Guardian Angels
Maelstrom
Labelas Enoreth of Chinua
29 July, 2005 - 24 March,
2006
Nori at 5 months old
The sad day came when Rad was to be retired so we needed to start the
all-important search for a very special boy of our own.
Rad had given us four wonderful litters of gorgeous kittens with
Mietta. How could we find
another boy who would be just as good or even better than Rad?
We had to think long and hard about having a boy of our own too.
We were very lucky with Rad that he didn’t spray.
Would the new boy spray to mark his territory?
And if so, how would we handle it?
Since we don’t cage our cats these were very serious questions we
had to ponder. To both of us the quality of a cat’s life is of utmost
importance.
Even though another breeder owned Rad we had treated him as we would any
cat under our roof…as if he were our own.
He had been very happy with us and Kate Campbell of Maelstrom his
original breeder recognized the care we had given him.
In talking to Kate about getting a boy of our own she offered me
pick of the boys in her upcoming litters.
How could I refuse that generous offer!?!
I waited very impatiently as her girls’ times drew near.
Almost daily I would ask…any babies yet…any babies yet? She was
very patient with me thank goodness!
I’m sure I drove her crazy in my excitement!
Of course, all this time I’m wondering if God would play a joke
on me and Kate’s girls would have only girls!
Thus was not to be the case though!
The day finally came when one, yes only one little white boy was
born…and as much as I would love to have a white cat, Kate convinced me
that I didn’t want a white boy as my one and only sire.
And the little guy ended up being deaf so he couldn’t have been
used as a stud anyway. He
is happy with his bestest buddy and living with a very loving family who
will watch over and protect him.
Then I got an email that lovely Athena had given birth!
To 3 girls (sigh) and 2 boys!
Kate sent me pictures of the boys…oh, how does one choose between
a silver and a smoke? Both were equally precious! From the beginning though the little black smoke boy stole my
heart. Kate cautioned me
that I should wait before ‘picking one over the other’ and she would
tell me which of the boys was the best kitten for breeding.
Each time she sent new pictures I kept hoping the black smoke boy
would be ‘the’ kitten. He
spoke to my heart and was who I felt should be here with us even if the
silver boy would be the best kitten.
As the boys developed both Kate and Doug said that the black
smoke boy had a great head, profile and body…we shortened his lengthy
tongue tying name, Labelas Enoreth to “Nori”.
Nori would be coming to Missouri to live with us and help Mietta
and Maureen have beautiful kittens! Yippee!!!
Hallelujah!!! We have a boy!!! Now we just had to wait until he
was old enough! And that seemed like an eternity!
What's not to love about this precious boy!
Kate very dutifully kept me posted on Nori’s progress, what he was up
to, how he was growing and developing, what mischief he was getting
into…and how he liked to snuggle.
She would truly miss this special boy that was apparent with
every email. I would look forward to each week’s new pictures just like a
child waiting for a present at Christmas!
Oh what a beauty he is…and to like to snuggle…I was in heaven for
sure! She did warn me that
he was a bit of a rascal who liked to abscond with her brushes, dig in
her flower pots, climb EVERYTHING and had the funniest meow talks she
had ever heard. Just wait,
she said, you’ll see what an ‘imp’ (I think she actually used the word
“git”) he is! That was just
fine by me…I love funny personalities…they make the best kittens!
I truly wanted to go over to the UK and bring Nori back in the cabin of
the plane instead of Kate shipping him air cargo.
Kate very nicely offered to put us up for a few days so we could
site see since we had never been ‘across the pond’ and pick up Nori at
the same time. I had always
wanted to see the layout of her cattery and her lovely gardens.
Pictures only tell so much!
It worked out that Richard wasn’t going to be able to fly over
with me so he suggested I invite TC’s mom Brenda Kershaw to go with me.
Brenda said YES! to this exciting adventure and we started to make our
plans!
Four days before the flight was to leave Brenda did the smart
thing and checked the flights.
Unbeknownst to us US Air and America West had merged and changed some of
the rules…mainly the all-important one of being able to bring Nori back
in the plane with us! Even though we had our tickets they wouldn’t budge
on this new rule! We couldn’t have Nori in the cabin OR even in cargo on
an international flight! Oh my God! What
do we do now!?! I checked
for other flights but with such short notice most flights that would let
Nori in the cabin started at $1,900!
