Yes, I still love Tunch, and yes, I have had a cocktail or three, but hands down the best decision I have made in the last ten years was adopting Lily. Every time I come home, I’m treated like the king I think I am.
I just love this little doggie. And she loves me.
*** Update ***
Laphroiag on the rocks, also. With a Tunch hair in it! Which is the only way it has ever been served in my household.
General Winfield Stuck
Stop it now. I’m getting misty eyed.
Yutsano
Sorry it’s obligatory:
PUPPEH! ! ! ! !
You may now return to your regular blogging.
Cat Lady
I knew this was coming. It was those damn vet homecoming dog videos.
/Tunch
soonergrunt
Dogs are great, aren’t they?
demkat620
Awwww, sniff.
I, um, think, I think its just I’m tired. Yeah, that’s why my eyes are wet. Yeah, I’m tired.
/sniff.
dr. bloor
Dogs are the great consolation of the frustrated football fan. Your boys gave them a game tonight, though, and certainly exposed the ‘Cats run defense.
Svensker
Aw, you are just a big ol’ pushover softy. The best kinda guys are grunchy on the outside and squashy on the inside. Yay, you! Yay, Lily!
Hawes
Laphroig?
Try Pappy Van Winkle’s 12 year old bourbon.
Then you’ll love EVERYTHING.
John Cole
@dr. bloor: Before the first snap of the season, I predicted we would lose to Pitt, USF, and Cinc. Not been surprised once, although I did think we would beat Alabama.
Violet
Awww….you’re a good man, John Cole. You are both lucky to have found each other.
ilsita
I got my first dog last year, and it was such an epiphany. Dogs are definitely not cats. Not that I ever really thought that, but they sure are something else, aren’t they? Who knew?
Mark S.
Onside kick time!
Jon
John Cole +…..?
Mark S.
I would probably say that W. is smarter than Palin, but this is a good counter-argument:
I can’t really argue with that.
PeakVT
Lily’s s-q-u-i-r-r-e-l targeting system appears to be active.
Bailey
Aw, I’m jealous of this post. Every time I read the Lily posts I get misty-eyed. I had to put my own best friend to sleep in January and I’m still not over it. I have a cat, too—(got him as a pet for my dog, actually!)–and I like him far more than I ever thought I’d like any cat, but he’s just not the same.
Dogs are by far one of the best thing this planet has to offer. Glad you’re having such a great time with your pal.
Yutsano
@Bailey: I had to put my beloved Lab Kasha to sleep right before Christmas last year. Part of me still isn’t over losing my little girl, especially with the girls at Starbucks asking where she was. I thought my mom would help by getting a border collie named Crackerjack, but he proved to be untrainable (or my dad just got annoyed with him one of the two). So now I’m mulling either a shiba inu (which a friend suggested would totally clash with my personality type) or a great Dane (which now that I can get pet insurance through my work I’m seriously considering because of their potential health issues) but nothing replaces a dog. You just find a new love.
George
Mmmmm…nice scotch choice, though I’m more partial to Glengoyne
robertdsc
I love that picture of Lily. You’ve got big time positive karma coming your way for taking her in.
Morbo
@PeakVT: Ha, a friend of mine used to have a Welsh Corgi. We would put on roller blades, take her for a walk, and yell “squirrel!” repeatedly in order for whoever held the leash not to have to actually skate.
Morbo +3
Kristine
Dogs are the best.
Anne Laurie
@Yutsano:
Shibas typically have very assertive personalities, and because they’re little & “cute” they get away with shite that no human would put up with from a larger dog. But if you’re travelling or renting, it’s much easier to find a place with a dog under 30lbs. They’re not quite as hyper-hardheaded as Jack Russells, or as scary-smart as Border Collies, but they can be… challenging. Literally. But if you’re prepared to work hard enough to keep them exercised, mentally as well as physically (or if you have a 200lb. Marine around to help keep them in line) they are great, tough, entertaining little cuteness-magnets.
I adore Great Danes, and believe it or not, at least in America they’re usually very mellow, low-maintenance companions. (If you are ever given the choice between sharing the back of a minivan with 4 adult Great Danes or one Irish Setter puppy — go with the Danes.) They want to please their people, and even though they’re creampuffs they LOOK intimidating to potential muggers/ housebreakers. But you need to have a plan for disposing of pounds of crap every day, not always the easiest thing in an urban setting, and landlords / innkeepers may not believe your assurances. Also, tragically, they are not long-lived dogs. Even with the best, most expensive health care available, they don’t fully mature until they’re past their third birthday, and they seldom live to be ten. The people who love them have to be prepared to lose them after a handful of years, which some of us can handle and some of us can’t.
cleek
i prefer my Laphroaig without cat hair. so does Tricksey.
