Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The desire to stay informed is directly at odds with the need to not be constantly enraged.

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

Radicalized white males who support Trump are pitching a tent in the abyss.

Historically it was a little unusual for the president to be an incoherent babbling moron.

When your entire life is steeped in white supremacy, equality feels like discrimination.

There are a lot more evil idiots than evil geniuses.

the 10% who apparently lack object permanence

This has so much WTF written all over it that it is hard to comprehend.

Jesus watching the most hateful people claiming to be his followers

I see no possible difficulties whatsoever with this fool-proof plan.

Seems like a complicated subject, have you tried yelling at it?

… riddled with inexplicable and elementary errors of law and fact

The Supreme Court cannot be allowed to become the ultimate, unaccountable arbiter of everything.

Trump’s cabinet: like a magic 8 ball that only gives wrong answers.

“Until such time as the world ends, we will act as though it intends to spin on.”

Let’s delete this post and never speak of this again.

“woke” is the new caravan.

Mediocre white men think RFK Jr’s pathetic midlife crisis is inspirational. The bar is set so low for them, it’s subterranean.

Their shamelessness is their super power.

Sadly, media malpractice has become standard practice.

Accused of treason; bitches about the ratings. I am in awe.

Fight for a just cause, love your fellow man, live a good life.

I would try pessimism, but it probably wouldn’t work.

The only way through is to slog through the muck one step at at time.

You are here: Home / Open Threads / Tunch is Shrill

Tunch is Shrill

by | 165 Comments

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This is what I have been dealing with since 9 am this morning:

I have no idea what he wants. He has clean water and food. His litterbox is clean. He has been furminated and I have played with him all morning. Yet he will not leave me alone.

Also, Laura send along the great news that the Balloon Juice store has raised close to $915 bucks for Charlies Angels pet rescue. Make sure you get your swag today.

Reader Interactions

165Comments

  2. 2.

    Bort

    Wow, that sounds exactly like our late cat Charlotte. Near the end, she was senile and tended to walk around the house giving us the gift of her raspy meow all day long.

  3. 3.

    Ash Can

    If it’s cyber-snorgles he wants, he’s going to rake in a ton of them with that video. <3

  5. 5.

    Uloborus

    That is one annoying meow. Also, isn’t he capable of ripping a man in twain with one sweep of his mighty claws? I suggest you do anything you can imagine to prevent that, up to and including ditching Lily so he won’t be jealous anymore.

  6. 6.

    WereBear

    Have you ever explained what is going on with your shoulder? I know it sounds crazy-cat-person, but half the time they are annoying me for an explanation. Getting one seems to make them happy.

  7. 7.

    Dead Ernest

    I’m no Senator so I don’t have the skills to diagnose from the video but; Tunch looks well – I don’t think he’s complaining.
    After an extreme Winter, it feels like Spring today here in Kansas City. Perhaps he is rousing to the change of season. My cat has spent more time outside over the last two days than she has over the last two months.

  9. 9.

    Elisabeth

    Heh. I’ve got one doing the same thing today. I even heard her while I was outside with her “brother.” I think it’s the mild weather.

  10. 10.

    Dan Robinson

    I have cats and I can understand catspeak. What he is saying is that he hasn’t had his daily ass-kicking and wonders when the fun will begin.

  13. 13.

    Max

    So good. I put it on the stereo speakers and Max the wheaten freaked out. He hates cats and was running all over the house looking for the offender.

    Right now, he’s patrolling the perimeter of the yard looking for the screeching kitty.

    Thank you @JohnCole. Your pain has made my morning a pleasure.

  14. 14.

    wmsheppa

    My cat, in the meantime, managed to chase a dingly ball into a plastic bag, was unable to get it out, and has been walking around the apartment with a bag looped around her neck for the last three minutes as my girlfriend and I tried to get a shot of it.

    This all happened because she heard the Tunch video and so aborted ball removal mid-bag diving.

  15. 15.

    trollhattan

    ZOMG kitteh sounds really pissy. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Mittens is being interviewed on NPR as I played the vid. God, what a loathsome prick (Romney, not the Tunchinator, whom I revere from this safe distance). My takeaway: The preznit is well on his way to completing the ruination of Amerika.

