We "picked" this asshole
October 23, 2015 5:33 PM Subscribe
Aww, that's so wonderful. It made me want to pick up my own cat and cuddle her, but she made it clear that this is alone time, and that alone time must be respected.
posted by teponaztli at 5:48 PM on October 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by teponaztli at 5:48 PM on October 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
This is wonderful and gave me the feels.
(And just to spare anyone the angst - cat status = alive (yay!))
posted by longdaysjourney at 5:49 PM on October 23, 2015 [14 favorites]
(And just to spare anyone the angst - cat status = alive (yay!))
posted by longdaysjourney at 5:49 PM on October 23, 2015 [14 favorites]
Beautiful. Hugging the fat stripey one in my lap.
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 5:50 PM on October 23, 2015
posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 5:50 PM on October 23, 2015
Nobody quite draws cats like Allison, so stylized but with a sense of heft, foofy almost.
posted by The Whelk at 5:50 PM on October 23, 2015 [9 favorites]
posted by The Whelk at 5:50 PM on October 23, 2015 [9 favorites]
My own elderly asshole cat is currently biting my elbow because I inexplicably prefer the laptop to him at the moment. Great comic, thanks.
posted by frumiousb at 5:54 PM on October 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by frumiousb at 5:54 PM on October 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Every day I am grateful that my 17 year old tortie, Drusilla aka Miss Moo aka Nooners, is still with me.
posted by Kitteh at 6:04 PM on October 23, 2015
posted by Kitteh at 6:04 PM on October 23, 2015
I loved this. I want to hug everyone in it. Especially the cat(s).
posted by mudpuppie at 6:12 PM on October 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by mudpuppie at 6:12 PM on October 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Lovely comic. The food hierarchy reminds me of my parents' oldest cat, who is seventeen, ill, and wobbly, but gets to eat first, even though he's much smaller than the younger ones. I lost the second of my elderly cats in April, but there are currently three five-month-old kitties in my bedroom, pretending that they weren't doing things earlier in the day like knocking the chairs over. *goes to pet them*
posted by thomas j wise at 6:23 PM on October 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by thomas j wise at 6:23 PM on October 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
The little head-cock when she writes "I named him Julien Bashir" is so amazing. Also, "That's older than some of my friends" bit.
Old pets are amazing. And heartbreaking. And amazing. It's always rough to know you'll outlive these amazing creatures you've shared so much of your life with. But they're still awesome and amazing and themselves. That's what I took away from this -- Julien is still living and is a force to be dealt with. He's a good kitty.
(I do know Alison in that Real Life way, but I'd say these things about her comics anyway.)
posted by darksong at 6:23 PM on October 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
Old pets are amazing. And heartbreaking. And amazing. It's always rough to know you'll outlive these amazing creatures you've shared so much of your life with. But they're still awesome and amazing and themselves. That's what I took away from this -- Julien is still living and is a force to be dealt with. He's a good kitty.
(I do know Alison in that Real Life way, but I'd say these things about her comics anyway.)
posted by darksong at 6:23 PM on October 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
This strikes close to home. I just lost my 22 year old cat a couple weeks ago. So many of the same issues. It is hard to get used to him not being in the house now -- I keep forgetting he isn't here anymore.
posted by fimbulvetr at 6:33 PM on October 23, 2015 [29 favorites]
posted by fimbulvetr at 6:33 PM on October 23, 2015 [29 favorites]
I love this
posted by growabrain at 6:53 PM on October 23, 2015
posted by growabrain at 6:53 PM on October 23, 2015
Now I miss my purring chest warmer!
posted by boredgargoyle at 6:55 PM on October 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by boredgargoyle at 6:55 PM on October 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
My Gracie likes to sleep right next to my head just like your old kitty sleeps next to your Scott. I loved this comment.
posted by xingcat at 7:12 PM on October 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by xingcat at 7:12 PM on October 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
Lovely. Excellent cat naming, btw. I am a big fan of naming cats after fictional characters (despite sticking to SI prefixes myself)
posted by maryr at 7:18 PM on October 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by maryr at 7:18 PM on October 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
I loved this. Thank you. I laughed so hard I cried and then I cried again and laughed.
