A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....12-03-03...."I Love Lucy"

Dutchess, Gizmo and Billie

[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

How precious we "creatures"great and small are. We bring fun, laughter and comfort to you, our human family and friends. . .. and yes . . . aggravation too! We hope you enjoy meeting today's FinestFRPets and also hope you will allow us the honor of featuring your special furry (or not so furry) FRPet(s) on the Finest.

I Love Lucy

Gizmo: Hi finest friends….decided it was time to go "truckin" and visit our good friend deadhead ("truckin" get it???? Deadhead…grateful dead????? Oh….errrr…never mind) and her lovely pup Lucy. When I get there deadhead is already at work but I'm warmly greeted by Lucy and a great plate of doggie treats.

Lucy: Hey Giz….Was wondering when you finally would pay me a visit!

Giz: Hi Lucy. Nice to finally meet you. Before I get the "scoop" on you I understand your mom was always quite the dog lover. How about some background for our readers….

Lucy: Well mom grew up with two loving dogs. She always wanted a dog so bad and in 1968 her mom's friend knew of someone who was looking for a home for their 2 year old dog because their daughter had allergies. Mom begged and begged (but not too much because her parents were pretty soft when it came to animals). Not long afterwards her parents took her to pick up "Dino" a Shepherd/Husky mix. Then in 1972 Maxi, a cockapoo and as mom says "a sweetheart of a dog" came into her life.

I have to add...that my soon to be grandma...loved those guys extra special too....

Giz: Were Dino and Maxi close?

Lucy: Oh…very close. In August 1985 Dino, then 19 years old, went to Rainbow Bridge. Maxi was 13 at the time. After Dino passed away, Maxi, who never strayed, ran away and never came home again. Mom is sure her heart was broken with Dino gone.

Giz: Awe, how sad. I just lost my older sister Codee…but I'm quite a bit younger than Maxi was and know how much mom and dad needed me after Codee passed. Hey…bet they are all playing up there together at Rainbow Bridge. Wonder if they can get Free Republic up there????

Lucy: I'm sure they can….and bet that Weinie is playing with them too!

Giz: Okay…I digressed…So….was it hard on your mom?

Lucy: Oh my yes….after losing the both of them, she swore she would never get a dog again and go through that heartbreak.

10 years later

Lucy: July 4, 1995...all grown up mom went to a party at "Uncle" Dan and "Aunt" Heather who work with mom. I was one of 9 five week old puppies there and I must say….I was the cutest. I could tell mom wanted me…but was hesitant because my "canine mama" was a pitbull….so she left without me.

Giz: So….quick what happened?????

Lucy: Well…someone adopted me….but then changed their mind….and were going to take me to the pound….

Giz: Oh no!!!!!! How can people be so cruel???? (Easy to be Hard…"Three Dog Night" ???? err….never mind)

Lucy: Giz…you are about as silly as mom said you'd be! Anyway…Aunt Heather and Uncle Dan couldn't let that happen so they took me back in….but only temporarily because they already had Buddy, a lab, and the landlord would only allow one dog. They only had a short time to find me a home. Well, knowing mom's love for the Grateful Dead…and how she really deep down wanted me….they named me Jerry….quietly scheming to get mom to adopt me.

Giz: Jerry? You don't look like a Jerry. How'd you end up Lucy????

Lucy: Finally mom broke down and told them to take me to the school where they all worked and mom would "meet me and think about it". Well…..once she saw me there was nothing to think about…heck I was one sweet pup!

Giz: Yup…love at first sight. That's what happened with mom when I showed up on her doorstep. You see I escaped the pound and went searching for the right home. You're pretty lucky to have such a nice "aunt and uncle". So how was it at first for you?

Lucy: Well, it was the next day, 9/13/95 when mom picked me up. Aunt Heather and Uncle Dan walked me out with Buddy and put me in the car. At that time I didn't know what was going on…was kind of scared and missed the family I had lived with for two months….so I just kept looking out the back window and cried and cried. Now I feel bad that I did that to mom but she said it just made her realize what a big heart I have.

Giz: Did it take long to bond…and how in the heck did you go from Jerry to Lucy????

Lucy: When we first got to mom's place we were sitting in the living room and she asked if I wanted to go out. I ran and got my leash and she was so impressed commenting on how smart I was in addition to having a huge heart. How could I not feel right at home and loved!

