Fly High Norman

[gbird]

RIP NORMAN




OUR HEARTS ARE HEAVY AS WE INFORM YOU THAT OUR BELOVED NORMAN HAS PASSED AWAY

Norman, our beloved Grey mascot, passed away yesterday, March 19 at about 5:30 PM. Information regarding his death will be posted later, but right now my grief is profound and my emotions exceed the words needed to share his final chapter with you. You have been so generous with your support and well wishes for Norman - he deeply touched everyone that came to know him.

March 20, 2008

"I spy a little 'man' in a gray feathered suit, sporting red tails, white tie and smirk looking so distinguished and bright in the sun On a day that is light. Full of spirit and hope I walk closer to meet this perched fellow; he peers from his branch and to utter a greeting.

I quickly say, "Hi"! And he answers, "OINK OINK".

And that's my first memory of Norman, an extraordinary Grey.

Norman wasn't any one person's bird but an all-persons' bird to those who met him.

He was an amazing ambassador who had battled and survived so much, defeating the odds which almost made him seem bullet proof when I heard he was recently ill.

One of my treasured accomplishments with Norman, or I should say I felt honored, was that he make a mad cat noise that I taught him. He made me feel special by reserving his mad cat noise only when I was visiting or if I was on the phone. I learned that he also picked up "rock'n rock'n rock'n rock'n roll" during our last trip to Colorado in August. I'll never hear him say it.

Norman touched many a heart and he will continue to live on in those hearts...I know he will be in mine. Norman was a special friend who enriched my life and I'm thankful for that and all that was done previously to my meeting Norman through the special care he received from Julie and TGF. Norman had beat some very high odds that were stacked against him all those years ago. Through TGF he was essentially granted a second life and he used it well.

- Shauna Roberts, TGF Board of Directors and WA State Liaison




NORMAN'S STORY

Norman, The Gabriel Foundation's 40-plus year old African Grey mascot is in the hospital. Our veterinarian and staff are providing the best care possible for this charmer. Radiographs and blood work are all within normal limits, but Norman is still not his outgoing, chatty-chipper self. For those of you that have not met this amazing fellow - his story is inspirational.

Norman came to TGF 11 years ago from a veterinarian whose clients abandoned him there when he was desperately ill.

He was blind in one eye, emaciated, and in terrible feather condition. The veterinarian had performed surgery on Norman's sinus which was severely infected and Pseudomonas bacteria had traveled the optic nerve and blinded him. Norman was also diagnosed at that time with ocular and choanal papillomas.

TGF took in Norman on the condition that we would become financially responsible for his additional required surgeries and care. Ultimately, Norman went to the University of Florida, Gainesville, and surgery was performed by Dr. Avery Bennett. Tissue samples of Norm's papillomas were sent to Dr. Darrel Styles at The Schubot Exotic Bird Health Center at Texas A&M University for further study and typing.

It was then determined that Norman had the 6th genotype of the avian papilloma virus - a unique finding. Norman has lived well with this incurable disease, and he has been a wonderful teacher to us all.

Wild caught several decades earlier, subject to poor husbandry, nutrition and lack of veterinary care, Norman developed chronic sinus infections and the papilloma virus. With excellent diagnostics, surgeries and supportive care, Norman's life dramatically improved.

Right now, Norman is hospitalized, on meds, and cultures are pending. Norman has suffered for 11 years from chronic sinus discharge and his sinuses are flushed daily. Surgery to open up the eyelid on his right eye was deemed to be more risky than beneficial. Norman has adapted to his extremely limited eyesight.

Due to his weight loss, he is being tube fed and consistently monitored. He is not comfortable perching right now, remains in an incubator, and has a head tilt.

We make the 45-minute drive to visit him twice daily to keep his spirits up and everyone at the veterinary hospital is doing their best to insure that he makes it through this rough time.

Anyone who has met Norman delights in his cat, kitten, pig, duck, chicken and cow sounds, not to mention his laugh at the most appropriate times!

Norman has our love, our prayers for recovery and a tremendous fan club.

March 17, 2008

Norman came home from the hospital on Saturday and is being looked after at the Aviary and Adoption Center. He has been in the incubator, kept at about 83 F and Andrew has him on 4 feedings/day. He cannot perch, and has substantial balance problems. He has a severe pseudomonas bacterial infection, probably in his ear canal, that may be causing him vertigo, loss of appetite, and the poor balance. He was losing significant weight, but his supportive care since returning to us has helped with depression and calories, so his pre-feeding weight has increased. We are scheduled with Matt Johnston, DVM, Dipl. ABVP-Avian at Colorado State University on Wednesday to determine how to proceed. Dr. LaBonde recommends that we have cardiac studies and either CT or MRI imaging to better assess the infection. Due to the stress that all this involves, keeping Norman on the course of medication that has been prescribed for two more days should make him a bit stronger. Pseudomonas is a very nasty bacteria and Norman has been susceptible to it since he first came into our care. Thank you to Andrew Bosman and Karen Vanderhyde for taking such good care of our special boy.

[Valo's Moirana]

fly free, little one - you sure were a great inspiration on this earth, and you will be greatly missed

[gbird]

I only met Norman once (when I took the video) but boy what a sweety. I think any of us who have let these amazing creatures into our hearts, feels a loss when one goes.

I will say this. He had a hard life, but boy was he loved at TGF. By everyone. He stayed up at Julies, and he did get the very best care.

He will be missed, even by those who never met him....his spirit is all over the avaries.

[sparkysmom]

No!!!

OMG I cannot stop crying.

I never met him. But I loved him anyways.

TY for letting us know Gayla.

[Zoe's Mom]

Fly Free Norman

[Lisa B]

oh I am in tears myself. He was a beautiful boy.......

[gbird]

Originally Posted by sparkysmom

No!!!

OMG I cannot stop crying.

I never met him. But I loved him anyways.

TY for letting us know Gayla.

I was told today when I went in to do my thing. I was shocked, and even Hillary (vet tech) said "don't get me started" They are all just crushed.

I thought of you right away. But ya know....he had a tuff life but the last 11 years, even though he was ill, he was oh so loved, by so many. I've seen his cage, his home, and the care he got. He's flying high now, and no longer suffering.....and he left such a warm impression on all of us.

If you want to discuss your monthly donation, just PM me.

((hugs))

[sparkysmom]

Yes. I know he was super loved and that gives me comfort.

I just donated for a year. So it is cool. I am sure he needed it in the end.

Thank you Gayla.

[gbird]

That will be a big help.....they have vet bills to take care of. Thank you so much xo

[KimM]

What a special boy! We'll miss you Norman. Fly free little guy!