Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Tick tock motherfuckers!

The current Supreme Court is a dangerous, rogue court.

I’d like to think you all would remain faithful to me if i ever tried to have some of you killed.

Come on, man.

Technically true, but collectively nonsense

Those who are easily outraged are easily manipulated.

This must be what justice looks like, not vengeful, just peaceful exuberance.

Trumpflation is an intolerable hardship for every American, and it’s Trump’s fault.

The low info voters probably won’t even notice or remember by their next lap around the goldfish bowl.

Oh FFS you might as well trust a 6-year-old with a flamethrower.

T R E 4 5 O N

One lie, alone, tears the fabric of reality.

Our messy unity will be our strength.

All hail the time of the bunny!

Tide comes in. Tide goes out. You can’t explain that.

No offense, but this thread hasn’t been about you for quite a while.

If senate republicans had any shame, they’d die of it.

Let me eat cake. The rest of you could stand to lose some weight, frankly.

Wow, I can’t imagine what it was like to comment in morse code.

Republicans firmly believe having an abortion is a very personal, very private decision between a woman and J.D. Vance.

I really should read my own blog.

This really is a full service blog.

Sometimes the world just tells you your cat is here.

Insiders who complain to politico: please report to the white house office of shut the fuck up.

You are here: Home / Pet Blogging / Dog Blogging / Ben in Winter

Reader Interactions

116Comments

  2. 2.

    Yutsano

    PUPPEH!! Looking like a sad ol’ hound dog.

    This will make my wifey squeal with much delightness.

  11. 11.

    Violet

    Oh, so cute! He really does have that aggrieved look down. His back leg looks like it’s not attached the same way as the others. Maybe he’s doing doga.

  15. 15.

    KDP

    Ahhhh! So sweet. I’m sorry for the loss of your other coonhound.

    Meet Shadow. The picture is a bit off-season, but he has that same aggrieved look, so…

  30. 30.

    CaseyL

    That is a handsome stately gentleman hound, Dennis. In his old-dog sprawl, Ben bears an uncanny resemblance to Walter Brennan*. You seem to have a special affinity for coonhounds – any particular reason why?

    Again, welcome. I didn’t realize, until reading the comments at your first post, how many refugees from dKos we have here. It’s been very sad watching that place melt down, in view of how important it was to the online progressive community (and online organizing in general). OTOH, it’s *awesome* that so many ex-Kossacks are here, because this really is an amazing, wonderful community where we bitch mightily at each other in between heartfelt hugs.

    *For you whippersnappers in the room, Walter Brennan was a character actor in a lot of old TV westerns, and his signature move was a way of walking bandy-legged with his arms bent so the elbows faced out (like Ben, up there).

  31. 31.

    valdivia

    @Max:

    knew we would be able to agree, after all we were able to come to a deal on who would have what man in the admin. we will need something new to flame about eh?

  33. 33.

    Brick Oven Bill

    Chandler really is selling you guys out.

    Dennis G says:

    “As a young lad growing up in Detroit I worked as cook at a natural foods restaurant in 1980-82 (foodies before our time).”

    Chandler says.:

    “Just like with farmers markets, white people believe that organic food is grown by farmers who wear overalls, drive tractors, and don’t use pesticide. In spite of the fact that most organic food is made by major agribusiness, and they just use it as an excuse to jack up prices, white people will always lose their mind for organic anything. Never mind the fact that if the world were to switch to 100% organic food tomorow, half the earth would die of starvation.”

    In any case, welcome Dennis G.

  34. 34.

    Max

    @valdivia: The olympics will soon be upon us. Figure skating, moguls, the luge*… I’m sure the Vancouver games will bring about some flames.

    *I didn’t mention hockey because I hate hockey.

  35. 35.

    eemom

    @Max:

    roger that. And Lady Jane has her second post of the weekend bashing another member of the Progressive Caucus who says she’ll vote for the Senate bill for being an ObamaRahmaCorporateSelloutPaidPharmaTroll………so that means we’re WINNING!!

    Every time Jane Hamsher gets pissed off, an angel gets his wings.

  36. 36.

    Woodbuster

    @Max: FSM forbid that the idiots are actually thinking about doing what half the frickin’ world is telling them they should.

