The Cat Who'll Live Forever

The final chapter in the life of the amazing cat who traveled the world, charmed everyone he met, and taught his doting human about living life and facing death.

"Norton was–is–the most fully rendered cat and one of the most appealing characters I have read about anywhere. The people in the book aren’t half bad either."

"THE CAT WHO’LL LIVE FOREVER is a very touching book, which reminds one that ‘love means never having to say you’re feline.’"

"A good balance of laugh-out-loud and tear-jerking recollections: Gethers makes Norton immortal, delivering an affecting narrative that belongs on the bookshelf of all cat-fanciers.

When writer Peter Gethers met Norton, a downy Scottish Fold kitten, he was a confirmed cat-hater and not too pleased with this living, breathing, purring gift from his then-girlfriend. But the bond between them was fast and fond, and soon Norton was accompanying his owner (or perhaps it was the other way around) to far-flung countries. This globe-trotting feline’s adventures were chronicled by Gethers in two wildly successful books, The Cat Who Went To Paris and A Cat Abroad. Now, in THE CAT WHO’LL LIVE FOREVER (Broadway Books; September 4, 2001; Hardcover; $22.95), Gethers tells the story of Norton’s celebrity adulthood, his subsequent retirement, and the final great lessons Norton taught him about growing old and the dignity that can come with death — a dignity that makes life so much richer.

The first cat ever to have an obituary in the New York Times, Norton’s life was undoubtedly special. When he died in 1999 after a struggle with cancer, Gethers was deluged with thousands of sympathy notes, not just from his own friends, but from Norton fans and their cats the world over. There could be no better way to honor Norton and the loyalty he inspired in others than by describing his last days.

Instead of concentrating on the tears and sorrow–though they’re present, too–THE CAT WHO’LL LIVE FOREVER shows that while it is hard for us to watch our loved ones age and care for them, it can be one of the most rewarding experiences in life. In this last book about his best friend, Gethers uses his trademark sly (and not-so-sly) humor and conversational writing style to render an unvarnished, loving picture of what it meant to live with and nuture Norton through a serious and ultimately fatal illness — while learning about the joys of selflessness and the pleasures that come from uncomplicated and genuine love.

"Anyone who has read earlier tales of life with Norton can tell you that I will almost always go for the gag–on paper and in life–and also that I am not a big fan of fake sentiment," Gethers writes. "But I am a fan of genuine emotion and, luckily for me, rarely is that exclusive of laughter. So in no way is this book depressing. It is, I hope, hilarious and joyful and as life-affirming as it’s possible to be without turning into a Steven Spielberg movie."

As Norton’s illness progressed, Gethers underwent a transformation that even he could not have foreseen. He gave Norton fluid injections even though he couldn’t stand needles or the sight of blood. He forced Norton to down a complex daily regimen of medications and herbs recommended by his many veterinarians. And, when the end drew near, Gethers and Norton hit the road together one last time, visiting some of their favorites spots in America before this remarkable cat bid his loyal human farewell.

THE CAT WHO’LL LIVE FOREVER is a testament to the wisdom of this tenacious feline, who taught Gethers–and his readers–three things it can take a lifetime to learn: love wholeheartedly, learn how to take risks, and face death with courage and dignity. In the end, this is a story about a little cat with a heart as big as the world, and a human smart enough to cherish it.

Peter Gethers is a novelist, screenwriter, television writer, and publisher. He is the author of several bestsellers under the pseudonym Russell Andrews, including Gideon and ICARUS. He divides his time between New York City and Sag Harbor, NY.