Took Walter to the groomers, and they report that he was a perfect gentleman although a little worried about getting on the table, which shows good common sense because he does have three bad legs. But they washed him, scrubbed him, and got his coat looking excellent and he smells so good and he is all soft and cuddly.
It’s weird though, because even though in person his coat looks so much better than it did before going in, in pictures it looks much worse. But trust me, it is better, and the baldish patches don’t have all that old brownish dead hair:
Also, as you can see, he is ornery and happy:
He also is much stronger. He climbed from the back of the Subaru all the way to the front seat, and I could not stop him, and he stepped on and destroyed my bifocals, so I have to go to the eye place tomorrow and buy a new pair.
TaMara (HFG)
See my magic worked. You may all thank me later. <3
redshirt
He looks like he’s filled in from the gaunt creature we first saw. Though that could be camera angles in both cases.
schrodinger's cat
Don’t you have an extra pair. I always have at least 6 months of contact lenses and 3 eyeglass pairs. Walter looks fetching. Good job!
redshirt
@TaMara (HFG): Major has an equation for this. ;)
redshirt
Also, is that Stephonne holding him? How is he? I’m sincerely worried about him given what I know about dental infections.
hitchhiker
Excellent goof ball. Thx for the video!
Pogonip
Looking good! Does the vet expect the bald patches to grow back?
He bumbled onto your glasses and destroyed them. Yay! He’s doing Dog Things. Has he barked yet?
redshirt
Wow. Now I have heard the voice of Cole.
Unsettling.
And he refers to us as “the Readers”.
dlwchico
“Is it dinner time yet?” – Walter
Emma
He’s beyoootiful!
the Conster, la Citoyenne
Just made another donation to an animal rescue in Maine who got 2 old cats adopted out to an old friend. May all beings be happy. May all beings be happy. May all beings be happy. May all beings be happy. etc. etc.
Barb2
Walter you are a good dog.
satby
He looks great and happy! Such an amazing improvement from when you found him, John. Thank you again and again for saving that sweet boy and giving him a happy second life!
bluefish
Hello, Walter! You look great! xoxo. I love this dog so much. He looks so much better, Mr. Cole. Thank you for cheering me up today. Your rescuing of this sweet dog is something I think about now every day.
geg6
Who’s a good boy? Walter is a good boy! Yes he is!
This makes me so happy.
TaMara (HFG)
That video really shows how much he has filled out. He looks good, bald patches and all.
ellie
What a sweetie! I am glad he is doing well.
Francis
nah, the pictures show a huge change for the better. His coat is developing gloss and it’s thickening in. He’s put on a ton of weight, he’s holding his head higher and his skin doesn’t look nearly as awful as it did.
(at least, I think that’s what the pictures show. my office seems to have suddenly got quite dusty and my eyes are watering.)
Pogonip
@redshirt: We are properly referred to as “the snarling mob of jackals,” or something like that. Maybe he didn’t want to scare Walter.
Iowa Old Lady
Walter looks so much better. Nothing like a nice roll in the grass.
raven
@the Conster, la Citoyenne: The Denham Springs Animal Shelter Fund is now at $108,968 and gets a $100,000 from Petco.
Joy
My dog does the same thing when he comes home from the groomer. I’m, like WTF? I paid good money to have the coat debris free! He is really a handsome and happy man.
raven
@Iowa Old Lady: Roll Roll
Joyce H
I thought I might have heard a proto-bark there?
Pogonip
@Iowa Old Lady: Especially with a good doggy snort at the end.
Joy
I also meant to add he looks satiated. I don’t see his ribs and his eyes look shinier. He is so thankful as are all of us.
stinger
And now I’m happy too.
Signed,
Faithful Reader
Iowa Old Lady
@raven: LOL. I knew I could rely on juicers to take things a step farther.
daryljfontaine
<3 Walter. Bless you for saving him, Cole. This story has become my anecdote to friends for "why I read/mostly lurk at this particular poliblog".
Obligatory politics:
TNN: T-Rump News Network. Coming January 2017. “White News. White Now.”