Lucy: Regarding my name…mom just felt Jerry didn't fit and also had recently lost a friend named Jerry so she changed it to Annalee…. I mean ANNALEE??????? Can you imagine?????

Giz: Oh yuck! Oops…apologies to anyone out there named Annalee…it just doesn't fit in this case!

Lucy: Well…the next day…mom realized that too and one show that always made her laugh was I Love Lucy….so Lucy I became.

Giz: The name definitely fits. So did things fall into place then?

Lucy: Well I think it was meant to be that we got together back them. Grandma (mom's mom) was diagnosed with terminal cancer about that time. They were so close and mom was devastated. She would cry and I would just look at her and cock my head from side to side trying to let her know I understood her sadness. Grandma and I really loved each other too.

Giz: (wiping a tear) Oh how bittersweet. I'm sure you were a great source of comfort for your mom back then. And I bet Dino and Maxi were there to greet your grandma when she passed on. Anything else you want to share?

Lucy: Mom says I love everyone even all my canine friends. I always the greeter when visitors come and a ride in the car is one of my favorite things to do. I sit in the back seat, behind mom and am so proud to show off… Mom's sister Moe, says she should have a bumper sticker that says "Driving Miss Lucy" A favorite spot is the "Dairy Barn", a local drive-thru convenience store. They always have a treat for me.

Giz: I hear you like water too. Me...give me a bathtub with mom in it....ugh with those creepy crawlers in the "real stuff!!!

I LOVE going to the docks. Mom has to hang on tight to my leash…as I'm always tempted to jump into the bay. Water just fascinates me. And road trips….I just love them. When I see mom packing, I know something is up and get really excited.

Giz: Yea…well….I usually do to….unless they leave me behind….but boy the guilt trip I can put them through and they sure make up for it afterwards heheheh…So any cute stories????

Lucy: Well….when I was 2 years old, while mom was at work, I went to her cassette tape rack, pulled a tape out, broke the plastic holder and swallowed the entire 90 minutes of a Beatles tape.

Giz: The Beatles are one of my favorites too!!!! So what happened?

Lucy: Well The Beatles SOUND better then they taste. Had some major sugery and now all the cassettes are packed away and CD's only in our house.

Giz: I think that is one snack I'll pass on. Last thing…mom said you were pretty sick recently. You seem much better now.

Lucy: Well…it was pretty weird for awhile…mom and I didn't know what was wrong but the docs finally diagnosed me with "Vestibular Disease". It usually affects much older dogs…gosh…I'm only 8. And while there was some permanent damage, I'm now blind in my right eye, my right lip droops a little and my right ear sometimes sticks straight up, but other then that, I'm back to my spunky self. I'm sure with all of mom's tender loving care and all the prayers from her FR Family and Friends there are a lot more good years ahead of me.

Giz: Well…..Lucy….you are everything I thought you would be. It sure has been swell meeting you and thank that cool mother of yours for all the good food and hospitality but alas…it's time to take my leave. But…before I go….any secret fantasies you care to share????

Lucy: Well….you know there is….I have this fantasy about meeting our beloved president and Barney. Sounds kind of silly doesn't it?

Giz: Not at all…You know I always had that dream and one day it came true. How about you and I touch paws, close our eyes and wish real hard….After all anything is possible at the Finest……

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 12-01-03...Military Monday 12-02-03...Holiday Contest: Rumsfeld Doll"

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Thanks, Mixer!

1) Click on the graphic to open the Calendar.
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Click on the photo to view the album. To
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and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

[SpookBrat]

Yes, I love it. That's so funny. People think of the neatest things. Thanks for the congratualtions. I had fun shopping. Everyone had a good entry. I'm sure it was hard to pick a winner.

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Wednesday !

[MeekOneGOP]

Happy Birthday !! ...

