The story:

Here are a few pics of my cat, Chompers. My partner and I adopted her a little over a year ago from Pets in Need, a small rescue group in eastern Massachusetts. She was 5 months old when we got her; she’s now a year and a half. My partner and I frequently remark that getting her was the best thing we’ve ever done. She wakes me up in the morning by rubbing her face against mine or walking all over me. In the winter, if we’re sitting on the couch under a blanket, she likes to climb under it and onto our laps, or huddle on top of our feet. Every once in a while, she gets a crazy look in her eyes and suddenly streaks across the apartment at full speed. This occasionally ends with her slamming headfirst into a wall, but this does not appear to faze her.

Here, also, is a link to a series of pictures in which Chompers picks a fight with, and loses to, an empty tissue box.

I also want to plug Southwest Collie Rescue. My stepmother, Lee More, helps run it, and it is really a stand-up organization. They take in any collie, no matter how old or how sick, and make sure they get great care and loving homes. They go to great lengths to make sure that every placement is right for dog and owner.

Consider this an open thread

I’m shooting for pictures of animals that were adopted because of what people here have said in the comments or on the front page. I’ve read a number of you say that Lily and Tunch and other people’s pets have inspired you to get a dog or cat for yourself, now I’d like to see the pictures and a link to your respective pet adoption agency. That way I can show a picture of your pet and direct people in your area to a reliable place to adopt pets.

I just know that my quality of life would never, ever, be the same without these two. Between Tunch lying on my chest every morning purring, waking me up for breakfast, and Lily getting so excited any time I come home that she licks my glasses or slips me tongue while pretending to just kiss me (the SLUT!), I just don’t know what I would do without these two. I honestly can’t imagine life without them, and I don’t think people understand how much they are missing by not having pets. So let’s give more people reasons to adopt. Send us your pics, send us your stories, send us your misgivings before adopting, and tell us why it was the best thing you ever did.

And I’m writing this with Lily on my lap and Tunch attacking my hands while perched on the desk. And I would not have it any other way.

*** Update ***

For example, without pets, you will never have an action packed life that involves seat of the pants drama like this:

Let’s be serious, folks. There is a reason the action packed Tunch Cams are a hit!

The pictures tell the tale:

I was a big fan of this maneuver by Lily, as she attempted to pretend she was just sniffing the ground and not paying attention to the cat as she nonchalantly edged closer and closer. The cat was having none of that.

I didn’t get the actual attack because I was laughing too hard, but I did get this parting shot:

Really was a beautiful cat.

Getting ready for my trip tomorrow, so I dropped Tunch off at Tammy’s and took Lily to my brother’s. As I was driving away from my brother’s, he was walking her in the house, and she struggled so much that she got out of her collar and came chasing after the car. I had to stop in the middle of the road and grab her and he had to carry her, whining, into the house. She’s apparently been crying ever since.

I has a sad.

After Tunch’s Excellent Adventure (aka John Cole’s Very-Bad-No-Good-Terrible-Horrible Evening), possibly I was just primed to pick up this local news story…

I’ve spent the last four hours trying to find Tunch, who got out somehow, and I just give up. I have driven the neighborhood multiple times, looked everywhere, left food, and I just do not know what to do. I am beyond panic. If he comes home, it is of his own volition and there is nothing I can do.

The fat bastard.

*** Update ***

I sat outside like a deer hunter with multiple food traps. I finally caught him. Next time I am not freaking out and walking the neighborhood- I’m putting down food. Here he is downing the treats:

And yes. I cried. I am such a damned loser.

Long day.

Question for you all. I’m thinking about moving Tunch to all wet food rather than the kibble, because even though we have been dieting for a year we have only lost 3/4 of a lb. Many of you said your cats were much leaner and more active on an all wet diet, so I think I might try it.

Today, I gave Tunch his morning kibble and then for dinner I gave him some wet food. I gave him Before Grain 100% salmon, and he loved it. I thought he was going to choke to death because I have never heard him purr that loudly while eating, and afterward I got a rare look that didn’t seemed like he was sizing me up for a casket. I don’t want to go overboard, but he almost looked happy.

Questions:

1.) Is Before Grain a solid choice?

2.) If so, how much should I give him? A can a day?

3.) How will this affect his stool?

4.) What about his teeth? Isn’t one benefit of kibble that it helps with their teeth?

Laura W. sends this video of her cats after being dosed with multiple knit balls filled with catnip. The result?

Feline crack den with a bemused pooch wondering WTF:

Personally, I’m a big fan of the sideways slide followed by a headbutt of the catnip ball by Sadie (the longhair) at about 17 seconds. I think I performed a similar maneuver about 20 years ago with a bottle of tequila and a soccer ball.

I almost forgot:

This one kills me:

Claim your pets. Also, kinda funny that this all started with Inkblot.

More cheerful news. My sister’s best friend, someone I have known my entire life, had her kitty mauled by dogs. RIP, Aiko:

She is distraught. Please send her your condolences.

First, some pet pics:

I swear that last dog is a photo shop job. Check out the pink nose and the almost human eyes.

Also this week, back by popular request, BHF has your weekend menu:

1. Grilled Salmon w/Orange Glaze

2. Tomato & Bell Pepper Soup

3. Hearty Bread

4. Raspberries & Blackberries w/whipping cream

Click the link for the full menu.

Also, below the fold, Redkitten has the play-by-play for her latest experience giving birth.

Lily is pouting because it is raining and she only got one several mile walk on the rails to trails today. Such a poor, abused puppy. As such, you are stuck with a new Tunch picture:

Made pad thai tonight with some of the thai hot peppers I grew, and man did I underestimate how hot those babies were. Regardless, it was really good, and I needed to use up some cilantro, too, because that goes to seed so fast.

Also, the site is supposed to be rebuilt some time this week. The designer has been super busy, but should be free this week (crosses fingers), so maybe some of the site performance problems we have been experiencing lately will disappear. I couldn’t get on for several hours today, and I got a bunch of emails, so I know I was not the only one.

*** Update ***

One of our readers passes along this pic of his recently departed buddy Maxie, who just had to be put down:

I paid no attention to blogs, newspapers, magazines, or cable news for three days, come back, and everything is nuttier than ever. Crazy people bringing assault rifles to Presidential events, we’ve moved seamlessly from one lie in the health care debate to a brand new set of lies. The mendacity of the GOP and the weakness of the Democrats is just physically exhausting. In short, I feel like this:

What was it crazy and crooked Jim Traficant used to say all the time?

Because I am too lazy to blog, just finished my book, turned around to head to bed, and look what I found:

I give it another two months before they spoon.

So I’m sitting here trying to read a text I’ve put off for a month and a half, and bigmouth is bitching nonstop because he is out of food, and not slated for another portion until tomorrow because he is a fatbody and it is hard to exercise a cat. So I decide to film him. Guess what- other than a few chirps, he clams up. Go figure:

All in all, a pretty good cat, I think.

The look at 1:03 – 1:08 is vintage Tunch, btw.