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Balloon Juice

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You are here: Home / Absent Friends / Still Miss You Buddy

Still Miss You Buddy

by John Cole|  July 13, 20142:58 pm| 132 Comments

This post is in: Absent Friends

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A year ago today we were hit with a double whammy- the confirmation that longtime commenter General Stuck was in fact dead, and then the sudden death of Tunch. I still think about Tunch every day and don’t feel much like blogging today.

hatehatehatelookfood

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Reader Interactions

132Comments

  1. 1.

    Jane2

    July 13, 2014 at 2:59 pm

    RIP Tunch and Stuck.

  2. 2.

    the Conster

    July 13, 2014 at 3:02 pm

    Big holes got left in this blog.

  3. 3.

    Wag

    July 13, 2014 at 3:03 pm

    @the Conster:

    This

  4. 4.

    MikeJ

    July 13, 2014 at 3:04 pm

    @the Conster: There are plenty of big holes that still comment here.

  5. 5.

    shelley

    July 13, 2014 at 3:05 pm

    The look in that photo. Read in Wikipedia that ‘A group of cats is referred to as a “clowder” or a “glaring”

  6. 6.

    Elie

    July 13, 2014 at 3:06 pm

    Blessings to you John Cole…. and wonderful memories of Tunch and also General Stuck…

    Lost my Mom in April and am missing her and what she meant to my life. That meaning is still unfolding..

    Both Tunch and the General enriched our lives… that was God’s gift to us and we pay it forward by loving and caring for those in our lives — at least that is what I believe —

    Have a beautiful day, John… remember the love and wamth…

  7. 7.

    Violet

    July 13, 2014 at 3:08 pm

    RIP Tunch and General Stuck. Sad day. Big hugs, John.

  8. 8.

    Randy Paul aka Randinho

    July 13, 2014 at 3:08 pm

    Condolences, John.

  9. 9.

    gogol's wife

    July 13, 2014 at 3:10 pm

    I miss them both terribly.

    We also lost a great neighbor yesterday. Cancer sucks.

  10. 10.

    SuperHrefna

    July 13, 2014 at 3:12 pm

    Hugs to you, Cole. Love is love, and the grief after a beloved pet dies is very hard to bear. RIP Tunch and RIP General Stuck.

  11. 11.

    Derelict

    July 13, 2014 at 3:12 pm

    There are no words beyond we share your sorrow.

  12. 12.

    Unabogie

    July 13, 2014 at 3:12 pm

    It’s been almost nine months since our old guy passed on:

    https://balloon-juice.com/2013/11/27/heres-to-fergus/

    Still the world’s best dog.

    Good people and animals are never with us long enough.

  13. 13.

    SuperHrefna

    July 13, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    @Elie: I’m so sorry for the loss of your mother.

  14. 14.

    Chris Grrr

    July 13, 2014 at 3:13 pm

    Hero kitteh!

  15. 15.

    Baud

    July 13, 2014 at 3:15 pm

    That was a sad, sad day.

  16. 16.

    burnspbesq

    July 13, 2014 at 3:15 pm

    Tunch was a mensch, for sure. So was Stuck. Both are missed.

    Since Cole doesn’t fell like blogging, I will be somewhat presumptuous and post the link that he would probably be posting if he felt like blogging. Needless to say, I think this is complete and utter nonsense, but some around here drink up this shit like it was cold beer, so here ya go.

    http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jul/11/the-ultimate-goal-of-the-nsa-is-total-population-control

  17. 17.

    gogol's wife

    July 13, 2014 at 3:16 pm

    @shelley:

    OT replying to your comment in the thread below — I also love Herrmann’s score for Jane Eyre. I have a CD of it that I listen to in the car.

    ETA: Also mourning Tunch and Stuck, as noted above. I didn’t mean to be inappropriate.

  18. 18.

    ThalarctosMaritimus

    July 13, 2014 at 3:18 pm

    Hugs, John. I wish there were words that would help.

  19. 19.

    ruemara

    July 13, 2014 at 3:19 pm

    @burnspbesq: Jesus. Why turn on the batshit signal?

    Scritches across the Rainbow Bridge, Tunch. And I hope Stuck brings the good tuna when he pops in for a visit.

  20. 20.

    Betty Cracker

    July 13, 2014 at 3:19 pm

    Rest in peace, General and Tunch. We had an impromptu wake for both in this morning’s gardening thread. It still doesn’t seem possible.

    @Elie: Condolences to you. I’ve got a mom-shaped hole in my heart too. I don’t think it ever really goes away.

  21. 21.

    Seanly

    July 13, 2014 at 3:20 pm

    We had to put down our sweet girl Ginnie on 4/28/2010 and then our little prince Duncan (her son) on 11/30/2013. I still miss both of them everyday. However, I know they both had a wonderful life.

