Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

There is no right way to do the wrong thing.

Dumb motherfuckers cannot understand a consequence that most 4 year olds have fully sorted out.

75% of people clapping liked the show!

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

When I decide to be condescending, you won’t have to dream up a fantasy about it.

People really shouldn’t expect the government to help after they watched the GOP drown it in a bathtub.

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

Those who are easily outraged are easily manipulated.

We are builders in a constant struggle with destroyers. keep building.

I might just take the rest of the day off and do even more nothing than usual.

White supremacy is terrorism.

American history and black history cannot be separated.

If you thought you’d already seen people saying the stupidest things possible on the internet, prepare yourselves.

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

They traffic in fear. it is their only currency. if we are fearful, they are winning.

The fundamental promise of conservatism all over the world is a return to an idealized past that never existed.

The unpunished coup was a training exercise.

Dear elected officials: Trump is temporary, dishonor is forever.

You know it’s bad when the Project 2025 people have to create training videos on “How To Be Normal”.

Everybody saw this coming.

Nancy smash is sick of your bullshit.

Bark louder, little dog.

I’d hate to be the candidate who lost to this guy.

In my day, never was longer.

You are here: Home / Pet Blogging / Also Today at the Clinic

Also Today at the Clinic

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When I arrived at the clinic today, I grabbed Lily’s crate and started the slow walk to the entrance, and was greeted with this:

Also Today at the Clinic

Also Today at the Clinic 1

When I got inside I asked them “Do you know you have a panther on the stoop” and they told me that he had showed up just the other day and they had started feeding him and didn’t know what to do with him.

I don’t believe in religion because I think it is just bullshit piled upon bullshit that people who can not deal with uncertainty cling to in times of despair or with not knowing, and because it is a useful tool to control and oppress people (and I know lots of you, billions upon billions of you disagree with me, and I am ok with that). On the other hand, I do know that the world works in a lot of interconnected ways that we have not even begun to understand or barely can comprehend, like the mycelial network, and numerous other things at the atomic and subatomic level.

So I guess what I am saying is I am that bougie instagram influencer who types “Spiritual but not religious” on their dating profile. Regardless, I took it as an immediate sign that Maxwell Edison, the cat who I am adopting, sent one of his compadres to let me know everything is going to be alright and help is on the way. The animal universe was just going about their way of getting the right animals to the right people.

After it was over, I sat on the bench and gave him some skritches while I pulled my shit together enough to drive.

Reader Interactions

66Comments

  1. 1.

    Anne Laurie

    Or then again… maybe The Great Universal is telling you that you need *two* new black cats to make up for one Lily?

  4. 4.

    Amir Khalid

    Sometimes Often, animals are aware of things that escape the notice of us dumb, oblivious humans.

  5. 5.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    Looks like our black beauty Sammy, who passed away in early 2014. One thing I do is carry treats in our car so I can spoil the occasional stray around our local big box store.

  8. 8.

    HeleninEire

    I don’t even know what to say. The Lily post sent me into tears. And here you are, John Cole, running into yet another abandoned critter. Why are you confused? That’s your new one.

  11. 11.

    Elizabelle

    John would have a house full of Steve, Thurston, Max, Vincent.

    Sounds like a fraternity.  Or a boy band.  Needs moar girls.

  17. 17.

    theturtlemoves

    That is a magnificent beast.  I do love black cats.  We used to have one and would get another but our current tuxedo does not work and play well with others.

  18. 18.

    CaseyL

    People: I love the idea of  Cole’s adopting Vincent as well as Maxwell, but spare a thought for poor Steve, who would undoubtedly feel ganged up on.  We don’t want that!

  19. 19.

    Msilaneous

    I think experiences like this happen all the time, John, but that you have to be open to them. Most people in your position today wouldn’t have noticed a genuine panther standing near the door, they would have been too caught up in their own pain and sorrow. But you not only saw, you instantly recognized the connection between the black cat and Max. Comfort. Affirmation.

  21. 21.

    Jackie

    I’m worried about that black kitty. Halloween is just a few days away and if he’s homeless, some people may do him harm. I hope the clinic takes him in for safety, or… you know… someone who rescues abandoned pets…

  24. 24.