[dutchess]

God Bless Our Military
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Below are names of some of our FReepers' loved ones who are serving our country. If you have someone you would like to add, please address a post to Billie; Mama_Bear; Dansangel; Dutchess or Aquamarine and we will add their name to this list. As we pray for them, we pray also for all our nation’s leaders, and military personnel, and their families and friends. May God hold them close to His heart.

~~~~~~~~~~   ~~~~~~~~~~

We ask Lord, that You guide the leaders of our great country in their hour of decision. The burden that has been placed on their shoulders is overwhelming. We ask that with Your infinite wisdom You guide them gently to the right decisions.

Please give us the strength, Lord, to get through each difficult and devastating day that faces each of us and our country. Protect and guide our Military that are now being called to duty, strengthen them in their trials and temptations; give them courage to face the perils which beset them; and grant them a sense of your abiding presence wherever they may be; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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OhioWfan........................son mystery-ak..........son, husband Gogrammy................grandson Inspectorette...................son Blessed American..........nephew Slip18..........................nephew anniegetyourgun...........nephew Pippin....niece,nephew,loved one Doug from Upland......son-in-law weldgophardline.....brotherinlaw Future Snake Eater..........cousin WaterDragon..son-in-law,grandson BeforeISleep...................son BeAllYouCan Be............son Tiffee4Bob............boyfriend The Mayor.................niece consort...2 daughters, son-in-law Warrior Nurse...........active duty SK1 Thurman...........active duty David Osborne.........active duty fc2tomschermuly......active duty LongCut..................active duty Trish.......................active duty kimmie7......................brother Texkat.............son, stepson spruce...............daughter bkwells..................active duty visualops................cousin Explorer89...........brother

Dubya............nephew Maigrey................cousin ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear.........2 nephews gator girl............husband severa................husband MozartLover......son, nephew SpookBrat...........nephew Himyar.....................son boxerblues............2 sons the piper...................son sheeza...............husband kemathen7...........husband Diver Dave................niece deadhead................cousin JimRobinson.....2 nephews Armymarinemom.....3 sons kneezles...................son Darheel..................niece dixiesass..............nephew LadyX..............grandson AgThorn................2 sons valerieUSA............2 sons StarCMC.......brother atomic conspiracy..halfbrother atomic conspiracy..niece, nephew ODC-GIRL.......active duty Donaeus..........nephew

[mountaineer]

Good morning to all, and a special Have a Wonderful Day! to Nan.

[LadyX]

Hooray !
It's Lucy Day !!

We're so glad to hear of Miss Lucy's origin and how God guided her to just the right place, as is true of so many of our animal friends.
My own beloved cat, Binky, came to me at age two because his mother (my niece) was allergic to his semi-long hair.

It sounds as if Lucy has come through that frightening health scare with minimal damage. How thankful we are for that, deadhead!

Thanks, Gizmutt and dutchess for the excellent (as always) interview.

[SpookBrat]

I was just looking at pictures of the White House Christmas tree with past Presidents and First Lady's standing in front of them. I noticed how much closer Republicans stand with each other. The Clintons aren't touching at all. I wonder why? The closest couple were the Reagans. I miss Ronnie. My heart grieves for that family every time I think of him. God love him.

[SpookBrat]

Thanks for the cozy thread today. Pet threads are touching when you see how very much they are a part of the family.

[LadyX]

* * * Special Report on Special Nan * * *

Called to wish Sistah Nan a happy birthday.
Jack reported she was up and out early, going to her regular
Wednesday morning Tourism Committee Meeting.
Should return in an hour or so, and he will herd her here,
even if she has to use his computer.
As we learned last night, her monitor is ailing.

In the meantime, dear Nan, were I able,
I would have delivered these to your doorstep:

We are delighted to be able to help you
transition out of those sexagenarian years..:))

We luvya, Nan - - -

[Aquamarine]

What a lovely story! Now I see why you love Lucy so much. :)

I also see where Billie's been this week, in Photo Deluxe. :) Are you learning your way around PD yet, Dutchess?

[deadhead]

Good Morning. Thank You so much for featuring Lucy today! Your presentation is beautiful.

A special treat for Giz from Lucy :-)

[LadyX]

Nan, I wuz gonna give you these.
Guess I waited too long - -

Hey! It's the thought that counts, isn't it??!!

[deadhead]

Happy Birthday Nan!

[LadyX]

Morning, Colleen - we luv Lucy, too..:))

[deadhead]

Sending you Birthday cheers and blessings.
Have a great day!
Colleen

[deadhead]

Good Morning, LadyX :-)

[MEG33]

I knew this would be a fun day!LOL

[Calpernia]

Morning to all the Finest!

[Calpernia]

And again, Happy Birthday to you!

[Calpernia]

How was the trip yesterday? I was waiting for you to check in last night.