    We found Ginnie at a gas station in Virginia around Christmas 2001. Duncan and 7 other puppies were born on January 22, 2002. One of them was turned sideways in the birth canal, requiring that Ginnie get a c-section (and we always thought that was the one that didn’t survive). Momma dogs can have trouble bonding with her pups after a c-section (licking off the afterbirth triggers chemical bonding in the momma dog’s brain), but Ginnie took right to them and was a great mom. Based on the first pup being a break birth, Ginnie would’ve died giving birth if we’d not rescued her.

    We gave away 6 of the pups a week or two after Ginnie weaned them.

    Ginnie & Duncan were a huge part of our life for the time we had them. Ginnie was my girl & Duncan was my wife’s boy – we have no children. I have tons of pictures of those two lovable scamps and lots of great memories, but will miss them forever. One of the worst things is that my wife & I realize that we’ll never have dogs like those two again. They were very special and are gone now.

    So… I suppose my point is that you’re not alone in missing & continuing to grieve.

  22. 22.

    bk

    July 13, 2014 at 3:21 pm

    I have outlived many pets. It is always very hard.

  23. 23.

    Svensker

    July 13, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    Was thinking about Stuck just the other day and missing him. There’s a doggie in our neighborhood that looks like his beloved pet.

    Losing friends and loved ones is hard. Doesn’t get easier as things go along, either.

  24. 24.

    Karen in GA

    July 13, 2014 at 3:23 pm

    Very sad. RIP, good General. I love Steve, but I think of Tunch whenever I see pics of Steve.

    Tomorrow my very nice next-door neighbors are ditching their house and moving into an RV at an RV resort. Her father had died of Huntingtons, and she’s starting to show signs of it. So they said fuck it — they’re giving the house back to the bank and they’re going to enjoy the warm climate and the pool they don’t have to maintain, while she’s still healthy enough.

    It would be nice not to say goodbye to anyone anymore, please?

  25. 25.

    FlipYrWhig

    July 13, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    That was a bad day. Strength and peace to all who remember it, and to all who experienced similar events.

  26. 26.

    Tara the Antisocial Social Worker

    July 13, 2014 at 3:27 pm

    When Tunch was killed, someone on here said “It’s like I lost one of my own pets.” Because they were part of all of our lives.

    I’m missing my Sterling today. It feels wrong getting out of bed and not tripping over a moose-sized labrador. The border collies are trying to make up for it, but it’s not the same.

  27. 27.

    geg6

    July 13, 2014 at 3:27 pm

    @the Conster:

    This. Totally this.

    I’ll never forget that day either. I was at my older sister’s birthday party that day and, during a lull in the action, I checked in to BJ and saw the Tunch post and burst into tears. And it was doubly bad when I also saw that Stuck was truly gone. Try to explain why you’ve burst into tears over the news of the demise of a person and cat I’ve never met to a whole bunch of people having fun at a party. I couldn’t, so I just went and took a bit of a walk down the driveway by myself to pull myself together. All I could think of was “poor John Cole! Poor Tunch! Poor Stuck!” I was gone so long, my John came looking for me. At least, I could actually explain what was happening to him and he understood completely. He loves BJ for the gift of Koda.

  28. 28.

    phoebes-in-santa fe

    July 13, 2014 at 3:28 pm

    Cole, we have all lost many loving pets in our times. I take solace knowing I have always given my cats the most love and affection and as good a life as possible. Tunch will always be with you, and that’s how it should be. They say time dulls the pain, and I suppose that’s true, and that the pain turns into a dull ache when we think of those we loved and lost.

    But I’d rather have loved and lost than not have had those wonderful cats in my life. (I think pretty highly of my sons, too!)

  29. 29.

    RobertDSC-Power Mac G5 Dual

    July 13, 2014 at 3:30 pm

    Team Tunch for life. You are greatly missed.

  30. 30.

    CaseyL

    July 13, 2014 at 3:35 pm

    Some traditions have a ceremonial remembrance one year after the death. I think that’s an excellent idea, as the one-year anniversary can re-awaken fresh grief.

    Tunch & Stuck: We will never forget you, and will always miss you.

  31. 31.

    mai naem

    July 13, 2014 at 3:37 pm

    I remember that day, seeing the Tunch pic thinking it was a bad joke. As it was I think I hadn’t checked into BJ so I saw Stuck’s post and Tunch’s together. I’ve cried when Tbogg’s Beckham and Satchmo died and when I saw the post about Tunch.
    RIP Tunch and Stuck.

  32. 32.

    Citizen_X

    July 13, 2014 at 3:39 pm

    Tunch abides.

  33. 33.

