Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Some judge needs to shut this circus down soon.

The party of Reagan has become the party of Putin.

The poor and middle-class pay taxes, the rich pay accountants, the wealthy pay politicians.

Something needs to be done about our bogus SCOTUS.

“Everybody’s entitled to be an idiot.”

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

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

Since when do we limit our critiques to things we could do better ourselves?

This blog will pay for itself.

The words do not have to be perfect.

Not so fun when the rabbit gets the gun, is it?

I’m pretty sure there’s only one Jack Smith.

I was promised a recession.

Jesus, Mary, & Joseph how is that election even close?

If you tweet it in all caps, that makes it true!

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

Let there be snark.

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

If you are still in the GOP, you are an extremist.

We’ve had enough carrots to last a lifetime. break out the sticks.

The truth is, these are not very bright guys, and things got out of hand.

We cannot abandon the truth and remain a free nation.

Impressively dumb. Congratulations.

You are here: Home / Absent Friends / RIP / RIP Ginny Cole, the Goodest Girl

RIP Ginny Cole, the Goodest Girl

by | 132 Comments

This post is in: ,

RIP Ginny Cole, the Goodest Girl

My parents had to put down Ginny this morning, who died of a particularly aggressive cancer of the blood. I had not mentioned this to you all because there was so much else bad going on in the world, but over the past few months she had developed bleeding tumors all over her body, and twice had to have surgery to remove them. This is a particularly nasty cancer that does not respond to chemo or radiation, and Ginny quite never got over the second surgery, and even as she was recovering more tumors were appearing.

Harry, our family vet, came over and helped ease Ginny out of her pain this morning, and suffice it to say mom and dad are devastated, so keep them in your thoughts. It’s hard to imagine life without Ginny- she was just such a big presence crammed into a tiny little body, with dozens of personality quirks that made her an absolute delight to know.

She will be very, very missed.

Reader Interactions

132Comments

  2. 2.

    leeleeFL

    So sad to hear this , John.  My heartfelt condolences to all of you.  2020 needs to be over, posthaste.

  7. 7.

    Goku (Amerikan Baka)

    I’m sorry Cole for your parents’ loss. Ginny sounds like she was a good girl. I’ll keep your mom and dad in my thoughts today

  9. 9.

    Nicole

    I am very sorry to hear this.  Sending sympathy to your parents, and to all the Cole households.

    I’m so glad that many vets make house calls for when it’s time.  I think it’s a great kindness, that the animals who give us so much can pass out of life at home, surrounded by everything familiar.

  14. 14.

    UncleEbeneezer

    Deepest condolences to you and your family.  It sucks.  We are still reeling from the loss of our Juniper in August :(

  16. 16.

    TaMara (HFG)

    Oh, I am so sorry. JRTs and Senior Cole video is legendary. They leave such lasting pawprints on our hearts. Loss is the price we pay for love and it’s never, ever easy.  Ever.

    [[[hugs]]] to all the Coles

  17. 17.

    Yarrow

    Oh, no! Condolences to your parents. And your whole family. So sorry to hear about all of this.

    I always loved when you posted pics and videos of them. This video of them playing on your parent’s furniture while your dad vacuumed is my favorite.

  18. 18.

    Aleta

    What a loss.   Deepest sympathy to your parents and family.   Her irreplaceable spirit is plain to see in her photo.  I am so sorry.

  19. 19.

    MazeDancer

    Oh, how incredibly sad. At least your parents know she is not suffering. And Ginny always knew how much she was loved.

  25. 25.

    Sloane Ranger

    I’m so dorry for your loss . I will keep your parents and you in my thoughts.

    Roll on 2021 for so many reasons.

  27. 27.

    Fraud Guy

    The hardest part about having pets is when you have to decide to say goodbye. May their memories outweigh their sorrow.

  28. 28.

    Sherparick

    My condolences to your parents, your family, & you. May the aches in your hearts soften with thoughts of Ginny’s memory.

  31. 31.

    Middlelee

    john, I am so sorry and my heart breaks for your folks.

