A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....08-27-03....FRPet Day...The Saga of Ink

Gizmo; Codee; FredtheCat; Dutchess

[dutchess]

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

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How precious we "creatures" great and small are. We have a very special story to share with you today about a very special FreeperPet and the wonderful family who adopted her.

The Saga of Ink

Gizmo: Good day Finest Friends. I returned refreshed from a wonderful vacation with the folks and decided to enlist the help of my sistahs Codee and FredtheCat for the "Saga of Ink". I was warned ahead of time that Ink is very shy and would probably not be very talkative. At the same time, knowing that she has a very compelling story, we really wanted her featured. With Codee and FredtheCat in tow…we ventured off to Pennsylvania to the home of Ink. As luck would NOT have it…"her parents" were not home (although they left some wonderful snacks) and we were left to plot our next strategy…

(Suddenly…from a tree high atop a voice came booming down.)

Mr. Owl: Welcome Gizmo, Codee and FredtheCat….As you have heard Ink is rather shy and asked that I sort of act as spokesman. I've lived here for many years and think I can accurately tell you the Saga of Ink….

Gizmo: Suddenly a warm cozy fire starts up…and a few of the neighborhood creatures join us as Mr. Owl begins Ink's story ….mesmerizing us with his soft gentle voice…

Mr. Owl: This story should open with a sentence saying "ONCE UPON A TIME", because it sometimes seems like a fairy tale. It begins around Easter Sunday, 1998.

A young girl was walking through the parking lot of the gigantic King of Prussia Mall in suburban Philadelphia. She paid no attention to a discarded duffel bag. Then she saw it move and heard a mournful cry.

She went to the bag, opened it and discovered that a pitiless person had abandoned a litter of six puppies. Four were already dead. The two others were nearly dead. They were the size of chipmunks. Their eyes were filmed over. One was pitch black. Her body was nearly completely covered with mange.

Gizmo and FredtheCat (in unison): Oh my…we both were "dumped" and can relate. How frightening for the poor puppies. How can people be so cruel…

Mr. Owl: Just wait…there's more…

The young benefactor was shocked and distraught. She took her findings home to her mother who in turn asked a friend if she could adopt one of the pups.

The friend couldn't but called Tribune7, whom she knew to be a soft touch. He answered, "it would be up to Pop (Temple)" He suggested they deliver the creature in person instead of calling. Number One Son explained that the old man would reject the plea over the phone, but would probably feel sorry for the pooch and accept her once he saw her.

He was right. The little black orphan ended up at their house. It was almost as if she said, "Adopt me and I will become a beautiful princess and bring you much happiness." I don't think other poor waif made it.

Gizmo: (with a tear in his eye) I remember the moment when mom and dad "took me in". It was wonderful but scary at the same time.

Codee: Shsssssh Giz….I want to hear more…

Mr. Owl: Temple took one look at the dog and said he would not even give her a name until they had her checked over by a veterinarian. Tribune7 took the dog to "the office" (the weekly newspaper office they ran). He called Dr. Rose DiLeva, who is billed as "The Mobile Vet" in Chadds Ford. She mobiled to the office, examined the dog and then called Temple at home.

She said the poor animal was very sick, but there was a new treatment for mange that often worked. The problem was that the treatment sometimes proved fatal. Temple told her to go ahead. He was going to ask her to put her down anyway if it appeared she couldn't be saved.

Gizmo: Oh no….I don't want to hear this….please please have a happy ending….

Mr. Owl: She then gave her all kinds of shots, medications, and vitamins and placed her on a weird diet that included things like cantaloupe. She even mentioned using acupuncture. Her bill came out to just under $1,000.

Animals in unison: OUCH!!!!

Mr. Owl: Temple grumbled that he could have bought a racehorse for that kind of money. He ended up with an animal that, to this day, he is still not sure "pure" dog.

