A few of FR's Finest...Every Day...05-09-03...Don't Worry, Your Dogs Are Doing Great

Billie; USA Weekend

[Billie]

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

FR is a Treasure Trove of talented, compassionate, patriotic, wonderful people who gather every day to discuss the latest news and issues; salute and support our military and our leaders;  tell a few jokes;  learn a new word;  write poetry;  pray for those in need;  and congratulate those who are deserving. Thank you, Jim Robinson, for giving us the vehicle in which we can express ourselves.

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   I can remember lurking when there were only a few regulars who posted, and now there are over 60,000 who have registered for posting privileges. 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 November 11, 2001

So many people have written me since my original Veteran's Day Tribute, asking how they, or a loved one, could be included in that tribute. Since I can no longer add the photos to the body of the thread, I've been including them in additional posts as I received enough to make another collage.

Still that doesn't seem to be enough. I think there's never been a better nor more appropriate time to keep the faces of our own Veterans and Active Military in front of FReepers--every day! That's why I wanted to do yet another Daily Thread .....ABOUT FReepers .....and FOR FReepers. But not only about our Military FReepers; for all FReepers! Wouldn't it be nice to get to know a few of the other FReepers as well? That's why, in addition to seeing FR's Finest Military Personnel every day, I thought it might be fun to feature a different FReeper (or FReepers) each day. If you would like to be pictured, or know someone who would, please FReepmail me and we'll turn the spotlight - on YOU - for the day!

And do let me know if you'd like your picture added to the groups of Veterans/Active Military below. I will keep this page updated, and continue to add them to the comment section of the original Veteran's Day thread as well.

TOP:  g'nad, AgThorn's son Justin, SLB, AgThorn's son Brett.
MIDDLE:  fish70, razorback-bert, CheneyChick,Leroy S Mort, Mark17.
BOTTOM:  Terry's Take, Taxman, DinkyDau.

TOP:  ValerieUSA's son Grant, SK1Thurman, kd5cts, RangerVetNam,
dansangel and .45man's son-in-law Tony
BOTTOM:  rangerX, Old China Hand, Trish, Howlin's dad, Mustang

TOP: ohioWfan's son, MamaBear's father-in-law, MamaBear's dad, ladtx
MIDDLE:  The Mayor's niece, M.Kehoe, Beach_Babe's son-in-law
BOTTOM:  deadhead's dad, HiJinx, Severa's hubby, viligantcitizen's granddad.

TOP:  spectr17, RightOnline, SERE_Doc, Tet68.
MIDDLE:  FutureSnakeEater, RightOnline's wife, CIApilot, Clamper1797
BOTTOM:  usmcobra, onedoug, DiverDave, Joe6-pack

We now have eleven groups of veterans/active military; we will post each group of three or four twice a week, with thumbnail/links of the remaining seven or eight groups on each thread. Click on any of the thumbnails below to see the group full-size.

         

GROUP 1A: TOP: Logos, SwedeGirl's hubby, Neil E Wright, FallGuy, 1John, Sneakypete MIDDLE:  T'wit, COB1, LadyX, Dick Bachert, 68-69TonkinGulfYatchClub BOTTOM:  YankeeinSC, Delta21, JoeSixPack1

GROUP 2A: TOP:  Bosniajmc, AFVetGal, Archy, A Navy Vet MIDDLE:  4TheFlag, Aeronaut, 68Grunt, Xinga BOTTOM:  Codger, AAABest, Clinton's A Liar, Duke809, dcwusmc

GROUP 3A: TOP:  mc5cents, Norb2569, LBGA's son, VanJenerette MIDDLE:  Jim Robinson, KJenerette, davidosborne, KG9Kid BOTTOM:  gwmoore, Equality7-2521, SAMWolf

GROUP 4A: TOP:  porgygirl, Phil V., MudPuppy, NorCoGOP MIDDLE:  RaceBannon, OneidaM, rdb3, jwTexian BOTTOM:  USMC Vet, TheMayor, Vineyard, rhododogma

      

GROUP 9A: TOP: Q6-God, Scan59, Mama Bear and JKPhoto's son, ofMagog. MIDDLE:  Big'ol_freeper, JustAmy's great uncle, Prodigal Son. BOTTOM:  JustAmy's husband, JustAmy's brother-in-law, JustAmy's brother.

GROUP 10A: TOP: dakine's wife, MeeknMing's dad, Auntbee's nephew, MilitiaMan7, AlasBabylon. BOTTOM:  Joe Brower, Temple Owl, Temple Owl's wife, dutchess' dad, Aomagrat.