    I think Ginny was one of the dogs in the hilarious video of your dad finding them racing around the living room while your mom vacuumed.

  33. 33.

    Middlelee

    Racing around the furniture in the living room and yes it must have been your dad vacuuming.  Didn’t read all the comments because on my way out the door and someone eat me to it.

  35. 35.

    Quantumman

    I am so sorry for you and your parent’s loss.  It is so hard to lose them.  And the decision about euthanasia is so traumatic, even when it is obviously the right decision.

  36. 36.

    dww44

    Chalk another loss up to 2020 which seems to excel in that respect over and above any other.  So sorry.  Such a lovely dog.

  37. 37.

    Michael

    @debbie: @debbie:

    I once got a new couch upholstered in Haitian cotton (for free, not something I would have chosen). That’s the big weave nubby natural off white color stuff that used to be around, not at all up to dog pawing, so I told the dog she couldn’t go on it. She was clearly depressed or something and kind of moped around for a day or two so I tucked some sturdy material I happened to have for some reason on the seat cushions and invited her up. Happy once again.

    I had that dog for over 20 years. She was the vet’s oldest dog (or cat) patient and ended up with all the usual problems like failing kidneys and started throwing up despite special food etc. I had to end it at that point. She couldn’t survive much longer.

    In the car she kept trying to get up and see out the windows but couldn’t. It was traumatizing.

     

    Everyone who has been in that situation understands how your parents feel. They will never forget Ginny.

  38. 38.

    Barbara

    Condolences to you and your parents. We all know the day will arrive but that never makes it easier.

  42. 42.

    geg6

    Awww, poor Ginny.  Such a sweetie and so sad she’s left us. ?  My deepest sympathies to the Coles.  Is Guessley (sp?) going to be too sad?  Extra scritches may be in order.  Give some for me.

  43. 43.

    Immanentize

    Poor pup.  But what a good pup she was.  Poor Mr. And Mrs. Cole!  Hoping for lighter hearts soon.

    Imm

  45. 45.

    CaseyL

    I am so sorry.  What a horrible illness, and a devastating loss.

    Ginny’s memory will stay green, in the stories and videos.  She was a Cole all through.

    How is Guesly doing?

    Sympathy and condolences to your Dad, your Mom, and you.

    {{Hugs}}

  47. 47.

    Ruckus

    John, so sorry for the family and Ginny. Cancer is never fun, no matter who has it, no matter how serious, you can take this from personal experience.

  48. 48.

    WaterGirl

    @Quantumman: For me, losing them is traumatic, but making the decision is not.  My dogs always tell me when they are done – so it’s not hard to know when it’s time.

    It’s the most loving and unselfish thing we can do for them, because it goes against our desire to have them always be with us.

  50. 50.

    TomatoQueen

    So sorry that sweet Ginny has gone on.  She was well-loved & it was kind of the vet to come to her home to ease her passing.

    Ginny goodest girl on the Bridge!

  51. 51.

    Shakti

    I’m sorry your parents’ doggo suffered so much before she passed. :(  My condolences to you and your parents.

  53. 53.

    Suzanne

    Oh no. I’m so, so sorry, to you and your parents. I hope your parents can take comfort knowing that she’s no longer in pain and that they have the best wishes for hugs and healing from all of us.

  54. 54.

    cain

    Deepest condolences, to father and mother Cole and the rest of the Cole household. But it seems like the best decision to save this girl any more pain. Fuck cancer.

  55. 55.

    WaterGirl

    @Amir Khalid: When the loss isn’t so raw, we can post the video of Ginny in her prime, racing around on the furniture, much to the chagrin of Dad Cole, whose voice exclaiming “oh my god” still replays in my head.  Memories of happier days.

  56. 56.

    Ghost of Joe Liebling*s Dog

    What a hard year…  She looks like a sweet dog and I’m sure that, living with your folks, she had a happy, happy life.  I’m so sorry.

  58. 58.

    tokyokie

    Add my condolences to those of the other jackals. I guess a benefit of living in a small town is having a vet who will make house calls. But considering how horrible her disease was, waiting around until Monday to take her to the office wasn’t really an option.