    JPL

    July 13, 2014 at 3:43 pm

    John, Tunch provided us with a lot of smiles and laughter. Those are the memories you will cherish. You should repost some of the Tunch videos again, when you are able.
    When Stuck died, it was like losing a friend. They will both be missed.

  34. 34.

    hitchhiker

    July 13, 2014 at 3:51 pm

    One of the ways you know that having pets is good is how goddamn much it hurts to lose them.

    I’m sorry, John. It’s still awful to think of how brutal and sudden that was.

  35. 35.

    MomSense

    July 13, 2014 at 3:56 pm

    Thinking of Tunch and Stuck and the humans and pets who miss them.

  36. 36.

    bemused

    July 13, 2014 at 3:58 pm

    @bk:

    Yes. We’ve outlived 6 dogs and 5 cats in the decades we’ve been married and we both grew up with many pets as children. It never gets “easier” to lose them but we can’t imagine a home without our furry friends. I know a few people who were so crushed by the death of their dog or cat, they can’t bring themselves to get another. I can’t relate to that at all.

  37. 37.

    Mary G

    July 13, 2014 at 4:01 pm

    I remember seeing the RIP, Tunch headline and thinking that John was trying to be funny and that I was offended, then hoping that John was trying to be funny. So sad. Miss him.

    Also Stuck. This is the only blog comment I have ever bookmarked and I still look at it every once in a while when the Hobby Lobby types get me down. He was a crack up and very wise.

  38. 38.

    sharl

    July 13, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    Condolences John Cole, on the occasion of this sad anniversary.

  39. 39.

    beabea

    July 13, 2014 at 4:20 pm

    What a shock that was. I had just decided to finally get with the times and set up an RSS feed. Had just finished picking the blogs I wanted to follow, launched the feed reader, and the very top post read “RIP Tunch, the best cat ever.” Felt simultaneously unreal, and like a punch to the gut.

    RIP Tunch and Stuck. The fact that both are mourned and remembered by so many who never actually met them, tells you a lot about the kind of place this is. I hope that gives you a bit of peace and comfort today, John.

  40. 40.

    Pogonip

    July 13, 2014 at 4:24 pm

    Tunch is sitting on Saint Francis’s lap. Francis is scratching Tunch’s ears and thinking, “This is the fattest cat that’s come across the Rainbow Bridge in at least the last thousand years.”

  41. 41.

    WaterGirl

    July 13, 2014 at 4:28 pm

    Tunch is such a beautiful boy, with such a big presence. It’s hard to comprehend that he’s truly gone. I know it’s been a year since that horrible day, but right now it feels like yesterday. So very sad, I am in tears again.

    General Stuck, I salute you. You are missed.

  42. 42.

    Elie

    July 13, 2014 at 4:29 pm

    @SuperHrefna:

    Thank you so much…very appreciated

  43. 43.

    rikyrah

    July 13, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    Still miss Tunch, who always freaked me out.

    It’s ok, Cole. let the animals help you today.

  44. 44.

    JPL

    July 13, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    Commenter Danielx ‘s cat, Eric was bitten by a pit bull. Fortunately, the dog grabbed the cat’s shoulder and not the neck. Has he/she posted about Eric’s condition recently?

  45. 45.

    Pogonip

    July 13, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    On the bright side of life, female Arizona State students can receive extra credit (the article didn’t specify what class) for not shaving their armpits for 10 weeks.

    Easiest. A. Ever.

  46. 46.

    trollhattan

    July 13, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    :-{

    That is all.

  47. 47.

    Elie

    July 13, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    @Betty Cracker:

    Thank you Betty…

    Being with her at the last was both beautiful and horrible…something that I am still working through. She was my deepest friend in this life… there is no replacement for what she meant to me. I am slowly coming out of the fog though and finding my light again…

  48. 48.

    WereBear

    July 13, 2014 at 4:41 pm

    Those who live in our hearts are not quite gone.

  49. 49.

    Tommy

    July 13, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    This might sound sad but I couldn’t imagine a world where my cat wasn’t around me. I so understand the pain of Cole’s lost.

  50. 50.

    WereBear

    July 13, 2014 at 4:45 pm

    @Seanly: One of the worst things is that my wife & I realize that we’ll never have dogs like those two again. They were very special and are gone now.

    Yes, I know, they were a special experience that can never be duplicated.

    But that does not mean we can have another special experience that is different, and equally wonderful.

    I was devastated to lose Myron and Bubby and Chip and Natasha. But if I had stopped there, I never would have had James Bond and Reverend Jim and Olwyn and Sir Tristan, and just recently, Mithrandir.

    It is up to you whether you wish to have another dog or dogs. But do not think such love cannot be repeated.