    Omnes Omnibus

    Maxwell Edison?  Do cats major in medicine?  Can they wield hammers?  If so, is that the form the apocalypse will take?  As you can see, I have questions.

  26. 26.

    BigJimSlade

    My 84 year old mom has a great black cat named Pepper. When she goes up or down the block to take a walk, he comes along and walks with her. People sometimes ask if that’s her cat and is it walking with her, she says, yep! He gets many scritches from me. I get down on the carpet and scritch him for 5 or 10 minutes straight.

  28. 28.

    Bottyguy

    Our alley cat (Pablo) rules our half block. My saintly wife has cared for home for  7 years and he barely tolerates me.  But, I love him anyway and feed him every morning.  I hope Maxwell tolerates you as much as Pablo tolerates me.

  38. 38.

    Doc Sardonic

    Go get that cat……..

    the news of Lilly hit me like a runaway dump truck……. a liter of 100 proof in…… go get that fucking cat

  39. 39.

    moonbat

    Of course it was Maxwell’s buddy. Who else would it be? :’) What creatures more deserve to be spiritual than our companion animals? Take their comfort where you find it.

  41. 41.

    Dan B

    Get that kitty and your other Panther and tell us other stories of adventures with flying monkeys and kraizzy kittiez playing, destructioning,  and adventooring!

  42. 42.

    sab

    @Dan B: You do realize his house is mostly dogs? Changing the species dynamics might be bad, but that is one beautiful stray cat.

  43. 43.

    Ida Slapter

    I’m so sorry, John. It was such a shock to read of Lily’s passing. She really was the Best Dog Ever, and I’m glad you had each other to love and care for as long as you did.

    The appearance of Vincent the Spirit Panther is intriguing! I agree he’s a sign you’re on the right path – but should he join your pack too? My heart says yes, but my head says maybe that’s not fair to Steve with Maxwell Edison coming soon. My head also says it’s none of my f’ing business. You’ll figure out what’s best.

    My Best Cat Ever was a small (< 9 lbs) black stray, Bodhisattva, aka Bodhi who appeared at a friend’s house about 6 months after I had lost my previous, also beloved stray, Farfel. My friend said the black cat was amazing and that I absolutely had to take him. I didn’t even want a black cat but agreed to check him out just to be polite…

    …And so of course I was on the way home with him draped around my neck like a fur collar about 15 minutes after that first meeting, and we had 16 wonderful years together. He is still my feline soulmate.

  44. 44.

    SWMBO

    @sab: All he has currently is Steve and Thurston. And he was looking for another cat when he found Lily.

    So sorry to hear this, John.  We all grieve  with you.  The special ones never last as long as we wish.

  45. 45.

    Boomziila

    Mr. Cole.  If you can, please read me. – Boom.

    Everyone says, I’m sorry, John Cole.  That’s not it the least a criticism of anyone.  I have those similar words to say.  I’m sorry, John.

    I knew Lily was getting old and sick. I knew that this true love story of crusty old Cole (so he might want you to believe) and the sweetest dog that ever lived…  I have to say, while I saw many, many examples of your change of heart…  That’s not right.  I was going to say I saw a progression of your political values grow side-by-side with your open love for animals.

    All animals, but especially your animals.   What I was trying to correct was the confluence of your changing politics to your attitude about animals.  I’m convinced the latter was always there.  You’ve always loved most animals.  I will forever go back to the Queen of Corona, Rosie.  How hard she was to have as a pet.  How aggravating.  And how you loved her.  Then hated her because she was a pain in the ass.  You loved that dog.  I know this will put you off, but that’s just John Cole.  No matter how hard, John is going to deal with it.  Not always as well as he would have liked, but no shame, no questioning, no castigation.. I dare you to be as kind and giving as John Cole did, before our eyes.  For decades.

    You can’t read anyone for so long, has it been that long?  It has.  You cannot hide the center.  Sometimes, the first bite is bitter and hard to chew, let alone swallow.  With time, you shed many of those convictions.  He eventually showed all of us heart.  Piece by piece.  Wasn’t it a beautiful read?

    I’d believe, if John has has even read this, he might be going, no, no and NO!

    From my heart I believe everything  I said.