Sorry fimbulvetr.
posted by antiquated at 7:28 PM on October 23, 2015
Sorry fimbulvetr.
posted by antiquated at 7:28 PM on October 23, 2015
How ridiculously sweet!
posted by Pope Guilty at 7:47 PM on October 23, 2015
posted by Pope Guilty at 7:47 PM on October 23, 2015
Awwwwww.
posted by sarcasticah at 7:58 PM on October 23, 2015
posted by sarcasticah at 7:58 PM on October 23, 2015
The noisemaking panels reminded me of a habit my cat had when he was older - whenever i caught him doing something he shouldn't be doing, and I stopped him, he'd run into the hall or the next room and start a loud protest: "muuuH-ROW! muuuH-ROW! muuuH-ROW! muuuH-ROW! muuuH-ROW! muuuH-ROW!" And he'd keep it up until I finally hollered back, "Zach, KNOCK IT OFF!" ....And there was always a beat, and then one final, sulky little "...mrorw...." and then silence.
It was like he was a cranky old man yelling about the world going to hell or something.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:07 PM on October 23, 2015 [49 favorites]
It was like he was a cranky old man yelling about the world going to hell or something.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 8:07 PM on October 23, 2015 [49 favorites]
I am so happy Alison, Julian and Mr. Alison found each other. Now I'm going to cry because old cats are the best.
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:23 PM on October 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 8:23 PM on October 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
The hell he is. He's meowing at me to feed him right now.
His special, special meow because he is such a sweet little kitty, yes he is, yes he is.
posted by Artw at 8:25 PM on October 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
His special, special meow because he is such a sweet little kitty, yes he is, yes he is.
posted by Artw at 8:25 PM on October 23, 2015 [8 favorites]
he is a good boy
despite the stated evidence to the contrary here in this thread.
great comic, thanks for the post.
posted by zutalors! at 8:43 PM on October 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
despite the stated evidence to the contrary here in this thread.
great comic, thanks for the post.
posted by zutalors! at 8:43 PM on October 23, 2015 [2 favorites]
oh man. This really, really reminds me of the cat I grew up with, who just died this summer at a similar age. She also had eye problems and seizures and odd bathroom habits towards the end, and man, I miss her. I dreamed about her last night. Sending many head skritches to Julien.
posted by en forme de poire at 9:12 PM on October 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by en forme de poire at 9:12 PM on October 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
Years ago, my then-boss's friend died and his cat needed a home. Vanna was about 10 years old, and I agreed to take her in, figuring that we'd have her for a couple of years before she passed on. She was with us for 15 years until her demise. Past a certain point, we started to believe she would live forever.
In 1995, neighbors in our apartment building took in a pregnant stray. She had complications with the delivery, and they took her to the vet, where they delivered 6 kittens and saved the mother's life as well. My husband chose the lone calico in the litter; I chose a orange kitty who lost the tip of his tail by accident during the delivery. We gave them X-Files-related names and they came with us across the country. The orange kitty died at age 10; his sister lasted another 10 years.
She was very much like the cat in the comic; old and crotchety and ruler of the other cats in the house. She would howl for no reason early in the mornings, shove the other cats away from their bowls to see if their food was better, and cozy up to our middle cat, who is the sweetest-tempered cat I've ever known. The youngest cat she ignored and she pretended our daughter didn't exist. This August, we had to call the vet to put her to sleep; I'm glad she's not suffering any more, and I certainly don't miss some of her more annoying behaviors, but I do miss her.
posted by mogget at 10:17 PM on October 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
In 1995, neighbors in our apartment building took in a pregnant stray. She had complications with the delivery, and they took her to the vet, where they delivered 6 kittens and saved the mother's life as well. My husband chose the lone calico in the litter; I chose a orange kitty who lost the tip of his tail by accident during the delivery. We gave them X-Files-related names and they came with us across the country. The orange kitty died at age 10; his sister lasted another 10 years.