    Renewal is its very nature.

  51. 51.

    JPL

    July 13, 2014 at 4:46 pm

    @Elie: It takes a long time but you will start to remember the happier times.

  52. 52.

    TaMara (BHF)

    July 13, 2014 at 4:47 pm

    Still brings tears to my eyes.

    The best thing about this blog is how we support each other through loss.

    And John Cole, Tunch was one of a kind. Big hugs to you and your brother and sister, because I’m sure it’s not an easy anniversary for them either. XO

  53. 53.

    Elie

    July 13, 2014 at 4:50 pm

    @TaMara (BHF):

    well said — everyone needs the love to heal…

    It also deepens our love for each other.

  54. 54.

    TaMara (BHF)

    July 13, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    @Elie: Big hug to you, too. I’m sorry for the loss of your mom.

  55. 55.

    Cermet

    July 13, 2014 at 4:54 pm

    Hang in there; your new cat really appears to be a character, as well; and that is good. Life is full of ups and, unfortunately, downs.

  56. 56.

    Steeplejack

    July 13, 2014 at 4:56 pm

    @JPL:

    There was an update this morning.

  57. 57.

    Villago Delenda Est

    July 13, 2014 at 4:57 pm

    Big hugs to all in honor of Tunch and Stuck.

    OT from Noisemax:

    Marsha Blackburn: Obama Playing ‘Political Games’ with Children’s Lives

    It’s always projection with these assholes. Always.

  58. 58.

    Elizabelle

    July 13, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    Both unforgettable; one possibly more photogenic than the other.

    Thinking of you, JCole.

    PS: Tunch is moving so much merchandise, he probably wants to go medieval on your ass for not getting him an agent and publicist. He coulda been international.

  59. 59.

    Villago Delenda Est

    July 13, 2014 at 4:58 pm

    @Pogonip: Most of the fat cats of the two legged kind go to the other place, so it’s natural that Tunch has a lap all to himself.

  60. 60.

    JPL

    July 13, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    @Steeplejack: Thank you. I hope that Eric will continue to fight and it seems that some had pretty good suggestions about food.

  61. 61.

    kc

    July 13, 2014 at 5:02 pm

    Love that face.

  62. 62.

    LT

    July 13, 2014 at 5:09 pm

    Here’s to your little buddy, John.

  63. 63.

    MazeDancer

    July 13, 2014 at 5:15 pm

    Tunch was beloved in an extraordinary manner and so remarkable a cat that he became important to people who never even got to pet him outside of pixels. All of us will remember that day a year ago and the deep, disbelieving gasp at seeing that post’s impossible headline.

    But more, we will remember what a once-in-a-lifetime kitty he was for you, John Cole. Reminding us all that all our pets are uniquely wondrous. And how lucky we are they grace our lives. No matter the amount of time we get with the splendor of each furry being, every day of that time is a forever gift. Thank you for sharing Tunch with us.

    @Mary G:
    That was some great comment. Clearly, the General had a way with thoughts and words.

  64. 64.

    Seanogar1

    July 13, 2014 at 5:18 pm

    @Derelict: This.

  65. 65.

    PaulW

    July 13, 2014 at 5:26 pm

    Tunch’s Feed icongraphy will outlast the history of mankind. Future alien races will understand what Cat God-Emperors were like…

  66. 66.

    Yatsuno

    July 13, 2014 at 5:32 pm

    Proper authoritahs have been alerted.

    And he was some cat for sure.

  67. 67.

    ranchandsyrup

    July 13, 2014 at 5:32 pm

    Don’t blame you for not wanting to blawg. My daughter still has the pic of Tunch that we used for a meetup in her room because she thinks he’s cute.

  68. 68.

    asiangrrlMN

    July 13, 2014 at 5:38 pm

    Has it really been that long? I remember it like it was yesterday. General Stuck and I had some good late-night convos when no one else was around. He gave as well as he got, and he never backed down. Yeah, he was an ornery ole cuss, but he had a really good heart as well. Anyone who loved Charlie the way he did had to be a good person.

    As for Tunchie, I still tear up when I think about him. Any time Cole posted a pic of him, it made my entire day. I’ve played his videos more than once just to see him in ‘action’ once again. He was a king among cats, and the world is a bit dimmer without him around. Cole, you were lucky to have him just as he was lucky to have you. Thank you for sharing your buddy so freely with us and we all mourn with you.

  69. 69.

    cckids

    July 13, 2014 at 5:39 pm

    @Elie: I’m sorry about your mom. My siblings & I were all able to be there for my dad’s last night; I completely understand what you mean about it being both beautiful and terrible at the same time. We lost him right after Easter; still coming to grips with a different world, one without him in it.