tams
vodka tonic and laphroiag… seems like a good night to me… although, it does make me miss the hubs as Laphroiag is his drink of choice. i had the great fortune to have Cole as my date this evening as he is my surrogate hubs… wine, beer, and too many laughs and smiles to count make for a great night.
many of you bloggers love john for his brilliance in writing, his honesty about news and daily life events, and more… i simply love him for just being himself. i’m lucky to know him. i’m lucky to have known him for almost 10 years now, i’m lucky to have his as my bestest friend, surrogate hubs, and the one i can count on… many of you don’t know how spectacular he is, and for that, i’m sad for you. his dedication to his work, pets, and friends (and bloggers!) is unmatched… you’ve gota a stellar guy here people… even if his dog bites me and his cat shits in my pumpkin. (=^:^=)
Strandedvandal
I think that’s pretty damn cool John. So many guys are just too wrapped in trying to be what they think makes a man that they refuse to admit that they can love an animal, be it dog or cat or whatever. Good on you. Give her a belly rub from me.
auntieeminaz
@tams: Of all the things I’ve read on this blog, primarily as a lurker, this has to be the one of the most moving tributes to love and loyalty. John for his dog and Tams for her friend. I love the picture of Lily. I love the snark, irreverence and wisdom of the commenters on this blog.
+3
The Very Reverend Battleaxe of Knowledge
Mr. Cole—
I don’t feel like enough of a regular here to really address you like “one of the gang”, but I have to say, this has always been a real litmus test for me: for telling good people from bad people.
I wasn’t here for your…epiphany; but really, it should have been obvious to anybody, you included, that someone capable of the kind of love for animals that you are couldn’t possibly be a real right-winger deep down.
tams
i wish the edit button would have worked so that i didn’t seem like cole’s non literate friend. anyway, it was all sincere, from the heart, and meant with every ounce of what i have… regardless of the mess ups! good night juice bloggers.
Yutsano
Will a 275 pound Marine do? Granted he’s not around cause he’s stationed on the other side of the country, but it still seemed worth mentioning.
I’m thinking, even with that factor, that I might take a good gander at a great Dane puppy. Or maybe even rescue one locally. I live in the conservative armpit of Washington, I’m sure there’s enough conservatard assholes around here who would have roughed up one.
PTirebiter
I understand. Caitlin, my two year old Lab/Boxer mutt is sleeping on my foot as I type this.
Lord, help me become the man my dog believes me to be.
The Very Reverend Battleaxe of Knowledge
@Yutsano:
Pasco? Or Moses Lake?
MattR
Hear, hear, John. I bought a condo several years ago when I knew it was not the opportune moment to buy because I could not find a rental that would allow me to get a dog. And I don’t have a moment of regret since it led me to Ellie, my lab/husky/shepherd/shiba(?) mix who will turn 6 on Wednesday.
Yutsano
@The Very Reverend Battleaxe of Knowledge: Kennewick, which is close enough to Pasco (which has finally embraced the brownness and is doing a helluva lot better) that it’s virtually no difference.
The Very Reverend Battleaxe of Knowledge
@Yutsano:
Oh, that’s interesting. The last time I was over there (probably 25 years ago) it was Kennewick that was becoming, shall we say, melanin-enhanced, and was having a hard time dealing with it. Maybe the people who didn’t feel welcome in Kennewick moved across the river.
Jager
We just drove from LA to Cambria for a few days in heaven, our German Shepard rode along: My wife’s car is filled with doggy hair, we went to dinner with friends at the Sea Chest with dog hair on our sweaters, we wiped dog hair off the the lovely wood floors of the house we rented, i rolled down the window at 70 mph on 101 and my eyes and mouth were filled with dog hair! (I can’t brush and comb the bastard enough to stop shedding!) and my Basil Hayden bourbon had and has had dog hair in every glass….
I wouldn’t trade him for a hair free world! BTW, he about shit when he encountered a dead seal on the beach at San Simeon, well in fact he did a few minutes later and yes, I deposited the sandy treasure in the “organic” trash can when we got back to the parking lot.
If you non-left coast people ever get the chance…the central coast is a delight!…no people, great wine and food and it is one of the great places in this country!
Yutsano
@The Very Reverend Battleaxe of Knowledge: Some of them did, but now the big issue in Kennewick is a large influx of the REALLY melanin-challenged, specifically from Sudan. I never thought I’d live to see the day when there would be hijabs in the streets here.
Chuck Butcher
Awww, ya big softy.
Yes, dogs are good at that. Some cat people scoff at the canine, it is a different thing.
I do miss Marlin, that calico liked her people and let them know it.
asiangrrlMN
Awwwwww, so very sweet. I am misty-eyed, Cole. You guys were meant for each other.
