Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Thanks to your bullshit, we are now under siege.

Republicans don’t want a speaker to lead them; they want a hostage.

Don’t expect peaches from an apple tree.

Everybody saw this coming.

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

Proof that we need a blogger ethics panel.

Good lord, these people are nuts.

Authoritarian republicans are opposed to freedom for the rest of us.

The next time the wall street journal editorial board speaks the truth will be the first.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

Putin dreamed of ending NATO, and now it’s Finnish-ed.

I really should read my own blog.

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

Putting aside our relentless self-interest because the moral imperative is crystal clear.

The GOP is a fucking disgrace.

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

It’s time for the GOP to dust off that post-2012 autopsy, completely ignore it, and light the party on fire again.

They’re not red states to be hated; they are voter suppression states to be fixed.

Nancy smash is sick of your bullshit.

Why is it so hard for them to condemn hate?

Let me eat cake. The rest of you could stand to lose some weight, frankly.

Schmidt just says fuck it, opens a tea shop.

A thin legal pretext to veneer over their personal religious and political desires

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

You are here: Home / Absent Friends / Patsy Marie (2009-2018)

Reader Interactions

288Comments

  22. 22.

    Virginia

    So, so sorry for your loss. Patsy Marie was just one of the best dog names, ever. She was a good, good, girl.

    My thoughts and love are with you.

  23. 23.

    Patricia Kayden

    As a fellow Boxer Mom, I send my warmest condolences to you, Betty. ((To your whole family))

  30. 30.

    MoxieM

    Oh, I could not be more sorry for you & yours. Sending warmest comfort. So, so hard to lose a dog of the heart–

  35. 35.

    ljt

    ‘Having a dog will bless you with the happiest days of your life, and one of the worst days.’ Holding you and your family in my heart on this, one of your worst days.

  48. 48.

    Cckids

    So, so sorry! The vignettes you’ve shared from your life with Patsy Marie have brightened so many days; we all feel we knew her. We’ve lost three furkids in a year; you miss them so damn much. Know that lots of jackels are thinking of you.

  50. 50.

    mainmata

    All I can do is echo my fellow Juicers. We have a mixed boxer/pointer rescue and she is so smart and full of personality. I can only imagine your loss. My condolences.

  52. 52.

    NotoriousJRT

    I am so sorry. I wish you solace – even if it can’t be today. One thing about being part of a community of animal lovers whose pets are family: this happens with painful regularity. I understand your loss, having been there myself.

  53. 53.

    SiubhanDuinne

    Oh no no no. Heartbroken for you and Mr and Miss Cracker, and for Daisy (who will miss her companion). Love and sympathy to you all.

  55. 55.

    tesslibrarian

    My deepest condolences to you and your family. Patsy Marie was such a good girl, and was blessed with the best name of any dog I’ve known and had such loving humans. Sending love to your household tonight.

  58. 58.

    Another Scott

    Very sorry, Betty. :-( Condolences to you, and Mr. Cracker and Daisy.

    And condolences to everyone else who has lost a fur baby recently. It’s hard…

    Remember the good times.

    Best wishes,
    Scott.

  59. 59.

    gammyjill

    She looked like a beautiful and wonderful companion to you. I’m so sorry you’ve lost her. The only thing to remember is that you probably gave her as much joy as she gave you. I don’t think I believe in heaven for people, but, just maybe our loving cats and dogs are romping away somewhere, free of pain and care.

  61. 61.

    Alain the site fixer

    Omg I’m so sorry Betty. I was just logging in for good night reading and shocked. Love to you and yours and hope for a good night’s sleep.

  72. 72.

    Jane2

    Condolences to you and the Cracker family….Patsy’s stories were always a joy to read and you will all miss her terribly.

  77. 77.

    orchid moon

    So sorry for your loss of Patsy Marie. It’s so hard to lose our fur babies. Sending positive thoughts your way.

  79. 79.

    PIGL

    Not much to add, BC, except that I am also sorry to hear of your loss. I enjoyed your stories about your two boxer girls.

  88. 88.

    Elizabelle

    Betty, I’m so sorry to hear this. Hugs to you, Crackerfamily, and Daisy. Pets never live long enough.

  91. 91.

    thalarctosMaritimus

    I’m so very sorry, Betty. What a good dog Patsy Marie was. I hope her memories are of solace to you.

  95. 95.

    Steeplejack

    Oh, damn, as soon as I saw the post title . . .

    So sorry, Betty. My condolences to you and the mister.

  96. 96.

    marcopolo

    My sincerest heartfelt condolences. I’ve been there myself. Patsy was a lovely beast. It’s obvious from all your previous posts that she, you, and your family shared a great life together. May she RIP.

