Bash

Crossed

On Saturday, I had to make the call for in-home euthanasia of our dear old dog, Ladybug.  The sweet girl (about 14?) had bone cancer, failing kidneys, arthritis, and more. I wouldn't have let her be in pain and she wasn't. I walked her with a tote device (I joked that "this is my expensive new bag from Pucci") and maintained her med schedules more closely than my own. But her strength and interest in life were ebbing and on Saturday, I could see it in her eyes.

So we had a service come to our home rather than scare her one last time with a trip to the vet, and things went very smoothly. Bug wasn't scared or stressed and I was with her every step of the way. Of course, the pain I was feeling was off the charts (and truthfully still is). But it was the gentlest death anyone could hope for.

That being said, when Bug's heart stopped, the sweet young vet (Dr. Katie) said "she's crossed the rainbow bridge." And it was a kind thing to say, but it sure didn't FEEL like any rainbows had been involved. And afterwards, I made a dark cartoon which was posted here earlier but, at my daughter's request, has now been replaced.  

Most people here are aware (I think) that Johnny Optimism came into being when my mother died suddenly and circumstances wouldn't let me fly out for any kind of closure.  And so I started creating dozens of Johnny Optimism cartoons as a way to let out my pain...attempting to laugh, however bitterly, to keep from crying. And here, many years later, we still are. And the world still sucks too often and I still try to fight back with humor.

All of which is probably more than you need to know, so let me be perfectly honest: I could sure use a hug or two right now.

And in return, I'll try to make a more lighthearted post on StiltonsPlace.com either later this week or on Monday of next week. It will be funny, holiday-oriented, and introduce you to my exciting new role as a professional public Santa Claus. If I can't milk an anecdote or six out of that, I'm not the man I think myself to be.

Hug your dogs and spouses if you've got 'em, and your kids if they get jealous.   -Stilt

She was a Good Girl.

Ride

 

Knocks

Happy Thanksgiving to all from the Jarlsbergs!

Scaly

Impression

Might

 

Brush

Mean

 

Irrational

Fling

Asleep

Daylight

Sure

Contest

Real

Fired

Stressed

This is more or less the conversation I had at my annual heart checkup on Monday. 

Imagination

 

Fever

Secret

 

First

Something

Blorpf

Horse

Panicked

Pulled

Hindsight

 

Bottle

French

I'll be the first to admit that this is a lame cartoon (no offense to the lame, Johnny) but it's been a wild ride here for a few days. Daughter Jarlsberg was having sporadic back pain that the local Doc-in-a-Box clinic diagnosed as muscle strain. It sort of ebbed and flowed for about a week, then on a Saturday (of course) the pain suddenly "went to 11" as they say.

So off to the emergency room and a battery of tests, revealing gallstones blocking the ducts of her pancreas AND liver (in hindsight, her suddenly turning orange should have been a clue). Morphine didn't touch the pain, but Dilaudid did. Mostly.

Monday they did laparoscopic surgery to remove the gall bladder and any blockages, and today (Tuesday) I brought her home for further recovery. I'm currently running on sleep deficit and anxiety overload, but everything went smoothly and everyone at the hospital was exceptional. In a good way, unlike what you usually see here.

I appreciate the messages of support!  -Stilt

Sorry about missed deadline!

 Sorry that there was no cartoon today. We had a Health crisis over the weekend and daughter Jarlsberg ended up needing surgery. She's still in recovery right now but the surgery went very well. Fortunately, the hospital we're in is way better than the one Johnny is in!

Kissing

 IT'S A FRIDAY TWO-FER! I messed up the posting on Wednesday's cartoon, but in the interest of giving you your money's worth, here's Wednesday AND Friday's cartoon!

WEDS 9/17/25

This is actually a true thing now, though that bug's last assertion might bear extra scrutiny.

FRI 9/19/25

Light

Spot

Actually

It's not a coincidence that this is the followup to Monday's colonoscopy cartoon...

Rough

At the time of this writing, it's "Colonoscopy Prep" day for me - although in an ugly development, it's now a two-day process featuring the regular explosive internal excavation this evening, then doing it all over again in the morning before going in for the procedure. Presumably so you won't care if you die on the table.

Boots

Steam

 

Fecal

JOHNNY'S LEARNING CORNER

For those who might be wondering what kind of pervert I am (as opposed to those of you who already know), fecal transplants are a real thing now. For severe colon problems in which the necessary bacteria aren't there or doing their job, a simple dollop of bio-active poo from a donor can potentially save the sick person's life as well as guaranteeing that they'll have at least one hilarious story to tell at family gatherings in the future. 

Nice

WEEKEND BONUS: A quick video clip from Johnny and Lance's recent visit to the Grand Tetons!

Foot

Ticks

 

Everything

 Sorry about the late posting today! No reason for it other than a senior moment on my part!

Anything

Share

Touch

Fun

Done

Donuts