Now, TUNCH!
John Cole
@tams: You keep that up, sweets, and I will show you all three inches of my dangling fury.
Yutsano
@John Cole: Me thinks our host doth protest too much. Then again the fact that someone out there has met both Tunch and Lily in the flesh will engender some jealousy for at least a couple of days.
asiangrrlMN
@tams: Twice as nice the second time I wrote it. I am jealous, though, that you’ve met Tunchie.
@The Very Reverend Battleaxe of Knowledge: Hey, I’ve given Cole shit from the very start. I think you’ve been around enough to rib him. He can take it.
Yutsano
@asiangrrlMN:
I think if you don’t at least start off at least standing up to John he’ll look at you funny and then you’re on notice. Then again if I haven’t been banned for some of the stuff I’ve said here yet I highly doubt it could happen. Of course having said that now…
Anne Laurie
@Yutsano:
Of course, I’m all in favor of rescues, and it looks like you have a great resource, Dane Outreach, in your neck of the woods. Haven’t worked with them personally (needless to say) but it looks like they are dedicated people who can help you make a good decision, even if you decide that a Dane may not be your best choice right now.
rachel
@John Cole:
I’ve got to stop hanging out at fandom sites; For a second I mis-read that as “dangling furry“.
Yutsano
@Anne Laurie: Thanks! They only have three dogs with rather stringent requirements, which is fine it just won’t fit in my life right now. It’s okay though I’ll keep my ear to the ground cause I miss not having a puppeh!
fuqulesthebear
Don’t know why this post seems to be bringing out the lurkers, of which I am one…I love this site and all it’s regulars, hello everyone. I’ve got an Aussie-Lab mix who, FSM willing, will hit 16 on new years eve…for three years the vet has been telling me how incredible it is not only that she can still walk with her floating hips, but still has full control of her bodily functions. Okay, I’m bragging on her now, but really I’m trying to relate here, I know she won’t be with me much longer and I’m already grabbing for any minor connection that will help me through what I’m sure will be some of the worst days of my life when the time comes. And as currently and coincidentally planned, the other thing that will help me through those days is a nice Islay scotch. If you like Laphroiag, you’ll love Lagavulin, which to my mind is damn near perfect, if a little more expensive. And if you can find it, I also recommend 18 yr old Caol Ila…the 12 yr old is also good, and also a bit spendy, but under 100 and worth it. Ahhhh, scotch and dogs.
asiangrrlMN
@Yutsano: Yup. Or worse yet, he’ll ignore you. I hate that.
@fuqulesthebear: Great to see people de-lurk. Your dog sounds like a honey. We always appreciate pictures.
Yutsano
@fuqulesthebear: This may sound strange, but one thing that might help is if you take your little girl to the end of her life on your terms rather than let her decay too far. It’s never an easy decision, but trust me when she’s ready to go she’ll tell you.
JeremyH
If you like Laphroaig, you really should also be drinking Lagavulin on a regular basis. Nothing like a peat monster to put hair on your chest.
Noah Brand
Mr. Cole, I don’t comment here very often at all, but I read every day, and I’ve come to respect you a great deal.
I want to make that clear so you understand that this question comes from a position of genuine respect and is not meant as an attack, but merely a sincere request for information.
WHY IN THE NAME OF ALL THAT IS HOLY WOULD YOU PUT LAPHROAIG ON THE ROCKS? WHY NOT JUST HAVE AN OBAN AND COKE WHILE YOU’RE AT IT?
I apologize for having to type that in capital letters. I tried it in lowercase, but it lost much of the nuance.
JeremyH
@ Noah Brand:
Oh god, you’re right! I didn’t even notice the “on the rocks” until you pointed it out. My brain must have automatically filtered it out to protect my outrage circuits.
I hereby withdraw my advice about trying Lagavulin. Until you cease this foolish behaviour, you don’t deserve such good whisky.
Seriously, John – you have to stop using ice in scotch, it really is a crap way to drink it. Just a few drops of spring water is all you need.
RedKitten
@tams:
Aww…that’s even sweeter than John’s tribute to Lily. Yeah, it’s pretty obvious to even the most casual observer that John is one of the good ones.
But John…
Did we really need that mental image? I mean…jeez man, way to spoil the illusion.
BTW, speaking of cuteness, new Sam pics at my url.
HeartlandLiberal
For those of you are not Scotch drinkers, you have to experience Laphroiag to understand it.
It is pretty much like any other unblended Scotch whiskey, all of which take their character, of course, from the water they are made with, and the malted barley. Malted barley is germinated barley that is then dried using smoke. Some distillers, and here comes Laphroiag to its unique place in the Scotch universe, add peat to the fire in order to impart an extra earthy, peaty flavor.
