• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • About Us
  • Lexicon
  • Contact Us
  • Our Store
  • ↑
  • ↓
  • ←
  • →

Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

With all due respect and assumptions of good faith, please fuck off into the sun.

Shallow, uninformed, and lacking identity

Technically true, but collectively nonsense

President Musk and Trump are both poorly raised, coddled 8 year old boys.

You don’t get to peddle hatred on saturday and offer condolences on sunday.

They punch you in the face and then start crying because their fist hurts.

Republican speaker of the house Mike Johnson is the bland and smiling face of evil.

Everything is totally normal and fine!!!

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

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

Balloon Juice, where there is always someone who will say you’re doing it wrong.

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

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

“Can i answer the question? No you can not!”

Republicans seem to think life begins at the candlelight dinner the night before.

Good lord, these people are nuts.

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

Second rate reporter says what?

We are aware of all internet traditions.

Polls are now a reliable indicator of what corporate Republicans want us to think.

Let’s not be the monsters we hate.

Anne Laurie is a fucking hero in so many ways. ~ Betty Cracker

In after Baud. Damn.

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

Mobile Menu

  • Seattle Meet-up Post
  • 2025 Activism
  • Targeted Political Fundraising
  • Donate with Venmo, Zelle & PayPal
  • Site Feedback
  • War in Ukraine
  • Submit Photos to On the Road
  • Politics
  • On The Road
  • Open Threads
  • Topics
  • COVID-19
  • Authors
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Lexicon
  • Our Store
  • Politics
  • Open Threads
  • 2025 Activism
  • Garden Chats
  • On The Road
  • Targeted Fundraising!
You are here: Home / Pet Blogging / Cat Blogging / Something Happy

Something Happy

by John Cole|  October 11, 201312:20 am| 51 Comments

This post is in: Cat Blogging

FacebookTweetEmail

Just thought I would provide you all with a Steve update. He’s doing ok:

steve

Other than my lap, that is his favorite chair. It used to be in my office but I moved it into the hallway when I was cleaning, and he likes it so much that I just left it there. Plus, it’s a super comfortable wingback, so I sit in it when I fold clothes from the laundry, so I like it there.

Steve has really turned out to be an exceptional cat. I am fully convinced that he is part Siamese, because he talks all the time. And I mean all the time. If anyone calls, and I start to talk on the phone, he runs in the room to pipe in because if people are talking he needs to have his say. Most of my conversations sound like this: “OK. MMHMM. Alright. When do you need me to- STEVE SHUT UP– sorry, when do you need me to do- DAMNIT STEVE, I WILL CUT YOU– sorry- when do you need that done. Hey, look, I have to go. Just email me with the details. Talk to you later…”

He’s also a complete heater- he puts off more heat than any cat I have ever known. It’s like having an up-ended bunsen burner on your lap. Oh, and the other cute thing he does is that Tunch would always circle up in a ball on my lap or on the bed. Steve falls asleep with his front paws on my chest and my arm, as if he is not letting me leave. Every now and then he takes one of his baseball mitt paws and grabs a finger, and it feels like a baby is grabbing my hand. It’s really adorable.

And I don’t even want to get into what a polydactyl can do with a litter box. But he is just great and I am almost done calling him Tunch when he pisses me off, which is frequently. He’s a very cat like cat, which means he is ornery all the time.

I fully understand why his previous owners called him Bugger. I have no idea why they were able to leave him behind, though. I never could.

FacebookTweetEmail
Previous Post: « Open Thread: Losing the Plot
Next Post: Late night open thread and dog picture UPDATE: Org for the Prohibition of Chem Weapons wins Nobel Peace Prize »

Reader Interactions

51Comments

  1. 1.

    Jacel

    October 11, 2013 at 12:25 am

    Maine Coon and Siamese in one cat? That’s a scary smart cocktail of cat intelligence.

  2. 2.

    TheOtherWA

    October 11, 2013 at 12:25 am

    Yay! Steve sounds very happy with you and you with him. I’m very glad you found each other.

  3. 3.

    trollhattan

    October 11, 2013 at 12:27 am

    Aww, Schteeeeeeve!

    This is a shameless repeat from earlier today, but anyway, fireman rescues tiny kitteh.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CjB_oVeq8Lo

    My best to all Casa Cole Critters.

    ETA Schteeeve really fills a people-sized chair, don’t he?

  4. 4.