    John, my heart is truly broken.  For you. Mostly. Hugely, but a little bit for me.  I’ll always love Lily.  For she was, definitely our dog.  You made her our dog.  Thank you.  Fuck. I cannot even tell you how much you made me love a dog I never met.  Enough to cry about it, and I don’t cry.  More, for what she was to you. I am beyond sorry that your Lily is gone.  I’m crying for the both of you right now.

    Throughout, you had this huge, swollen love for Lily.  I say swollen, as I  love and miss Tunch. That was a large love, too. Lily, I think, might always your best friend that you ever had.  Among those that couldn’t speak.  She didn’t have to.  I know, because you told us, kind of how  she would, if she could.

    She’d have said, you saved me.  You did.  My life was a bummer. She said. Then I got to my house.  I was kind of losing it, in my way.  I soon learned that my new guy wasn’t like anything else.  I was still so unsure, but this giant man, he calmed and gave me a comfortable man, made his intentions very clear.  I was loved.  I became love.  I was protected.  Mostly, I had my honest love to give back to someone.  It was the large man that was so obvious with his love.  If I had the words to say so, I’d tell, John, that he was my…  Oh, I don’t want to use the word savior.  I’m just am just not a god cat, people.  But I did know who the man that loved me so deeply, with such consideration and kindness.  I knew who he was.  He wasn’t a god, but he was for me.  I was going to die.  He gave me a life.  He gave me an entire life filled with love I never expected.  How could I not respond in kind.  Said, Lil.

    Oh, said Lily, I’d like to ask that you love that man too.  I miss him, terribly.  I’m a dog, but I think he misses me too.  I’m sure he does.  That’s just how he was and what he gave me.  I’ll miss you forever, my man.  Always.  Sorry I had to leave.  I didn’t want to.  I didn’t want to break your heart.  I would do anything.

    I am thrilled that you have someone you love so much.  She loved you right back, in every way she could.

    John Cole, you might nor believe this, but I just cut two pages.  It was mostly all about your heart.  You can act like it is a tiny, fractured, black thing.  I know the truth.

    I have to end this, John Cole.  I’m sorry I went on so long about Lily dying, like I knew she would, just fucked me up through and through.  I’m so incredibly sorry for your loss.  Our loss, but most certainly mostly your loss.  It’s killing me, your hurt.

    You did introduce to our Lily way back when.  I hope you’ll allow us our pain and grief, though it is nothing compared to your own.  I want to speak for everyone.  That’s a bit too far.  I can say for myself, I’m sad for John.  Much more then sad.  This was Lily.  This wasn’t a small part of John’s heart.  This was his tiny love.

    John, I am so sorry.

     

    Boomzilla

  46. 46.

    J.

    So sorry about Lily. 😭

    There is no replacing her. But I’m with the others: you need to adopt that panther.

  48. 48.

    geg6

    @sab:

    Sadly, not anymore.  Thurston is the only dog now, with Rosie and Lily gone.  He’s only got Thurston and Steve.  He needs a bigger menagerie.  Two new kitties might be just the ticket.

  49. 49.

    greenergood

    I read this post before your earlier Lily one, so it was with a sense of foreboding that I scrolled down to the earlier one. By the time I got to the ‘*** update ***’ line, I was crying. By the time I finished the update, I was laughing so hard I was snorting tea out of my nose. Thinking of all the people at the Animal Emergency Service being kind enough to not mention that you were in your boxers … and thinking it was a good thing you realised your attire before venturing into the restaurant – you could’ve added to your eventful day by being arrested! RIP Lily, a sweet bundle of true love – you both were so lucky to have found each other, and I feel so fortunate to have read about her over the years. And agree with Anne Laurie: two black panthers is double the fun, and for some reason, unrelated, neutered boi cats _generally_ seem to have less problems adapting to each other than girl cats.

  51. 51.

    azlib

    We have a beautiful black cat called Shadow for obvious reasons. She is a real diva and is only affectionate when *she* wants to be. She is a rescue. My spousal unit volunteers for a local rescue group and she has fostered over 300 cats in the last 12 years.

    Domestic cats are lovely creatures and they have adapted to us humans quite nicely or is it the other way around.

  52. 52.

    Frankie T.

