Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

There are more Russians standing up to Putin than Republicans.

Giving in to doom is how authoritarians win.

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

Books are my comfort food!

A snarling mass of vitriolic jackals

With all due respect and assumptions of good faith, please fuck off into the sun.

Speaker Mike Johnson is a vile traitor to the House and the Constitution.

Damn right I heard that as a threat.

Peak wingnut was a lie.

“woke” is the new caravan.

Republicans: “Abortion is murder but you can take a bus to get one.” Easy peasy.

Weird. Rome has an American Pope and America has a Russian President.

Beware of advice from anyone for whom Democrats are “they” and not “we.”

The lights are all blinking red.

America is going up in flames. The NYTimes fawns over MAGA celebrities. No longer a real newspaper.

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

The low info voters probably won’t even notice or remember by their next lap around the goldfish bowl.

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

It is not hopeless, and we are not helpless.

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

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

He wakes up lying, and he lies all day.

Well, whatever it is, it’s better than being a Republican.

“But what about the lurkers?”

You are here: Home / John Cole Presents "This Fucking Old House" / Day Two with Max- No Injuries, But Some Hurt Feelings

Day Two with Max- No Injuries, But Some Hurt Feelings

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Day Two with Max- No Injuries, But Some Hurt Feelings

Things are going well with the feline overlord. He’s calming down slightly, but he is just so scared, so we are taking things super easy. Just gonna take time.

He still has not met Thurston- he has seen him from the other side of the gate and DOES NOT APPROVE AT ALL. He’s been in the same room with Steve for a couple hours, on separate sides, and there was no drama.

This is going to be a slow integration.

Reader Interactions

79Comments

  1. 1.

    Alison Rose

    It’ll happen when it happens, and they all be the bestest buddies. Or at least Max will begin to begrudgingly allow Thurston near him on occasion.

    If I lived near you, I would come over right now to 1) meet the cat, and 2) tidy up your bookshelves.

  4. 4.

    TaMara

    Soon everyone will be sleeping together and you’ll wonder why you don’t have any space of your own. Or at least that’s what I’ve heard happens when the critters outnumber you.

  7. 7.

    pat

    So I am not the only one to focus on the bookshelves!  lol

    Will Max have to wear that collar all the time?  I guess it makes it easier to find him in a dark spot.

  8. 8.

    currants

    @Alison Rose:

    LOL I just want to see what the books are–don’t care if they’re untidy. That way I might borrow one or two and Mr. Cole might not notice…

  9. 9.

    Suzanne

    @ronno2018: At least there’s no evidence of that metal end table that Cole used to have that looked like it belonged under a Nagel print.

    I arranged my bookshelves by color and I love it.

  10. 10.

    scav

    I wouldn’t be surprised if that sleek black kiddo goes on to regally reserve judgement for a hobby and make one pay for the honor of his observation.

  12. 12.

    Ken

    I think it was Terry Pratchett who said that 99% of cat fights consist of the two of them staring at one another for three hours, then wandering off. They both know who would have won, had things gotten physical. He made it sound like very high-end martial arts.

  13. 13.

    sab

    @Alison Rose: And possible avalanches. The mess does keep cats off the shelves. Mine jump up whenever they think there is a safe landing spot

    ETA Mine My books are really disorganized but I do try to keep them them upright if they are on shelves. Book piles belong on counters and tabletops. Cats are everywhere on everthing, sitting, standing, lying around.

  14. 14.

    xephyr

    Slow is good. It took 6 weeks for the last cat I adopted to be accepted by the reigning cat, but it was well worth the wait. They’ve gotten along great ever since, and that was two years ago.

  15. 15.

    Gvg

    Wow, you are moving faster than I ever do with new pets. They can sniff each other under the door for a week is how I start.

    I am currently trying to murder all the fleas in spite of modern flea treatments as I am to pet sit for my sisters dog who is allergic starting next week. I have even ordered nematodes for the outdoors as I have always wanted to try them. Supposed to take care of roaches and termites too, multiple nematode species package. Vacuum and treat couches, wash rugs etc. Spring cleaning. The cats are still scratching though after treatment last week so I am concerned.