    And, like so many here, I remember the Tunch post & day all too clearly. Hugs & condolences to you, John. Keep the other piglets close & hang in there.

  70. 70.

    WereBear

    July 13, 2014 at 5:43 pm

    @Elie: So sorry for your loss.

    It is a great loss, but it means her love was a wondrous gift.

  71. 71.

    taylormattd

    July 13, 2014 at 5:46 pm

    <3 Tunch

  72. 72.

    Riley's Enabler

    July 13, 2014 at 5:56 pm

    Thoughts to the Cole clan and Stuck’s family as well.

    You never forget the wonderful petchildren. I often remember the ones who have passed, especially fondly when the two I have now eat my newish shoes or barf on the carpet. Repeatedly. After eating something dark colored and stinky. I’m sure those that have passed never did anything of the sort. Ahuh.

    And I miss them all anyway. Thoughts to you, JC.

  73. 73.

    James Hare

    July 13, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    I miss him too. Tunch is the reason I kept coming here after one post I can’t even remember. Glad you have Steve but wish you could have both. I’ll pour one out for missing friends tonight.

  74. 74.

    James Hare

    July 13, 2014 at 6:00 pm

    I miss him too. Tunch is the reason I kept coming here after one post I can’t even remember. Glad you have Steve but wish you could have both. I’ll pour one out for missing friends tonight.

  75. 75.

    EmDeeAhr

    July 13, 2014 at 6:06 pm

    It’s my loss not to have known the General beyond reading the comments.

    As for Tunch, hundreds and hundreds of kittehs and puppehs celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and more thanks to the work he did with the animal rescue shelters. He saved more of them than we can probably ever count.

    Said it before, will say it again. That cat was a goddam hero.

  76. 76.

    cmm

    July 13, 2014 at 6:07 pm

    Still sad about Tunch. Reading that post was a gutpunch I still remember clearly and I only knew him through you and only know you through a screen. I can’t imagine how awful it was to live through it. I am so glad, though, that you and Steve found each other, though I know he can never replace the magnificent bastard that was Tunch. The highest compliment I can pay to both cats, and your love for them, is that your photos and stories make me wish I were not allergic to cats. Peace to you, RIP to Tunch, and an offering of virtual skritches and steak to your other amazing animals.

  77. 77.

    raven

    July 13, 2014 at 6:09 pm

    @cckids: Yep, I never thought watching him die would be a positive thing but it was.

  78. 78.

    Pogonip

    July 13, 2014 at 6:14 pm

    @Riley’s Enabler: At first I misread this as “…when I eat my newish shoes or barf on the carpet.”. O_O! says I, and looked a little closer.

  79. 79.

    Drunken hausfrau

    July 13, 2014 at 6:17 pm

    Toasting to Tunch & Gen Stuck! Even in sadness, it’s good to remember and savor the love we still hold for those not with us.

    XO ¥ (pretend that is a martini glass emogi, with an olive)

  80. 80.

    Elie

    July 13, 2014 at 6:18 pm

    @cckids:

    My sympathy and empathy to you as well.

    My sister and I talk often about that day and that experience — in our case, it was Palm Sunday….

    One thing that helped me a lot was our having beautiful music and readings at her memorial service… It seemed that only the arts and the spiritual could touch that place so empty. We were fortunate to have a wonderful young soprano to sing “I know that my redeemer liveth” and she was amazing… I know now why they always say that funerals and memorial services are for the living…

  81. 81.

    satby

    July 13, 2014 at 6:20 pm

    @Elie: Elie, condolences on the passing of your mom. It will get better, but as this thread and the gardening one this morning demonstrates, the sadness never goes completely away; a sudden memory can have the grief rush in again. A bit less overwhelming each time though.

    Watergirl and I have exchanged emails over at my soap shop, and I told her there how happy I was to find Balloon Juice so many years ago. You’re all my tribe, and confirming Stuck was gone had me crying all that day; and then Tunch! I was a basket case. I hope John can take comfort in how much he and Tunch mean to the community he built here and how special a place it is. RIP, Tunch and the General!

  82. 82.

    jl

    July 13, 2014 at 6:22 pm

    In memory of Gen Stuck and the Tunchster.

  83. 83.

    Emma

    July 13, 2014 at 6:23 pm

    It’s been a year already? God.

    You do realize that Tunchie is now King Tunch the First of Cat Heaven. Because cats demand a Heaven.

  84. 84.

    pamelabrown53

    July 13, 2014 at 6:24 pm

    So many beautiful thoughts and heartfelt comments. So glad I found a place where the community takes time to give love and tribute to those pets and humans who crossed our path and provided us love and solace.

  85. 85.