    Could be just my luck, but the most social, people-oriented cats I’ve encountered have all been black cats.  All the stranger cats that have come up to me on the street and introduced themselves (in their own cat way) have been black cats, including the best cat I ever, ever lived with.  That mini panther you met sounds like a keeper.

  53. 53.

    MomSense

    I had a sweet, black Kitty find me when I was working at a resort hotel one summer.  I would sit in my car with the door open and eat my lunch and he would show up.  I tried to feed him bits of my sandwich and tried to give him canned tuna but he just wanted my potato chips.  One day I just held the door open and asked Chips if he wanted to come home with me.  He did and was one of the world’s great cats.  He lived long enough to know my oldest son and my first lab.  When we went for walks he followed along and loved to sleep next to the crib or take up the whole dog bed.  He wasn’t a cuddler but he was a loyal, and perfect companion.

  54. 54.

    becca

    Just found out that sweet Lily has passed. What a gut punch.
    you gave her a wonderful life and she shined.
    ( why does it have to hurt so bad? If only fond loving memories could wipe away the pain.)

  55. 55.

    Leslie

    If the vet doesn’t know what to do with him, then maybe he is supposed to go home with you and be Maxwell’s buddy. Has Steve ever lived with another cat? It might actually be better for the two black kitties to have each other for company, if Steve decides he’d rather keep his distance.

    Or not. If you go back and he’s still hanging around, see how you feel about it then. The universe will let you know.

  56. 56.

    Skepticat

    When I went to a house showing Friday, there were two black cats in the yard. Then there was a black cat in almost every room, all gorgeous and friendly. The house was a hard no, but I almost might have considered it if the felines had been included.

    I’ve always wanted a black cat, but I have three black-and-white furkids, so I’m at my quota. HOWEVER, J.C., I do think the panther waiting for you truly was a sign. Please consider enlarging your menagerie.

  57. 57.

    Matt McIrvin

    Yesterday was trick or treat night in my neighborhood. Our black cat Luna is supposed to be an indoor cat (I do not like what she does to the local wildlife when she’s out), but she’s a skilled escape artist and nearly impossible to catch, and she managed to slip out while we were dealing with a messed-up Popeye’s delivery shortly before the trick-or-treaters arrived. So she spent most of that period hanging out in the front yard looking Halloween-thematic. A lot of the kids who showed up (and there were a LOT) were tickled to see her.

  58. 58.

    columbusqueen

    I’m so sorry, John. Just remember Lily will be waiting for you, always, because the deep love you two shared will never end.

  59. 59.

    Matt McIrvin

    @Frankie T.: Ours is not shy. She’s a maker of mischief and, unfortunately, doesn’t quite understand how to play gentle. But she likes people–our gray and white sweetie is the shy one.

  60. 60.

    Ella in New Mexico

    I’m one of the late comers to your loss of Lily, John. I know there are no words to make it hurt less but do know this: your love for her and all those sweet creatures you have shared with all of us has made our lives—my life for sure— a much more beautiful and rich one. Life is easier to. Ear sometimes knowing people like you share the planet with me. Love and comfort to you, John. Rest sweetly, little Lily girl. ❤️

  61. 61.

    wonkie

    I trapped a feral black cat and took him to a sanctuary for unadoptable cats. I named him Tom Cat because he pissed all over the inside of my car. Over a period of about a month he went from hiding to being my best buddy ever, a loudly purring lap cat. I volunteer at the sanctuary and part of my routine is to sit with Tommy in my lap for twenty minutes or so while he purrs.

    I hope someone adopts the black cat at the vet’s office.

  63. 63.

    JaneE

    You need to go back and at least offer to take the cat home.  You know two panthers are better than one.  The most beloved of all my cats was a black feral, who became the sweetest most loving cat to never ever leave our bedroom for the last 10 years of her life.

  65. 65.

    cbear

    @Ella in New Mexico:

    ….your love for her and all those sweet creatures you have shared with all of us has made our lives—my life for sure— a much more beautiful and rich one

    Beautifullly said, Ella!

  66. 66.

    Quinerly

    Catching up.

    Cole, my heart breaks for you.

    Just reading about your Lily.

    Don’t know what else to say.  So not good at this.

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