    Black kitty is gorgeous. My black kitty is named Velvet for her fur.

  17. 17.

    Juju

    @Gvg: you must not be tasty to fleas. I can’t be near fleas. They find me to appealing, and their bites are vicious. You are lucky you can handle that.

  22. 22.

    Jackie

    @Juju: Me, too! When we lived in Flea Country (Seattle outskirts,) the fleas ignored the cats and feasted on me. I was extremely happy to move back to desert country, aka eastern WA.

  23. 23.

    JoyceH

    I feel like I missed an episode. First I heard of Max, Cole was already on the way to pick him up. Is there backstory? Why is he so scared?

  26. 26.

    Doc Sardonic

    It will take time but it will be worth it and forgiveness for all transgressions will occur. Unless one’s spouse tried to inflict the fucking reboot of one of the all time great shows, Night Court, on one ‘s unsuspecting alcohol fueled person. May the lice of 100,000 camels nut sacks infest John Larroquette’s nether regions for eternity for being involved.

  30. 30.

    Omnes Omnibus

    @Doc Sardonic: ::shutters:: is a hat tip to vanished commenter CornerStone who always, and I would posit intentionally, spelled it that way to tweak pedants.  Do try to keep up.

  32. 32.

    Doc Sardonic

    @Omnes Omnibus: Yes, CornerStone used that iteration, it is respectful of you to do that. However since you are one of the very frequently annoying pedants here, your finding cover in that is a bit insulting. Good Evening Sir, we shall trifle no more.

  34. 34.

    Rose Weiss

    Congrats on allying with such a beautiful feline, Mr. Cole. My new cats usually took one to two weeks to settle in and figure out their place in the herd. Then they’d be sleeping in a pile with their new friend(s).

  36. 36.

    J R in WV

    Our first cat was a black refugee from Siam, we named her Jezebel. When we traveled with her while I was still in the Navy, she learned how to turn on the lights in any motel we stayed in on the road. She especially loved little pull chains to flash a lamp on and off three times a second.

    After we were more settled back in WV she would be quiet while we slept, but then when anyone went into the kitchen to make coffee for breakfast, she would run to the top of the fridge, from which location she  could pounce the top of your head, violently with without claws, and then duck down behind the fridge where you couldn’t counter attack. Was a delight to live with, and we’ve had cats ever since.

  39. 39.

    HumboldtBlue

    @J R in WV:

    Our first cat was a black refugee from Siam, we named her Jezebel.

    I completely misread that sentence, and for a quick second or two I was sure you and your clan were sex traffickers.

  41. 41.

    bjacques

    I really love that bowtie. He looks like Behemoth the demon cat from The Master And Margarita. Be glad he can’t handle a pistol, but be worried if he starts carrying around a Primus stove.

  42. 42.

    Amir Khalid

    Like everyone else, I’m confident that Max and Thurston will sort things out between themselves and become friends. And when the’ve done that, it will be John Cole’s duty to provide photo evidence for the Jackaltariat to squee over.

    In other news, I’ve made the arrangements and I’ll be going to the shelter Thursday morning (Malaysian time). Soon I will be a cat’s human again.

  43. 43.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    It took Stewie a week to accept his new roomie, Morty. It took Stewie about a week to accept his new roomie, Chuckie. It took Morty a year to accept his new roomie, Chuckie, who is also his nephew (littermate sis Shelby’s kid). Family issues…lol

    Now I come into a room and they are all there staring at me like they are up to no good. They like to pile into the hall closet and nap together. It takes time but patience pays off.

  48. 48.

    Amir Khalid

    @HumboldtBlue:

    If it’s a girl, I’ve decided to name her Scully. If it’s a boy, I haven’t settled on a name. I’m considering Caoimhin.

  49. 49.

    Tony Jay

    @HumboldtBlue:

    Bobby Dazzler – Yes. “Show us your teeth, cutie OMG!!! They shine!”

