A Few of FR's Finest...Every Day...11-19-03...A Visit to Rainbow Bridge

Dutchess and Gizmo

[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, Mama_bear, dansangel, Dutchess, Aquamarine

This past week, Codee joined the many finest FRPets including Dutchess, my namesake, at Rainbow Bridge. We see her in the sky and clouds and know she is romping in the meadows. Gizmo thought it fitting that we take a glimpse into Rainbow Bridge and would like all of you who have loved ones there to stop in and share a picture and/or a special memory.

Welcome to Rainbow Bridge

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals that had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by.

The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together...

Author Unknown

And A Note to Our Loved Ones On Earth

Farewell, Dear Master.

You have been my teacher, my friend and most beloved companion. I was like your child, totally dependent on you for all my needs. But I never grew up and moved away as children do, I just grew to love and need you more each day, each month, each year. I never went hungry because you gave me dinner and gave me water each day. When the weather was bad I found comfort in the warmth and safety of your home. I delighted you by learning tricks, but what you may not have realized is that I loved learning from you because I lived to please you.

The touch of your hand stroking my fur made my life worthwhile. Though I barked at noises in the night, the postman's footsteps and the ringing of the doorbell; the voice of my master was the one sound that I cherished most. Your moods became my moods. When you were sad or lonely, I nuzzled closer to comfort you . There were times when you became upset with me because I soiled the carpet, chewed on a piece of furniture, or barked too much. But do not feel bad about those times when you scolded me - I needed to learn right from wrong, and I always understood when things weren't going your way or when you'd had an unpleasant day at work. There is no need for you to harbor guilt or remorse on my behalf.

You loved me and blessed me with more happiness than most animals will ever know. Instead of wondering what you could have done differently, remember the funny things I did and the happy times we shared together. Though it is hard for you to understand, I was ready to pass on from this life. Our time together was short, but if we'd had fifty years together, you still would have not been ready for me to leave.

So please, Master, share your life with others. Do not refuse the opportunity to give another lucky pet the love you have given me. No other animal will ever take my place in your heart, but there is another one who needs you and will grow to love you as much as I did. I am now at peace and no longer feel pain. You gave me a wonderful home and a happy existence on this earth. So please be happy - go on with your life and give your love to others.

Although I no longer share your world, I will always live in your heart, and you in mine.

Farewell, Dear Master.

Author Unknown

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 11-17-03 Military Monday 11/18/03...Chief Disrupter Chad Fairbanks

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 a FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact danangel or .45man at danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[dutchess]

[JohnHuang2]

Beautiful job, as always, my friend -- G'morning to ya :-)

[dutchess]

Many of our Finest regulars know that Codee has been a contributor on a FinestFRPet biweekly thread. It is with bittersweet feelings to say that she passed on to Rainbow Bridge this week. She lived a long, what we hope, was wonderful life and...in her memory, think what she would love is to pay tribute to all our Finest Pets who are waiting for us at Rainbow Bridge...Please stop in and, if possible, take a moment and share a memory and/or picture or two of those who are waiting for you.
please freepmail any of us in the heading if you would like to post a picture and are not sure how to do it...been there done that!)

[dutchess]

Goodmorning to you John. Love your tagline today. I can only imagine your 2 cents tomorrow LOL!

[Flyer]

Tell Codee to look up Ginger. She will be easy to spot - she'll have a ball in her mouth, waiting for me to come and play.

Ginger

[davidosborne]

Good Morning... thanks for all you do for US !!!

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Dutchess.

[lysie]

How beautiful!!

Not knowingly, there are times when we may take them for granted because they are always there... by our side. When they are gone, we still hear their tags clanking together or the sharpening their claws on the furniture.

Thank you for reminding me how fortunate I am that all my pets are well. Without them, there are days I would be a basket case. Of course, there are days I'm a basket case because of them. :-)

[JohnHuang2]

Backatya, my friend :-)

[The Mayor]

Oh, how I love Your law! It is my meditation all the day. -Psalm 119:97

Spiritual strength requires a training program of Bible reading and prayer.

[JohnHuang2]

G'morning to ya, friend

[JohnHuang2]

G'morning, good buddy

[Severa]

Shag decided to drop in from mom and dad's house and say HI!

[JohnHuang2]

Thank you! :-)

[GailA]

Good morning FRiends, wonderful job as usual Dutchess, My Gizmo has been gone 2 years and I still miss him. Our pets are as precious as our children, they even take the place of children when you are not blessed with them.

Coffee's on

[dixie sass]

I've been missing my Tinkerbell an awful lot. It's been a year now, but - darnit, can't stop crying. I am so sorry about Codee. What a beautiful face.

You did a beautiful job Dutchess. I love the Rainbow Bridge, but it always makes me sad...

I don't have a scanner or anyway to get this picture of Tinkerbell to you, so you will have to use your imagination.

She was just skin and bones when she found me. I heard a dog barking outside and went to look and there she was. She had a collar on with a little bell and that is how she got her name. Somebody had dropped her off, abandoned her.

For the first week she stayed on my bed except for using the bathroom. Finally she decided to come out and see what the rest of the apartment was like. We had two cats already, Tweety Bird and Bud Boy who had moved here with Momma. Little did we know that both Bud and Tweety Bird were due to leave us within the year.

As Tinkerbell gained her health back her beauty became more apparent, she was a soft blue grey color with the sweetest expression on her face and big eyes. She had longish hair and a great fluffy tail and was small and dainty.

The picture of TinkerBell that I'm looking at was taken when Momma walked into the living room and saw where she was lying. She was draped around a picture of Garfield that said "I'm not just another pretty face."



Tinkerbell adopted two boys - Sam and Murphy - so that they wouldn't have to go to the pound. Both boys were Burmese but Sam was black as the ace of spades and Murphy had the standard blue eyes and chocolate markings. She was a good mother to them. Later we had a fourth join us - another female name toy a Himalayan. She and Tinkerbell were good friends.

When I moved, I had to find a place for all but TinkerBell. She was getting on in years and the landlord said that I could keep her, but the others had to go. I miss them all but most of all I miss Tinkerbell.

When Momma died, she jumped up on the bed, licked Mommas' cheek and then rounded the other cats up and took them to the back bedroom. Sometimes, I think that she was human.

[dixie sass]

Read any good memo's lately?

[JohnHuang2]

Leaked memos? hehe ;-) G'morning, friend

[JohnHuang2]

Hey, there! G'morning :-)

[dixie sass]

Morning, Yer Honor! I hope that things are well with you and looking up!

Coffee is wonderful this am.