GROUP 11A: TOP: ladtx #2 son; DiverDave's twin Don; petuniasevan and husband poorman; Mustard; ladtx #1 son. BOTTOM: AlamoGirl's brother Floyd; AG's dad; AG's brother Jim (inset); WVNan's husband; ladtx' Aunt Eva.

                     

"Don't worry.
Your Dogs are doing great."
A touching letter to a brave soldier overseas ... from the family fostering his dear pets until his return.

I found the following story in the weekend magazine inserted in our newspaper last Sunday, and wanted to share with you. The title is the same, and the photograph of the 'foster family' below was included in the article. For anyone interested, the Military Pets Foster project can be reached online at netpets.org or at 843-249-5262. Cats are fostered through operationnoblefoster.org. ~ Billie

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

The Military Pets FOSTER Project allows civilians to foster dogs and other pets that belong to deployed members of the military.

Terri, an associate underwriter for an insurance company in Tennessee, is a "foster mom" to two dogs (the Department of Defense requests that the names and hometowns of the military pet owner and their foster homes be protected.) Terri was online at a boxer Web site when she saw a link to the military's new intiative. "I don't support war," she says, "but I do support our country and our military. I thought, "Here's something I can do."

After filling out the e-mail application in late January for any kind of dog (she's allergic to cats), she heard back within hours. The next day, a soldier seeking a foster home phoned, saying, "I have two dogs who need caring for." Says Terri: "It was, like, make a decision right now or never. Of course, I said yes."

They didn't speak long. Terri explained that she and her husband, Frank, a tool distributor, have a 10-year-old boxer named Alex that the soldier's dogs would have to get along with. "I also explained that Frank is often home during the day, so the dogs would be walked often," Terri says. "I certainly had the impression that he was worried about finding the right home for his dogs."

We asked Terri to write a letter to the soldier, updating him on his dogs.
~ Steve Dale, USA WEEKEND

DEAR SOLDIER,

We only had the chance to talk for 15 minutes; this all happened so fast. Don't worry; your dogs are doing great. I know how hard it is for us to leave Alex for a weekend -- I can't imagine leaving him for months at a time.

A few days after we spoke, your friend delivered the two dogs and enough cash for a few months of dog food.

Alex immediately welcomed Buddy (a 4-year-old beagle mix). But he snapped at Mickey (a year-old Labrador retriever). You know Mickey: Instead of snapping back, he responded with a bark that must have translated to "Let's play," and that's exactly what they've been doing ever since.

My image of Labradors was that of steady guide dogs or disciplined bomb-detection dogs. Mickey, though, is young and pretty much out of his mind. I swear he has attention deficit disorder. I enrolled him in obedience class, and that's helped a lot -- you would be very proud of all he's learned.

It's Buddy who gave us a scare. Frank opened the front door to take the dogs out, but their leashes weren't on yet. In an instant, all three dogs ran outside. Alex didn't get far, and Mickey surprised us by coming right back, too. But Buddy did what beagles do -- he found a good smell and followed it. Frank phoned me at work, and I sped home. It's amazing I didn't get into a wreck, but I felt like one of my children was in trouble. I was thinking, "Here you are defending our country and trusting us with your dogs, and I've let you down." Frank was running all around the neighborhood. Finally, a neighbor pointed to her swimming pool cover -- where Buddy was standing, staring at a cat.

Your veterinarian is an hour away, so we visited mine when Mickey started to shake his head back and forth. Don't worry: It was just an ear infection, and now he's fine. We also put the dogs on a heartworm preventive. I'm told we'll be reimbursed for the cost, but it's really not important. One paw washes another. What you're doing for us is worth a lot more than the cost of heartworm medicine.

The experience of having your dogs has been wonderful. I was missing my other two dogs, both boxers, who died within the last three years. Having three dogs around the house again has been good for all of us, including Alex. I think he missed his friends. Now, Alex is having so much fun. He's more active, and that has been good for him; he hasn't needed any arthritis medication since Buddy and Mickey arrived.

Buddy is amazing -- he's unconditionally happy. That tail hasn't stopped wagging since the day I met him. His joy is contagious; he makes us feel good. Mickey may be crazy; but he's so loving. You can't look into his big copper eyes and not feel his heart.

I never asked where you're deployed, but I suspect you are in the Middle East. I also never asked how long you'll be gone, or why a friend or family member wasn't able to watch your dogs. That just didn't seem important.

