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.

[Aeronaut]

Hi John. Sorry about the delay in the Hi back, but I had a long trip today, and just got back.

[Donaeus]

You're welcome. I hope they are cause she was such a sweetheart. She was a burst of energy--half fox terrier and half dachshund--with short, stubby legs, a squared-off body and long hair. That pup would eat anything! LOL

[knighthawk]

On the net a lot on the protests. I stopped watching most European tv-channels, only anti-Bush/anti-US stuff there.

[dutchess]

Oh Beauregard looks like such a sweetheart. I will have to find a picture of Dutchess...I know Billie posted her in my profile.

[dutchess]

Hi Strider. Tell you mom thanks for those neat thoughts. I especially like : Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride..

Love - Giz

[dutchess]

To my Ohio and bordering Ohio Finest Friends...here was Codee last year watching the national championship game...Although Mr. D. and I still feel loyalties to U.ofM., the OSU Vetinernary Clinic basically saved her life several years ago when she had a bleeding ulcer. So we forgave her for cheering for Ohio State. I think OSU will have an extra cheerleader from up above on Saturday.

[Billie]

Hi, Dolly - wasn't it a beautiful and touching presentation today.

[Billie]

I have an interview Friday @ 10am

Oh, that's wonderful, Rus! We'll be thinking of you and anxious to hear how it goes!

[Billie]

Oh, I shouldn't have read your Rainbow Bridge. That breaks my heart.

[Billie]

Calendar page today is too sweet. Hi, Freezie! Again, wanted to say great job yesterday.

[Billie]

Evening, Dubya. It's always nice seeing you here.

[Billie]

I told her that I thought that a loving God would make sure our pets would be there in heaven with us. Otherwise, it wouldn't be heaven.

We have to believe that. What a wonderful thing to see all the happy little faces there to greet us.

[Billie]

Hi, there, Temple. Yes, it's sad - thinking of our pets who got to 'meet' Codee. Roscoe thought she was pretty cute. :)

[JulieRNR21]

Dutchess....thank you for this beautiful thread.

The Rainbow Bridge poem has brought much comfort to many mourning the loss of beloved pets.I have often shared it with friends who have lost pets.

Over the years we have had many wonderful cats but I had a special bond with one who passed over the Rainbow in 1996.

She was a small gray tabby named Tabitha who was a part of our family for 15 years. She had been a special loving companion & comfort to us during several difficult years. When she was about two years old, she had gotten into the engine of my car and almost lost a leg.

Thanks to our dedicated vet and our daily cleansing of her wound, Tabitha recovered. All the attention we lavished on her...turned her into a most affectionate sweet cat. It was as if she appeciated our efforts by becoming more dog-like...greeting us when we returned, purring up a storm and jumping on our laps at every opportunity.

We were so heartbroken at losing Tabitha that we delayed getting another cat for 5 years....finally adopting our Siamese, Georgio. We knew we could never replace the special relationship we had with Tabitha.

I am very grateful that Georgio's 'godfather' St. Louie encouraged me to get another cat. Georgio has brought much joy to our lives but we'll always have very special memories of our Tabitha!

[tet68]

He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. (or in this case a princess!)

Hi sweetheart, glad to see you back among friends, and looking marvelous too. ;^)

This is one of my favorites, and there is another one about crossing the river styxx and having your dog waiting for you that I will try and find.

My blue heeler "Digger" is the worlds smartest dog and she is my constant companion.

Any way on to Sen. Vest.

A Tribute to the Dog
SENATOR VEST'S SPEECH TO THE JURY,
SEPTEMBER 23,1870
Gentlemen of the Jury: The best friend a man has in this world may turn against him and become his enemy. His son or daughter that he has reared with loving care may prove ungrateful. Those who are nearest and dearest to us, those whom we trust with our happiness and our good name, may become traitors to their faith. The money that a man has, he may lose. It flies away from him, perhaps when he needs it the most. A man's reputation may be sacrificed in a moment of ill-considered action. The people who are prone to fall on their knees to do us honor when success is with us may be the first to throw the stone of malice when failure settles its cloud upon our heads. The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him and the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous is his dog.
"Gentlemen of the Jury, a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and in poverty, in health and in sickness. He will sleep on the cold ground, where the wintry winds blow and the snow drives fiercely, if only he may be near his master's side. He will kiss the hand that has no food to offer, he will lick the wounds and sores that come in encounters with the roughness of the world. He guards the sleep of his pauper master as if he were a prince. When all other friends desert he remains. When riches take wing and reputation falls to pieces, he is as constant in his love as the sun in its journey through the heavens. If fortune drives the master forth an outcast in the world, friendless and homeless, the faithful dog asks no higher privilege than that of accompanying him to guard against danger, to fight against his enemies, and when the last scene of all comes, and death takes the master in its embrace and his body is laid away in the cold ground, no matter if all other friends pursue their way, there by his graveside will the noble dog be found, his head between his paws, his eyes sad but open in alert watchful-ness, faithful and true even to death."