    Elie

    July 13, 2014 at 6:26 pm

    @satby:

    I remember the General so well .. he was very supportive to me when I first ventured to start commenting on BJ and he was smashingly funny and sharp as well.

    Tunch’s death was a horrible experience for John and his extended family — us.

    We go on and just keep loving and that love heals us and makes our connection to those living and also to those we have lost…

  86. 86.

    HR Progressive

    July 13, 2014 at 6:38 pm

    Tunch was, and forever will be, a big part of this corner of the web. We’ll never forget him, for sure.

  87. 87.

    Cain

    July 13, 2014 at 6:39 pm

    Missing my KitKat, it is the same, I think about him every day. Like most pet owners, it always feel like when you have a pet you’ve grown so close to, it is like a gift of some sort. Something so precious. When it is gone, it feels like your heart was broken.

  88. 88.

    JenJen

    July 13, 2014 at 6:41 pm

    Hugs, John. :-(

  89. 89.

    TaMara (BHF)

    July 13, 2014 at 6:44 pm

    @PaulW: That made me smile. Thanks.

  90. 90.

    GHayduke (formerly lojasmo)

    July 13, 2014 at 6:46 pm

    that was the suck.

  91. 91.

    RF

    July 13, 2014 at 6:49 pm

    Miss you, Tunch. And, again, my condolences to you John.

  92. 92.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 13, 2014 at 6:52 pm

    @Svensker:

    I saved one or two photos of Charlie (Stuck’s little dog) and whenever I see them in the albums I always find myself wondering how he’s doing — and missing the General, of course. Anyone remember those keel-over gorgeous hummingbird photos he used to post? I loved it when he and JeffreyW got into friendly competitions — who has the most hummies feeding? who captured the best picture today? etc.

    As for Tunch, I said all I can say at the time, and this morning in the garden thread. Miss him amazingly. Imagine if I had actually known him in the floof.

  93. 93.

    exurbanmom

    July 13, 2014 at 6:55 pm

    I am mostly a lurker in these parts, but I remain very grateful for this community. My life has been pretty sucky for the last 18 months, and reading the commentary of people like all of you has been a godsend. I am among those who gasped in horror at the news that Tunch had left this world…and losing the General at the same time was just too much. Raising a toast in their honor, and wishing for a better 12 months going forward.

  94. 94.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 13, 2014 at 6:58 pm

    @Pogonip:

    On the bright side of life, female Arizona State students can receive extra credit (the article didn’t specify what class) for not shaving their armpits for 10 weeks.

    Easiest. A. Ever.

    If Harry Potter married Zasu Pitts, he’d be ….

  95. 95.

    Trinity

    July 13, 2014 at 6:58 pm

    They were both special souls. RIP.

  96. 96.

    WaterGirl

    July 13, 2014 at 7:07 pm

    I saved some bookmarks from General Stuck.

    Here is Stuck’s flickr stream, complete with photos of Charlie: https://www.flickr.com/photos/oxpecker/page1/

    Here is the link to Stuck’s blog: http://iraqrev.blogspot.com

  97. 97.

    SG

    July 13, 2014 at 7:09 pm

    I would come here looking for Tunch news. I read that headline and my heart sunk. I read the post and my heart broke.

    Tunch will never be forgotten in my house. He has become a present participle around here, in fact, an ever-present participle. When any of our cats gets that look, or gathers himself into a rotund ball, we say, “Look, he’s Tunching.”

    Condolences to you on this sad anniversary, John.

  98. 98.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 13, 2014 at 7:20 pm

    A year ago today we were hit with a double whammy

    Actually a triple whammy before midnight struck. Just to put a big ole fuck you exclamation point on the day, a jury in Florida acquitted George Zimmerman in the death of Trayvon Martin. I think John even posted about it, something like “What, this day wasn’t sucky enough?”

    As I said this morning in the garden thread, July 13, 2013 can go DIAF and won’t be missed.

  99. 99.

    WaterGirl

    July 13, 2014 at 7:23 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Go look at a photo of Charlie, I know you’ll feel better if you do.

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/oxpecker/page1/

  100. 100.

    WaterGirl

    July 13, 2014 at 7:25 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: I remember the day Stuck brought Charlie home for the first time. Happy day.

  101. 101.

    the Conster

    July 13, 2014 at 7:28 pm

    @WaterGirl:

    I have something in my eyes :(

    He was my favorite commenter here, which was great because he was in every single thread. He and his plastic unicorn made me laugh out loud.

  102. 102.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 13, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    @WaterGirl:

    Those are some incredible photos. And Charlie is as adorable as I remember. I hope he’s happy, and bringing joy to the people in his new forever home.

    Have bookmarked the link, thanks.