Gizmo: So…how about the name Ink…that's pretty unusual for a girl MUCH LESS A DOG!

Mr. Owl: Well…since she was black as ink and going to be hanging around a weekly newspaper office, they decided to name her "Ink."

Gizmo: So….tell us more…can we meet her….what happened after the adoption…?????

Mr. Owl: Well…as I said…Ink is very shy but her best friend….Chloe, the chocolate lab that lives next door, has agreed to be interviewed. Here she comes now….

Chloe: Five years have passed and it turns out the $1,000 spent on a "Mutt" was one of best financial investments Temple ever made. He just had her back to the Mobile Vet for booster shots and a check-up. Rose commented on her beautiful thick glossy coat.

Temple overheard her tell another pet owner that "Ink is the luckiest dog in the world."

Codee: How was she in the beginning? Did it take long to train her? Gosh...if she was a human...she would have been in therapy for years! (let me tell you about Gizmo and FredtheCat....geesh!)

FredtheCat and Giz (in unison): Hey...I thought we agreed no family secrets!

Chloe: (ignoring the little "spat") Ink was house broken from the very beginning. In all the time she has lived next door, she has only had two "accidents" inside the house and that's when she was a sick little puppy.

Gizmo: (sheepishly) I wish I could say that same….

Codee: LOL....Glad you finally admitted it Giz :o) go on Chloe…

Chloe: As she grew older, she learned how to boss everyone around. In the beginning, she would approach her mom, Maggie who reads just about every night lying in bed. Ink would grab her big toe and give it a yank. Maggie finally got the hint. Ink wanted a piece of cheese. The "spoiled princess" no longer has to yank on the toe. She just sits there every night and stares until Maggie surrenders and delivers.

Gizmo: So is Ink a cuddler????

Chloe: Ink doesn't much go for cuddling and petting. She likes it when Tribune7 rubs her belly and she seems to enjoy or at least tolerate the frequent brushing Temple gives her. She goes nuts when anyone of arrives home even after a short absence. She runs around jumping and barking joyously, but still doesn't care to be petted. But she just tolerates the grandchildren, staying one step ahead of them when they try to catch her and pet her.

Codee: Does she just hang out…or is there a routine?

Chloe: She has assigned different tasks to each of the family. Tribune takes her for long walks every day. Temple throws sticks for her several times a day and Maggie supplies the cheese.

Chloe: Oh and at mealtime, she acts like something off of the Animal Channel. She doesn't lunge for the food dish. She carefully sneaks up on it and then looks around before carefully tasting the contents of the dish. They gave up on the vet's diet and the cantaloupe almost immediately. Ink is a carnivore. They give her dry dog food laced with real meat. She doesn't run or trot like a regular dog. It is more of a lope like a coyote or a wolf. She now weighs 40 pounds and is about the size of a large fox. She resembles a fox, except that she is black. And, I sometimes charge into their kitchen and clean out Ink's dish. She doesn't seem to mind…but only because we are the best of friends I think.

Codee: Anything else you can tell us about Ink?

Chloe: Well, as I said she doesn't like to be petted and cuddled…yet, she is very protective, especially with her mom. Just recently a woman came by the office and gave Maggie an appreciative hug for doing a favor. Ink apparently thought Maggie was being assaulted. She snarled. Her hackles went up and she prepared to attack. She had to be assured that the visitor was a friend.

Chloe: Well that's it for me. I hear my mom calling. Mr. Owl…can you finish up?

Mr. Owl: Really that's about it…except…The girl who found Ink had placed a small stuffed toy leopard in her box. It came with Ink. Ink still has it. It has been sewn and repaired numerous times. She carries it downstairs for her evening walk, then carries it back upstairs when it's time to go to bed. And she goes to sleep and snoozes happily ever after.

Gizmo: Oh…that is just too too sweet. Just then Chloe returned with the elusive Ink. Yup…I have to admit she is a real beauty.