Burden vs Hornsby 1869-70

When Senator George Graham Vest paid his famous tribute to the dog in the old Court House in Warrensburg, Mo., in 1870, he appealed to the hearts of dog lovers everywhere when he said: "The one absolutely unselfish friend that a man can have in this selfish world, the one that never deserts him, the one that never proves ungrateful or treacherous, is his dog."

That Eulogy of Senator Vest won the case for Charles Burden whose favorite hound, Drum, was shot by a neighbor, Leonidas Hornsby, who had sworn to kill the first dog that came on his place after he had lost a number of sheep. Though Hornsby had hunted with Drum, and acknowledged him to be one of the best hunting dogs he had ever seen, he stubbornly insisted on carrying out his threat when one dark night a dog was found prowling in his yard. That dog was Old Drum.

Immediately Burden sued Hornsby for damages and the trial became one of the strangest in the history of this. section of the country. Each man was determined to win his case, and several appeals were made then Hornsby finally took it to the Supreme Court of Missouri. Burden, however, was awarded $50 damages for the loss of his favorite hunting dog, Drum. Vest's Eulogy to the dog, which he made in his final appeal to the jury, won the case and became a classic speech.

Through the direction of the Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce, and coordinated efforts of many dog lovers over the country, Old Drum was immortalized in a statue on the Johnson County Courthouse lawn, in Warrensburg, Missouri, September 23, 1958. Dog lovers all over the country responded quickly to the national announcement of the placing of this statue to Old Drum, who has become a kind of symbol of all dogs that people have loved.

When Senator Vest said: "Gentlemen of the jury, a man's dog stands by him in prosperity and poverty, in health and sickness," be touched a common bond of relationship in all dog lovers.

Vest's Memorial Ass'n., St. Louis, has already placed a plaque on the old Court House, scene of Vests famous Eulogy, recognizing it as an historic spot in the state. Since then, restoration of the Old Courthouse where the famous trial took place, has been underway and at present is open for visitations on summer weekends.

-Courtesy of The Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce

[dutchess]

Julie....what a special story about Tabitha. I don't know if I was ready to get Codee after we lost our beloved Dutchess 16 years ago...Mr. D. insisted and while it took time for us to bond...she became such a special part of our family. I'm so glad that we have Giz...and FredtheCat...I cannot imagine a "petless" family...

Georgio is just so precious too. What a sweet face...Really OUR StLouie.1? the Godfather????? Love it if true!

[dutchess]

thank you for that history lesson tet68. I had never heard of that case....Guess there are some "decent" attorneys out there (I say that tongue in cheek because I'm married to one and know many more...it's that rotton few who make all look bad.... uh...JohnEdwards comes to mind....

[FreeTheHostages]

Thanks, Billie. I stole most of the graphics from Chad Fairbanks' profile page. You know, I got really busy at work but Chad, being a disruptor and all and having bouncy, tiggerish friends, kept the party going without me. It's really helpful when the profilee actually shows up. ;) I was due for a turn of fortune on that! He and his posse had a self-sustaining party for the last 100 posts or so, LOL!

I just love the colors on Dutchess' presentation today.

[dutchess]

thank you for that history lesson tet68. I had never heard of that case....Guess there are some "decent" attorneys out there (I say that tongue in cheek because I'm married to one and know many more...it's that rotton few who make all look bad.... uh...JohnEdwards comes to mind....

[FreeTheHostages]

Oh (((((dutchess))))) - I have a lump the size of Texas in my throat and tears in my eyes as I sit at my desk at work.

If I did, I'm not admitting it! But this thread was definitely from the heart . . . .