She was very much like the cat in the comic; old and crotchety and ruler of the other cats in the house. She would howl for no reason early in the mornings, shove the other cats away from their bowls to see if their food was better, and cozy up to our middle cat, who is the sweetest-tempered cat I've ever known. The youngest cat she ignored and she pretended our daughter didn't exist. This August, we had to call the vet to put her to sleep; I'm glad she's not suffering any more, and I certainly don't miss some of her more annoying behaviors, but I do miss her.
posted by mogget at 10:17 PM on October 23, 2015 [6 favorites]
Aw.
My terrible 20 year old cat died yesterday, and I am finding this wonderful and sad
posted by St. Sorryass at 10:32 PM on October 23, 2015 [30 favorites]
My terrible 20 year old cat died yesterday, and I am finding this wonderful and sad
posted by St. Sorryass at 10:32 PM on October 23, 2015 [30 favorites]
Condolences to everyone who has said goodbye to an elder cat.
My old man is 14, but he's only been mine for six years. I squeeze him tight all the time, knowing I won't get to do so forever. Elderly cats are the best. Set in their ways, a little slower, but no less fierce.
posted by missmary6 at 10:44 PM on October 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
My old man is 14, but he's only been mine for six years. I squeeze him tight all the time, knowing I won't get to do so forever. Elderly cats are the best. Set in their ways, a little slower, but no less fierce.
posted by missmary6 at 10:44 PM on October 23, 2015 [4 favorites]
I love the screentone.
posted by Standard Orange at 12:14 AM on October 24, 2015 [4 favorites]
posted by Standard Orange at 12:14 AM on October 24, 2015 [4 favorites]
all my cats are less than five years old and they are going to live forever and nobody here better tell me any different
posted by Anonymous at 2:00 AM on October 24, 2015
posted by Anonymous at 2:00 AM on October 24, 2015
all my cats are less than five years old and they are going to live forever and nobody here better tell me any different
posted by schroedinger at 5:00 AM on October 24 [+] [!]
This may or may not be true.
posted by Faint of Butt at 2:36 AM on October 24, 2015 [63 favorites]
posted by schroedinger at 5:00 AM on October 24 [+] [!]
This may or may not be true.
posted by Faint of Butt at 2:36 AM on October 24, 2015 [63 favorites]
Faint of Butt, that... that was brilliant.
posted by Joey Michaels at 2:41 AM on October 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Joey Michaels at 2:41 AM on October 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
I love the raggedy-looking fur of the old kitty...it reminds me of one of my own, who I got at age 13 and died approximately 13 years later of something kidney-related. She has been trademarked (by our family) as "the best cat in the world". She was my best friend and a source of great comfort and affection during my angsty teenage years. A very important cat indeed.
As they all are.
posted by Halo in reverse at 2:53 AM on October 24, 2015 [7 favorites]
As they all are.
posted by Halo in reverse at 2:53 AM on October 24, 2015 [7 favorites]
There's a Miles O'brien cat too! I'm sure they stroll the promenade or have rousing adventure in the holosuite.
posted by dr_dank at 4:59 AM on October 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
posted by dr_dank at 4:59 AM on October 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
My seventeen year old kitty with kidney disease and IBS gets hunger stimulants. Oh man, when those kick in her demands for food are epic. One time we were slow getting the food out and she let out a meow that had no meow sounds, just: AAARRRGH. AAARGH!
And she totally loves the mister more than she does me. She sleeps by head, on his pillow, etc.
posted by angrycat at 5:24 AM on October 24, 2015 [9 favorites]
And she totally loves the mister more than she does me. She sleeps by head, on his pillow, etc.
posted by angrycat at 5:24 AM on October 24, 2015 [9 favorites]
Oh, this reminds me of my 19 year old crotchety cat who is paring at me right now because she's not on me. Awww. Yay old cats!
posted by rmd1023 at 8:10 AM on October 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by rmd1023 at 8:10 AM on October 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
Er, yowling at me, that is.
posted by rmd1023 at 8:58 AM on October 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
posted by rmd1023 at 8:58 AM on October 24, 2015 [1 favorite]
It is clear that our elder cat, Darth Lovey, is not alone in his crazy elder cat issues! Thank you so much for this!
posted by Lynsey at 10:16 AM on October 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
posted by Lynsey at 10:16 AM on October 24, 2015 [3 favorites]
When I was born, my parents had three cats. Zanzibar died soon after, and I don't remember her at all. The only things I remember about Sassafras is the day she died and pictures of her in my crib with me.
