I simply can not get over how green this guy’s eyes are. Bill and Jill are over right now, and they have confirmed that he has the greenest eyes they have ever seen (and they have had and have umpteen cats). If a human being had eyes this green, you would just assume they were contacts. Or maybe you were having a flashback.
I also can not get over the Tomcat aspects. His cheeks look like he has golfballs in them, and his neck is so thick and strong, it feels like Rosie’s neck. And yet, he is super, super soft, with fur as fine or finer than Tunch.
And he doesn’t talk at all, and even at his happiest musters only a very silent purr. But he speaks with his eyes, and he head butts and rubs you with those big jowls, and when he is lying on his side and happy his massive tail swats the bed with a “THWAT” that reminds me of a happy Boghan (Seth’s wire haired pointing Griffon) knocking everything off my living room table.
He also flops onto his side to expose his belly differently than Tunch did. When Tunch was happy and wanted his belly rubbed, he would sort of slowly slide over, with a look in his eye that said something along the lines of “Oh, shit. Gravity” as he slowly capsized like a sinking ship. Boss, on the other hand, does basically the equivalent of the Fosbury Flop, but with no intent to attain any altitude. He just heaves himself onto his side, pushes his paws into you, and then starts swatting the tail while giving you the “Pet me” look.
Emdee
He sounds goddamn adorable.
Paddy
I’m a firm believer that communicate with their eyes- blinks, winks, stares etc.
gbear
Or half David Bowiel
red dog
There is something about the boy animals that is less fickle. They are what they seem to be and don’t worry about loyalty.
Nicole
A Boss post with no picture to accompany. Boo! Want more pictures, being a fellow green-eyed mammal myself.
Violet
If he’s this forward about it now, imagine once he’s really gotten comfortable in the household. I think his original name of Bugger was pretty apt–he probably bugged the hell out everyone until they pet him.
Karen in GA (who really needs a better name)
Tunch knew what he was doing when he sent Boss your way. Good boy, Tunch.
CaseyL
@red dog: I think it has a lot to do with the fact that they don’t raise kids. Girl cats are much more protective, territorial and serious because they could potentially be mamas, so they’re hardwired to be really good mamas.
My kitties are a mother and son pair. The dynamics and the differences in their attitudes are fascinating.
LayedBackGuy
De-Lurking for a moment to say; Please screw me with more New Cat post’s. It is helping me get over the loss of Tunch.
And yeah, tom cats have those massive heads, sometimes. Looks kinda weird, when you are used to a ‘normal’ neutered male. I have found that older male cats are the most affectionate. Brace yourself for many years of intense Pet Me demands!
poco
At this point, Boss cat posts are the only pleasant things happening. Keep them coming, please.
Sparky
Fuck me, another cat post?
Actually, John, I find these highly entertaining. My esteem for you as a pet owner rises with each new posting, and these Boss posts are way more fun to read than the posts detailing the fall of our lovable empire.
Pat him on his spine where his tail connects and see what happens. Gently! (Then if he seems to like it, do it rougher, oh yeah.)
TaMara (BHF)
I just got back from the best dinner – Real BBQ, live Blues and a sunset mountain view on cool patio that sat in the shadow of a cliff.
I thought, wow it doesn’t get much better than this. Then I come home to not one, but two cat posts. Woot!!!
And @John Cole, when my beloved tortoise shell died, what I missed most was how she’d sit on the back of my chair in the office while I worked. A few months later, when I picked up my beautiful calico kitten from the shelter, the first thing she did was sit on the back of my chair. She did that for months. I don’t really remember when she stopped, but by that time, she had “her” things she did and my heart didn’t ache so much for my tortie.
But I firmly believed my tortie taught her how to do that, as a last gift for me.
If I didn’t already have a strong spiritual side, my animals would convince me. Some day, when we’re all good and drunk, I’ll tell you what happened after my handsome and smart duck died. You’ll never believe me.
Wayne t
The only reason I come here is for the animal posts.
Yatsuno
YAY PAPA BOSS HEMINGWAY!!!
Needs moar pics.
Splitting Image
So you’re saying that your cat’s eyes are greener than the famous Stone of Galveston?
Keith
“I think he’s gonna pork it, Dad.”