  59. 59.

    Drunkenhausfrau

    What heartbreaking news!  Hoping your parents feel all the love we are sending. We have all lost our furry loves. Condolences.

  62. 62.

    RoonieRoo

    I am so sorry mom and dad Cole.  I can picture my great big Gregor dog is meeting her at the other end of that rainbow bridge.  He was a great big dog who adored tiny dogs.

  63. 63.

    Alison Rose

    My love and condolences to your parents, and the whole family, John. You know I lost my baby recently so can empathize so deeply right now. May Ginny’s memory be a dear blessing to all of you.

  65. 65.

    Zelma

    So very sad for your parents and you.  Ginny was a special dog, but then aren’t they all?  My sympathy.

  67. 67.

    Nutmeg again

    The very hardest, and really the kindest thing we do. Sending all the comfort I can to all the Cole family.

  71. 71.

    dexwood

    We do what we can for the pets we love all their lives. Comes a day, though, we do what we must for them. It’s always hard to do. Wag on, Ginny, wag on.

  72. 72.

    Elizabelle

    Very sorry to hear this.  I hope your parents still have Guesley (sp?).  It’s so hard to lose a pet.

  73. 73.

    Kristine

    On top of everything else, this has been a bad year for pets.

    So sorry for your folks. Even when it’s the best decision, it’s still so hard.

  74. 74.

    MoCA Ace

    So sorry.  The compassion shown by your parents is commendable… it’s never easy at the end but the decision is almost always necessary.  Sending out thoughts for many happy puppers memories.

  76. 76.

    J R in WV

    So sorry for the Greater Cole Family’s loss. Our fur babies are so precious, and that last hardest favor we do for them is so very hard.

    Skritch the other fur babies for me too!

  77. 77.

    Mary Ellen Sandahl

    You can tell from that photo what a very good girl she was. I’m so sorry for your folks, John.

  78. 78.

    SiubhanDuinne

    That’s very sad news, John. Please pass along my sympathy to your folks. She was a little lightning bolt of energy when she and Guessley (sp?) were little, and I know all Coles are going to miss her.

    ETA: I guess it’s Guesley.

    ETA2: Or Guesly.

  79. 79.

    greenergood

    Oh what a beautiful little mophead!! I’m glad she could stay at  home and not endure all the strangeness of travel and the vet’s office, etc. Loads of friends greeting her at the Bridge, but my condolences to you, and especially your mum and dad.

  81. 81.

    Paul W.

    Ugh! We are losing all of the good boys and girls this year. My mom put down her 12 year old rescue in spring and my partner and I had our 15 year old rescue cat (who we only got to have for 3 years) get aggressive cancer in her soft pallet. She was the sweetest and most loving cat for every moment she lived but we had to send her on her way when she stopped eating which just happened to be the day Biden got PA… so bittersweet and miss her so much.

  83. 83.

    trollhattan

    :-( so very sorry for you all. And especially her little buddy, who will surely miss her most while it’s not possible for the humans to make it clear what’s going on.

    I can recall videos of those two raising a ruckus.

  84. 84.

    The Moar You Know

    Dog cancer.  Fuck it.

    Got my last dog and the stats are overwhelming it will get my current one.

    I am so sorry.  She looks like a very, very good girl.

  87. 87.

    EmbraceYourInnerCrone

    I am so sorry for your and your parents loss. It always hurts even if you are expecting it.

  90. 90.

    Kattails

    Oh no, please give them my heartfelt condolences, this is always so painful.

    Also to Werebear who just lost Reverend Jim.

    And I don’t have time to go through a lot of posts and comments right now but still thinking of SiubhanDuinne and her sister.  Love to all of you.

  91. 91.

    J R in WV

    We lucky to have 24/7 vet services now. Our Vet Clinic got together with the other clinics in Chuck-ton to found an ER service from 5 pm-7am daily, and all weekend. Have had to use their services several times for various injuries.

