Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

The willow is too close to the house.

In my day, never was longer.

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

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

Not all heroes wear capes.

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

Conservatism: there are some people the law protects but does not bind and others who the law binds but does not protect.

Too often we hand the biggest microphones to the cynics and the critics who delight in declaring failure.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. let’s win this.

Bark louder, little dog.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

… pundit janitors mopping up after the GOP

Too often we confuse noise with substance. too often we confuse setbacks with defeat.

I’ve spoken to my cat about this, but it doesn’t seem to do any good.

Nothing worth doing is easy.

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

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

I did not have telepathic declassification on my 2022 bingo card.

Balloon Juice has never been a refuge for the linguistically delicate.

Speaking of republicans, is there a way for a political party to declare intellectual bankruptcy?

Come on, man.

Is it irresponsible to speculate? It is irresponsible not to.

You don’t get rid of your umbrella while it’s still raining.

The GOP couldn’t organize an orgy in a whorehouse with a fist full of 50s.

You are here: Home / Pet Blogging / Dog Blogging / Your Morning Moment of Zen

Reader Interactions

67Comments

  4. 4.

    MikeInSewickley

    We’re going to start calling you Dr. Dolittle…

    Again Balloon Juice is allowing me to put up with a crappy day by starting with a bit of heaven with this picture.

    Thanks, Dr. Dolittle …. um… Mr. Cole

  7. 7.

    WaterGirl

    Steve is a good big brother.

    Didn’t they destroy everything in the house while you were sleeping in the bedroom?

  10. 10.

    sharl

    Hot damn, what a sweet capture! Between this and that awesome weasel-on-woodpecker pic, a great morning for photos.

    This photo came just in time; it “neutralizes” what I just saw elsewhere:

    daveweigel ‏@daveweigel
    Just ran into Rabbi Shmuley talking to John Hagee, standing next to Joe Lieberman.

    Head Sanford ‏@Head_Sanford
    @daveweigel How about asking Hagee what he believes will happen to Jews when Jesus returns?

    Dan Myers ‏@DanMyer82366100
    @daveweigel Were you in hell?

  11. 11.

    WaterGirl

    @TaMara (BHF): Huh. That never would have worked at my house. As always, there’s a fine line between brave and stupid.

    How are you and Bixby doing? Is today a good day?

  13. 13.

    Keith G

    Here in Houston, I have enjoyed this recent cold snap. With no heater in my apt, the inside temp moved down to around 58-60. The bed has an electric blank and at bedtime the two kittehs and I gather together for warmth. If I need to get up during the night, I usually incur a weak and sleepy scolding.

  15. 15.

    Mary G

    Such great pictures you are taking lately, John! That is some stratospheric-level squee right there, and very welcome today.

    A video I keep going back to from the weekend – cat vs. chicken.

  16. 16.

    AdamK

    Lovey got the best spot. Tucked in the corner, brother for a blanket, Steve butt for a pillow.

  20. 20.

    The Moar You Know

    OK, that is just fantastic. What a good household you’ve got running there, John.

    Extra bonus points for Steve for knowing how to mom some babies. More cats will do that than you’d think, but it’s nice to see.

  21. 21.

    TaMara (BHF)

    @WaterGirl: When Bixby was really little, once he climbed into bed at night, he didn’t budge, I had to wake him up in the morning to go potty so he didn’t wait too long and have an accident on the way to the door. He loved his warm bed. I think Steve has bewitched them with his fur, purr and warmth.

    B is asleep, so so far, so good. It is killing me to rein in his natural exuberance, but it’s working well and his behavior is changing quickly. So I think after a few more days, I’ll be able to allow a little bit of leeway each day to allow him to figure out where he stands in the family (status: low man) and what’s appropriate for his size and what is not.

    I had to take TUG away from him and that was sooo hard. We’ll bring that back first.

    How’s Henry doing?

  22. 22.

    D58826

    Bibi is being created like he just conquered death. Absolutely disgusting. It was never his intention to make a political speech. And Congress is lapping it up like a crack addict

  24. 24.

    gogol's wife

    Thank you, John. With more snow/ice on the way, I needed that. I have two floofy cats of my own keeping me warm as I read Crime and Punishment.

  25. 25.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    @D58826: I’m disappointed that only seven (I think is the last count) Dem senators are staying away. I hope that most of them at least will remain seated during the inevitable standing O’s. Menendez will probably clap his hands bloody

  26. 26.

    Elie

    Sweet puppies + Steve…. Darling!

    As for Benny — I am staying away for my mental health — avoiding rage.. this is so wrong on so many levels. My feelings about Israel and our interests have changed forever.