“He’s not gonna pork it, Russ”
MacKenna
I love all your cat posts. I keep coming back and searching for Boss posts…
It’s sweet and endearing and I’m glad Boss and you are bonding.
PeakVT
Fuck the cat. Post pictures of the dogs, dammit.
lojasmo
I’m cool wit that.
Thinking about a maine coon as an ONLY pet when my white shep and black cat shuffle off the mortal coil.
Violet
We would like more doggie photos.
Liz
Boss sounds like our kitteh. We got him from the shelter and set up a room with lots of hiding spots. Figured he wouldn’t come out for a few days. Instead he climbed on my lap, then climbed on my partner’s lap, then moved until he could sit on both of our laps at the same time. All the while purring.
Enjoy Boss – he sounds adorable.
peachkfc
A lot of male cats have ginormous heads, not just toms. My old orange boy Oscar has a head the size of a football and does the same “head butt to get pets” thing, it’s like being hit with a rock. And absolutely boy cats tend to have sweeter temperaments. I have three girls and one boy and although the girls are all loveable in their own way, they are definitely more territorial and cranky than Oscar. He just floats.above it all waiting for dinner and petting. (I have had many cats of both sexes over many years, this.opinion is not based just on my current feline family.)
Mr Stagger Lee
Watching The Master on DVD, is Boss Phillip Seymor Hoffman to John Cole’s Jaoquin Phoenix?
EL
We like it, and we entreat you to post more pics. And then eventually pics of Boss meeting Lily. And Rosie. And then of Boss meeting your friends. And then …. You get the idea. Demanding bunch, aren’t we?
Odie Hugh Manatee
That cat knows he has scored a sucker for an owner…lol! ;) I’m glad you are happy and enjoying your new roomie.
Stewie is curled up on the stairs waiting for me to come in for the evening, as he usually does. As soon as I come in he finds some place close to me to perch and nap. If I come in and later go back out (to my shop), he resumes his position on the stairs.
They just know how to be cute.
NotMax
Is this the future of the Cole mansion? (Except for the ‘lady’ part, natch.)
PurpleGirl
If Boss raised himself as a feral (after his mom cat set the babies loose) he might not know how to talk or purr. Depending on how long a mom cat was feral, she might not know either how to talk or purr and, so, can’t teach her kittens.
Amanda (a mom cat) who came from a farm only hissed or growled. Her kittens were sort of quite too. Laika, a cat who was dumped when pregnant, talked and purred a lot. Her kittens learned to vocalize.
John, you can keep the pet posts coming because, as others have said, they are happy posts and cheer us up. They are very good antidote to the crazies in our so-called governing class.
PurpleGirl
@NotMax: That is adorable.
Gex
My Maine Coon started out a pretty quiet kitty. As he felt more comfortable, he started getting vocal. He eventually ended up developing a habit of standing on the stairs and meowing, yowling, and otherwise just singing his kitty lungs out because he loved the sound of his own voice.
I wonder if Boss will get vocal down the road. I’m sure you’ll let us know.
MattR
@NotMax: That is why I think my cat allergies are actually a defense mechanism.
Princess Leia
We are fostering and bottle feeding 4 four week old little girl kittens (the third litter of 4 this summer). SO cute and they bring out the softness in all of us . Hope they all turn out as well as Boss….in a female sort of way of course. So hard to let them go to their new homes when the time comes, but way, way worth it.
Mnemosyne
@PurpleGirl:
Annie came to us kinda-sorta feral (apparently she was dumped at a feral colony and lived there for a while, but they somehow determined that she wasn’t actually feral). She doesn’t “talk” nearly as much as Keaton and Charlotte but, now that she’s been with us for 6 years, she seems to be getting more bold about trying to get our attention by meowing. She certainly gets positive reinforcement from us when she does. ;-)
The Tim Channel
I’m glad you found a new friend so fast. FWIW, I replace my fallen friends quickly as well. I find it to be the best medicine. Enjoy.
Gex
Love the cat stories. Although even the happy ones have me bawling right now. We are about one hour away from the 6 month marker since Kate’s death. I’ve found that I have trouble sleeping and eating and get a little bit manic in the days leading up to the 20th of each month, so it really doesn’t take that much anyhow.