  16. 16.

    asiangrrlMN

    I’m with the PTDB crowd. It’s clear that Tunch has his paw on the pulse of America. Aaaaaaw, Tunchie! He’s looking positively perky today. I love the sweet sounds of him crooning at you, Cole.

  17. 17.

    Jill

    Don’t look to me for sympathy. I’ve got a white cat who wants attention ALL THE TIME. I give my husband a hug, Maggie feels left out. I pet our other cat, Maggie is jealous. The screeching starts two hours before each mealtime and it goes nonstop. And I am not allowed to sleep past 5 AM. Ever.

  21. 21.

    Martin

    I think he preferred when you were in excruciating pain. I suggest breaking your other shoulder.

    @John Cole:
    Good god, man. When you go DFH, you don’t fuck around.

  27. 27.

    JackieBinAZ

    I speak fluent cat, and I’m pretty sure he’s saying “PTFB.”

    Put the food back

  30. 30.

    The Main Gauche of Mild Reason

    @John Cole:

    Next, John will start touting the virtues of year-round birkenstocks and patchouli hair oil. It’s only a matter of time.

  31. 31.

    toujoursdan

    So much like my cat “Baby”, only not quite as much in-your-face”.

    Yesterday mine wouldn’t leave me alone for 6 hours. I finally had enough and went to the gym.

    If I didn’t know he was fixed (and a guy-cat anyway), I’d swear my cat was in heat.

  33. 33.

    Mayken

    If the behavior continues, might have the vet check his thyroid levels. Our female kitty has hyperthyroid and one of the first symptoms was that she cried a lot, usually starting at 4 or 5am and not stopping till she got one of us up. Also have his blood pressure checked. Our vet tells us non-stop meowing can also be a sign of high blood pressure.

  35. 35.

    Comrade Darkness

    Excuse me, Stewardess, I speak “Tunch”.

    Okay, I played that for my grumpy fat cat. Twice. She was VERY interested. VERY. And now she is looking behind the monitor, and sniffing to find the cat in question. So, I’d say “in the spring the young buck’s heart turns to thought’s of love” or just wild s_x.

  36. 36.

    Meg

    Our cat G.G. did that too this morning.
    She stopped when we let her out to stroll around a bit.
    I think it is the good weather after days of rain and coldness.

  37. 37.

    WereBear

    @wmsheppa: When Reverend Jim, the Maine Coon mix, was about six months old, I walked into the hall as he was examining the contents of one of those plastic grocery bags.

    He acted guilty, though he hadn’t bothered anything yet. This made him take off through the living room, with one of the bag loops over his neck, which scared him into making sharp turns, each one whacking the bag against the furniture.

    I was using it to bring my lunch to work. By the time I got it back, only the Slim Jim was still edible. The grapes were hopeless.

  39. 39.

    Wilson Heath

    That sounds like a demand for the dog’s head on a platter. There’s a difference in which of our pet overlords we welcome . . .

  40. 40.

    shortstop

    Well, I’ve finally managed to get the dog to stop running in circles barking her fool head off. I won’t be playing that vid again.

  41. 41.

    bemused

    John, I second spring fever & he wants you to do something about it. If you had a kitty leash, a walk outside might cure what ails him.

  42. 42.

    mutt

    he is tryig to tell you something. If he were mine, id bring him round to the vet. Check for abdominal tumors.
    Lux the Cat, RIP.

  43. 43.

    Carrie

    Because i’m pretty bored, i just googled cats and kale and apparently it’s good for them.
    Maybe that’s what he wants?

  47. 47.

    wmsheppa

    @WereBear: Wow… luckily this bag was empty, and my cat isn’t a Maine Coon. Was the slim jim in fact damaged at all? That would be a really impressive feat…

  48. 48.

    Danton

    Hmmm… after reviewing this clip three times, I’m guessing Tunch wants another cat in the house. Someone who understands him. Someone he can relate to.

    Then again, maybe he just wants yogurt.

  49. 49.

    gbear

    @Jill:

    I pet our other cat, Maggie is jealous.

    I’ve got two cats going thru that phase right now. I can’t pet one without the other one getting pissy or pouty about it. When they get pouty they run off into another room and then meow for attention. If you go to give them a pet the other cat follows and it starts all over again.