    The prophet Nostradumbass

    October 11, 2013 at 12:28 am

    He’s got the look that says, “Don’t even TRY to get me out of this chair”.

  5. 5.

    FlipYrWhig

    October 11, 2013 at 12:30 am

    “John Cole”? When did this new front-pager get added? It’s too hard to keep track of all of these people.

  6. 6.

    John Cole

    October 11, 2013 at 12:32 am

    @FlipYrWhig: I’m dealing with a lot of shit, both personal, professional, fraternity, and town related. Once I get my shit real, I will be back with a vengeance.

  7. 7.

    David Koch

    October 11, 2013 at 12:33 am

    I am fully convinced that he is part Siamese, because he talks all the time.

    Maybe he’s Jewish

  8. 8.

    Tokyokie

    October 11, 2013 at 12:34 am

    I’m on crutches right now because of a broken ankle, and although most of the cat livestock in the house will get out of the way when I come stumping along, Keyser, the Balinese (half-Siamese), will move 3 feet ahead of me and start grooming himself until I nudge him, and then he does it again. But Marvin, the Siamese, won’t move at all, and if I try nudging him with the crutch tip, he attacks the crutch.

    So I know how ornery a Siamese can be. And, of course, the orneriest cat is my favorite.

  9. 9.

    jenn

    October 11, 2013 at 12:39 am

    @trollhattan: Oh, Kitty! Thanks for sharing.

  10. 10.

    AdamK

    October 11, 2013 at 12:41 am

    Sarah sleeps on the arm of the chair with one paw on my knee so I can’t get away.

  11. 11.

    jenn

    October 11, 2013 at 12:41 am

    @John Cole: Good luck! May it all resolve itself well. And thanks for the Steve update!

  12. 12.

    Villago Delenda Est

    October 11, 2013 at 12:42 am

    Steve sounds like one happenin’ cat, allright.

    You got lucky, John, when Steve came into your life. He can’t fill Tunch’s shoes, so to speak, but he’s making shoes of his own.

  13. 13.

    trollhattan

    October 11, 2013 at 12:43 am

    @David Koch:

    Heh. “You call this ‘fish’? I’ve seen better fish on neckties.”

  14. 14.

    Sandia Blanca

    October 11, 2013 at 12:43 am

    Yay, Steve is at one with the chair upholstery pattern! Good to hear from you, Mr. Cole.

  15. 15.

    FlipYrWhig

    October 11, 2013 at 12:45 am

    @John Cole: just joshin’. looking forward to it.

  16. 16.

    NotMax

    October 11, 2013 at 12:55 am

    Aha. So that’s where great-grandma’s furniture went.

    Can cross that mystery off the list now.

  17. 17.

    rammalamadingdong

    October 11, 2013 at 12:58 am

    I’m so glad you have a nice piece of furniture

  18. 18.

    John O

    October 11, 2013 at 1:15 am

    The Stever. Steveriono. The Steveinator.

    Thanks John. Hope you are doing good.

  19. 19.

    Mnemosyne (iPhone)

    October 11, 2013 at 1:17 am

    You know you have an unusually large cat when you take him to the vet and the first thing everyone working there says is, “Wow, he’s a big boy!” And not because he needs to lose weight.

    When I took Keaton in for his annual exam and teeth cleaning this week, he figured out how to open one of the drawers in the exam room to try and hide. The vet swears she’s never had a cat figure that out before. We’re so proud.

  20. 20.

    KG

    October 11, 2013 at 1:17 am

    My cousin and I have been living together for a year now… She has a cat. I’m still not a fan. Grew up with dogs, love dogs to the moon and back… But just can’t make it work with cats. Still, more power to those of you who can

  21. 21.

    YellowJournalism

    October 11, 2013 at 1:18 am

    Being interrupted constantly while on the phone? See? You DO have children!

  22. 22.

    The prophet Nostradumbass

    October 11, 2013 at 1:28 am

    @Mnemosyne (iPhone): I must have the smallest adult Maine Coon ever. My Seamus weighs around 10 1/2 pounds.

  23. 23.

    Anne Laurie

    October 11, 2013 at 1:31 am

    From my experience with Maine Coons, Mungo Steve talks to you because you talk back, and it’s the interaction he wants. You could try reaching out & skritching him when you’re on the phone, and possibly that will satisfy his desire to be part of the conversation. Or you could find a special “you only get to play with this when I’m on the phone” toy.

    But on the other hand, I suspect you kinda like knowing Steve cares….

  24. 24.