I really didn’t want Nori to fly cargo but I just couldn’t swing
that much to bring him over in the cabin.
SO…Kate and I switched gears and we worked it out for Nori to fly
into Chicago’s O’Hare Airport on British Airways on Wednesday and I
would drive to St Louis, then fly to O’Hare pick up Nori and then fly
back to STL the same day.
Nori and I would then have the rest of the week and weekend to
get Nori settled in and used to his new home and his new feline family.
Since I couldn’t fly to the UK to get him that is the least we
could do for this special little guy!
Because I believe there are no accidents, we truly weren't meant to go
see Kate and pick up Nori. God must have known that Nori needed
time to adjust and this was his way in making that happen. And I
needed time with Nori too!
The day
dawned bright and clear that early Wednesday morning when our Nori would
be with us finally. There were a few clouds but it was warm enough that
we had the windows open all night, a rare treat in Missouri in November!
I couldn’t sleep for all the excitement to come so was up very
early and in the wonderful company of the other furries in our
household. I’m sure they
were wondering just what was up! I enjoyed my first cup of coffee and
went over the plans for the day while they feasted on their moist food.
The furries must have sensed my excitement for each one wanted to
be sure to cuddle with me during the night so I wouldn't miss the alarm!
Each one took their own turn for snuggles and purrs...they may also have
been trying to put me to sleep too which I’m sure seemed impossible to
do for them unlike a normal night!
:-)
My plan was
to leave for the airport by 6:30 am in case I hit rush hour traffic in
St Louis. I checked to see
if there was an email from Kate that Nori was in fact on the plane
before leaving the house.
Yes! He was on the plane headed to the US and Kate had gotten home
safely on her end! The 1st
hurdle was cleared! I
headed out for the airport on time with Richard's wish for my/our safe
journey and lots of hugs for support too!
The grand adventure had begun!
Being human I had lots of time to contemplate all the things that
could go right or wrong on the 2 1/2 hour trip to St Louis.
I prayed that all would go right for Nori's sake but also wanted
to come up with contingency plans in my mind in case something did go
wrong. The traffic was
normal until just outside of STL and then the rush hour back up began.
I wasn't too worried because I had given myself extra time just
in case this happened. Nothing could go wrong after not being able to go
to the UK to pick up this sweet boy!
Got to the airport with time to spare BUT then couldn't find a
parking space anywhere! I must have driven around the entire parking lot
for 30 very frustrating minutes before I found a parking place! I ended
up on top level right at the exit gates...it seems I got the very last
parking space available! And at the other end of the airport from the
American Air ticket counters of course!
Okay, well this will get the blood pumping even more!
I’d been sitting for a long while in the car and would be on the
plane soon so a little walking wouldn’t hurt!
The adventure continues!
I hoisted
my backpack and the soft sided carrier I would use for Nori for the
flight home and off I went!
The lines weren't bad and everyone was helpful.
Had trouble making the ticket guy understand that I didn't have a
kitten with me NOW...I was flying to Chicago to pick one up!
I even opened the carrier to show him so he didn't think I was
cheating him out of the ticket money for Nori both ways!
With that accomplished and Nori's passage booked and paid
for...his ticket in hand so there would be NO problems in Chicago of
having him in the cabin with me!
I wasn't taking ANY chances that the boy would be on the plane with me
and IN the cabin not cargo!
Security
wasn't a problem though they were intrigued that I had a tin pan in my
backpack...told them that was a porta potty for the kitten I was picking
up in Chicago in case he needed to go after his very long trip from the
UK! :-)
I got several smiles and laughs over that one! That was something
they admitted to never having seen before! All were disappointed that I
didn't have a kitten in the carrier for them to see, SO I had to show
them the pictures Kate had sent me the day before!
Then they were even more disappointed that they didn't get to
meet the handsome little guy in person!
I made it to the gate in plenty of time so I called Richard to let him
know all was well so far.
Funny guy, each time I called him that day he answered 'Cat phone'!
