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]

Hair. What a beautiful tribute to Zulu and Logan. That must have been rough losing two so closely to each other. Do you have any others? Gizmo has been a salvation for us.

[dutchess]

I lost my Purty kitty in the spring and I miss her.Pets give us so much joy..and the loss is always painful.

It was 16 years ago when we lost "Dutchess"...forgot how painful it is. You just keep looking around for them. Sorry for your loss.

[dutchess]

Codee, please say hello to Dino, Maxi, Harmony, Dumpy and Max for me.

I think they are all romping in the meadow.

What a beautiful poem. Thanks for sharing it.

[HairOfTheDog]

I have one more, Gidget, who is now 5. Pictured between the two old ones here.

And more are planned come Spring I think!

Sorry about your Codee. I try to be more proud than sad when an old dog of mine dies after a long great life. We gave them the best for the time they were intended to be here.

[dutchess]

Glad you liked the background. I searched long and hard for this one...still wasn't right but a few little "tweeks" from Billie...voila!

[dutchess]

Oh what a sweet picture.

I try to be more proud than sad when an old dog of mine dies after a long great life. We gave them the best for the time they were intended to be here.

Your right of course. That's a great way of looking at it.

[HairOfTheDog]

Lend Me a Pup

I will lend to you for awhile,
a pup, God said,
For you to love him while he lives
and mourn for him when he's dead.
Maybe for twelve or fourteen years,
or maybe two or three
But will you, 'till I call him back,
take care of him for me.
He'll bring his charms to gladden you
and (should his stay be brief)
you'll always have his memories
as solace for your grief.
I cannot promise he will stay,
since all from earth return
But there are lessons taught below
I want this pup to learn.

I've looked the whole world over
in search of teachers true
And from the folk that crowd's life's land
I have chosen you.
Now will you give him all your love
Nor think the labour vain,
Nor hate me when I come to take my Pup back again.

I fancied that I heard them say
"Dear Lord Thy Will be Done,"
For all the joys this Pup will bring,
the risk of grief we'll run.
We'll shelter him with tenderness
we'll love him while we may
And for the happiness we've known forever grateful stay
But should you call him back
much sooner than we've planned,
We'll brave the bitter grief that comes,
and try to understand.
If, by our love, we've managed,
your wishes to achieve
In memory of him we loved,
to help us while we grieve,
When our faithful bundle departs this world of strife,
We'll have yet another Pup and love him all his life.

-author unknown

[HairOfTheDog]

MISSING OUR DOGS

Old Men miss many dogs.
They only live a dozen years,if that,
And by the time you are sixty, there are several
The names of which evoke remembering smiles.
You see them in your mind,heads cocked and seated.
You see them by your bed, or in the rain,
Or sleeping by the fire by nights
And always dying.

You are young but they are old. They go,
The German shepherd and the poodle,
The bassett hound and mutt.
They are remembered like departed children
Though they gave vastly more than ever they took,
And finally you're seeing dogs that look like them.
They pass you in the street but never turn
Although it seems they should,their faces so familiar.
Old men miss many dogs.

[Calpernia]

>>>I try to be more proud than sad when an old dog of mine dies after a long great life. We gave them the best for the time they were intended to be here.

HOTD words are good ones. I still offer the hug though.

[The Thin Man]

Oh, this is awful about Codee. I'm so sorry dutchess.

[Charles Martel]

The Last Will and Testament of an Extremely Distinguished Dog

---

The original version of this tribute was written by Eugene O'Neill for his wife Carlotta, a few days before their Dalmatian passed away from old age in December, 1940. Please give credit to the author if you should pass this moving piece on to others in the future.

---

I, SILVERDENE EMBLEM O'NEILL (familiarly known to my family, friends, and acquaintances as Blemie), because the burden of my years and infirmities is heavy upon me, and I realize the end of my life is near, do hereby bury my last will and testament in the mind of my Master. He will not know it is there until after I am dead. Then, remembering me in his loneliness, he will suddenly know of this testament, and I ask him then to inscribe it as a memorial to me.

I have little in the way of material things to leave. Dogs are wiser than men. They do not set great store upon things. They do not waste their days hoarding property. They do not ruin their sleep worrying about how to keep the objects they have, and to obtain the objects they have not. There is nothing of value I have to bequeath except my love and my faith. These I leave to all those who have loved me, to my Master and Mistress, who I know will mourn me most, to Freeman who has been so good to me, to Cyn and Roy and Willie and Naomi and -- But if I should list all those who have loved me, it would force my Master to write a book. Perhaps it is vain of me to boast when I am so near death, which returns all beasts and vanities to dust, but I have always been an extremely lovable dog.