  50. 50.

    Comrade Mary

    Awwwww-dorable! That makes me miss my Maggie, who had the same “amusemepetmefeedmeadoreme” call.

    But that’s not shrill. If Tunch were shrill, it would sound more like “Phnglui mglwnafh Cthulhu Rlyeh wgahnagl Ftagn!”

    Remember, John, if he really loves you, he’ll eat you first.

  53. 53.

    Jim in Chicago

    A friend of mine is having similar trouble with her cat. A dog trainer who also knows about cats told her the trick is to ignore him when he yowls and give him lots of attention only when he’s quiet. It takes time, and there may be a few relapses along the way, but this should work (unless there’s something actually wrong with your kitty). A consequence, such as being put in the bathroom for a few minutes when he won’t shut up (not allowing him out until he’s quiet) may also be needed.

  54. 54.

    Silver Owl

    Change of seasons spring is coming. Both of my cats used to get more vocal and run like madwomen around the house.

  55. 55.

    licensed to kill time

    Tunch wants some catnip – give him some ‘nip, dude! Let him tear around the house, get the munchies and pass out.

  56. 56.

    Ming

    In cats, mating season begins after a sustained period of longer days (>12 hrs daylight). It stands to reason Tunch would also be activated by the change in season even if he’s a guy, and fixed — mating obviously involves guy cats as well, so it makes sense for them to respond to the same sunlight cues as the females, and the circadian “clock” is in the the hypothalamus (in the brain) — not the ‘nads.

    Hi Tunch!

  57. 57.

    Corner Stone

    I have no idea what he wants.

    Whatever it is, I’m sure in 8 or 9 hours of trying you will find it.

  58. 58.

    Cain

    @Jim in Chicago:

    A friend of mine is having similar trouble with her cat. A dog trainer who also knows about cats told her the trick is to ignore him when he yowls and give him lots of attention only when he’s quiet. It takes time, and there may be a few relapses along the way, but this should work (unless there’s something actually wrong with your kitty). A consequence, such as being put in the bathroom for a few minutes when he won’t shut up (not allowing him out until he’s quiet) may also be needed.

    I’ve done that with my cat, but then he’s clever he starts doing things that he knows are naughty like beating up on our other cat, or clawing a rug, running around the house at full tilt. It’s kind of amusing on how he tries to manipulate us. We do sometimes kick him out though when he’s being way too nutty.

    cain

  59. 59.

    Gretchen D

    My main concern ( I’m with #42 and might be a bit worried) would be a possible urinary tract infection. Is he peeing normally?

    If he is, then I guess he’s probably just giving you a piece of his mind. Loudly, too!

  60. 60.

    gizmo

    Don’t worry about his behavior. He’s just imitating the Republicans he sees on TV.

  62. 62.

    Comrade Kevin

    @wmsheppa:

    Pither: My rubber instep caught on the rear mudguard stanchion and…
    Gulliver: Really? And what happened to the corned beef rolls?
    Pither: The corned beef rolls squashed out of all…here, how did you know about the corned beef rolls?
    Gulliver: I noticed them – or what remained of them – in the road. I noticed also that the lemon curd tart had sustained some superficial damage.
    Pither: That’s right. The curd had become…
    Gulliver: Detached from the pastry base.
    Pither: (with some surprise) Absolutely right, yes.
    Gulliver: Otherwise the contents of the sandwich box were relatively unharmed, although I detected small particles of bitumen in the chocolate kup kakes.
    Pither: But they were wrapped in foil!
    Gulliver: Not the hard chocolate top, I’m afraid.
    Pither: Oh, that’s the bit I like.
    Gulliver: The sausage roll, the crisps and ginger bisquit were unscathed.

  64. 64.

    cat48

    Are there other cats outside roaming around? My kittehs are always upset when another cat comes on their property. They take turns running around and shrieking about it. Maybe Tunch smells other kitties outside.

  67. 67.

    CaseyL

    My guess: You haven’t been able to play with him for a very long time because of your injury; you finally were able to again; and he’s got 2(?) months of back-play coming.

    IOW, this is Tunch’s way of saying he’s glad you’re getting better: by demanding more of you.