Was such a comfort knowing he was a phone call away since he
couldn’t be with me! I had
noticed that there wasn't a plane waiting for us to board when finally
the people checking us in announced a delay...ugh...they promised to
turn around the plane in no time once it had landed and hopefully the
pilot would be able to make up time in the air.
We boarded about 10:30 am and did make up some time but still
were about 10 minutes late landing in Chicago.
Other people were dashing to make connecting flights and me...I
was headed to Terminal 5 the International Terminal and to my Nori!
Stay out of my way or get run over!!! I had asked British Airways
Cargo for SPECIFIC directions when I made arrangements for a personal
handler to walk Nori through customs and was given them down to ‘take a
right here and take the escalator there, the handler will find you.‘ I
was to wait at the British Airways ticket counter and the handler would
bring Nori to me there. At
12:35 pm I went to the ticket counter which the billboard said the
counter wouldn't open until 2:30 pm! NOW WHAT??? I had seen someone else
go back and get a BA associate to talk to so had hoped someone would
come out when they saw me standing there waiting and waiting and
waiting.
FINALLY I asked a very nice security woman for help.
She asked the baggage guy behind the next counter over to pop in
and ask someone to come out to help me.
The British Airways lady was NOT very happy to be disturbed and
looked at me like I had grown 2 heads on my flight there when I
explained that I was instructed to wait here for the BA personal handler
to bring my kitten to me.
NO! she said like I was an idiot who can't follow simple
instructions...I was to go only to "B" where the passengers come through
customs. I showed her the
fax that I had sent the day before at BA World Cargo’s request
reiterating the instructions I was given.
She said it didn't matter, that NO ONE ever brought animals up
here, sort of like an animal would contaminate her precious air!
SO...I went in search of "B" and found it, even with her bad
instructions. After waiting
for about 15 more minutes I called BA World Cargo only to have their
customer service line ring and ring and ring...I was finding out very
quickly that their customer service stunk! I'd have loved to give them
lessons but felt the lessons would fall on deaf ears! After the
second call to customer service and an indeterminate number of rings I
had told myself I'd give them 6 more rings and then go back up to the
ticket counter for more help...and that is when Nori and his handler
appeared!
Picture this…I was at the back of the crowd...and let me tell you
a crowd it was! There were
BIG men clutching bouquets of roses, WHOLE families, women waiting for
loved ones...LOTS of people...well, once I finally caught site of Nori
and his handler NOTHING and I mean NOTHING was going to stop me from
getting to them! Not my small
size, not all those people, not even security! When I finally
parted the crowd and got to Nori I crouched down in front of the carrier
and Nori came right up to the door...making bread, talking and rubbing
his cheeks on my fingers!
He was on US soil apparently safe and sound! I restrained myself
from hugging the guy especially when he said he had been looking for me
for some time! I told him
where I had been told to wait and he said NO, I had been told to go to
transit. I asked if he had
the fax with my photo id etc, he said yes.
I asked him IF HE HAD READ IT????
No, not really just glanced at it!
I told him that IF he had taken a moment to read the fax it
explained what I had been told to do and he could have found me waiting
at the BA ticket counter like I had been told to do over an HOUR ago!
AND the fax also included my cell phone number with a request to
call me if they couldn’t find me!
I gave him the check for his inadequate services and signed his
paperwork... refraining from giving him a swift kick instead of a hug!
:-) The main thing was Nori was here safe and sound and there
wasn't anything I could do about the interminable wait now!
I took Nori to the nearest bathroom that thank goodness had a
'family/companion' bathroom.
I took him in and shut the door and took him out of the carrier to check
him over...he was perfect and VERY happy to be in a human's
arms...anyone would have been okay just to be out of the carrier!
I just happened to be the lucky one holding him!
I gave him a few treats and some fresh water and set out his
litter pan. He didn't seem
interested in the litter except to dig and have fun...no need to really
USE it! Since we were a
little crunched for time I loaded him back up and went back to the tram
to take us back to Terminal 3 and our American Air flight back to St
Louis.
On the way I called Brenda so she would email Kate to let her know Nori
had arrived safely and our journey was going good. I knew Kate would be
worried about her sweet little boy, so I wanted to let her know he was
safe as soon as possible.