But the third cat, Evita. She lived for a long time. Until she was nearly 22. That cat could legally drink by the time she died. She was the mysterious elder in our house that had not just my parents, my brother, and myself, but that quickly grew to have a Siberian husky, snakes, parakeets, hamsters, gerbils, and the goldfish that were handed out as literal party favors at children's parties in the late eighties and early nineties. My mother loved animals and was never allowed to have them growing up, so she let me and my brother have tons of them.
Over the years Evita grew old and frail. My parents remodeled the house when I was in sixth grade and built a cavernous master bedroom. Evita had some Siamese in her; most notably that trademark yowl, and the unfinished bedroom was a place where she would go and sit and howl for hours on end. We theorized that room had such an echo that it was the only place she could go that she could hear. Her hearing had been going for years.
When she started to go it was winter. We all knew it was time. I was about thirteen now, and when I was three we had gotten a dog. Evita hated that dog. At best they had an understanding as the two large animals that were allowed to roam the house. But when Evita really started to decline, she went and laid down next to the dog on the dog's bed. That was where she chose to pass her last hours.
My family adopted other cats, and I've adopted other cats now that I'm on my own. But Evita is still the reason I think that a house isn't a home until there's a cat in it.
This comic captures a lot of those feelings really well.
posted by clockbound at 1:19 PM on October 24, 2015 [22 favorites]
But the third cat, Evita. She lived for a long time. Until she was nearly 22. That cat could legally drink by the time she died. She was the mysterious elder in our house that had not just my parents, my brother, and myself, but that quickly grew to have a Siberian husky, snakes, parakeets, hamsters, gerbils, and the goldfish that were handed out as literal party favors at children's parties in the late eighties and early nineties. My mother loved animals and was never allowed to have them growing up, so she let me and my brother have tons of them.
Over the years Evita grew old and frail. My parents remodeled the house when I was in sixth grade and built a cavernous master bedroom. Evita had some Siamese in her; most notably that trademark yowl, and the unfinished bedroom was a place where she would go and sit and howl for hours on end. We theorized that room had such an echo that it was the only place she could go that she could hear. Her hearing had been going for years.
When she started to go it was winter. We all knew it was time. I was about thirteen now, and when I was three we had gotten a dog. Evita hated that dog. At best they had an understanding as the two large animals that were allowed to roam the house. But when Evita really started to decline, she went and laid down next to the dog on the dog's bed. That was where she chose to pass her last hours.
My family adopted other cats, and I've adopted other cats now that I'm on my own. But Evita is still the reason I think that a house isn't a home until there's a cat in it.
This comic captures a lot of those feelings really well.
posted by clockbound at 1:19 PM on October 24, 2015 [22 favorites]
My youngest is the house asshole, and I knew it the moment I first saw her picture. Six weeks old and new to human contact, and she had the most self possessed and willful expression on her face.
My eldest, an intensely willful and self possessed cat in her own right, had just passed too young. And I saw that face and said: want.
posted by wotsac at 1:29 PM on October 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
My eldest, an intensely willful and self possessed cat in her own right, had just passed too young. And I saw that face and said: want.
posted by wotsac at 1:29 PM on October 24, 2015 [2 favorites]
tolerate
ENOUGH
Yup, pretty much sums up every interaction I've ever had with my kitty.
posted by vytae at 5:08 PM on October 24, 2015 [4 favorites]
ENOUGH
Yup, pretty much sums up every interaction I've ever had with my kitty.
posted by vytae at 5:08 PM on October 24, 2015 [4 favorites]
« Older The earlier French revolution | “This was a brilliant innovation,” Newer »
This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
posted by Artw at 5:42 PM on October 23, 2015 [7 favorites]