    Pass. The. Damn. Bill.

  37. 37.

    valdivia

    @Max:

    excellent. ice dancing, now you are talking! and I am with you on the hockey thing btw (the one sport I have not been able to get after many hours of sport sharing with boyfriends).

    ETA: @eemom: FTW. I am so stealing that.

  42. 42.

    coffeegirl

    dengre (I just can’t think of you by any other name!), so glad to see you here–I too had to take a time out from DK/GOS–glad you turned up somewhere I could follow your work!

    Sadly I have no puppeh or pootie to welcome you with, but hey–welcome!

  44. 44.

    Yutsano

    @Max: It still is getting to me that they will be only a six hour drive away and I most likely can’t get up there to see them live. Crap. I just wanna see Ohno skate.

  47. 47.

    Jean

    I love figures skating and ice dancing. Maybe while we’re distracted by the winter games, Plouffe will have whipped some votes.

  65. 65.

    darryl

    @CaseyL: You’re not Casey Luskin, are you? ‘Cause I’d hate to think that the dumbest fucking guy on the internet was commenting on Balloon Juice.

  66. 66.

    KDP

    @arguingwithsignposts: Aww, too cute is the pirate kitteh. I used to have cats now I have a dog, and I am in favor of any animal companion that gratifies the need for unconditional attachment. My cat, Rissa, used to sleep across m7 feet in winter. Best foot warmer I ever had.

    @MikeJ: Shhh, Dennis will figure out that he does not have to comply with our every request :)

  72. 72.

    You Don't Say

    @eemom: So I go to FDL to read Hamsher’s latest and someone in the comments claims the NYT and CBS are reporting they are negotiating out the ban on pre-existing condition refusals. I can’t find it via Google News. Has anyone seen this? Or more likely is this BS?

  73. 73.

    MikeJ

    @Yutsano: They left the old bridge up and built the new one next to it, with each bridge one way. Both are in the pic. I think the old one is the concrete supports, the new green painted steel, but I won’t swear to it.

  74. 74.

    Redshift

    That’s a fine-looking dog. I’ve been owned by both cats and dogs in the past, but I’m a rabbit person these days, so I think I’ll take the role of Switzerland in these cats-vs-dogs games.

  80. 80.

    Something Fabulous

    Dennis, that is a Fine Elder Dog. Thanks for sharing! And AWS, if you are still here, I think that Smudge pic with the “I’m resting” caption is the perfect cover shot for when she releases her debut album [CD? Download-thingy? Do those even have cover art?]. Very moody and EmoPants.

  81. 81.

    MikeJ

    And remember, if we don’t spread lies and slander about people on our side we aren’t helping to move the Overton window. Nancy blows goats! Just doing my bit for single payer!

  83. 83.

    txvoodoo

    Dennis, I am 98% a lurker at DKos, though I’ve been there reading since early 2006. I’ve often read what you wrote, and your comments, and thought you had a good head on your shoulders. I’ve been reading more here,and feeling it’s a good place to be. Glad you’ll be contributing.

    Ben looks like a sweetie. Pass on a skritch for me.

  86. 86.

    MattR

    @You Don’t Say:Here is the NYT article that discusses what might be in the compromise package.

    This is the relevant one which does not sound good if the NYT is accurate.

    Insurers could not deny coverage to children under the age of 19 on account of pre-existing medical conditions.

    The entire compromise package sounds like weak sauce. According to this same article, it would only cover about half the people of the Senate bill.

  90. 90.

    You Don't Say

    @Comrade Luke: I was just about to post the same thing. Too many conflicting reports. But did anyone go to the WSJ story and read the comments? Scary shit.

  94. 94.

    MattR

    @Fern: Nah. It is all what they are “hearing from sources” so I know I shouldn’t take it seriously. In fact, the compromise they describe is so bad that now I am wondering if it was leaked to shore up support for passing the Senate bill.

  96. 96.

    Calming Influence

    Bennnnnnn! That’s a great splay of legs you got there, buddy. Don’t let anyone tell you different. Bite ’em. That’ll shut ’em up.