    Violet

    October 11, 2013 at 1:41 am

    @John Cole: We miss your political posts, but glad you are taking care of yourself. Steve is looks like he belongs. Always a good thing. Thanks for the update.

  25. 25.

    Mnemosyne (iPhone)

    October 11, 2013 at 1:42 am

    @The prophet Nostradumbass:

    Our Annie looks almost exactly like Steve, except that she’s barely 8 pounds. We call her our midget Maine Coon.

    (She doesn’t have many of the behavioral hallmarks of a MC, so we suspect she’s just a long-haired tabby, not an actual MC.)

  26. 26.

    The prophet Nostradumbass

    October 11, 2013 at 1:50 am

    @Mnemosyne (iPhone): Seamus has a tuxedo coat, an uncommon Maine Coon variety to be sure, some of the behavior, and the fur tufts between the toes. I may be able to see if he’s polydactyl if I have a bunch of bandages around.

    ETA: He’s giving me a stink eye right now.

  27. 27.

    coin operated

    October 11, 2013 at 2:17 am

    All I’ve ever owned were Maine Coons, and all of them were smart as hell and complete chatterboxes. The last one, Fredo, was just like Steve…I had to go into my office and close the door if I was on a business call. What…you’re talking to someone else…NOT HAPPENING MEATSACK!!!

    I’m so happy you found Steve. Wish I could have another Maine Coon, but it wouldn’t be fair to subject a pet to my travel schedule.

  28. 28.

    Ruckus

    October 11, 2013 at 2:25 am

    I have no idea why they were able to leave him behind, though. I never could.

    Don’t know about leaving him behind but sometimes you don’t really have a choice in life. The Stones were wrong, sometimes you can’t even get what you need.

  29. 29.

    Yatsuno

    October 11, 2013 at 2:31 am

    I see Papa Stevedore Hemingway is training you proper there Mr Cole.

    I shall alert proper authorirtahs. Also. Too.

  30. 30.

    taylormattd

    October 11, 2013 at 2:53 am

    Awesome.

  31. 31.

    piratedan

    October 11, 2013 at 3:33 am

    @John Cole: well Richard is a great addition, his posts are most welcome on a topic that a lot of people can use help with, so thanks for signing him onboard.

    and a speedy recovery to you Tokyokie

  32. 32.

    WereBear

    October 11, 2013 at 5:23 am

    @KG: But just can’t make it work with cats.

    That is too bad, because cats are made of awesome. For instance, they thrive on spoiling.

    We spoil them, they spoil us back. It’s a great system.

  33. 33.

    p.a.

    October 11, 2013 at 6:13 am

    Aaaaaaannnnddd a good photo!

  34. 34.

    Trinity

    October 11, 2013 at 7:22 am

    Yay Steve! My husband and I just adopted two maine coon mixed kittens last month. They are the most wonderful little family members! My husband worked overnight last night so the cats and I slept in the bed in a pile of purrs. It.was.awesome.

  35. 35.

    Joey Maloney

    October 11, 2013 at 7:29 am

    @AdamK: We call that the Paw Of Possession.

  36. 36.

    aimai

    October 11, 2013 at 7:29 am

    Does he come to get you while you are in the bathroom? Wailing outside? Because if not he’s neither a child nor a siamese. Just sayin’

    Meanwhile–so very glad to have an update on you both. Love and hugs

    aimai

  37. 37.

    Ash Can

    October 11, 2013 at 7:55 am

    A Steve and John Cole sighting! Hooray! Here’s hoping everything works out well, and soon. We miss your grouchy ass around here.

  38. 38.

    WereBear

    October 11, 2013 at 8:11 am

    Some help for Cole:

    Why cats bother us when we are on the phone

  39. 39.

    Sarah, Proud and Tall

    October 11, 2013 at 8:25 am

    Jesus. That’s one ugly chair.

  40. 40.

    Biscuits

    October 11, 2013 at 8:43 am

    My daughter is coming home from school today. Her first since starting as a freshman. Guess who she has missed the most? Our cat. It’s hard to be without the furry little love monster.

    Oh and yay for Steve!

  41. 41.

    Dteller

    October 11, 2013 at 9:01 am

    I always get a little teary when you write about Steve. I’m glad the two of you found each other.

  42. 42.

    schrodinger's cat

    October 11, 2013 at 9:10 am

    Cute Kitteh is cute, that chair on the other hand…

  43. 43.