  68. 68.

    cmorenc

    @John Cole

    I have no idea what he [Tunch] wants.

    Those YEOW!lings are cat-speak for:
    “Open me a can of Tuna, willya John?” “What are you waiting for John, Tuna please!”

  70. 70.

    Cain

    @mr. whipple:

    Wow, nothing like a little competence and a lot less saber rattling. What’s awesome is how quietly it is being done. The administration is not using this to milk the headlines. The administration rightly understands that crowing about this will make it easier to recruit people into al-qaida. Smart thinking.

    cain

  72. 72.

    Svensker

    He doesn’t sound or look unhappy or in pain, just full of ructions. My guess is spring fever and sap rising. I’m feeling a bit that way myself. Heard the first woodpecker making his god-awful mating squawk this morning. All the critters are doing it.

  73. 73.

    Dave C

    Sign of the impending apocalypse, # eleventy-three:

    Bill Kristol referred to as an “expert” on Iraq. Granted, it was on Fox News.

  74. 74.

    asiangrrlMN

    @Dave C: It’s probably in Kristol’s contract–required fluffing by Wallace before he (Kristol) will perform on camera.

    @mr. whipple: No shit. Not bad for someone who is skeered of terrorists and soft on terror, eh?

    And, TUUUUUNCH! I love that cat.

  76. 76.

    suzanne

    My Nico used to yowl like that about once every six weeks. I’d take her outside for a walk (well, I would walk, she would laze in my arms and look about) and she’d calm right down.

    She was an indoor cat, though, so this might not help if he’s used to going outside.

  77. 77.

    Bill E Pilgrim

    Whatever you do don’t play that audio backwards. It’s a secret too terrible for any of us to know.

  81. 81.

    cat48

    Ok, O, you got Gadahn and you’re scheduled to spk at 3 about Iraqi elections; couldn’t you crow about catching the ‘merican wanted for Treason, too?? Just once? Bush/Cheney would be chest bumping on the front lawn today…you betcha.

  83. 83.

    Short Bus Bully

    He doesn’t “want” something, he is sending out roars of triumph!

    “I got this shaved monkey to bring me food!”
    “He cleans up my shit!”
    “He brushed me and played with me all morning!”

    “It’s true, I RULE!”

  84. 84.

    Bill E Pilgrim

    My favorite Sunday posting is up. I don’t even bother streaming the actual shows anymore.

    The best parts this week:

    **

    Gregory: so you maintain he’s just an idiot

    Sebelius : yes – you’d like him

    **

    Hatch: reconciliation has never been used to pass this bill before

    Gregory: oh noe!

    **

    Hatch: see this proves invading Iraq was a great idea because there’s a chance this country can survive the Bush reign of terror

    Gregory: so you think Iraq can survive?

    Hatch: I was talking about the U.S.

  85. 85.

    The Moar You Know

    Good lord, Tunch has a more annoying meow than my kitty. Didn’t think it was possible.

  86. 86.

    J.

    Tunch!

    What Tunch is saying:

    a) “Get that effing camera out of my face.”

    b) “Get that effing dog out of my house. It’s spring, so why is she still here?!”

    c) “When’s football season? I miss the Steelers’ blanket.”

    d) “Why are you always on that stupid computer?”

  87. 87.

    ruemara

    Oh how I wish my Smudge was so quiet and polite. 7:30 am-Loud bellow outside the bedroom door. Chased by spouse. 8:am thru 8:30 am-lowing in living room that sounds like it’s right outside the door. This is near every morning.

    To put it in perspective. My tuxedo cat can be heard behind a steel clad door, up to 60 feet away. He can wake you from a sound sleep. In fact, after years in his company, you will hear him in your dreams. When he’s outside, he sits by the door and cries to be in. Last time clocked, he went for 3 hrs-straight. When inside, he cries to go out. If he doesn’t want to go out, he just wanders around crying. EVERY. DAMN. DAY.

    He’s 17, so this may be the end. As bad as this sounds, I will probably not go for any loud kitties after him, this was enough. Where’d my little dust ball who used to play hide and go pounce with me go? I’ll be devastated when he passes, no matter how annoying he is.

  90. 90.