  98. 98.

    cain

    So sorry for your to both you and your husband, Betty! :( I’ve never met a dog that I didn’t love. I teared up just seeing the post.

  99. 99.

    CaseyL

    She was a wonderful girl. Your Tales of the Boxers have always brightened my day, and I am so very sorry for your loss.

  101. 101.

    Jean

    Such sad news. She seemed such a wonderful companion! We’ve lost two dogs in the past year, and we still miss them. It’s the hardest part of loving one’s furry friends.

  105. 105.

    MjOregon

    Having been where you are too many times in my life, I know there are no words of comfort that you truly hear on the day of losing a treasured companion like Patsy Marie. There is only the pain of loss. But we all are so very, very sorry to hear of this, Betty. She was a good dog, loyal and true. And goofy sometimes, as all dogs can be. Sending gentle hugs to you and your family tonight.

  106. 106.

    NotoriousJRT

    @ed:
    So sorry for your loss. You are so right about it being hard to deal with. I wish you some comfort from fond memories.

  114. 114.

    trollhattan

    Noooo! So very sorry Betty, adieu noble Patsy-Marie. Never met a boxer I didn’t like, wonderful dogs.

  115. 115.

    martian

    She looks like the best girl. I am so very sorry for your loss. My heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

  120. 120.

    moonbat

    I am so sorry, Betty. It’s the worst feeling in the world having to give up their pure souls, I know. Hang in there.

  121. 121.

    Mohagan

    I’m so sorry. Please accept my deepest condolences. She had a wonderful life with you, if that is any comfort.

  132. 132.

    Trinity

    Oh Betty. Much love and strength to you and your family. She was a beautiful girl. You were blessed to have one another.

  139. 139.

    1000 flouncing lurkers (was fidelio)

    I’m so sorry. She was, by all reports, a sweetie pie squared.

    The Roman Catholic priest in our neighborhood once told my landlady about a conversation he had with a grieving dog owner who wanted to have masses said for her dog. He had to tell her this wasn’t possible. Seeing the cloud of wrath looming on the horizon, he had the wit to say “You know, dogs don’t need to be saved–they are without original sin, because they’re just the way God intended them to be, and unlike us, they’ve never strayed.”

  141. 141.

    spudgun

    Oh, Betty, I’m so heartbroken for you…I’m so very sorry for your loss.

    Jeez, January can just eff right off… *sigh*

  145. 145.

    Julia

    My sincere condolences, BC! I loved her pictures, loved her name, and know how much you loved Patsy Marie.

  151. 151.

    Elie

    I send you many hugs and deep condolences on your loss. Wasn’t it great though having and loving her? Wonderful!

  152. 152.

    SWMBO

    So sorry to hear this. She was a much loved member of your family and the Balloon Juice jackals. Peace and comfort to you all. Hugs to the entire Cracker family–including the chickens…

  155. 155.

    MazeDancer

    Sending you much Light and many pixel hugs. Beautiful doggie girl. Such a terrible loss. Many condolences.

  156. 156.

    Mel

    Oh, Betty – I am so very sorry. What a lovely and funny and wonderful girl she must have been.

    Thank you for giving her a beautiful life filled with kindness and toys and play and squirrels to chase and long walks and soft beds and the certainty that she was always, always safe and so dearly loved.

    My heart goes out to you and yours.

  159. 159.

    Debbie(aussie)

    Oh BC I am so so sorry. What devastating news. Please accept my most sincere condolences, I hold you, your hubby and daughter in my heart and send you love.
    ??Debs??

  162. 162.

    J R in WV

    Oh, Betty, I’m so sorry for your loss. Condolences to you and Mr Cracker, and Daisy and the chickens. She was such a good dog.

    I had a tall rangy boxer all through my childhood, she would drool with happiness when we ran in the woods. That was so long ago now, but you never forget the good dogs!! None of you will ever forget what a good dog she was. Hug everyone for we jackals out here…

  170. 170.

    geg6

    OMG, I had her name and face runing through my thoughts yesterday for some reason and now I know why. Sweet Patsy Marie! My thoughts are with you, Mr. Cracker, your daughter and Daisy.

  172. 172.

    lowtechcyclist

    Our furry friends have much shorter lifespans than we do, so we know when we bring them into our lives, we’re going to have to say goodbye someday.

    That doesn’t make it any easier when it happens. Comforting thoughts going out to you, Betty.

  176. 176.

    Nancy Horn

    Oh, Betty. We’re all just in shock, and sympathize very deeply. But do know this: she’s still there, doing all her Patsy things. You just can’t see her (although you may: sometimes the veil gets lifted). But she’s still hanging around, and she still loves you, as you do her. She won’t leave you, ever.

