Stormin Norman

Our big 22 lb. lovable galumph of a Flemish Giant, Stormin Norman, died unexpectedly last Sunday. Based on our observations and his behavior we have determined that he had either a seizure or an aneurysm on Sunday morning. He managed to rebound slightly during the day on Sunday but I knew he wasn't going to get better when he refused his favorite treat-a kale leaf, at dinner. He died peacefully during the night, surrounded by his rabbit friends. We figured he had internal bleeding.  It was a blessing that he went this way because mercifully it saved me a trip to the vet that morning for what was likely to be the same outcome.  He was only 3 but in that short period of time he managed to win the hearts of everyone he met young and old alike and he never failed to garner a smile of admiration upon his introduction.   Norman was a gentle giant but most of the time he did not tolerate being held for long and he would let you know when he had had enough with a small nip to get your attention.  My friend Maureen reminded me that the day I got Norman (when he was just 7 weeks old) he bit me on the chest. We were at the OSRBA Convention in Columbus in May 2010. My other friend Lisa and I had just picked Norman out of a group of three males that were sale. I payed just $10 for him as he was bred to be a show rabbit and he had marbled eyes which is a DQ (disqualification) for a Flemish on the show table.  Heck I didn't even know what marbled eyes were other than something to do with the color and I thought Norman looked just perfect. Little did I know then how much he would come to mean to us. My friend Maureen referred to Norman as a little turkey (after he died) which just tickled me because he was just that. He actually never stopped biting me right up to the end and I still have a tiny bruise on my leg to show for it from last Sunday. One thing we have learned from our experiences with Norman is that the Flemish Giant is a wonderful breed to keep as a pet.  They are so docile and easy going and Norman got along famously with our Bichon Frise, Daisy.  Although we know there can never be another character quite like Norman we plan to get a baby Flemish at some time in the near future.  Below are some of my favorite photo of Norman. RIP Big Norm. 

 Baby Norman

 Disapproving Norman

Playful Norman

 Congenial  Norman

 Nosy Norman

Cuddly Norman

 Ornery Norman

 You can't see Norman in this picture because he is "hiding'-much to the delight of our nephew

 Captured Norman

Our buddy Norman....