Of course, we hope you return home safely -- but I'm hoping when you do, you give us a week to say goodbye to these dogs we've come to love as our own. The other day, I found Frank snoozing on the sofa, curled up with all three dogs. After you return, I may continue fostering dogs for rescue. We're grateful -- at least we feel like we're doing something to contribute.

I didn't watch Desert Storm much on TV. But I feel more connected to this war. I always tune in for updates. As I watch, I think of you. I think, "Your family is waiting here for you."

I don't know your human family. But this family matters, too.

All the best,

Terri, Frank, Buddy, Mickey and Alex

          I want all of these sweet animals. :) ~ Billie

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 05-05-03 Cinco de Mayo 05-06-03 Exit148 05-07-03 Aloha Ronnie 05-08-03 JohnHuang2 Essay

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.
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5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[Billie]

[Billie]

Puppy Dog Smiles to all our Finest FRiends.

[LadyX]

So, Billie - today is The Paws That Refreshes??

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Billie.

[HairOfTheDog]

That is really sweet! - I responded about pet fostering from a thread here on Free Republic, and ended up getting a phone call from someone running a program in California.

I am in Washington State, and she didn't know of anyone coordinating a program here so the idea kindof died. I hope more of these kinds of volunteer efforts grow, it is a nice way for folks at home to contribute, and let the troops have normal lives and pets without having to give them up or worry about them when they are gone!

[dansangel]

{{{{{{{{{Billie}}}}}}}}}}

Such a heart-warming story! This may move others to "foster" pets as well. I'm afraid I would make a terrible foster mother....their real "parents" would have to sue me to get their fuzzy "children" back! :-)

Great pics, great graphics, great story! Happy FRiday!

(((((((Hugs)))))))) to my sistahs and to my fuzzy brothah:

[[[[[{{{{{(((((Louie_Wolfie_Man)))))}}}}}]]]]]

[dansangel]

Howdy (((((((((HOTD))))))))

Isn't this just the greatest idea? I hope more people get involved, as well.

Happy FRiday!

[dutchess]

Awe...Billie...I'm wiping the tears....I'm sure the soldier is so grateful. We had a HUGE thunderstorm around 5:30 this morning....Codee slept through it but poor Giz. We did some serious cuddling :o)

Anyway a great article to start off the weekend...and, as always, a beautiful presentation.

[dixie sass]

Wow! I got in early today, thank heavens! Whatcha done with the crew!

Billie, I love that story. I wish that I could do that. My landlord requires a two hundred dollar deposit so it's going to be awhile until I can think about pets, much let fostering them.

Maybe everyone is doing the same thing I am, crying and smiling at the same time. It's a good 'un!

[dixie sass]

groannnnnnnn

[Mama_Bear]

Awwwww........Billie, what a sweet story. God bless these animal-loving angels! I am sending the link to this page to my cousin, this is exactly the type of thing she would do.

Thanks for making my day and for presenting this so beautifully.

((((((((B,D,D,D&F))))))))))

[jwfiv]

Gosh, Billie, it's a little too early in the morning for you to be messin' with my emotions like this...)...I mean, I haven't even had breakfast yet and, well, if I wasn't tougher than barbed wire, like I am, I just might be bawlin' as I read it through.

Whatta wonderful story you share with us...thank you.

Humans can be a sorry lot, but, sometimes, it's really easy to see the reason why He loves us so.

[MHGinTN]

Thank you for sharing that about 'pet temporary foster homes'. The pets give so much and ask so little in return (just to be part of the pack/pride/flock/etc), and our honorable military personnel are giving so much and ask so little, it is the least we can do to help keep their pets until they can return to their packs/prides/flocks/etc . Great story, Billie ... the 'real' meaning of neighbor.

[LadyX]

I Care, Too, Billie - -

[nicmarlo]

Good Mornnig, All! : )

[LadyX]

Here we have "Waylon Dog" - -

[Billie]

Good morning, Maggie! Yes, today "The Paws That Refreshes" :).....and it's raining cats and dogs! :)

[Billie]

Good morning, Aeronaut - I was late getting the thread up, and cost you your first place. :)

[Mama_Bear]

I came across this picture and just had to post it here.

Have a great Friday, everyone. :-)

Waiting for his master....

[LadyX]

Just warmin' up, dixie, as is our weather..:))

Hope all is well in the Low Country, gal..... know you're 'Aiken' to get up this way!
LOL