    Lucas – More suited to a stately, golden-brown Great Dane who never seems to bark.

    Kloppo du Gato – “Now let’s see you smile, cutie-pie, gimme a big OMG!!! I’m blind! Where do you get these cats?!?”

    Darwizzie – Is that what they call him? Love it. He always lands on his feet, too.

    Millie – “Your cat’s kinda… does he work out? Is he ironing your sheets?”

    Robbo – “Look intay mah fekkin eyes n’feed mah. Rapi – fuckin – do. Y’ken?”

    Fab – And he is. Get that guy one uninterrupted night’s sleep and he’s the best defence-defender in the League. Funny looking cat, though.

  50. 50.

    something fabulous

    @Suzanne: “I arranged my bookshelves by color and I love it.”

    WE’VE DISCUSSED THIS! UNACCEPTABLE! What about, like, series/multiples by one author, that have different-colored spines?  ‘#4 in the #1 Ladies’ Detective Agency? It’s on the other end of the room, over by the urban planning textbooks.’ (If you use my shelves as an example.) That’s no way to live!!

  52. 52.

    HumboldtBlue

    @Amir Khalid:

    Caoimhin

    This is one for the linguists — from what I have learned, the name above is pronounced kwee-veen, talk about pedantry.

    I still think Kloppo du Gato is the way to go.

  53. 53.

    HumboldtBlue

    @Tony Jay:

    Robbo – “Look intay mah fekkin eyes n’feed mah. Rapi – fuckin – do. Y’ken?”

    Sweet mother of a belly laugh, that’s fuckin’ gold.

    Millie – “Your cat’s kinda… does he work out? Is he ironing your sheets?”

    That too, Boring James Milner.

  56. 56.

    Tony Jay

    @HumboldtBlue:

    Love Robbo. He brings a refreshing edge of borderline insanity to the job that every team needs. That ball for Gakpo, mwah. He cut into space, pointed out the run, phoned his Dad, made a cuppa, told his Dad he was about to get an assist, sent a rude e-mail to Bruno Fernandes’ childhood mentor, put the ball through with perfect pace, and still found time to deliver a vanload of fresh food to needy families. He’s a proper guy.

    And James Milner, what can you say? The consummate professional in whatever role he’s asked to play, whether it be in midfield, defence or as a masked avenger patrolling the mean streets of Formby, and he’ll still find time to deep-clean your architraves. We’ll miss him when he returns to his own dimension.

  58. 58.

    Tony Jay

    @Amir Khalid:

    It’s only three points, but it’s the most delicious chocolate-coated three points available off the menu right now and we are gorging.

    Nice time for the front three to click and the intensity to return to our game, what with a run coming up of Bournemouth/Real Madrid/Oil Citeh/Chelski/Arsenal.

  60. 60.

    Mel

    @Amir Khalid: Oh, please, let it be a girl kitty, because Scully is such a perfect name!

    So very happy that you will be bringing a new fur baby home. What a lucky, happy kitty it will be, to find such a loving home!

  61. 61.

    PBK

    @Tony Jay: I’m choosing from this list when we get our next cat.  Robbo is definitely in the lead!

    @Amir Khalid: Both are very good names.  But as an X-Files fan of course I’m leaning towards Scully.

  62. 62.

    something fabulous

    @satby: 😂😹. I have a design-y friend who, after kindly helping me put together some Ikea shelves, tried surreptitiously to do that til I caught them at it. People, man, I tell you.

  63. 63.

    lowtechcyclist

    @TaMara:

    Soon everyone will be sleeping together and you’ll wonder why you don’t have any space of your own. Or at least that’s what I’ve heard happens when the critters outnumber you.

    My wife and I each had one cat already when we married.  It took them a few months to tolerate each other, but their relationship never got past ‘tolerate’ in the seven years they lived under the same roof.

    @AJ of the Mustard Search and Rescue Team:

    will no one think of the spines?! 🥹

    Spines, spines, everywhere spines, blockin’ up the scenery, breakin’ my mind

  64. 64.