  97. 97.

    darryl

    @CaseyL: I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you, I was responding to nothing more than your name. Nothing in your comment bodies made me think you were Casey Luskin. Once again, my apologies, I didn’t mean to suggest that you were in fact Casey Luskin, who is dumb as a bucket of turnips. Happy trails.

  98. 98.

    Uriel

    @MattR:

    The entire compromise package sounds like weak sauce.

    It is. But if HCR, if its reduced to passing a piecemeal grab-bag of bite sized reforms, that’s all we’re going to get. Absent the mandates and other cost recovery methods in the larger bill, or some other larger mechanism to accomplish the same functions, all we’re going to get are changes that are painfully incrementalist and easy to sell on a emotional, populist level- for instance, in this case, “it’s for the children.”

    It’s like looking up Emeril’s recipe for beef wellington, deciding the various ingredients are optional, and saying, “First off, I’m sure as hell not shelling out the money for fois gras, tenderloin and virgin olive oil, so I’m going to substitute Oscar-Meyers’ liverwurst, stew meat, and canola. Also, it seems unreasonable expect anyone to use red wine, given the fact that it would offend the makers of blush-in-a box, with no real recompense. Plus, “exotic mushrooms” seems a bit too all encompassing- let’s go with something more specific and easier to sell. How about button mushrooms. Everyone likes those. They’re cute- like in Fantasia. The rubes will be able to get behind that.”

    Now, was the original dish going to be the best thing you ever ate? No, because beef wellington is always gong to be pretty-good-not-great. Plus, Emmeril’s stuff is always over-done and he has no sense of presentation whatsoever.

    But what you’re eating tonight is better than a big mac only by a matter of degrees.

  100. 100.

    darryl

    There are people gnashing teeth, complaining that Dems don’t have the unity and cohesion that the republicans do. To them, I say, you’re right. Dems aren’t that unified. But those unified GOPers are 41 senators and 177 representatives.

    In other words, yeah, they’re pure, and united, but they’re way in the minority. Wanna switch places? Hope not.

  101. 101.

    Uriel

    Damn it- guess I just opened the discussion to the obligatory- and ever so fresh and persuasive- “shit sandwich” metaphors.

    Oh well- let the persuasion of 13-year-olds by other 13-year-olds begin.

  102. 102.

    Uriel

    @darryl:

    In other words, yeah, they’re pure, and united, but they’re way in the minority. Wanna switch places? Hope not.

    And yet, it seems that some do. And are consumed by the bright green flames of enraged jealousy that they can’t have nice things, like those republicans, who’s sole claim to political relevance comes from awkward photo ops composed of angry old men, with Senator Boehner’s spray tan only serving to accentuate the sea of white.

  104. 104.

    Doctor Science

    Dennis, most of what I know about hounds I learned from Jim Kjelgaard. But for Kjelgaard’s hounds, winter is huntin’ season, while Ben there seems to feel it’s floppin’ season.

    Or maybe every season is floppin’ season.

  108. 108.

    geg6

    Sweet ol’ Ben! He’s adorable. He has that same old doggie look that my John’s Henry gives us when he’s chillin’ and we harsh his buzz. It’s like “WTF, humans. Can’t you see I am not interested in your flashing lights and silly machines? I have important napping to do here. GTFO.”

    So cute.

  111. 111.

    slag

    Another dog person? That’s it. Tunch is now going to have to outweigh three dogs. The laws of physics demand it.

    Other than that, Ben is very, very sweet-looking. For a dog.

  112. 112.

    CaseyL

    @darryl: OK, no worries, just… y’know, think next time. How’d you like it if I asked if you were the same “Darryl” who used to troll this blog so grotesquely, based only on the similarity of names?

  114. 114.

    WaterGirl

    @CaseyL: I had no idea who Casey Luskin was, but from the negative context of the question to you, I almost jumped in last night to say you couldn’t possibly be that person. Just want to say that I always appreciate what you bring to BJ.

  116. 116.

    asiangrrlMN

    @WaterGirl: Ditto all of this sentiment, CaseyL.

    Aw, Ben is a cutie. My fake-hubby was right in that he is very squee-worthy!

    I almost OD’d from the cuteness quotient on this thread. We have some fine-looking animals, fellow BJers. My boys, Raven and Shadow mew their hellos.

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