    Pennypacker

    John, I think you’re well-advised to have Tunch’s thyroid levels checked.

  91. 91.

    Joshua Norton

    Um, get used to it for a while. Judging from my past kitteh experiences, if you’re routine is being disturbed by moving preparations, it’s probably going to be non-stop until a new routine is established. As the day draws closer you’ll probably have to get him off the ceiling with tranquilizing darts.

  92. 92.

    MoeLarryAndJesus

    @Max Peck:

    I think you’ve got it.

    It may be time to neuter Big Ben to keep him from further “allegations.”

  93. 93.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    Glenn Harlan Reynolds sees dead people, and revolution on the horizon based on the Constitution and apparently Rasmussen Polls that highlight our governments lack of consent of the governed. Which could be our undoing as a republic.

    But now things are looking a bit dicey. According to a recent Rasmussen Poll , only 21 percent of American voters believe that the federal government enjoys the consent of the governed. On the other hand, Rasmussen notes, a full 63 percent of the “political class” believe that the government enjoys the consent of the governed.

    And in defense of his argument, the rascal plays the beer card.

    In fact, when I think of the federal government’s brand now, I think of Schlitz beer. Schlitz was once a top national brew. But, in search of short-term gains, it began gradually reducing its quality in tiny increments to save money, substituting cheaper malt, fewer hops and “accelerated” brewing for its traditional approach.

    I am personally offended he smears Schlitz since I was weened on that brand of brewskie from many sojourns to our turn around bootleggers in a preacher approved dry county in Eastern Kentucky. Shame on Glenn for such blasphemy.

    All else being equal however, Reynolds brings some pretty choice wingnuttery this Sunday morn.

  94. 94.

    ellaesther

    I think it’s clear he wants opposable thumbs so that he can pick up that quarter and play the slots. So that he can win you a million bucks.

    Or maybe you should clip his nails — it looks like he’s having a little trouble retracting them, and that could mean a touch of the ar-ther-itis.

    But I’m sure it’s the million bucks thing.

  95. 95.

    General Egali Tarian Stuck

    And you folks leave Tunch alone. He can be shrill if he wants. Pay no never mind to the harping Tunchster.

  97. 97.

    kommrade reproductive vigor

    Until you’re being woken from a sound sleep at 4 a.m. because a furry maniac has gotten bored and turned it up to 11, I don’t want to hear about it.

    My big fat cat has lungs like Pavarotti, an impressive range of yowls, howls, grumbles, gurgles, squawks and shrieks and the only time he shuts up is when he is asleep, eating or one of his human slaves is carrying him around.

    Wanna trade?

  101. 101.

    BGK

    Has he been able to urinate? A co-worker of mine asked me about why his cat was “complaining” like that for two days. I asked him if there was any evidence in the litterboxes that the cat had urinated. He couldn’t think of any. A vet visit showed a plugged urethra and a bladder dangerously close to bursting.

    I know there’s lots of jokes about ferocious Tunch, but maybe you could feel for his bladder and see if it’s distended?

  102. 102.

    You Don't Say

    I think Tunch is bored. Have a laser light he could chase?

    How old is Tunch, btw?

  104. 104.

    harlana peppper

    Shrill? Now the shocking truth is out! Tunch is a liberal! Also, I think he may be pissed that he can’t eat that coin, there.

    Get in mah belleh!

  106. 106.

    CT Voter

    He knows he owns you, and he’s reveling in that knowledge on this nice springy day.

  109. 109.

    CynDee

    Maybe he hurts or is sick.

    Other cats doing this, around the country . . . hmmm. Earthquake coming?

  111. 111.

    joe in oklahoma

    on MTP: Orrin Hatch and Rich Lowery openly endorse Harold Ford…saying the Democrats need more pols like Harold

    but, of course.

  112. 112.

    Betsy

    TUNCHIE!!!!

    :D yay. Seeing him always makes my day. This video also makes me grateful that I have the quietest cat I’ve ever met in my life. Chompers will make little trills and murmurs, but even on the rare occasion when she tries to meow, it comes out as either totally silent (to human ears, anyway) or as a tiny, super-high-pitched squeak. I’ve never heard her meow like a cat. It’s weird. Not that I’m complaining.