    Gvg

    @Juju: no I guess not, and mosquitoes don’t go for me much either, and I have seen biting yellow fly go past me to attack my sister. We quit that camp out early. I tend to overlook that possibility. I had to learn to put mosquito repellant on my nephew because I had never needed it. I am not as safe as I get older but fleas still never attack me.

  65. 65.

    satby

    @something fabulous: INORITE?

     

    As far as the cats go, neutered males usually sort themselves out with a minimum of fuss, though the fuss that happens can get unnerving until they do. Max has probably not had to live with a dog, so he’ll adjust to Thurston in due time.

  66. 66.

    Matt McIrvin

    @lowtechcyclist: Yeah, our two cats’ relationship has never been closer than a kind of truce in which they’ll hang out in the same room. Luna is a rambunctious, dramatic animal and I think she’s just a bit too much for Jess to get too close. At night, Luna has taken our bedroom as her territory and Jess generally remains downstairs, which is kind of sad since Jess is a sweet and affectionate cat.

  68. 68.

    WaterGirl

    @Amir Khalid:   So Thursday is the big day!

    If you find one you want to take home, do they make you wait a day or two?  Our shelter here does that.  Maybe so people won’t take someone on impulse and then return them a day or two later?

  69. 69.

    pluky

    @satby: The problem is not Irish Gaelic. The problem is trying to cram a language into Roman alphabet when there is minimal overlap between the letters and the phonemes.

  70. 70.

    Rugosa

    @J R in WV: ​
     My first cat was a Siamese who similarly loved to climb and pounce. Jump from the floor to the kitchen counter to the top of the fridge and pounce was a favorite, also the jump on the unsuspecting guest at the dinner table from behind.

  71. 71.

    Amir Khalid

    @WaterGirl:

    I was told to bring a pet carrier, so I will probably be able to bring back the cat on Thursday itself. (After the shelter people have interviewed me, of course, and satisfied themselves that I am not fixing to cook me some cat curry.)

    For the very reasonable adoption fee of RM60, you get a long list of things done for the new pet. But if you bring it back, you have to pay the whole fee again, which seems fair.

  73. 73.

    AnnaN

    Thank you for the updates, but OMG WHAT ABOUT THE MARRIAGE DEETS!?  JP, home, or hall?  Will Thurston wear a bow tie?  Will Steve be too busy sulking about Max to attend to his ring bearer duties?  And what flavor frosting on the cake!?

    I have contained myself in lurker status long enough.  Pics! Please!

  75. 75.

    Paul in KY

    @Tony Jay: What a demolition! Watched 2nd half with my mouth agape. Think they could have had 9. God, Fernandez is such a whinger.

  77. 77.

    Juju

    @Gvg: Wow. I hate mosquito season. Mosquito, those stupid biting horse flies and just about anything else that bites or stings seem to seek me out.  I can use repellent only once or twice a summer because I have a sensitivity to the main ingredient in most insect repellents. I have my yard sprayed with the stuff that does something to the nervous system of mosquitoes and gnats and doesn’t affect other insects, birds, dogs, cats and such.  I haven’t had issues with dogs with fleas since I started using the once a month flea and tick prevention on my dogs.  So my yard and house are safe for me.  I’m jealous that you have minor issues with bugs.

  78. 78.

    karen marie

    @Juju: My spaniel, Lucy, picked up brown dog ticks at a groomer. It was a nightmare, mostly because I wasn’t familiar with these – they can breed in your house – and I thought she got them from outside.  I put her on Bravecto, a pill, effective for 90 days. It worked brilliantly. Ticks were gone completely by the end of the first 90 days.

    When Baby Cat arrived, she was crawling with fleas. At four weeks old, she was too young for anything but baths, but that wasn’t going to help the dog or me, so I gave the dog another Bravecto. Boom, the fleas disappeared from both Baby Cat and Lucy.

    Bravecto works much better than any topical I’ve used.

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