  29. 29.

    John Cole +0

    @geg6: Yes. I will forward it. I really hope you want both of them, because it would be horrible to separate them. They are such a good duo and inseparable around here.

  32. 32.

    D58826

    Hitler=Iran. Therefore the US should start WWIII. Quote ‘ we must stand together to stop Iran’s march of conquest’. Oh my. Iran now controls the capital of Iraq. Hmmmm and whose fault is that? He is now linking Sunni ISIS and Shia Iran. As you listen to him the threat is far far more serious than the threat of the old Soviet Union.

    He is now detailing the American negotiating position on the deal with Iran. Glad we have him for an ally.

  33. 33.

    Tommy

    @Elie:

    As for Benny — I am staying away for my mental health — avoiding rage.. this is so wrong on so many levels.

    I try not to make assumptions. Generalization. But I have a number of Jewish friends and clients. EVERYONE of them is liberal. They ALL believe in a two-state solution. Now of course not everybody that is Jewish feels this way, but it is always a stunning reminder to me that all the crap I hear from the right (and even the left) might not be representative.

  34. 34.

    GregB

    The subtext of this entire speech is that President Obama is a fool, a traitor and and actual enemy of America and Israel.

  36. 36.

    Tommy

    If you take away oil, Iran’s number one and number two exports are dates and rugs. Ponder that for a few seconds. I got no idea if Iran is trying to build a nuclear weapon. I can’t tell what is going on there. But I totally understand why they’d want nuclear power. Why would they want to use their most valuable resource, oil, internally, when they (if we lifted restricts) could sell it for cold hard cash? This is something I think about all the time and honestly I can’t get why most of the world seems to not grasp the basic logic of Iran wanting nuclear power.

  38. 38.

    rikyrah

    Sen. Kathleen Vinehout: Another awful Scott Walker idea: privatizing Family Care
    March 02, 2015 5:30 am

    “You have got to be kidding!” a Chippewa Valley advocate responded when I told her about a plan to potentially turn Family Care over to a for-profit insurance company.

    Family Care and its fee-for-service sister, IRIS, provide thousands of Medicaid-eligible frail elderly and disabled people the help they need to remain in their homes. Services could include help getting places, keeping a job, managing money, preparing meals, keeping healthy, bathing and dressing.

    People who benefit from Family Care or IRIS might easily end up in an expensive institution. Personal care and other workers help them stay in their own home and — many times — stay gainfully employed.

    If the current version of the governor’s budget becomes law, it will mean big changes to care for frail elderly and disabled people of modest means. For the rest of us, it could mean many more of our neighbors and family members end up in expensive institutions. Worse yet, folks could be stranded at home without the services they need to independently live and work.

    http://host.madison.com/news/opinion/column/sen-kathleen-vinehout-another-awful-scott-walker-idea-privatizing-family/article_78532e50-fbef-5951-8ace-846102ec07f3.html#ixzz3TKyNyE00

  42. 42.

    Elie

    @Tommy:

    This is wrong Tommy, regardless of what anyone believes the policy should be. For a so called ally to come to our Congress to undermine a foreign policy initiative undertaken by this country is on its face, terrible and without justification. period. Also, what is the alternative for Israel? For us? Do we go to war with Iran or continue sanctions and other punishments just to please them? We need balance in the ME and having a participating Iran will check many of the excesses of not just Israel but Saudi Arabia. Need we be reminded of which country is the most aggressive state sponsor of terrorism????? It aint Iran…

  43. 43.

    JPL

    @John Cole +0: Our local humane society will not allow you to adopt mates from the same litter. I’m not sure the reasoning behind their policy though.

  45. 45.

    Tommy

    @TaMara (BHF): Seems very odd. I had two cats from the same litter. One is no longer with us, but they were like peas in a pod. Maybe if they were not sisters they would have been as close, but I really don’t know. They just seemed to have this connection that was pretty amazing.

  47. 47.

    JPL

    @TaMara (BHF): The concern was about developing a pack mentality. You could adopt two dogs but just not from the same litter. I think if Geg. adopts, Koda will keep them in line.

  48. 48.

    SuperHrefna

    That is such a sweet pic, thanks! It made my evening ( I’m in the UK right now). Maine Coons are such puppy like cats, it doesn’t surprise me at all that Steve lets the puppies be his snugglebuddies.

  49. 49.

    trollhattan

    There are times I slide into thinking Steeeeve is a normal-sized cat. This is not one of those.

    Also, too, awwwwwwww.

  50. 50.