  178. 178.

    Manyakitty

    Oh no! What sad news. My deepest sympathies to you all. I hope Patsy Marie’s sweet, sassy, beautiful soul is romping through her favorite landscape, full of the best things to eat and smell. Peace and love. ?

  188. 188.

    Kathleen

    So sorry to hear this. Condolences to you and your family. She looks like such a sweet doggie.

  190. 190.

    Skyweaver

    Oh I am so sorry! I know this heartbreak and it is almost unbearable. She looked like a sweet sweet baby! My deepest condolences.

  191. 191.

    NorthLeft12

    So sad to hear this Betty. My condolences to you and your family.
    This is the hardest part of living with a dog.

  192. 192.

    JeanneT

    My heart goes out to you – may your happy memories of her stay bright after the pain of the loss fades.

  205. 205.

    YelloIncognegro

    I’m so, so sorry for your loss Betty. Deepest condolences to you, Daisy, and the rest of the Cracker fam. Rest in peace, Patsy.

  207. 207.

    zhena gogolia

    Oh, dear Betty. I loved Patsy Marie so much, just from your pictures, I feel such sympathy with you and your family.

  213. 213.

    kindness

    Betty I’m so sorry. Please accept my condolences on losing one of your kids. We love the lives we share with them but that last little segment of letting go is so hard. You made her a very happy girl her whole life. She had good reason to love you.

  216. 216.

    Miss Bianca

    Oh, Betty, no! Just getting back online, and I am so sorry to hear this. Nine years old is way too young. My condolences.

  217. 217.

    Sister Machine Gun of Quiet Harmony

    My condolences. When our pets die, it leaves such a hole. RIP, Patsy.

  220. 220.

    Jim Cassidy

    Dear Betty,
    After my boxer boy Ollie died, your pictures and stories of your boxer girls warmed my heart. My thoughts are with you as you go through the grieving process.

  221. 221.

    MGB

    As I sit here quietly sobbing as I have to take my little kitty Cuddlepants into the vet for her own journey across the rainbow bridge this afternoon. I really understand your pain today. I’m so sorry to hear about Patsy. Hugs from a lurker today.

  226. 226.

    Teddys Person

    Teddy and I are sending thoughts of condolence to you and your family. We love them, and they often leave us too soon. May your memories of love and joy provide some comfort.

  228. 228.

    Betty Cracker

    Thanks for your kind condolences, everyone. And love and courage to those of you who have experienced similar losses or are facing the prospect of such a loss now.

    Losing loved ones, human or otherwise, is the hardest thing in life. It’s so hard to bear that it makes you want to raise the drawbridge to your heart to protect it from such desolation in the future.

    But that’s the paradox: love is what makes the loss so hard to bear, but it also happens to be the only damn thing that makes life worth living. You have to be open to love, or life is an empty, pointless march to the grave.

    I’m trying to hold on to love today. Y’all have helped with your kind words. Thank you.

  230. 230.

    Cheryl from Maryland

    So sorry to read about your loss of the wonderful Patsy Marie. Be good to yourselves as you were good to her.

  235. 235.

    EricNNY

    So, so sorry Betty. I always enjoyed your stories and photos of your fur babies, especially the Boxers sleeping on the couch.

  236. 236.

    WaterGirl

    Betty, my first thought when I opened my eyes this morning was of you and Patsy Marie. More tears. We loved your beautiful girl, feeling like we knew her from your pictures and stories. I am so sorry.

  238. 238.

    Zoey2020

    Betty, your comment about the drawbridge is so true … we lost our little Cleo (17 year old tortie girl) three nights before Christmas, and the grief is still sharp. But that very vulnerability – to love and be loved with all of your heart – is what makes us truly human. My condolences to all of you, Juicers, too. And a special hug for Daisy.

  240. 240.

    Spanky

    So very sorry to read this, Betty, and so very late to the thread. You’re right, hang on to the love.

  243. 243.

    Faithful Lurker

    I’m very sorry about the loss of Patsy. It’s very hard to lose a good dog. I’ve sent you a hug across the entire diagonal of the country.

  246. 246.

    Alternative Fax, a hip hop artist from Idaho

    I am so sorry for your loss. They leave such big paw prints on our hearts. Through your photos and your stories, I came to love Patsy Marie too.

  250. 250.

    Feebog

    So sorry Betty. We lost our big boy Cappichino last month, so I know the loss you are feeling. Keep the good memories close to your heart.

  251. 251.