    Excellent care, and the one time I took a pup by for what turned out to be a fatal situation, they were very compassionate and helpful towards both me and Happy-Dog. Who had an abdominal bleeding tumor, and was listless on that account. She had an easy passage, though.

  94. 94.

    bluefish

    My condolences to the Cole family. These are beloved members of one’s family. All the love they give and are able to receive with such grace and humor. RIP, beloved Ginnie, and comfort to the Coles.

  98. 98.

    feebog

    And 2020 continues to be the shittiest year ever. So sorry John, holding a good thought for your folks.

  101. 101.

    SiubhanDuinne

    @WaterGirl:

    Thank you for asking. I tried to phone a little while ago, but no answer, so I assume she’s either sleeping/drugged, or off having a procedure. Haven’t heard any fresh bad news (or any news at all), so I’ll take that as a measure of good news.

    ETA, wanted to add my own enthusiastic thanks and congratulations to you and the Zoom hosts for such great online meet-ups yesterday. You put in a lot of work (as always), and (as always), it paid off. Many thanks for another great well-realised initiative!

  102. 102.

    A woman from anywhere (formerly Mohagan)

    I’m so, so sorry. Condolences to all the Coles for the loss of a good, good girl.

  103. 103.

    The Fat White Duchess

    I’m so sorry, for your loss and for Ginny’s suffering before she died.  Much sympathy to you and to your family.

  104. 104.

    ET

    That picture looks like it was taken after she had been given a bath and was drying herself off all over the furniture.

  105. 105.

    Ksmiami

    @WaterGirl: poor darling doggie. I hope she’s tearing around in canine heaven fit and happy and that your parents find peace and another sweetie soon

  107. 107.

    WaterGirl

    @ET: That’s what the video was – the one people are referencing in the comments.

    Totally adorable – the pups and Dad Cole discovering what they were doing.  The video is best saved for another time, but I think everyone who saw that started loving the pups and Dad Cole in that instant.

  110. 110.

    laura

    Rest gently Ginny- spritely pup. So sorry she’s left a large hole in the heart of every Cole and all who knew her. How fortunate we are to have creatures willing to live with us and love us.

  114. 114.

    raven

    “The time will come when [his] memory will bring a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eyes.”
     

    It’s not yet but it is true.

  117. 117.

    thalarctosMaritimus

    I’m so sorry to hear this, John. She had such a good life with you, and I’m sure she knew that.

    I’ll hold you in my thoughts.

  118. 118.

    Ann Marie

    I’m so sorry, John.  Please give my condolences to your parents.  No matter how much you know you have to do the right thing, it is so very hard when the right thing is letting go of a beloved pet.  Condolences to Werebear too for the loss of her dear Reverend Jim.

  121. 121.

    Genine

    Oh, no! I remember when your parents got them and the videos you posted. I’m so sorry. My condolences.

  125. 125.

    manyakitty

    I’m so sorry. One more shit sandwich from this miserable year. Sending love to all. Also, too, FUCK CANCER.

  126. 126.

    tinare

    So, so sorry. I had to let my dog go today as well, it hurts worse then I ever thought it could. My sympathies to you and your parents. It’s so unfair how short their lives are. They are too good for this world.

  129. 129.

    Cheryl from Maryland

    I’m so sorry for the Cole’s loss of one of the sweetest and bestist dogs ever. Also for us jackals, as she was adorbs.

  130. 130.

    Tazj

    My condolences to the Cole family. Ginny looks so cute and cuddly in that picture.

    @tinare: I’m sorry. It’s such a hard thing to do.

  131. 131.

    Villago Delenda Est

    John, I’m so sorry to hear this.  Please pass on hugs to your parents from me on this loss.  Ginny was well loved in life, and right now she’s chasing butterflies in sunny fields.

    Also hugs to you, tinare.  It’s never easy sending a pet away like this, but it’s done out of love, always.

  132. 132.

    Sis

    I’m so sorry. It’s always an awful thing to go through, even when you know it’s the right thing to do and you know that the pet had a wonderful life full of love.

Comments are closed.