    PurpleGirl

    Squee!. That is so cute. From watching the kitten cams, I’ve learned that the most softest and comfortable pillow is either a sibling or another critter.

    Thanks for the picture, JC.

  51. 51.

    WaterGirl

    @TaMara (BHF):

    B is asleep, so so far, so good. It is killing me to rein in his natural exuberance, but it’s working well and his behavior is changing quickly. So I think after a few more days, I’ll be able to allow a little bit of leeway each day to allow him to figure out where he stands in the family (status: low man) and what’s appropriate for his size and what is not.

    How are you doing that?

    Henry could use to learn his place, too. Different issues because of size, of course, but me, me, me right now right now right now pawing and jumping at the legs is still a big issue.

    You are lucky that your boy is a good sleeper! Henry wakes up if I even roll over in bed. (He’s in a crate on the floor near the bed.)

  52. 52.

    ThresherK

    @JPL: Really? Littermates are the best!

    I don’t know about puppies or grown dogs, seeing as we were a one dog family when I was growing up.

    I thought canines were less choosy about making friends, but when it comes to kitties and cats the finicky feline is soooo much more likely to get along with that critter it’s been smelling since before its eyes opened.

  53. 53.

    WaterGirl

    @geg6: When I asked to see my soon-to-be stripey kitty at the pound, they said “would you consider taking her brother, too? they are bonded and we don’t want to separate them.”

    My reply: “well, I won’t NOT consider it.”

    I took both and I can’t imagine not having done it. I know that’s kitties not puppies but I still think it would be a great move. Siblings bond in a special way, there’s nothing like it. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.

  55. 55.

    WaterGirl

    @JPL: Actually, your comment reminded me of something. I have a friend who had a dog who raised litters for service dogs in California.

    When I was thinking about getting Tucker, I really fell for one of his siblings and considered getting both. Carol was very strong in urging me NOT to take both. The concern is that they will bond with one another instead of with the human.

  56. 56.

    PurpleGirl

    @JPL: That is so wrong. Litter mates going to the same home makes so much sense. They’ve grown together, know each other and can play and keep each other company. I know of several shelters/rescues which try to get litter mates adopted together or which prefer to do this.

  59. 59.

    JPL

    @WaterGirl: That might have been the reason. I didn’t bother with reading their pamphlet about why because I was happy with the one and only Finch.

    also, The humane society where I adopted Finch does follow up calls to see how it’s going, and lets you return animals, no questions asked.

  61. 61.

    ET

    Steve really is a trooper – puppies are challenging for humans much less felines. You got yourself a Great Cat Cole.

  62. 62.

    The Moar You Know

    Our local humane society will not allow you to adopt mates from the same litter. I’m not sure the reasoning behind their policy though.

    @JPL: With cats it’s not a big deal, I’ve raised cat sibling pairs and trios all my life. With dogs it can range from “no problem” to “decision that results in you having to put them all down”.

    Dog littermates can bond to each other and if that happens they won’t bond to humans. Use your imagination on how badly that can go south. A good breeder will never even offer to give you littermates, nor will a good shelter.

  63. 63.

    Mnemosyne (iPhone)

    @rikyrah:

    Our former governator proposed an idea like that here in California. Because we have a majority-Democratic legislature, it was immediately shot down by people pointing out it actually saves the state money to keep people at home. Not sure what WI is going to do since they don’t have our fail-safe.

  65. 65.

    SWMBO

    @The Moar You Know: @JPL: We had 5 dachshunds at one time. Adding dogs and having them die and getting more is a changing pack dynamic. They are ALWAYS a pack. Some higher and some lower in the pack but they always form a pack.

    We were down to one dog when a friend pointed us to a litter of pups. Six in all. Three boys and three girls. We went to Sebring and picked up the twins (she said they were in the same sac). They were a bonded pair so we kept them together. A week later we went back and got the last brother. The three brothers are bonded and close. They all bonded with Pixie and us. We are just bigger members of the pack. Pixie rules with a velvet paw. She lets them practice with her but when she’s had enough, she GRRs and they back off. If they get too rough and one of them squeaks, the others are like “Bro! You ok? We didn’t mean to do that.” They get very apologetic and concerned.

    I think it is as much how you treat them and how they see you (leader of the pack) as it is personal bonding. I wouldn’t trade them for anything and they keep each other company when we’re out.

  67. 67.

    asiangrrlMN

    Omigoooooood! SO cute! I was not alerted by the proper authorities (Yutsy), which is a travesty. Sir Willie Whiskertons III is a puppy whisperer, he is. This is just too damn sweet.

Comments are closed.