When you first see Laphroiag, you will think the distiller dumped every last sod of peat in Scotland into the fire, and when you taste it, you will know that was in fact pretty much what they did. The color is pretty much officially described as “browny with green glitter.”
It is one of the most unusual and strongly flavored Scotch whiskeys you can drink, in the opinion of those of us who drink Scotch as our primary alcoholic beverage, because of the peatiness imparted by the malting barley step.
Now let me say that I hope John enjoyed it. Not every one (and to be honest, this includes me) enjoys Laphroiag. It takes some real adjusting to, it is so different from practically all other Scotch whiskeys in its taste and aroma.
But that is of course one of the nice things about Scotch whiskeys, the varieties and outcomes are almost as great as what you get among varieties of wine, and provide a great reason for buying that next bottle of single malt and trying it out.
demkat620
@RedKitten: Aw, see RK, I can smell that wonderful baby scent all the way down here.
He is just adorable but, why did you let a bear eat that baby?
Demo Woman
RedKitten what wonderful pictures, thanks for posting them.
demkat620
@demkat620: I mean the costume. :)
Anywho, its saturday, so I get to make breakfast, actuall food, for the kids.
I asked my 8 yo if she wanted me to make her bacon.
She said”You should always make me bacon. Lots and lots of bacon.”
I don’t know why but that just hit me funny and I laughed with her. Kids are great. We have basketball today so that will be fun.
Dog is My Co-Pilot
Nothing better than adopting a rescue dog.
Tim F.
@Noah Brand: this. Single malt on the rocks makes baby jesus cry. At least save your money and use a starter scotch like Glenmorangie.
shortstop
Now that was a darling post in all particulars.
Is it possible to look at the back of a dog’s bony head, ears sticking out, and not either skritch or kiss it?
abo gato
Oh my goodness, Pappy Van Winkle bourbon does make everything better…..glorious stuff…..with or without cat/dog hair.
bey
I’ve long been a crazy cat lady. I love my cats and they love me. But dogs, now. Dogs open their hearts fully to the people they love, in a way that nothing else does. I wasn’t really prepared for that when I adopted Tina a year and a half ago.
I had lost my son to suicide a year before and the hole that left in me was ferocious. Some friends who work with a rescue group begged me to take a chihuahua/daschund mix whose family had to leave her when they moved to Las Vegas. I wasn’t sure it would work out, but now I look back and can see that the healing really started when she came into my life.
When I pull into the drive every day, there’s a little face laughing in the window and a tail wagging furiously. Then the door opens and she’s bouncing madly while I drop my burdens (physical and otherwise) and then she flies into my arms for our welcome home cuddle.
I can’t tell you how that makes me feel. Unless you have a dog already, you just can’t know.
She’s curled up next to me now having her morning nap, just barely touching my knee the way she likes. I’m going to wake her up now and cry over her a little and get some happy face licks.
tess
I always let people think the secret ingredient in anything good that I cook is “love.” The truth is, it’s cat hair.
asiangrrlMN
@bey: I’m so sorry for your loss of your precious son. I am glad you opened your heart to a rescue dog and that it has eased the pain a little. I send a white light to surround you, and I hold you in my thoughts.
@RedKitten: OK, dang it, Krista. That baby is growing up way too fast! Still, he’s such a cutie. He’s a keeper!
swalker
Just got back from the dog park with Athena-the-wonder-dog. She’s a lab-retriever mix and she thinks that combination of a tennis ball and a swollen creek from recent Virginia rain is Valhalla. She always leans over from the passenger seat on the way home, and gives me the slowest, tenderest, tiredest kiss on my cheek. It’s a doggy thank-you, and it’s the highest form of love I have ever gotten.
Then I read this and realized I’m not alone.
HinTN
Why in the world would you adulterate good Leap Frog scotch with rocks. Take it neat, man! Ice the lesser stuff, like Johnny Red.
craigie
On the rocks? You hillbilly.
Chasm
I must fifth the motion that you immediately cease the deadening of taste buds and overwatering of fine whiskey by the addition of ICE. I could let pass a bourbon, or even a blended scotch as I myself am not averse to Johnny Black rocks. But, Sir, diluting single malt with frozen water is much like pouring same into a Ferrari. Put the Laphroiag away until you can handle it, and if I hear of you doing the same to a Bowmore or, heaven forbid, a Springbank I shall have to come over and take your toys away.
Sloegin
So much abuse of the man, he’s not doing it wrong, he’s just not doing it right. Give it time, he’ll come around.
A Talisker man myself; I drink the stuff a lot of people find undrinkable if only because it reminds me so strongly of my father’s workbench; open pints of shellac, spirits, and paint cleaner lying about.
Sasha
It’s amazing how indispensable a dog becomes to having a full and happy life, isn’t it.