A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....05-21-03....All Creatures Great and Small...FreeperPets

Dutchess and Billie | Gizmo,Codee and FredtheCat

[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, daisyscarlett, dansangel, dutchess, Mama_Bear

How precious we "creatures" big and small are. We bring fun, laughter and comfort to you, our human family and friends. . .. and yes . . . aggravation too! We hope you enjoy this weekly thread and also hope you will allow us the honor of featuring your special furry (or not so furry) FreeperPets.

All Creatures Great and Small...Our FreeperPets

Welcome Freeper Friends. I'm Gizmo and with me are my sistahs Codee and Fred the Cat. Today....we'll tell you a little about us....in the coming weeks and months we hope to feature many more of our FRfinests "gifts from God"

Why Are We Doing This????

Gizmo: We came up with this idea as we live in Mom's study anyway; at least since she discovered FreeRepublic! She is always telling Dad to come in and read various FR Threads AND ALWAYS the Finest. We decided it's about time to feature us....the finest FreeperPets and praise our own. After all, it is FreeperPets (ALONG with FreeRepublic) that keep our human Freepers sane!!!

The Beginning

Gizmo: It all started with Dutchess in 1975. Mom and Dad just graduated from college and were getting married. They didn't have much but got a shot at a free dog named "DUTCHESS" (thus mom's screen name). Dutchess was a University of Michigan college pup who was "found out" by administration, was banned from her owner's dorm and sentenced to the dog pound. My folks adopted her and shared a wonderful life with her for the next 13 years.

Duchess died suddenly and unexpectedly at age 14 from cancer that no one knew about. She seemed healthy until the end. They were devastated and decided no more pets for them.

Enter Codee...

Four weeks later Dad saw an ad for a Shelty pup in the local newspaper . . . a breed he always was fascinated with. He brought one home and put it in bed with mom. Mom and Dutchess LOVED to cuddle. She expected that with Codee right from the start. NOT!

Codee: I was a pretty rotten puppy. I was too energetic, hated cuddles and got along well with dad but mom and I were not a mix.

Gizmo: Then one day mom was cleaning out files in her study and started reading the daily letters she wrote to Dutchess in the days after she died. (that was before the internet and "RAINBOW BRIDGE." She still has these letters and sends them to friends when they lose their pets)

Codee: I heard her start to cry and went into the study. I felt so bad I laid on her feet and looked at her face . . . she looked at my face . . . and . . . we finally bonded. We have loved each other ever since.

Gizmo: Codee and Mom insist that Dutchess did that devine intervention.

and then came....Fred the Cat

Gizmo: Okay . . . then Fred shows up as a kitten. Mom and Dad are not big cat lovers and tried to ignore him but within two days mom started sneaking bowls of milk outside. (you all "know the drill") Turns out "him was a HER" after she gave birth to 4 kittens. Good homes were found for all, Fred was immediately "fixed" and worked HER way into the house within the year. She now is a fixture on couch and bed!

And....My Story….

I was a "dumped dog." Don't know why, but I was. I was lucky that I was dumped by someone who cared enough to find a neighborhood of doglovers. I started my search for a home at "mom's" house. Just started throwing myself on her screen door. She came out, gave me some water and then shooed me on my way figuring I belonged to someone.

Two days later, after they made lots of calls to the humane society, newspaper, and radio, it was obvious I was an orphan. I was running down the middle of the street in circles when Mom said "I can't take it anymore" and brought me in. That was six years ago. This family has been a blessing for me . . . and I HAVE BEEN A BLESSING FOR THEM TOO…

So that's our story...the next step

Now...I'm packed and ready to go….to meet and profile some of our special FreeperPets. I just ask that when I come knocking on YOUR door…you make sure to have LOTS of doggie treats and a warm lap to rest my weary head….THIS STUFF WEARS ME OUT….Until next week…this is Gizmo signing off.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 05-19-03...Military Monday 05-20-03...EnviablyRabidRalph

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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5) If all else fails or simply if you want me to do this for you send me an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[JustAmy]

Good Morning, Dutchess.



I hope to share some of my pets with you today.

[Pippin]

Hi, TTM!

[lonestar]

Thank you! Thank you!

Weinie will be so excited when she's done napping. Chasing squirrels is hard work!

Weinie's expertise is in behavior modification. Some time ago, I started rewarding Weinie with a treat when we came in from "walking." Now, when she wants a treat, she goes to the door, we go out, and back inside she expects a treat. I'm up and down like a yo-yo and she's getting fat.

A friend once told me she read that a dog's intelligence can be determined by how well they manipulate their human and , "You always manage to get geniuses."

[TaxRelief]

Our basenji is 'Abby'. She is a nut-ball, too, but as loyal and protective as they come. (If she decides to 'come', that is.) We are thinking about a Rhodesian Ridgeback in the future.

The little hedgehog is 'Rosie'.

Then there are the rabbits, Splotch and Nibbles; the birds, Flutter and Pumpkin; and the cat, Fluffy Tim.

[Pippin]

HEY, ((((LOUIE)))!

[The Thin Man]

Ummm...isn't that suppost to be "woof! woof!?????"...or was you're dog a "roofer"? Oh..never mind :o)

Har, har, har! If I'm not careful I'll laugh myself to death. :-)

[TaxRelief]

Velcro was a great name for a hedgehog. Sorry for your loss. :(

Our's is Rosie (because she is so-o-o-o 'nosy').

How old was little Velcro?

[lonestar]

BOO! HOO! HOO! HOO!

I get the feeling that a lot of us will have an "army" waiting at the Rainbow Bridge.

[The Thin Man]

Howdy, ma'am!

[Pippin]

Do you have any pets?

[Pippin]

NIC!

Come on over!

Meekie misses you!

[dutchess]

You're so welcome Lonestar. That is a darling picture of Wienie!

A friend once told me she read that a dog's intelligence can be determined by how well they manipulate their human...

Well then mine are pretty close to genius too!

[rabidralph]

not-so-rabid Ralph

[dutchess]

suppost???

ummmm...welll...just checking to see how alert you were today :o)

[DollyCali]

Yes I will have many, many, many dear and much loved friends waiting..

[Ferret Fawcet]

my babies, Basil and Pixie

[ST.LOUIE1]

HEY, ((((Pip)))!

[Pippin]

You gonna post pics of your precious pups?

[Diver Dave]

a Billie creation in honor of "Buddy"...

[The Thin Man]

Do you have any pets?

Nope, unless you count the mouse I caught the other day.