To get back to being sort of on theme, I would have been lost without my cat and my dog. Especially the dog. John may have noticed how good a pup can be at sensing your pain and quietly, loyally sitting with you and sending you doggy love to help you heal.
Pic of the beasties
SG
John, I check back here at least every hour most days. I appreciate the politics, but what I’m really looking for are your posts about Tunch, and now Boss, and the girls.
NotMax
And now for something completely different…
Studly Pantload, the emotionally unavailable unicorn
This is my most fave cat blog with occasional posts about politics in like evah.
But all seriousness aside, Cole, I’ll again say I’m happy to hear the love still runs freely in the Pets-With-Cole household. Newest charge seems quite the precious charmer.
sfinny
My tabby rescue from a TNR group was a three/four year old male. He was pretty quiet for a while and when he started to vocalize the meow was less than impressive. Basically a squeak or a silent meow that does not match his fifteen pound frame.
He does have an interesting chirp when birds are around, plus a ferocious flicking of the tail. And purring has become really common and loud, although with some sneezing or drool. It will be interesting to see how Boss evolves.
Narcissus
So a tom cat is just a dude cat, right? What makes it a tom? Is it the balls? Serious question.
sfinny
Yes, tom cat = male cat. Sometimes used as shorthand to refer to unfixed male cats.
Emerald
It’s odd that he’s so quiet. Maine Coons normally are extremely vocal.
Eljai
You can’t have too many cat posts. Or dog posts. I can’t go to sleep til I’ve had my cute critter fix.
peachkfc
Just a last littlle thing: I came to this blog originally because of Tunch, stayed because of Lily and Rosy, then got interested in the politics. (To be precise, I was always interested in politics, to say the least, just got interested in the discussions here.) Very recently, I got brave and left the world of lurker to dive into active commenter on the political front and did I ever regret it! It was like I had to be subjected to some kind of some fraternity hazing by the “regulars” to be allowed into the “community.” (Raven, are you listening, you obnoxious nasty bitch? and the others who Know Who You Are.) Who needs that bullshit? So, I made a few overtures there, fuck that, butI love you and your animals, John, I hope all continues to go well with Boss.
PsiFighter37
Yeaaaaarrrrfjhghhh I’m awake
PsiFighter37
I’m +9 and having philosophical discussions on life. I feel like I’m in high. Skool again. Lets go
raven
@peachkfc: Yea I’m listening and I give a shit if your little feelings are hurt. Juts go crawl back under your rock if you can’t handle it.
raven
@peachkfc: Just a drive by huh? Fucking sissy.
PsiFighter37
@raven: dude it’s really late / early. I like you, but go to sleep
raven
@PsiFighter37: It’s not late it’s early. I always get up at 5. I don’t even know what that whiny little punk is talking about but if she wants to get personal here I am.
Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again)
@raven:
How in the hell does someone even find your bad side, let alone get on it?
ETA: I’m going to bed. Take your time formulating a reply. Oh…The Bears still suck.
raven
@Temporarily Max McGee (soon enough to be Andy K again): Beats me but I’m sure they are sincere.
eta When I run the handle in the search engine nothing relevant comes up.
PsiFighter37
@raven: I had a witty response, but that asshole button switch inf between mobile and Ctual site pwned my ass. Too lazy to repeat. In short – go to bed; my liver is awesome
Pf37 +10
raven
@PsiFighter37: Extreme Angler comes on at 6!
PsiFighter37
@raven: I’ve done unspeakable things watching ‘The Deadliest Catch’ all day long. It’s not even worth comparing, but the least I will say is that the stamina was literally breathtaking.
SHAZAM
raven
@PsiFighter37: Yea but that’s commercial net fishing, I’m never going to do that!
PsiFighter37
@raven: Don’t act jealous.
Goddamn I have not pulled an all-nighter talking about emo shit since I was in high school. Guess its a good way to end vacation.
At least until 2 weeks of vacation starting in a few weeks. Fuck yeah
raven
@PsiFighter37: I’m not jealous , I just like the fishing shows where they fish like I do!
PsiFighter37
@raven: I.e. they show the exploits and you might die on occasion?
mikefromArlington
U know what they say, green eyes, big farts. Be careful!
raven
@PsiFighter37: Ha! Ice fishing came on.