  103. 103.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 13, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    @SG:

    Tunch will never be forgotten in my house. He has become a present participle around here, in fact, an ever-present participle. When any of our cats gets that look, or gathers himself into a rotund ball, we say, “Look, he’s Tunching.”

    I believe that would be a gerund, not a participle.

    #tunchgrammarnazi

  104. 104.

    WaterGirl

    July 13, 2014 at 7:37 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: You had kind of a crush on Charlie, as I recall. That was you, wasn’t it? Often asking for a photo of Charlie. We always got a Charlie sighting whenever he got a bath.

  105. 105.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 13, 2014 at 7:39 pm

    @WaterGirl:

    Yup, it was me. I’m not that much of a dog person (don’t hate me, I like them, I’ve just never had dogs or spent much time with them), but there was something about Charlie, especially his profile, that just simultaneously cracked me up and melted my heart.

  106. 106.

    satby

    July 13, 2014 at 7:41 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Stuck loved that little guy. Hope Charlie is doing well.

  107. 107.

    gogol's wife

    July 13, 2014 at 7:45 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne:

    Charlie could have starred in a 1930s movie. And if you know me, you know that’s the highest praise I can give.

    This is a touching thread.

  108. 108.

    Suzanne

    July 13, 2014 at 7:48 pm

    The moment I saw the words “RIP Tunch” at the top of the page a year ago, I immediately screamed “OH MY GOD” and Mr. Suzanne came running over, and we were both so stunned and sad. We love our pets so, so much, and we felt so heartbroken about a cat we never met. Imagine how we are about the ones we have loved and lost.

    I did not have the long history with Stuck that many others had, but he always made me laugh or made me think, and that is not something I can say about many.

    Last year was total The Suck. Personally, we had much hardship, as did many of our friends and family. And here, so many people I only know through ones and zeroes but still care for very much, also had so much pain. Fuck that. It is over. Time for healing and happiness.

  109. 109.

    schrodinger's cat

    July 13, 2014 at 7:53 pm

    I miss him too! I came for the snark and stayed for Tunch.

    ETA: I had gone for a day trip to Saratoga Springs and was shocked to read BJ after I got back that night.

  110. 110.

    WaterGirl

    July 13, 2014 at 7:55 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: Charlie was a cutie. I’m sure he is well loved in his new home. Didn’t some family member take him in?

    Does anyone remember all of General Stuck’s nyms? I know it evolved over time, but I can’t recall what any of the others were.

  111. 111.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 13, 2014 at 7:57 pm

    A lot of people here have lost beloved cats. I don’t care how old you are, and I don’t care whether or not you are a believer. Go order (or at least check out from the library) this incredibly beautiful wonderful book.
    I’m serious. It is meant for little kids, but a friend gave it to me when my Heather and then her brother Hamish died in quick succession. It’s beautiful and funny and profound and light-hearted, and honestly, even though it talks about heaven and angels and God, you can be the world’s most adamant atheist and you will still love this book if you love cats.

    I think there’s a dog version, but I’m not familiar with it.

  112. 112.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 13, 2014 at 8:01 pm

    @gogol’s wife:

    William Powell and Myrna Loy?

  113. 113.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 13, 2014 at 8:06 pm

    @gogol’s wife:

    DUINNE’S LAW: Any Balloon Juice thread, no matter the ostensive topic, will, given sufficient time, become a movie and/or music thread.

    You read it here first, folks.

  114. 114.

    realbtl

    July 13, 2014 at 8:06 pm

    @WaterGirl:
    I first came across him as “stuck in the funhouse”, then General winfield stuck. There may have been some other iterations that I don’t remember
    .RIP Stuck and Tunch

  115. 115.

    AkaDad

    July 13, 2014 at 8:08 pm

    I feel bad that I once said Tunch is so large, he’s considered a landmark on Google Earth.

    I miss him a lot.

  116. 116.

    WaterGirl

    July 13, 2014 at 8:09 pm

    @SiubhanDuinne: This is crazy. I checked out Cat Heaven at the link and also searched for Dog Heaven by the same author.

    It turns out I purchased both books in the fall of 2010, which would have been when my kitty soulmate Quiver was dying. I swear I have never seen either book. I checked the shipping address, and I had them shipped to me. What would I have done with those books, and why don’t I remember them????

  117. 117.

    WaterGirl

    July 13, 2014 at 8:12 pm

    @realbtl: Yes! Those were the two I was trying to think of. Thank you.

  118. 118.

    Ruckus

    July 13, 2014 at 8:37 pm

    @Mary G:
    You saved one of Stuck’s good ones, although there were many good ones to choose from. He was an ornery old dude(as a member of the same club I don’t think he would mind me saying that) and his voice is missed here.
    RIP Tunch and Stuck.

  119. 119.

