 16.

I had a funny dream about him once where my grandmother was talking to him and asking him (yes, she was asking my cat) how much time she had left (she's 89 now).

"Crumbs!" he kept repeating. "It is but crumbs!"

"I know," she insisted, "but I need to know how much *time* I have left."

And all he said was, "It is but crumbs!"

So either Grey Cat was being really deep, or all cats actually think about is food. With him it was always hard to tell.

Dragonheart, Merlin, Devi, and Chloe said...

Happy Belated Birthday Nermal! :) I hope you had a great day! :) Very nice of your human to put some cat treats on the cake for you!

Caylynn, Dragonheart's mom here now: Losing a pet is never easy, but they bring us such joy while they are with us. I lost my long-time Siamese friend, Whiskers, on September 1st last year. He had been a present on my 15th birthday, and he died just two months short of his 20th birthday. So he lived a good, long life. He was an amazing cat, and we had many happy years together. While Dragonheart has in no way replaced Whiskers, he has brought more kitty love and joy into my life. So when Nermal's time to go to the Rainbow Bridge comes along, you will be sad, you will mourn him, but when the time is right, you will hopefully find another wonderful cat to fill your life with purrs and affection.

Anonymous said...

Happy birthday, Nermal! You are both lucky to have each other! :)

Don't think of it anymore, Angelo. Just make the most of your time with your little buddy! We will all eventually go, humans and pets. It's inevitable. Kaya naman, just cherish what little time you have :)

Nermal is so cute talaga!

Gina said...

Happy birthday to you! (2x)
Happy birthday Dear Nermal
Happy birthday to you!

Pls. sing that to him for me, ok =)

He is a mighty big boy & so adorable..

Celeste said...

Happy 5th! My Sebastian is 19 now.

Anonymous said...

Aww, Happy Birthday Nermel. He looks like the Lion King there. I know how you feel. I have had so many pets that have died or had to be put down, over the years and it is never easy, always painful and heartbreaking...That thought ran through my mind the other day when I was watching one of my cats. Just hoping that it would come quickly and painlessly and I wouldn't be in a postion of deciding their faet, once again. cheers. Laurie from the Litterbox News.

Anonymous said...

Happy Belated Birthday Nermal! Now that looked like quite a birthday party! The pictures were great. I can't believe my baby boy will be 7 in May and my little girl 6 this April. They are going to be old soon!

tina said...

WOW!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY NERMAL!!

i know one cannot help but think about passing away whenever nermal's day is around.. but then that's part of life..

nevertheless.. it is sooo heartwarming to see you care soo much for nermal and all that.. never have i seen or heard of someone treating a cat like you do..

but then i understand..Nermal's been with you... for years already...

lovely cake... Nermal wouldnt mind if i can have a slice? hehehe

FelineFrisky said...

angelo -

Cats can live very long lives. Don't limit yourself by seeing the end so clearly.

Pf course, Nermal unsersatnds you love him! LOL He takes all you do into his heart daily. Create daily memories!Unconditional love, my friend!

LOVED the cake! What a grand idea! Ours would have ignored it, but perhaps a fillet of fish or chicken thigh would be acceptable! LOL

Happy Birthday Nermal! D :)

Laurence said...

1, 2... aaaaaaaah
Joyeux anniversaiiiiiiiiiire
Jooooooyeux anniversaire
Jooooooyeux aaaaaaannniversaire, Nermal
Joyeux anniversaire !

Happy Birthday, Nermal... :-)

P.S. Harissa is 15 years ! And she plays like the first day !!!

Luna und Luzie said...

Happy birthday, Nermal. What a great cake and the treats looks good.mmmmh ;-)But don´t know this comercial and this song. They don´t show in Germany.
Don´t be depressed, enjoy every day with your pet !!!

kuanyin333 said...

Happy Birthday Nermal! What a beautiful cake you have!

Girlie said...

Angelo, that is so adorable! Yoash turned 1 and I haven't got his birthday cake yet. That cake rocks!

Anonymous said...

happy 5th birthday to Nermal, I know the feeling pero thats life. kahit ako sa sarili ko ilang taon nalang feeling ko ma de dedo na ako, meron kaya maghahanap sa akin.. hmmm, hehehe. pero siguro enjoy nalang sa company ng mga mahal sa buhay, kapag dumating yung tima na mawawala sila daming magagandang memories na maiiwan sa atin :)

Andree said...

That is such a sweet post! Lucky lucky Nermal. Happy birthday!

Leah said...

happy birthday to Nermal...

Anonymous said...

aww,what a touching gesture,Angelo!
Nermal`s bday cake was bigger than Ally`s..yeah,life is so short,Angelo,so let Nermal live to the fullest,and its you,only you could make it with him.

you`ve made your point in your poem,its lovely..hehe

Happy happy Bday,Nermal!!lots of kisses and hugs from Tita Ghee!continue your warm welcomings to Angelo,give him lots of purrs,lots of love everyday,make his days/nights brighter,lessen his tiredness and worries in life! :)

ghee

MeL said...

Hello Nermal! Happy 5th Birthday to you. Here's a big hug and kisses for you. Angelo, you're such a sweetie. Both of you do love each other. I love the cake,too. Nermal's cake looks more special than mine. (I turned 22 last March 25) :)

Nothing in this world is permamnent,dear. So cherish every moment you spent with Nermal. :)

Girlie said...

Funny, but looking at Nermal's picture again, he reminds me of our old dog. A Chow named Shomer...doesn't Nermal look like a Chow to you?

Angelo said...

Thank you everyone for your words of encouragement!

Anonymous said...

Thank you everyone for the greetings :) Purrrs and nudges all around!

Angelo said...

Mel: A Belated Happy Birthday to you too!

Shoshana: You're right he does look like a Chow... even his tongue looks a little purple!

Anonymous said...

Oh, what cutie pictures! It's as if he really understands it's his birthday and he's nodding approvingly at his humans! :)

Anonymous said...

Such a touching post! Reality bites but what you can do is make everything the best out of it for Nermal, Angelo! He's doesn't speak but you could feel by his geste how thankful he is for the attention you render everyday. You deserve to have each other !

Happy Birthday Nermal !!! Cheers to a long years !

Victor Tabbycat said...

Hi, Nermal! Happy belated purrthday!
Hippo Birdy Two Ewes,
Hippo Birdy Two Ewes,
Hippo Birdy Deer Nermal,
Hippo Birdy Two Ewes!
... and many more!!!
That's a lovely cake, but I don't unnerstand why yur treats haf fire round them. Sum kinda weird bean fing, I guess. Purrs~

Teena in Toronto said...

Happy birthday!

Cherish every second you have with Nermal!

Heart of Rachel said...

Happy Birthday Nermal! That's a beautiful cake fit for a lovely cat. Wishing you the best of health and more wonderful years ahead.

Don't be sad. Just take advantage of each day you have with Nermal. There are many more great years ahead that you can cherish together.

Take care!