PsiFighter37
@mikefromArlington: That’s what she said
TheMightyTrowel
I finally caved and bought a TV this weekend.don’t have a box yet though so all I see is static.only cost $15 so I ain’t complaining.
the lost puppy
Of course, I am so glad you gave this kitty a new home, but I still miss Tunch, will miss him for a very long time. I don’t know why b/c I never come here anymore. Only reason I’m back is to see how Cole and his new baby are doing. But I loved the fat white bastard. Still grieving, still can’t believe he is gone. :(
the lost puppy
To be honest, I have never seen anyone quite so fascinated by cat behavior as Mr. Cole. Yes, post after post. Seems I remember he quit writing or would do an obligatory “Fuck You” post now and then, but new kitties bring out the gushy in him.
ThresherK
Just one more in the pile of “Keep those cat posts coming.”
I was very surprised you got another cat this quickly. We all take life’s bumps in our own ways, and the loss of a cat to me means a mourning of two-four months.
(But I have a wife, and a two-cat household, so when we lose one of ours, there is another. The remaining cat’s behavior always seems to adjust to fill the “cat void” of the “principle staffer”.)
Raven
@peachkfc: bye bye drama queen
Steeplejack
@Raven:
Jesus, give it a rest. FIDO.
PsiFighter37
I’m at least 11 alcoholic beverages deep, and I just ate bojangles. This has to be awful for me:
raven
@Steeplejack: Hey, I appreciate your comments on the comma’s last night. That is just an example of what is peppered throughout an entire textbook. I think it is really awful for the reader.
Redshirt
Get back to us after you cut off his balls.
Steeplejack
@raven:
Thanks, didn’t know if you would see it. There is a lot of writing that’s not exactly bad but sort of subtly wears you down as you wade through long stretches of it. It’s tiring to read.
gogol's wife
In Hitchcock’s Saboteur, there’s a scene where a Nazi spy (Norman Lloyd) looks out the window of his cab and smirks as he sees the ship Normandie flopped on its side (it’s real footage). So when our larger-than-Tunch kitteh Louis does that flop, we call him the Normandie.
the Conster
OT – huge explosion in Beijing airport. I blame Obama.
ETA: actually not huge. One person injured with own bomb, apparently, however, I still blame Obama.
D58826
Face the facts, if there is re-incarnation, John wants to comer back as his own cat!!!!!!!
Steeplejack
@gogol’s wife:
“Oh, the humanity!”
Oops, wrong disaster.
ETA: And it’s good your cat is more of an ocean liner than a zeppelin.
Odie Hugh Manatee
@Steeplejack: “Oh, the humanity!”
You rang? ;)
raven
@raven: Yea, I’m not strictly editing, more representing the students who will have to read it. I flag them and the real editors can do what they want to with them.
Fellatio Alger
@Gex: Awww!
Gex
@Fellatio Alger: They make me so happy when they hang out. Although I also love it when the cat decides to act the cat role (alpha in this pack) and has him on his toes.
schrodinger's cat
I have a different experience than all of you who said that male cats are more laid back. Among the two of my kittehs the big ginger girl is much more laid back and Boss Cat Yogi is more highly strung, although he can also be a big cuddle buddy.
poptartacus
get a room
YellowJournalism
The only thing that pisses me off about these posts is that they make me want a cat SO much! (And no pics?! WTF?)
Basically, I’m jealous.
Lynn Sutherland
Your cat posts have been so helpful to me. I was and am devastated by the loss of Tunch, not only for him but because it renews the pain of loosing my pets, especially my little dog Wrigley (a Lily doppelganger) who died a year and a half ago. Just have not been able to stop missing her and grieving for her. But your adoption of Boss, your descriptions of him and the connection you have made to Tunch through him have just been uplifting and a relief to me. I can feel myself becoming more hopeful with every post. (By the way, Boss’s chubby cheeks will disappear once you have him neutered–it’s an endearing quality of the “whole” Tomcat.) Thank you, John Cole–you touch and help people in ways that you will never know.
ET
I am enjoying your posts about the new kitty so keep them coming and to hell with the complainers….
