A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-21-03....All Creatures Great and Small...FreeperPets

Dutchess and Billie | Gizmo,Codee and FredtheCat

[dutchess]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, daisyscarlett, dansangel, dutchess, Mama_Bear

How precious we "creatures" big and small are. We bring fun, laughter and comfort to you, our human family and friends. . .. and yes . . . aggravation too! We hope you enjoy this weekly thread and also hope you will allow us the honor of featuring your special furry (or not so furry) FreeperPets.

All Creatures Great and Small...Our FreeperPets

Welcome Freeper Friends. I'm Gizmo and with me are my sistahs Codee and Fred the Cat. Today....we'll tell you a little about us....in the coming weeks and months we hope to feature many more of our FRfinests "gifts from God"

Why Are We Doing This????

Gizmo: We came up with this idea as we live in Mom's study anyway; at least since she discovered FreeRepublic! She is always telling Dad to come in and read various FR Threads AND ALWAYS the Finest. We decided it's about time to feature us....the finest FreeperPets and praise our own. After all, it is FreeperPets (ALONG with FreeRepublic) that keep our human Freepers sane!!!

The Beginning

Gizmo: It all started with Dutchess in 1975. Mom and Dad just graduated from college and were getting married. They didn't have much but got a shot at a free dog named "DUTCHESS" (thus mom's screen name). Dutchess was a University of Michigan college pup who was "found out" by administration, was banned from her owner's dorm and sentenced to the dog pound. My folks adopted her and shared a wonderful life with her for the next 13 years.

Duchess died suddenly and unexpectedly at age 14 from cancer that no one knew about. She seemed healthy until the end. They were devastated and decided no more pets for them.

Enter Codee...

Four weeks later Dad saw an ad for a Shelty pup in the local newspaper . . . a breed he always was fascinated with. He brought one home and put it in bed with mom. Mom and Dutchess LOVED to cuddle. She expected that with Codee right from the start. NOT!

Codee: I was a pretty rotten puppy. I was too energetic, hated cuddles and got along well with dad but mom and I were not a mix.

Gizmo: Then one day mom was cleaning out files in her study and started reading the daily letters she wrote to Dutchess in the days after she died. (that was before the internet and "RAINBOW BRIDGE." She still has these letters and sends them to friends when they lose their pets)

Codee: I heard her start to cry and went into the study. I felt so bad I laid on her feet and looked at her face . . . she looked at my face . . . and . . . we finally bonded. We have loved each other ever since.

Gizmo: Codee and Mom insist that Dutchess did that devine intervention.

and then came....Fred the Cat

Gizmo: Okay . . . then Fred shows up as a kitten. Mom and Dad are not big cat lovers and tried to ignore him but within two days mom started sneaking bowls of milk outside. (you all "know the drill") Turns out "him was a HER" after she gave birth to 4 kittens. Good homes were found for all, Fred was immediately "fixed" and worked HER way into the house within the year. She now is a fixture on couch and bed!

And....My Story….

I was a "dumped dog." Don't know why, but I was. I was lucky that I was dumped by someone who cared enough to find a neighborhood of doglovers. I started my search for a home at "mom's" house. Just started throwing myself on her screen door. She came out, gave me some water and then shooed me on my way figuring I belonged to someone.

Two days later, after they made lots of calls to the humane society, newspaper, and radio, it was obvious I was an orphan. I was running down the middle of the street in circles when Mom said "I can't take it anymore" and brought me in. That was six years ago. This family has been a blessing for me . . . and I HAVE BEEN A BLESSING FOR THEM TOO…

So that's our story...the next step

Now...I'm packed and ready to go….to meet and profile some of our special FreeperPets. I just ask that when I come knocking on YOUR door…you make sure to have LOTS of doggie treats and a warm lap to rest my weary head….THIS STUFF WEARS ME OUT….Until next week…this is Gizmo signing off.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 05-19-03...Military Monday 05-20-03...EnviablyRabidRalph

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
2) Once there you can click on any month and even click to the right to go into next year. Once you are in the month that you joined FR you will need to click on the number in the calendar and then an add item screen will come up.
3) In the next box enter your name in the "Calendar Text" field and then click on submit.
4) If any of the screens fail to load simply click on refresh in your browser and that will usually fix it.
5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[dutchess]

Hi Dolly. I love the top 10 list AND the pastor joke LOL! Thanks for the pictures and background on your "kids". I think Giz might be heading your way too!

[dutchess]

Hi lonestar. Can you email me the picture of Weenie? You have freepmail.

[Aquamarine]

What a sweet story! I remember when that picture of Gizmo was taken on the luggage. You all had been gone a few days and when you got back home Gizmo got on top of your luggage as if to keep you from leaving again. Precious!