D
Adam L Silverman
@raven:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ID1mST8AzGo
raven
@Adam L Silverman: No tongues!
scav
I think Walter may have a slightly different definition of smelling all nice — of course he’s going to roll in the grass. He’s a sane dog.
scav
@daryljfontaine: White Noise.
seaboogie
Thank you Cole – Walter looks so good and so happy – love his crazy little teefus when he smiles!
Adam L Silverman
@raven: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F8GP0rk83N8
Also:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdIID_TGwhM
Danielle
I wish I could take him
raven
@Adam L Silverman: Teri is one of the go-go dancers in the TAMI show,
skyweaver
Thanks, John. Sort of wishing we could hold a Walter party just to meet him, what a good boy. And I really hope the Walter pics don’t stop once he leaves your care!
Adam L Silverman
@raven: Way before my time.
raven
@Adam L Silverman: Right in my wheelhouse. I had the record but the film was not available for years because the Beach Boys held it up. Incredible show, actually a 2 day gig at the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium in 1964. It’s the best footage there is of James Brown and the Stones did not want to follow him!
The Barbarians
The Beach Boys
Chuck Berry
James Brown and The Famous Flames
Marvin Gaye (with backing vocals by The Blossoms)
Gerry & the Pacemakers
Lesley Gore
Jan and Dean
Billy J. Kramer and The Dakotas
Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
The Rolling Stones
The Supremes
The Bluray is da bomb.
SFBayAreaGal
Walter looks fabulous.
rikyrah
Walter looks better.
And, you are still good people Cole.
JPL
@rikyrah: yup
scav
OT, and not unexpected, but good to get into wider channels / distribution: AP Trump advisers waged covert influence campaign no?
/OT go back to admiring the goofy one, seriously.
redshirt
@raven: Were you there?!
raven
Ashton Eaton!
Mary G
@skyweaver: I already asked debit, Walter’s new mom, to send AL pictures so we can see his progress. She’s going to keep us updated.
He looks much better, John, and thanks for the photos and video. When his head is at a certain angle he does look like he has hound in him. He’s got the blocky skull.
Costco has really good prices on glasses and my opthamalogist (?spelling ) says that their central lab produces high quality stuff.
raven
@redshirt: No, I had moved back to Chicago with my old man and my mom and sibs stayed in LA. I spent the summers there but was always at Manhattan and Hermosa. I did see the Stones at McCormick place on my 16th in 1965.
Patricia Kayden
@Joy: My Boxer does that after he has been bathed. Lol.
So good to see how improved Walter looks.
SFBayAreaGal
@raven:
Teri Garr was also a background player in the Donnie and Marie Osmond show
ThresherK (GPad)
OT: I am looking for a link a fellow BJer posted to a webcomic about asexuality. Anyone remember that recently?
SiubhanDuinne
@redshirt:
Christion? Or am I forgetting a denizen of the Cole household?
Trinity
Walter is wonderful. Period.
SiubhanDuinne
Walter looks fantastic. Y’all remember that first day, my bartender was so moved by his photo and story that he donated $20 bucks to the vet fund. I’ve been keeping him updated and will message him with the latest photos.
JPL
@Trinity: Yes he is. I look forward to daily or weekly updates about his new life,
You go Walter!
debit
My good, sweet boy! He looks so handsome and a million times better. John, you are an amazing guy.
Baud
@SiubhanDuinne:
That’s awesome.
redshirt
@SiubhanDuinne: You are right. I am confused.
Lee
If you are looking for cheap glasses zenni optical is the way to go.
I purchase all of mine there.
raven
@Lee: I like goggles4u
MomSense
@SiubhanDuinne:
I’d love to make something for the new baby and send it to you to give the bartender with a big heart.
Walter looks wonderful. Thank you John, Debit, and all the juicers who chipped in to help.
Woodrowfan
also check Cole’s video of Lovie and Thurston as puppies wrestling…
the Conster, la Citoyenne
HODOR won the shotput for America.
raven
@the Conster, la Citoyenne: There is a guy here in Athens who got his gold medal for the Athens, Greece Olympics 20 years after the fact when the other dude got bounced for doping.
encephalopath
That fur will lie down all smooth and beautiful when the oils come back in. He’ll just be shiny and clean at the same time.