My cat never enjoyed the belly rub he was more of a skritch the jowls and under the chin cat, but he was a big time talker.
schrodinger's cat
My boss kitteh Yogi, who looks like the short haired version of your Boss, is not much of talker, he is pretty silent most of the time. He will daintily sing for shrimp or raw beef, but boy when he is upset he has quite a voice on him, when I used to put him in the car for a two hour drive from Western Mass to central NY, he would yowl loudly for the entire two hours or so.
Hungry Joe
It’s beyond ridiculous, how much time we’re spending with Phoebe, our new calico kitten. Of course, we’re also putting in time with introductions to the two older cats and the dog, and then there’s the extra time we have to devote to each of them so there’s no jealousy on their part or guilt on ours. I’d say that whole days were being squandered if it weren’t for the fact that I can’t think of anything else I could be doing that this much fun.
Raenelle
@CaseyL: I have a mother and son pair too–Buffy and Spike. Buffy’s inscrutable–sweet, but way on her own terms–and 4 yo Spike still thinks he’s Buffy’s baby. Before Buffy/Spike, I had Franklin/Jordan–Franklin was the older male cat; Jordan, the younger female. I think we adopted Jordan a bit young, and she adopted Franklin as her mom from the start, and Franklin accepted the role. This relationship continued for 16 years, when Franklin passed. Then Jordan went, within a week, from being a baby to being a very old cat. No young and middle-aged adult stage at all. But here’s the thing. Buffy/Spike is just about completely the same as Franklin/Jordan, but the sex of the animals is reversed. It seems to me, and I’ve had several cats, that females are more complex than males, but the mommy-baby relationship transcends any mere female-male box.
sweaver
@TaMara (BHF): Can I suggest we all get drunk at a specified time and come back and hear the duck story? I want the duck story!
Keith W
Nothing takes away the pain of a lost pet like a new pet.
the Conster
@TaMara (BHF):
Come over to the next thread. We’re sharing some doozies and your duck story probably isn’t the strangest.
Aardvark
Toms develop the fat pads on the sides of their head if they are not neutered. I believe the fat pads serve as armor when they get in fights.
Dr. Sophia Yin notes that cats do not meow at other cats: it is behavior they apparently developed for communicating with humans. So maybe if you’re giving Boss everything he wants, he has no reason to meow at you.
http://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/meowing-cats-and-barking-dogs-why-are-some-pets-so-vocal
KmCO
Who couldn’t enjoy pet posts? What kind of sad person doesn’t like furry friends? Anyway, I’m really happy for you John, Rosie, and Lily for letting a new friend into your life. Boss is in good hands. Or should I say, you all are in good Boss hands.
J R in WV
On cats and making noises: We adopted 3 kittens about 9 years ago. One little girl eventually got named Spike for he habit of clinging to you with unbelievably sharp claws. She would climb up on my shoulder when I was in the quietest room, being still while using the computer.
She never made any sound for at least the first year. Then one day, on my shoulder, pressed to my head, I heard a tiny almost inaudible purr, which I tried to reinforce by scritching her where she liked it. Her jaw, along the side of her face, and behind her ears.
Now she purrs loudly enough for anyone to hear, when properly scritched, and meows to go out and come in, and especially loudly while dinner is being fixed.
The mostest green eyes, too. Boss’s eyes may be green, but Spike’s eyes are the mostest greenest evah! So there!
Maine Coons are the nuts as far as cats go. Down to 2 kitties, need moar, want Maine Coons!!!
different-church-lady
My little man barely uttered a word the entire first year after I took him in. Now he’s a little chatterbox. Must be cat stuff — they don’t talk until they feel REALLY comfortable in a new home.
StringOnAStick
My Maine Coonish (grey tabby, quite fluffy, big but not huge) cat is the chattiest, loudest cat I’ve ever had; thankfully mostly it is chirping and trilling because she can really belt out a good yowl when necessary (or not). Her approach to getting belly pets is to flop like Boss, but to add a chirp/meow sound to it that makes you think she just knocked the wind out of herself. Same with jumping up on the couch or bed. It’s like she wants to share every bit of her internal dialog, even if it is 4am. I love her to pieces!
Sasha
I knew a cat that, when it wanted to be pet,cow-tipped itself.