  113. 113.

    sloan

    @mr. whipple:

    The wingnuts are having a helluva time reporting this without mentioning a certain U.S. President by name or his strategy shift from Iraq to Afghanistan. It is killing them.

    I’m just waiting for Dick Cheney’s unemployed daughter to complain about Gadahn’s legal representation. I’m sure this got her hot and bothered.

  115. 115.

    mr. whipple

    Seems like a lot of people are worried about Tunch. I worry about mine when they are quiet and well-behaved.

  117. 117.

    mr. whipple

    @sloan:

    The last few weeks have really been amazing. If it didn’t hurt the effort, I think Obama should crow about this. You know darn well if this happened under the chimp, he’d be out in his flight suit every freaking day, and the press would be all gaga.

  118. 118.

    Martin

    @mr. whipple: Barry Soeto Obama, Muslim soc!alist, has now allied himself with the terrorist-bent, Muslim government of Pakistan and arranged to have a US Christian-born citizen arrested and detained by Muslim security forces. What more will this terrorist sympathizing president do to destroy America?

    (See, that wasn’t so hard)

  119. 119.

    Arachnae

    I’m pretty sure he was saying, “We have to go back, Kate… we have to GO BACK!”

  121. 121.

    cat48

    Gadahn’s daddy was a goat farmer, not to be confused with a millworker. heh Wasn’t Barack’s dad a goat herder, hmm?

  123. 123.

    R-Jud

    Played the clip; our female cat came up to the monitor and started sniffing around. Our male cat sat down and started licking his bum. Inconclusive results.

    Oscars: we will not watch because a) we’re not all that interested; b) things don’t start until about 1 am or so here. But Armando Iannucci’s twitter feed has been fun (he’s nominated for screenwriting In The Loop):

    In LA. Done interviews with Sky, ITV and Richard Bacon. Off now to get ridiculous gift bags. Scooters, liquid houses, gold cornflakes, etc.

    and

    At the airport. Got my Oscar tickets in my pocket, my girl by my side, and 3 packets of heroin hidden up my anus. What could possibly go wrong?

    Also, he’s posted some pictures of teeny-tiny week-old puppies.

  126. 126.

    mr. whipple

    I’m Waiting For My Can(of Tuna), by Tunch

    I’m waiting for my can
    Got 25 cent in my hand
    Up on couch, 9 to 5
    Feel hungry always, more dead than alive
    I’m waiting for my can

    Here he comes, he got that stupid dog
    Spending hours on the stupid blog
    He’s never early, he’s always late
    First thing you learn is I always gotta wait
    I’m waiting for my can

    I’m gonna holler, gonna bawl and shout
    I’m feeling hungry, wanna see that new can opener out
    I’m feeling hungry, I’m gonna whine and pout
    Until I get my tuna, get that can opener out!
    I’m waiting for my can

  128. 128.

    licensed to kill time

    @mr. whipple:

    VERY nice, mr whipple! I bet Tunch sounds just like Lou Reed when he sings it, too. In his own mind at least.

    Tuuuuna Ca-an
    Be the death of me
    It’s my life and it’s my wife

  132. 132.

    burnspbesq

    Shrill? He’s obviously auditioning to be the vacation replacement for Greenwald.

  133. 133.

    Ann

    If it keeps up, I agree with the take-Tunch-to-the-vet folks. When Theo, a rambunctious 2-year-old DC street kitty who lives with me, did this once, he has having a severe allergic reaction.

  134. 134.

    Blue Shark

    John…

    …He is telling you to quit pointing that vid cam at him that is giving him brain cancer.

  138. 138.

    sloan

    @Martin:

    A sampling of the nutter reaction scraped from the bottom of the memeorandum barrel:

    Reliapundit: WHO DESERVES CREDIT FOR THIS CAPTURE? PETRAEUS AND BUSH! NONE TO OBAMA OR PAKISTAN.

    Jim Hoft: So, do you suppose Obama has him lawyered up yet?

    Melissa Clouthier: You know, it’s a crying shame we’ve outlawed cruel and unusual punishment.

    Scared Monkeys: Now please, please can we bring back waterboarding and make this treasonous bastard talk and give up everything he knows. A note to President Barack Hussein Obama, this would be what we in the real world call a victory in the WAR ON TERROR not an overseas contingency plan.