    Sphex

    I am so very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing her with us. I hope the happy memories support you. You are right: love is what makes it all worthwhile.

  252. 252.

    Chris

    Oh Betty, I’m so, so sorry. What a beautiful face on that good girl. We lost our Sophie Marie this last summer and are still sad every day.

  253. 253.

    David Savard

    I”m so sorry for you and your family. A wise person once said “Some things cannot be fixed, they can only be carried.” Love to you as you carry her memory with you.

  254. 254.

    Cowgirl in the Sandi

    What sad news to wake up to. So sorry for your loss Betty. Remember the good times.

  256. 256.

    Nina-the-First

    So so sad about your beautiful Patsy-

    But that’s the paradox: love is what makes the loss so hard to bear, but it also happens to be the only damn thing that makes life worth living. You have to be open to love, or life is an empty, pointless march to the grave.

    she will always be with you, the Mr, your daughter, and us–and I am so grateful to all of these animals-they keep our hearts open.

  262. 262.

    pat

    This came with the ashes from our beloved kitty Susy.

    As much as I loved the life we had and all the times we played,
    I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.
    Then I saw a wondrous image of a place that’s trouble free
    Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.

    I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side
    Were meadows rich and beautiful–lush and green and wide!
    And running through the meadows as far as the eye could see
    Were animals of every sort as healthy as could be!
    My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new
    And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do.

    I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I’m alright,
    This place is truly wonderful, then a bright glow pierced the night.
    ‘Twas the glow of many candles shining bright and strong and bold
    And I knew then that it held your love in its brilliant shades of gold.

    For although we may not be together in the way we used to be
    We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.
    So whenever you need to find me, we’re never far apart
    If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

    I will never forget you.

  267. 267.

    Emerald

    So sorry. We know we’re going to lose them, and we experience that, but it doesn’t get any easier. Your heartbreak is because of your love.

  268. 268.

    Gex

    My deepest sympathies. It is a testament to how wonderful they are that we willingly put ourselves through this.

  271. 271.

    Greg Ferguson

    So very sorry, Betty – she was such a lovely girl; our hearts go out to you and your whole family.

  273. 273.

    Betty Cracker

    @Aleta: That’s very sweet and generous — thank you. A donation to a local rescue organization that you know and trust would be much appreciated.

  274. 274.

    Kurzleg

    Sincerest condolences, Betty. Having lost 3 in my life I know how hard it can be. RIP, Patsy Marie.

  275. 275.

    M Laborde

    Amid the sadness and grief is hard to remind ourselves that the memories of all the time spent together with your beloved pet will transform into a source of joy and gladness. Instead of tears, a smile will appear. Betty was a lucky dog to have you to protect and care, and you had the fortune of having Betty’s unconditional love in return.

  277. 277.

    Anotherlurker

    Oh Betty, I am so sorry. I have lost 2 beloved Pups and I know exactly how you feel. XO.

  278. 278.

    Zoe Johnson

    When we got home it was almost dark,
    Our neighbor waiting on the walk.
    “I’m sorry, I have bad news,” he said.
    “Your cat, the gray-black one, is dead.
    I found him by the garbage an hour ago.”
    “Thank you,” I said, “for letting us know.”

    We dug a hole in the flower bed
    With lilac bushes over head,
    Where this cat loved to lie in spring
    And roll in dirt and eat the green
    Delicious first spring buds,
    And laid him down and covered him up,
    Wrapped in a piece of tablecloth,
    Our good old cat laid in the earth.

    We quickly turned and went inside
    The empty house and sat and cried
    Softly in the dark some tears
    For that familiar voice, that fur,
    That soft weight missing from our laps,
    That we had loved too well perhaps
    And mourned from weakness of the heart:
    A childish weakness to regard
    An animal whose life is brief
    With such affection and such grief.

    If such is weakness so it be.
    This modest elegy
    Is only meant to note the death
    Of one cat so we won’t forget
    His face, his name, his gift
    Of cat affection while he lived,
    The sweet shy nature
    Of this graceful creature,
    The simplest pleasure of himself,
    The memory of our cat, Ralph.

    Garrison Keillor

  279. 279.

    Baquist

    Sincere condolences from the entire Baquist clan. Please take comfort in your memories of her.

  281. 281.

    adepsis

    I’m so very sorry to hear of Patsy Marie’s passing. May your family be comforted in this time when everything must feel adrift.

  282. 282.

    Lurker

    Betty, I am so, so sorry for your loss of that beautiful, sweet, lovely girl. You gave her a life full of care and love, and she loved you in return. RIP, Patsy Marie. I never met her but I’m in tears. Losing a cherished pet is devastating.

Comments are closed.