I was a bit distracted and got off the tram at the parking lot instead
of staying on for Terminal 3 so we got back on board and waited until
the right stop! Can't
imagine being distracted...by either Bren or Nori! :-) There were a
large group of young business people on this tram and each one had to
take a peek at sweet Nori!
He'd come up to the door each time to look them over too!
What a brave little lad!
And...each time I said his name...he'd make bread like crazy...what a
sweetie! I was head over heels in love!
We stood in a short line for O'Hare for the AA ticket counter to put the
hard sided carrier Nori was shipped over in in baggage.
We took the 'live animal' stickers off and marked through the
ones that just wouldn't tear off.
The lady at the ticket counter asked me to pay yet again for Nori and I
explained that his ticket had been paid for in STL so that I would be
assured he could fly with me in the cabin, that I just picked him up
here in Chicago. She
finally understood...again as if I was speaking a foreign language!
We got our boarding passes and headed for Security! Should I have
started to get a complex by now?
Or before I do anything like this again, dye my blonde hair brown or red
maybe?
I needed to put a harness & lead on Nori because I would have to carry
him through the security screener with me without the carrier and didn't
want to risk him getting loose if something startled him!
With all the noise and confusion at O’Hare Airport he had every
right to be startled & confused! I know I was beginning to feel a bit
dazed! He would not be x-rayed in his carrier thank goodness...he
slipped into the harness like it was no big deal!
Just another part of this very adventurous day!
We waited in line and then I put my shoes in a tray and my
backpack and Nori's carrier went into the scanner...only to be stopped
by security...ma'am...you have to take off your jacket.
Damn...and I'm supposed to do that how with a baby kitten in my
arms??? Luckily I had been
visiting with the 2 ladies behind me and both took an arm of the jacket
and we got it off without having to put Nori down!
We made it through the scanner just fine and went to collect our
stuff...there stood the biggest man I have EVER seen in my life looking
a tad bit anxious! Until he saw Nori in my arms then he had a big smile
on his face and was thankful that I had the kitten in my arms because he
certainly wasn't in his carrier!
The Security guy was just ready to send out a warning to everyone to
watch for a loose cat! He
admitted to never having seen a Norwegian Forest Cat before and really
liked what he saw...said the last cat was one of those hairless ones who
look like they are in pain all the time.
He liked Nori much better! I love it when Security people smile
instead of scowl!
We made it
to our gate...which was clear at the very end of Section K!!!
Of course! But
walking was a good thing because we had an hour long flight and the 2 ½
ride home yet! When we got
to the gate an announcement was made that the flight would be leaving 10
minutes early and they started boarding immediately!
WHEW!!!! That was
close! The flight was
fairly packed an my seatmate hated cats (wouldn’t you just know it!!!)
so Nori would not be coming out of his carrier during the flight...I
spent most of the flight bent over with my hand inside the
carrier...letting Nori pet himself on my hand.
He'd belly up for belly rubs, he would rub his cheeks and chin on
my hand...he'd lay flat so I could massage his shoulders and rub his
back. He seemed okay with
this part of the trip too! Had to be a little better than cargo at
least! The flight was bumpy due to air turbulence so the descent was a
little unnerving for some...but not sweet, fearless Nori! What a little
trooper he is!
We got his
carrier from baggage and started the trek to the parking lot.
It was still sunny but the wind had really picked up...I felt
like we were walking into a hurricane force gale!
I'd look down at Nori in his Sturdibag carrier and he had his
head at the front of the carrier smelling all the smells! I told him to
hold his breath because airplane fumes weren't good for him!
Hallelujah! I see
the car Nori! By then my
arms and shoulders certainly needed a break!
Man, am I out of shape!
Just a few more rows and we were home free!
Well, at the car at least!
I had a big
crate set up in the back seat of the car with food, water, a comfy bed
and litter tray for Nori so I transferred him in there while I put the
rest of the stuff in the trunk and car.
AND THEN...I climbed in the little space left and opened the
crate and let him cuddle!
Sigh...I was in heaven...he made bread and flopped over in the soft bed
for belly rubs and then would go over to lay in the litterbox...not to
use it but just to lay in it!