Everyone here has heard the story of my dear Daisy Mae being left in the woods with her pups...but just in case someone missed the story...the pups didn't survive and Daisy barely did, she was almost starved and in very poor health when a couple who owned a country store picked her up after she wandered out in front of a truck on the highway.
Later that day I came into the store and the rest is history. Daisy is the sweetest dog we've ever had and we love her alot...she loves us in return. :)
She used to be jealous of the time I spent at the computer and has tried to type a post to you all several times...heh!

Billie made this gif for me with a real picture of Daisy Mae...

[dutchess]

(((((((DANSY))))))))

Giz already has his reservation made to visit you. Hmmmm...he's wondering if Billie will provide him a limo and driver...you think?

[FreeTheHostages]

[DollyCali]

Hey Gail.. thanks for coffee.. I have been up since 5:30 & it is nearly 10 & I haven't eaten yet !

neat pot/cup.

[dutchess]

Hi Gail...you know...Giz has been wanting to meet Rocky for a long time(wink)!

[FreeTheHostages]

THIS IS GREAT!!!!!

[dutchess]

Hi Aqua. I just love the story of DaisyMae. Unfortunately we are pulling the suitcases out again today...flying to Florida to drive my folks car back. Giz is already giving me a guilttrip! They do have a way of getting under our skin!

[dansangel]

ROFL!!!

That's a cute kitty story, (((((((DollyCali))))))))

I haven't had a chance to personally welcome you to the Finest, so I am now.....*WELCOME*!

(P.S. My mom's name is "Dolly.")

:-)

[dansangel]

Hmmmm...he's wondering if Billie will provide him a limo and driver...you think?

Well scratch Lars off your list....he's deathly allergic to fur! :-)

[GailA]

Rocky would love company. Here's his latest photo

Rocky It is a slow load due to the large amount of photos of our crafts.

[dutchess]

Thanks Free...I'm looking forward to catching up on yesterdays...I see you posted more of Rabid's pictures later. She's VERY talented (here that Rabid)

Free...start working on your stories LOL!

[Pippin]

Hi, Dolly!

Posted an answer to your question about what part of Tennessee I was living in on Monday's thread, I posted it early on Tuesday morning. Did you get it?

[Pippin]

Good Morning, Dutchess!

WOW! A pet thread today!

I don't have a pet but My parents have a beautiful 6 year old black lab mix. Her name is Nikki and she's the sweetest dog! I wish I could post her picture here!

Then my one sister has two Lhasa Apsos "Laces" and "Pepper" and they also have 4 parakeets!

And my other sister has a lab named "Gus" and a cat, I can't remember the cat's name.

My brother's dog is "chubbles" I think chubbles is still around.

[iceskater]

This is great! I love hearing how people get acquired by their pets.

We have two cats. We got Bubba 15 years ago from the animal shelter. He's a tough old guy. He had a tumor in his eye about a year ago and had to have his eye removed. But he gets around just fine. He still squabbles with our other cat, Lucy, on a daily basis.

We got Lucy about 6 years ago from the humane society. She is a shameless hussy now. We we first got her she wasn't much for physical interactions with us humans. Then I broke my ankle. While I was laid up with that, she became my extra special close friend. She would lay on my lap or snuggle right up next to me while in was in the cast. I guess she knew I wasn't too happy about breaking my ankle and she gave me a lot of comfort. Ever since then, she's been pretty much my constant companion.

[FreeTheHostages]

OK. I've got stories . . . .

[iceskater]

What a great picture! I'm amazed that your pets would nap in the carrier. My two cats hate the carrier because they know it means a trip to the vet!

[dutchess]

God Bless Our Military
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Daisyscarlett; Dansangel; Dutchess; Mama_Bear; and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Pippin....niece,nephew,loved one Doug from Upland......son-in-law weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon..son-in-law,grandson BeforeISleep...................son BeAllYouCan Be............son The Mayor.................niece consort...2 daughters, son-in-law Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty LongCut..................active duty Trish.......................active duty bkwells..................active duty

Maigrey................cousin ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear...........nephew gator girl............husband severa................husband MozartLover...........nephew LBGA........................son SpookBrat...........nephew Himyar.....................son boxerblues............2 sons the piper...................son sheeza...............husband kemathen7...........husband Diver Dave................niece deadhead................cousin JimRobinson.....2 nephews Armymarinemom.....3 sons kneezles...................son Darheel..................niece dixiesass..............nephew LadyX..............grandson AgThorn................2 sons MozartLover..........son

[FreeTheHostages]

If Fred put on another 10 pounds and became a girl, he'd look just like my "kitty." Hee hee.