Mr. Owl: I must take my leave too...there are other places to explore...new news to create..I hear Mars might make an appearance this week. The fires stoked and you are all welcome to spend the rest of the evening.

Gizmo: Why thanks....we might take you up on that offer...But...before you go....tell me...do you have a name?????

Mr. Owl: Why yes….it's Temple…..TempleOwl.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 08-25-03...Showdown in Montgomery 08-26-03...A Charming Disaster...The District of Columbia

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

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[dutchess]

[dutchess]

Welcome. It's FRPet Day..please stop in and meet a very special FreeperPet who belongs to one of our Finest Friends....(or should we say...she "owns" them!) It's a loving and touching story...

[Mama_Bear]

Good morning, dutchess and Temple, sistahs and friends. It's time to say good night out here on the left coast, but first wanted to tell Giz, Codee and Fred 'thank you' for the fine job they do.

Temple Owl, God bless you for your good heart. Ink is indeed a very lucky dog.....and I suspect you are equally lucky to have found her. After having met Ink, and knowing the loving care you have given her, I feel that I know you just a bit better. :-)

I will try to stop by in the morning, but if tomorrow is anything like today, it may not be possible.

Good night to all the night owls still wandering the halls of FR, and good morning to the rest of you. Have a wonderful Wednesday.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Dutchess.

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Wednesday !!

Freeper pet day, huh ? Here is California's favorite pet monkey ! ...

[The Mayor]

[dixie sass]

Morning Dutchess!

I saw the name Ink and immediatley thought of my Inky. Inky was a blue-black cocker spaniel given to me by my grandmomma's neighbors in Columbia when I was a little girl.

Inky was the most beautiful Cocker you ever saw. At that time on the Isle of Palms, you didn't have to worry about pets or kids, so we could always go out by ourselves. Inky went out for her early morning run and a friend of the Barrett's hit her and didn't even stop. Needless to say my Daddy was mad. I wasn't even in school yet and to this day I can remember the morning and the smells and sounds that surround it. Inky survived for 8 hours. Inky taught me joy and she taught me about death. I will never forget her.

[dixie sass]

Tears and laughter today.

[Temple Owl]

Wow! What a beautiful job you did.

Ink, Tribune7, Maggie and I are overwhelmed. Thank you so much. Give Gizmo,Codee and Fred our love. We will print the story and show it to Chloe.

It is now time to take Ink to work and throw sticks. Love to all.

Temple

[dixie sass]

Dutchess, super job and Mr. Owl did a great job interviewing.

[MeekOneGOP]

hehe ! Credit to Freeper SerpentDove for that pic ...

[lonestar]

Good show, Giz! I just loved this story. It's sad that people can dump innocent little critters. But too many people reproduce their own little people and dump them on other people to raise.

We FReepets are so lucky to have such good reporters. And we're even luckier than we found good homes.

Even your favorite candidate for governor of California has been "homeless" with heartworms. My vet calls me "Nine Lives."

Vote for me!

Weinie

[The Mayor]

You all have a great day, I'm off to Albany for a couple of days. The corrupt capitol of NewYork.

[FreeTheHostages]

[Pippin]

WIENIE FOR GOVERNOR!

[FreeTheHostages]

Even when you said the parents weren't home, I *knew* they were. The parents are *always* home -- or come home -- in your pieces, LOL! It's about the parents too.

A lovely dog. "Temple grumbled that he could have bought a racehorse for that kind of money." LOL. A real character of an owner, too. "[T]o this day, he is still not sure [Ink is] 'pure' dog."

[FreeTheHostages]

INK FOR GOVERNOR!

[dixie sass]

Be careful, be verrrry careful! You never know who might show up there!!!!!

[Temple Owl]

I think that today, INK would beat Philadelphia Fats.

[dixie sass]

FREETHEHOSTAGES FOR MAYOR and WEINIE FOR GOVERNOR! (I think I got it right!)