Looking good, old man.
redshirt
@raven: Not a bad result!
gogol's wife
Walter looks great!
the Conster, la Citoyenne
@raven:
The different gold medal winning body types blow my mind. Tall, short, squat, long limbed, stout – it’s fascinating. Hard to pick out who is suspect.
Here goes BOLT.
Baud
@the Conster, la Citoyenne: Photo finish.
the Conster, la Citoyenne
BOLT IS FUCKING AMAZING!!!
raven
BOLT!
raven
So it looks like they can have a decent crowd. I can’t tell what’s up with those box seats in the upper deck. It’s still not near full.
MomSense
@the Conster, la Citoyenne:
It’s so cool. I love the way the athletes move.
jl
Doesn’t look like the same dog. Looks like a happy dog. And smells good, too!
Glad to hear the good news.
Edit: Missed the bifocals thing at first. I went back since it seemed like the story wasn’t complete… It was missing something, and of course it was missing the Cole-saster! Which was there all along. I just missed it, is all.
p.a.
Ain’t happy endings the best!
trollhattan
Back to the Doghead–Walter has his mojo back and can go about the noble cause of being a dog. This is just the best thing. Good job Mr. Cole!
jenn
Walter’s looking fantastic, and has really filled out beautifully. Give him a hug and an extra treat from me!
Thanks for rescuing him, and giving us the periodic updates!
TaMara (HFG)
@SiubhanDuinne: The video will probably send him over the moon
JPL
@p.a.: Yes.. It’s a wonderful life.
Mike E
@raven: Russia was stripped of some ’08 medals after samples were retested during this latest scandal
Citizen_X
Yay, Walter! And good on you, John.
the Conster, la Citoyenne
@MomSense:
Watching this Olympics, I can’t help but imagine a world in which blacks couldn’t compete with whites. Thank the FSM we don’t live in that world.
raven
@Mike E: It was a Ukranian, Yuriy Bilonoh .
SiubhanDuinne
@MomSense:
Oh, what a lovely idea! He isn’t due to arrive until late November. If you’re serious and would really like to, feel free to email me at SiubhanDuinne (at) gmail (dot) com, and I’ll give you my address.
And thank you for that sweet thought.
MomSense
@the Conster, la Citoyenne:
I know I wouldn’t want to go back. Forward together.
Watching the 4x100m now. Amazing to see how much power is in each stride.
the Conster, la Citoyenne
@MomSense:
These track women are fierce. FIERCE. I love everything about them. Their legs – WANT.
MomSense
@SiubhanDuinne:
Yay! How cold does it get in November? I’m thinking baby won’t need Northern New England sweater warmth.
SiubhanDuinne
@Woodrowfan:
Link??
the Conster, la Citoyenne
English Gardner.
MomSense
@the Conster, la Citoyenne:
OH MY GOD. In want those arms before snow shoveling season. Damn. May have to add some weights to my routine.
SiubhanDuinne
@MomSense:
November generally pretty mild. If we get a really cold weather spell it’s more likely to be in February or March. Some years there’s no winter to speak of; others, we get blizzards and ice storms. You never know.
redshirt
@the Conster, la Citoyenne: Like a book with crazy eyes.
MomSense
@SiubhanDuinne:
Ok cotton or light wool then.
Have you seen Florence Foster Jenkins? Saw it the other day and looooved it.
SiubhanDuinne
@redshirt:
But I think possibly there was a Stephonne at one point, so it’s quite understandable.
the Conster, la Citoyenne
@redshirt:
She does have some crazy eyes. Her abs are crazy too. All of them are physical specimens to die for.
SiubhanDuinne
@MomSense:
No, I’ve been on the road all week but will be home tomorrow and it’s on my list for the weekend.
seaboogie
@MomSense: @SiubhanDuinne:
This fucking place…how much do I love it? I missed out on donating to the Walter vet and travel funds, so donated to the LA flooding sitch based on jacy’s recommendations, and raven’s urgings re: the shelter with PetCo matching funds.