    SiubhanDuinne

    July 13, 2014 at 8:40 pm

    @WaterGirl:

    That’s bizarre. Maybe you did what I have been known to do during times of great stress, you possibly tucked the Amazon package away safely for future reference (“No need to open that parcel, I totally know what’s in it”), then forgot about it.

    No worries. When you need it, it will show up. Trust me and TaMara on that.

  120. 120.

    Ruckus

    July 13, 2014 at 8:44 pm

    @Elie: @raven:

    Sort of a twofer here. Elie, sorry about your mom. Raven’s comment reminded me of my dad’s passing, I held him in my arms as he went and it was at best a bitter sweet moment. I worked every day with him for years and owned the business he started for years after he retired. But he had Alzheimer’s and his last few years were a living hell. So is a way it was a relief for his pain to be over. I hope better for the rest of us.

  121. 121.

    Ruckus

    July 13, 2014 at 8:52 pm

    @AkaDad:
    Don’t think you should. It was a funny comment at the time and that’s what counts.

  122. 122.

    MomSense

    July 13, 2014 at 9:05 pm

    I miss Tunch and Stuck! John, I hope that all the happy memories of Tunch are softening the grief you still feel. He was a great cat–one of the all time great cats!

    Spent the weekend with the kids at the North Atlantic Blues Festival–great music and a lot of fun! Now we are home watching Germany v Argentina and avoiding all internet, news, radio, tv. I’m afraid to even read the comments in case someone gives up the score.

    My mom stayed at the house to watch the animals and she was sort of shocked by how much our old lab has declined. I think we are used to it because it has been a slow decline so I had to find a nice way of asking my mom to please not sound so panicked and alarmed by the fact that he doesn’t even wake up for his meals now. He is not in any pain and happy to just sleep while the busyness of the house happens around him.

    He still makes the trek upstairs at the end of the day to sleep with his boy. Most nights my son has to carry him up the stairs but he is still doing his best to keep to his routine. I just love everything about this old guy–the bald patches, white hair, even the atrocious breath and somehow still see the puppy in his eyes when his boys are giving him skritches or he is about to get a treat.

    He has good days and bad and we are all determined to just enjoy every moment we have with him.

  123. 123.

    erlking

    July 13, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    Que viva Tunch y Stuck.Missed to this day.

  124. 124.

    Ruckus

    July 13, 2014 at 9:12 pm

    @MomSense:

    He has good days and bad and we are all determined to just enjoy every moment we have with him.

    Really, is there any thing else in life?

  125. 125.

    MomSense

    July 13, 2014 at 9:19 pm

    @Ruckus:

    I figure this experience is teaching my boys more than I ever could about what is important in life.

  126. 126.

    WaterGirl

    July 13, 2014 at 9:40 pm

    @MomSense: I just want to take a moment to say that you are one of the people here that have led me to think how great it would be to have a mom like you. Your boys are very lucky.

  127. 127.

    Ruckus

    July 13, 2014 at 10:44 pm

    @MomSense:
    Whose giving them the experience? Don’t sell yourself short, it’s you and the mutt.

  128. 128.

    Valdivia

    July 13, 2014 at 10:46 pm

    Very late to this but just wanted to say–can’t believe it’s been a year. Miss him a lot! Hugs for you John!

    Miss Stuck too. Sigh.

  129. 129.

    David Koch

    July 14, 2014 at 12:46 am

    pouring some out for Tunch and Stuck

    Here’s too ya, guys – clink!

  130. 130.

    notorious JRT

    July 14, 2014 at 2:51 am

    @Karen in GA:

    but I think of Tunch whenever I see pics of Steve.

    Me,too, and I think Tunch must have sent Steve to John. Someone had to keep Rosie from taking over,

    I still recall John talking about spending time under his covers w/ Lilly and Rosie as a “Dutch oven of grief.” I felt like I was right there with him.

    RIP Tunchie.

  131. 131.

    Seanly

    July 14, 2014 at 10:59 am

    @WereBear:

    We took in another dog September of 2012. She’s an older lab named Chula (we kept the name – figured she was too old to learn a new one). She had been returned to the ASPCA a couple of times. We thought it’d be good for Duncan to have a companion animal, but he had gotten too old to play (we thought – turned out he was favoring his bad knee too much). They got along good enough but didn’t play much.

    We’ll probably stay with just Chula until my wife’s leukemia treatments are done & way in our rear window.

  132. 132.

    mr_gravity

    July 14, 2014 at 2:12 pm

    Had the tragic events of last year not unfolded the way they did I would most likely not have an unruly, unmanageable, and totally lovable Australian Shepherd mix sleeping in my kitchen today.

    So……………..? From the darkest cloud a little rain falls.

    You should know that the big cat is still touching lives.

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