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.

[GailA]

Afternoon John..funny if you disagree with a liberal you are a neanderthal..our ex-gov a RINO called those of us who objected to a state income tax being imposed on us NEANDERTHALS.

[GailA]

That's good news...Father Lord, please grant that this job will be a good fit for our FRiend and the pay will be decent too. In the name of Jesus, amen.

[dutchess]

Hi knighthawk. Glad you stopped by. How is the media covering Bush's England trip?

[LadyX]

Loving {{{hugs}}} for you, dutchess, for this sad time.
Even when it has happened before, the pain is no less, as we well know.
Hugs, too, for Gizmo and Fred, who also will miss dear Codee.

Thank You, Lord, for the gift of those years with precious pets we've had.
What wonderful examples they are of Pure Love and devotion and loyalty!!

Help us strive to learn the lessons they brought from You, Father, and apply them to one another... Amen.

Thank you for enriching our lives, Codee - -

* * * Your Finest Family * * *

[LadyX]

Never fail to weep a bit when I see your Ginger with the ball in her mouth, Flyer...the holes in the fabric of our lives when we lose beloved pets never quite heal over...

[dutchess]

Yes...we call ours, Giz, Gizzy, "the Giz" or if he's in spastic mode "gizzyronamo"! I'm amazed how well he is doing. He's actually acting more "puppiesh" and playful. I think he sensed Codee was much sicker than we even did. When we lost our Dutchess many years ago, she was our only pet which made it so hard. Gizzy has made this much more bearable.

Give Rocky a special treat from him when he wakes up!

[dutchess]

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

Me thinks little Lucy has you wrapped around her little paw :)

[dansangel]

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. God love you for your compassion and may He also give you the strength to live on when Codee has already passed.

I miss Ralph (Cat) (Aug 1989 - May 11, 1998), Cookie (Cat) (Oct 1986 - Jan 4, 2002) and two parakeets - Lucky who was 11 years old when he died in 1968 and Chrysanthemum who was only 4 and a half years old (and very smart!) when he died on Mother's Day in 1984. I had other feathered friends - Dusty the cockatiel, whom I was forced to give away in 1989, a lovebird and another parakeet named Lou.

I look forward to seeing them again one day. Perhaps later I will post pictures of Ralph and Cookie, when I'm at home.

Love and (((((HUGS))))) to you all. Just beautiful.

[dutchess]

Hi Maggie. Thanks for the well wishes and the darling picture.

[LadyX]

The sight of your flyovers never fails to be pleasing and reassuring, Aeronaut - - thanks for the reminder there are those who watch over us, 24/7....

God bless those who care and serve, here, and around the world.
Amen.

[LadyX]

"Yes...we call ours, Giz, Gizzy, "the Giz" or if he's in spastic mode "gizzyronamo"!"

i still think of him as 'Gizmutt'..|:>)

[LadyX]

{{{{{ MEGA PRAYERS }}}}} for you and Jul, Rus !!

May God guide you to 'the right place' He has in mind for you now..:))

[Billie]

Dear dutchess, Giz, Fred and of course Mr D,

Though I read this earlier this week and thought I had steeled myself for it's unveiling publicly today, I was wrong. It still brings tears to my eyes and a lump in my throat, because I know how much Codee meant to you all, and I think we all felt we knew her through you; I doubt there's anyone here who has not gone through what you're going through right now. Even if our loss was years ago, it comes back when those we love loses one of theirs.

Your post today is more beautiful than words can say, dear Sistah. I love you.

[LadyX]

"This is one of those threads where it pays to be as tough as me..."

Yeah, right, Johnny Mac...:))

Tougher 'n a marshmallow in the Mojave Desert, ye are, laddie - or ice cream at high noon on the sands of the Sahara Desert...

Betcha even held Lucy and gave her extra pets when ya heard about Codee...

We know yer wonderful heart here.

[Billie]

Good afternoon, Flyer. Knew today's thread would get you here. (I think that Friday's will, too) :)

Look at the sparkle in Ginger's eyes - looks like she's standing right in front of us. Sweet picture!

[Billie]

Hey, John! Looking forward to tomorrow's two cents and whatever Miss Aqua has in store for us with illustrations. :)

[Billie]

Hi, Aeronaut - hope you have a wonderful day. Neat new logo!

[Billie]

Good afternoon, lysie. Loved your post. So true. :) (Well, I wouldn't know about the 'basket case' part LOL)

[Flyer]

At least you know I pay attention to the pings ;-)

The date of this thread and the loss of Codee is an unusual coincidence - it was two years ago last week I sent Ginger to Rainbow Bridge. Although I look at her picture on my desk every day, I hadn't thought about the date until today.

[Diver Dave]

So sorry to read about Codee. I know that sadness around the house feeling. You've presented a beautiful tribute to Codee and all who've crossed the Rainbow Bridge. We're gonna miss her interviews.