    Nice Deb: Has he been read his Miranda rights?

    Ace of Spades: If it is true, I wonder if any of the al-Qaida Seven will resign their DoJ positions to defend him. Nah, they can do more to help him where they are.

    And so on. This is just more proof that Bush was right all along and B. Hussein Obama is a failure!

  139. 139.

    Bad Horse's Filly

    I vote spring fever. And whatever it was it made my big ole male Berman spring into action. The rest, not so much.

    Meanwhile, my pretty calico seems to have a boyfriend. He’s a big old yellow long-haired tabby who has taken to showing up at our door and sitting outside it. My calico then sits at the door and mews to go out.

    Nevermind that everyone is neutered and my cats are only allowed to sit on the porch.

    It’s spring, even if your nuts are cut off I guess.

  140. 140.

    Skepticat

    One of my cats has been wandering around muttering a lot. The other–a Maine coon–is always vocal. Perhaps it is indeed spring fever.
    Tunch’s body language seems pretty relaxed. Perhaps he thinks you’re relaxing too much and is trying to keep you off balance.
    Yowling–and you’d know the difference between a yowl and a “comment”–at night is a warning sign of health problems, but he seems to simply be missing with you.

  142. 142.

    rootless-e

    If’ we’re going to get into the lou reed lyrics, nothing good will come of it.

    I’ll tell you something
    Glen, he is a blogger
    And Jane, she is one too
    Both of them slam Obama, ha
    And tell us that he’s through

    Sweet ….

  144. 144.

    Barry

    My translation:

    “I’m hungry; the dog looks good, and should fit nicely into the oven. Get cracking, you lazy cat servant!”

  145. 145.

    Tonal Crow

    He knew you would post a story about him being pissy just before a story about how head-over-heels in love you are with Lily.

    You really like to play with fire, don’t you?

  146. 146.

    morzer

    Isn’t Tunch just protesting the imminent Sarah Palin Trailer Trash Live reality show? Frankly, the thought makes me want to miaow, vomit and buy an UZI, all at the same time.

  148. 148.

    Trinity

    As someone with a degree in vocal performance, I say that your cat has a lovely voice! I intend to commence composition of a new opera, La Tunchiata!

    Soon the phrase will be “It ain’t over until the Tunch sings!”

  149. 149.

    IanY77

    “Midnight
    Not a sound from the pavement
    Has the moon lost her memory?
    She is smiling alone
    In the lamplight
    The withered leaves collect at my feet
    And the wind begins to moan”

  150. 150.

    Lesley

    Heads up to Tunch: It’s hard to take your complaints seriously when they’re accompanied by purring.

  151. 151.

    2th&nayle

    Just be sweet to him, John. My cat Junior got killed in the road in front of the house last night. I found him at daybreak this morning. I already miss him so bad I want to cry.

  153. 153.

    Dave Ruddell

    Don’t know if this will work for you (or anyone else) but when my cat gets all whiney, I toss a blanket over a chair to make a ‘tent’. He almost always goes into said tent and will often stay for hours.

    Alternatively, I just throw the blanket over him (it’s not very heavy). After about thirty seconds, he’ll usually curl up and shut up. YMMV

  159. 159.

    Darkrose

    Joxur makes noises like that when he feels insufficient attention is being paid to the most important being in the universe, namely, His Great Grey Furriness. The amount of attention paid to him throughout the day is irrelevant–what matters is whether or not you’re petting him RIGHT NOW.

  160. 160.

    asiangrrlMN

    @2th&nayle: Oh no! 2th&nayle, my deepest condolences to you and your loved ones. May Junior run swiftly to the other side and peek in on you from time to time to make sure you are doing all right. I am so sorry.

  161. 161.

    Nazgul35

    Clearly…Tunch’s plan to have Lily incapacitate you so he could eat you have gone awry…so he has moved on to psychological warfare.

  163. 163.

    2th&nayle

    @2th&nayle: Thanks to everyone for your kind comments. Today’s not so sad as yesterday. He was a good cat and as short as it was, he had a good life. He certainly got whatever he wanted around this house! Thanks again.

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