    TAPX486

    October 11, 2013 at 9:19 am

    Obviously Steve’s training of the human is going exceptional well.

  44. 44.

    Mnemosyne (iPhone)

    October 11, 2013 at 9:49 am

    @aimai:

    Does he come to get you while you are in the bathroom?

    I was unaware that cats existed who did not demand to come into the bathroom if I tried to close the door. All three of ours do, as did our two previous cats. G shuts them out, but Charlotte waits outside the door until he opens it and he’s forced to pet her as penance.

    Our late great Boris insisted on perching on the (closed) toilet seat while I was in the shower to make sure nothing bad happened to me in the little room with the water. In my old apartment where I had a shower curtain, he would sit on the edge of the tub and peer around the edge of the curtain, just to be sure I was okay. We called him Safety Officer Boris.

  45. 45.

    kc

    October 11, 2013 at 10:05 am

    Handsome kitty!

  46. 46.

    ellie

    October 11, 2013 at 11:46 am

    My Maine Coons start meowing very loudly whenever I am on a work-related call (I work from home). Like they are little kids who only want to talk to mom when she is on the phone, kind of like I used to do when I was a little kid. My cats: they are just like me!

  47. 47.

    Mike in DC

    October 11, 2013 at 12:15 pm

    Sounds like Steve is a keeper (but we all knew that awhile ago).

    I’m so glad you found a furry roommate.

    I had 2 maine coons (brother and sister from the same litter) for a long while. I had to put the second of the two down last year (kidney and heart failure). I thought they were the best animals. In may of this year, we adopted a basement cat, who is also a fantastic kitteh.

  48. 48.

    Lurker

    October 11, 2013 at 12:58 pm

    Steve is awesome! The chair… Not so much.

  49. 49.

    Phoebes

    October 11, 2013 at 1:40 pm

    Cole, Glad you popped up with an update on you and Steve. I’m glad you have such good company in your recovery. Looking forward to you returning full time.

  50. 50.

    JustRuss

    October 11, 2013 at 1:58 pm

    Nice to see a Steve update, I was starting to wonder how he was doing.

  51. 51.

    asiangrrlMN

    October 11, 2013 at 10:02 pm

    Sir Whiskertons III looks right at home. What a handsome character he is! You done good, Cole.

    @Yatsuno: Thanks, Yutsy, for sounding the horn!

Comments are closed.

Primary Sidebar

Image by GB in the HC (5/23)

Recent Comments

  • Westyny on War for Ukraine Day 1,184: Stage 1 of the Thousand for a Thousand Exchange (May 24, 2025 @ 1:48am)
  • wjca on War for Ukraine Day 1,184: Stage 1 of the Thousand for a Thousand Exchange (May 24, 2025 @ 1:10am)
  • Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom on War for Ukraine Day 1,184: Stage 1 of the Thousand for a Thousand Exchange (May 24, 2025 @ 12:33am)
  • Noskilz on How about some springtime respite? (May 24, 2025 @ 12:31am)
  • Sister Inspired Revolver of Freedom on War for Ukraine Day 1,184: Stage 1 of the Thousand for a Thousand Exchange (May 24, 2025 @ 12:29am)

PA Supreme Court At Risk

Donate

Balloon Juice Posts

View by Topic
View by Author
View by Month & Year
View by Past Author

Featuring

Medium Cool
Artists in Our Midst
Authors in Our Midst
War in Ukraine
Donate to Razom for Ukraine

🎈Keep Balloon Juice Ad Free

Become a Balloon Juice Patreon
Donate with Venmo, Zelle or PayPal

Meetups

Upcoming Ohio Meetup May 17
5/11 Post about the May 17 Ohio Meetup

Calling All Jackals

Site Feedback
Nominate a Rotating Tag
Submit Photos to On the Road
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Links)
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Posts)
Fix Nyms with Apostrophes

Hands Off! – Denver, San Diego & Austin

Social Media

Balloon Juice
WaterGirl
TaMara
John Cole
DougJ (aka NYT Pitchbot)
Betty Cracker
Tom Levenson
David Anderson
Major Major Major Major
DougJ NYT Pitchbot
mistermix

Keeping Track

Legal Challenges (Lawfare)
Republicans Fleeing Town Halls (TPM)
21 Letters (to Borrow or Steal)
Search Donations from a Brand

PA Supreme Court At Risk

Donate

Site Footer

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Comment Policy
  • Our Authors
  • Blogroll
  • Our Artists
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 Dev Balloon Juice · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!