:-)
I gave him some bites of food and he crunched and made bread all
the while eating! I then
offered him some water and again...he made bread while drinking! This little guy was so happy to be on solid ground again!
I had turned the radio on so soft music would drown out some of
the airport noises and once he got finished eating and drinking he
flopped over on the soft bed again totally exhausted I’m sure, looked up
and me and gave me a love blink and started purring...at 4:19 pm after
all he had been through he purred...what a doll!
To have been on that long of a trip and still be able to purr!
Was music to my ears!!!
He came out and cuddled on my lap again as if to tell me all was well
and I had to reluctantly put him back in to tell him that we had the
last leg of our journey to start and he had to stay in the big crate for
his own safety...when the soft meows started they broke my heart...I
just had to believe that he was telling me all about his exciting
journeys and that he was just fine in the crate and not that he was
missing Kate and his furry family in the UK.
Mama
Annie...I just need a 10 hour nap and then I'll be recovered from the
trip!
I hadn't
eaten much that day in all the rushing around so we stopped at Arby's
and enjoyed a roast beef sandwich together.
I think he ate about as much as me though! He was a gentleman and didn't bite my fingers even though I
didn't feed him fast enough at times!
He really seemed to enjoy his treat.
After supper back in the crate he went and we were on the road
again!
We got home
about 8:15 pm to Barkley and Richard ready to help us unload. I think
Richard wanted to get his hands on sweet Nori too!
We put Nori in his carrier and took him back to the 'cat room'
where he'd be able to see our cats through the screen door but be able
to get used to everyone without a confrontation.
Again, he took everything in stride.
I showed him his dry food, water and where the litterbox was and
how all the toys worked! He
seemed very content. He was just plain worn out too! Afterall, he’s
still a baby! I left
Richard with him while I came up and emailed Kate so she would know we
both were home safe and sound and Nori didn't seem the worse for wear.
I laid on the floor with him to play and cuddle for about an hour
then paid some much-needed attention to the other furries.
Nori would go over to the door and rub on the door where the
other cats were...no hisses, just lots of curiosity!
I checked
on him a couple times during the night, laying down and falling asleep
with him each time. He
seemed fine every time I checked on him but I hated to leave him! He’d
play like crazy the first morning and when he heard me coming he was
climbing the screen door like he had seen Sean do the night before!
Alrighty then, now we know he's a quick learner!
I took him
to see Dr Williams at 3:00 pm the next day for a thorough check over to
make certain he truly did make his flight in good condition.
Nori checked out perfect in every way and is well on his way to
being a lady-killer from the reactions of the Vet staff and my friends
at the bank. Everyone thought his color and markings are beautiful and
that he is a very sweet boy especially considering all he had been
through.
Nori
continues to grow and stretch out and is a whopping 7 + lbs at 6 months
old. He’s in that teenage
long and lanky stage right now and is eating everything in sight!
He continues to delight me by coming up to snuggle on my lap most
nights while I’m reading or watching TV and snuggles me to sleep at
night much to Purry’s chagrin, that used to be ‘his’ job…and Nori wakes
me up with his chirpy talk and with purrs and snuggles in the mornings
too. He loves to jump after fishing pole toys, chase around with a
piece of fur in his mouth as if he is the mighty hunter/provider.
He loves to play & roughhouse with the other cats and gets along
with everyone. He doesn’t
know a stranger and will let anyone pick him up for loves as he proved
at Christmas!
His first
show was in St Louis at 5 months old and while there were other Regional
winning Wegie kittens there who got the honors that weekend, one judge
did tell the gallery that Nori was the best black smoke he had ever seen
in any breed and the 1st black smoke NFC he had ever seen.
He asked me if I planned on using him for breeding and I answered
yes. He was glad to hear
that, as it would have been a waste to neuter him!
He then told the gallery that this would be a cat to watch in the
future once he started filling out…he would be a stunning example of
what a Norwegian Forest Cat should be.
Nori bird watching and loosing his baby coat!
Nori and Purry hanging out together.
Sadly,
we lost our beloved Nori on March 24, 2006.
Click
here to read
The Final Chapter
The ripple effect continues...
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