Mike E
@raven: 10-4….this happened too
John Revolta
@SFBayAreaGal: Teri Garr was in a Star Trek TOS episode as well. She’s like the original Zelig!
coin operated
Walter looks like hes doing good. Fantastic news.
redshirt
@the Conster, la Citoyenne: Then we’re all agreed?!
the Conster, la Citoyenne
@redshirt:
OK!
redshirt
@coin operated: Walter is now large and in charge and he knows it.
CaseyL
Look at that good boy! Of course he’s rolling around – must feel fantastic to get the last of the grime and dead hair off, and now he can feel the good grass and dirt on his fine new skin.
I remember when John had had Lily for a little while and took her out to play – I think it was the first time he’d taken her outside – she did the same thing: belly-scooted and rolled around on the grass like a crazy girl. Part of the rehabilitation process, joyously rolling around.
Sorry about the glasses, John. Be sure to get a spare pair, eh?
redshirt
@the Conster, la Citoyenne: Done!
Immanentize
@John Revolta: That Terri Garr episode was so great — it was actually a pilot for a new series spin off that never made it. Ah, Gary Seven saves the world….
Woodrowfan
@SiubhanDuinne: Lovie and Thurston wrestling, with Lillie in back.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeN4UyuqJRA&spfreload=10
lamh36
USOC statement about Lochte et al…apologizes do Brazil and basically says they believe the events as laid out by 2 other swimmers that nib”robbery” took place…amh
so one of them vandalised the gas station (Lochte I believe) and then lied about being robbed cause the armed security guards at the gas station made them pay for the vandalism and yes maybe pulled out their guns…I’m betting he claimed robbery cause of the amount of money he had to explain having lost…smh.
In statement, USOC CEO apologizes for ‘distracting ordeal’ involving American
Lochte is the one who likely came up with the robbery story
MomSense
@efgoldman:
The actor who plays Cosme has the best face I’ve ever seen. He made the film for me.
MomSense
@efgoldman:
Oh they are horrible. Must go listen to Ella sing I Love Paris stat.
pseudonymous in nc
Pretty sure that’s the first time I’ve heard Cole’s voice and it’s weird to hear it and yet exactly how he ought to sound.
SiubhanDuinne
@efgoldman:
Yes to Jonathan and Darlene. Have adored them for 55 years.
SiubhanDuinne
@Woodrowfan:
That’s hilarious! I love how Lily utterly ignores everything except her own grooming until John says the magic words “Who wants treats?” The way her head just pops straight up is priceless!
pseudonymous in nc
@lamh36:
One thing I know about elite (men) swimmers: they are like monks in training, and like beasts when the big meet is done. For the Olympics, the entire second week is basically dedicated to partying and using up the bucket of condoms supplied to them in the village. It’s deeply embedded in swimming culture — not just the US team, all the teams. A bit like how orchestras are notorious.
SWMBO
Um. John, if you were driving why weren’t you wearing the glasses?
Karen marie
The difference between Walter then and now is amazing. I can’t imagine how he hung on till John showed up. He’s one lucky dog.
J R in WV
Love the photos and video, thanks so much for the original rescue and following up to keep us all informed.
And , me too, why weren’t those glasses on your face! Friends who started wearing glasses later in life are always losing them, or bending or breaking them, because they don’t wear them 24/7.
Well, except for showering, swimming, sleeping. I even put them on to go to the toilet at 4 am! Elsewise I can’t see the – things – left on the floor by pets. But I’m a nerd…
ETA: nothing like stepping on a gall bladder in your bare feet – thank you cat, so f’ing much!
Aleta
Walt must feel so much better now. Less hot, less itchy, less old hair sticking to his skin. And he must have been so lonely before you found him. Thank you John for real stories like these.
NotoriousJRT
@geg6:
Ditto.
CONGRATULATIONS!
Dammit Cole you went and made me cry at 7 in the morning. He’s an old guy and all busted up and you made him happy. So thank you.
TheronWare
All is well when doggies roll in the grass!