I ask my Master and Mistress to remember me always, but not to grieve for me too long. In my life I have tried to be a comfort to them in time of sorrow, and a reason for added joy in their happiness. It is painful for me to think that even in death I should cause them pain. Let them remember that while no dog has ever had a happier life (and this I owe to their love and care for me), now that I have grown blind and deaf and lame, and even my sense of smell fails me so that a rabbit could be right under my nose and I might not know, my pride has sunk to a sick, bewildered humiliation. I feel life is taunting me with having over-lingered my welcome. It is time I said good-bye, before I become too sick a burden on myself and on those who love me. It will be sorrow to leave them, but not a sorrow to die. Dogs do not fear death as men do. We accept it as part of life, not as something alien and terrible which destroys life. What may come after death, who knows? I would like to believe with those my fellow Dalmatians who are devout Mohammedans, that there is a Paradise where one is always young and full-bladdered; where all the day one dillies and dallies with an amorous multitude of houris [lovely nymphs], beautifully spotted; where jack rabbits that run fast but not too fast (like the houris) are as the sands of the desert; where each blissful hour is mealtime; where in long evenings there are a million fireplaces with logs forever burning, and one curls oneself up and blinks into the flames and nods and dreams, remembering the old brave days on earth, and the love of one's Master and Mistress.

I am afraid this is too much for even such a dog as I am to expect. But peace, at least, is certain. Peace and long rest for weary old heart and head and limbs, and eternal sleep in the earth I have loved so well. Perhaps, after all, this is best.

One last request I earnestly make. I have heard my Mistress say, "When Blemie dies we must never have another dog. I love him so much I could never love another one." Now I would ask her, for love of me, to have another. It would be a poor tribute to my memory never to have a dog again. What I would like to feel is that, having once had me in the family, now she cannot live without a dog! I have never had a narrow jealous spirit. I have always held that most dogs are good (and one cat, the black one I have permitted to share the living room rug during the evenings, whose affection I have tolerated in a kindly spirit, and in rare sentimental moods, even reciprocated a trifle). Some dogs, of course, are better than others. Dalmatians, naturally, as everyone knows, are best. So I suggest a Dalmatian as my successor. He can hardly be as well bred or as well mannered or as distinguished and handsome as I was in my prime. My Master and Mistress must not ask the impossible. But he will do his best, I am sure, and even his inevitable defects will help by comparison to keep my memory green. To him I bequeath my collar and leash and my overcoat and raincoat, made to order in 1929 at Hermes in Paris. He can never wear them with the distinction I did, walking around the Place Vendome, or later along Park Avenue, all eyes fixed on me in admiration; but again I am sure he will do his utmost not to appear a mere gauche provincial dog. Here on the ranch, he may prove himself quite worthy of comparison, in some respects. He will, I presume, come closer to jack rabbits than I have been able to in recent years.

And for all his faults, I hereby wish him the happiness I know will be his in my old home.

One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my long happy life with you: "Here lies one who loved us and whom we loved". No matter how deep my sleep I shall hear you, and not all the power of death can keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

****************

Aw, dammit... where's the box of kleenex? (*sniff*)

[dutchess]

Beautiful poems Hair...although I'm getting a little weepy.

Cal...thanks for the hug. (((Cal)))

[dutchess]

Thanks Thin Man. She had a good long life...and we sort of knew it was coming but....one is never totally prepared.

[dutchess]

Thanks for posting the beautiful last will and testament. I had never read this. And I agree on the kleenex!

[MEG33]

You posted a thread when your Logan passed on.I remember it was a wonderful memorial.

[jwfiv]

Just beautiful, Miss Dutchess...thank you.

This is one of those threads where it pays to be as tough as me...otherwise, all the loving thoughts and memories of our furry kin might have me bawlin' like a baby.

That first pic of your Codee, with the rainbow behind, is just...perfect.

I made sure to give my borrowed cat a little extra love at breakfast-time today...)

Good morning, afternoon and day to all the Finest.

It's a wonderful life.

[MeekOneGOP]

You're very welcomed. I know you'll love the software and have fun with it ...

[knighthawk]

Hi all!

[Libertina]

Misty morning greetings to all
from the Pacific Northwest!
Have a super day on FR's Finest and hug your pets ;)

[GailA]

Gizmo sure is a perfect name for a pup. Our Gizmo got shortened to Gizzy real quick. We only had him for 10 years before cancer took him.

Rocky is so loving I know we made the right decision to get another puppy after Gizzy passed away.

I'd find it hard to be without a dog in my life. Rocky is a lot of company even when he's snoozing, like he is now.