Nermie: Larger Than Life!
Chronicling the life of Nermal "Nermie" Watson.
By: Jonathan Watson.

Introduction

 Who is or what is Nermie? Is he a comic book or a comic
strip character? I would say "yes" and I would say "no."

 Nermie was a cat. A real cat. His real name was Nermal.
Nermal had a nickname that was used constantly and that was
Nermie. Nermie's name was Nermal and it came from the Garfield
Comic Strip.

 You may ask this question, "Why did you give your cat the
name of 'Nermal'?" And I would answer this way, I named my cat
Nermal, because I loved the Garfield Comic Strip and that I loved
the kitten in the Garfield called, "Nermal." So, I gave my cat the
name "Nermal."

 However, that wasn't the only reason why I gave my cat that name.
You see, originally, I had a friend who had a 'Real' cat named
Garfield, so in response, I named my cat Nermal because I liked
my friend's cat named Garfield.

 You may ask this question also, then how did you get Nermal's
nickname? That's easy! One day, my sister Dana started calling
my cat Nermal... Nermie... and it stuck! So from now on... Nermal
would go by Nermie.

The Birth of Nermie

 Nermie was born in the spring of 1991. The actual birth date isn't
known. So when spring comes, another year gets added to his life.
Nermie was born in Willits, California by my next door neighbor's
cat who had a litter of kittens. Nermal (Nermie) was among the
litter!

The Bonding Begins

 After Nermie was born, I noticed him running away from me when
he was a kitten. I grabbed him by the tail, to keep him from
fleeing. At the time, I only could get a male cat, so Nermie
was chosen.

 When Nermie was little, Nermie was filled with energy and was
hard to control. The only option I had at the time (and no 
experience in disciplining a kitten) was putting the kitten in
the bathroom at night so I could get some sleep.

 When Nermie was a bit older, Nermie was able to be a bit calmer
and more dependent on me, however... his early years as cat between
kitten hood and adult hood was a wild one! Nermie did the things
that most male kittens did... spray. So when he was a bit older,
he got fixed!

 The Adult Nermie Emerges!

 Finally, about over a year after Nermie was born, Nermie became
an adult cat. Nermie was more independent then since he liked
doing things his own way. However, Nermie dreamed of one day
venturing out in the world, but I didn't let him, since I was
afraid he would get hurt. When Nermie was two years old, Nermie
ventured out for the first time!

 Nermie: The Father Figure!

 A few years later, My Aunt adopted a kitten we called "Baby
Kitty." Baby Kitty was part Himalayan and part Siamese. And
he had the most beautiful blue eyes that I had ever seen!
Baby Kitty was taught by Nermie on how to clean himself. So
for many years, Nermie had a good friend... Baby Kitty.

 Nermie And His Health Problems!

 After Nermie was an adult cat, Nermie developed F.U.S. which
is Feline Urinary Syndrome, which causes crystals in his urinary
tract and it caused him to bleed when he urinated. So we solved
that problem by putting him on a special diet: Urinary Tract Control
Cat Food. Since then, Nermie was healthy!

 Nermie Almost Killed!

 Around 1997/1998, Nermie was hit by a car. As far as I know, he survived the hit and was 
taken to a vet where his life was saved! A Librarian (I believe) helped save his life! I was 
forever greatful!

 Nermie's Many Nicknames!

 Now besides Nermal having the official nickname of 'Nermie.'
Nermie had many other nicknames, however never responded to them!
They are: 

Nermicell: The Electric Cat. (My sister Rita gave him that!)
Nermicell: The Internet Cat. (I gave him that nickname!)
Nermicell: The Everlast Cat. (I also gave him that!)
He had been called 'Normie', 'Ab-Normie', 'Nerm', 'Norm', and
many others. But the most loved nickname was the first: Nermie!

 Nermie's Personality.

Nermie's personality was like a spun thread of gold! He was always
happy! His tail always wagged when he was pleased and happy. Nermie
also loved to give blatant stares. And in return of his stares, I
would laugh at him! Nermie was taught at an early age to enjoy 
water. Like getting in the shower, but I didn't continue that for 
a long time. However, whenever it rained, he loved going in the rain!
Silly darn cat! Nermie loved showing me that he wanted to please me!
So he would often purr or just knead. When he was Kneading on me,
he was at his ultimate happiness! Of course, Nermie also loved having
real hugs! Yes real hugs! In 1994, I started giving hugs! Since then,
he always loved hugs and often purred when he got them!

 Nermie's Later Years.

 As Nermie grew older, Nermie became a more loyal cat and obeyed
more than in the past. Nermie trusted me more. Also, Nermie was
there when no one else was, so besides being my companion, he
was my best friend. He was there to keep me company and also
to keep me warm (like being a great foot warmer!) Nermie also,
knew that I could give him the security that he needed! As I loved
him, he always returned his love in double portions!

 Nermie Grows old!

 A couple of years ago, I noticed that Nermie had a large patch
of gray. I knew Nermie was now advanced well in years and now
was on borrowed time! Two or three years ago, for two years,
Nermie was forced to stay outside cat and to remain in the cold,
the rain, and the hot weather. This may have caused a factor in
his death. Not only that, the lack of shots may have played a part
of his shortened life.

 Nermie's Best Year of Life.

 Nermie's last year of life, after moving to Washington State was
the best! Nermie found that he could once again live in peace,
happiness, and comfort. This was the time he loved me best!

 Nermie's Life Comes To An End.

 Then the day came that Nermie's life would soon end. We noticed
that Nermie began to lose weight by stop eating. Nermie than
began to grow weaker. Nermie was now no longer able to go outside,
because he would find a place to die outside. That we didn't need.
Day by Day, Nermie grew weaker! He was so weak, I had to place
him where I thought he would like to lay down. We gave Nermie
a cardboard box to rest in at night. Soon this became permanent.
However, Nermie kept getting out of the box. I told Nermie, that
it was okay for him to die and I gave hi special permission. But
Nermie did not die while I was home or around him. Nermie's last
day of life was very special to me. That morning I loved him as 
much as I could and made him very happy! However, I noticed that
he was so cold and he could no longer stand without falling first!


 Then on that fateful Friday April 16, 2004, Nermal "Nermie"
Watson, slowly slipped away into death while Dana and myself
were away from the home. He was now well and living in heaven 
with Jesus. While on that afternoon, when I was in Seattle,
I knew that Nermie would die while I was away. My worst fears 
was confirmed at 3:00 P.M. when my Counselor called my sister Dana
and she told her that Nermie had died. Then my Counselor told
me what I knew what would happen. My Nermal "Nermie" had died.
I felt relieved. Now my spirit could feel better knowing that
my precious Nermie could rest in peace in heaven with Jesus!

 Now, since then when I am outside, I visit his grave and tell
him thanks for enriching my life. Now when the wind blows, I
can hear his special cry in the wind saying 'thanks for taking
car of me in my final days of life!'

THE END!