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.
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 an FReepmail and I will gladly do it for you. ~Mixer

[TechJunkYard]

Larry the Weather Cat enjoys summer, because he can do his meteorology studies outdoors.

[dutchess]

Hi Pippin....wow you clearly come from a family of pet lovers! Do you have to buy them all presents at Christmas? Codee, Giz and FredtheCat get tons of treats from the cousins!

[dutchess]

Fred came to us with only one eye. That's so sweet about Lucy. Animals are so sensitive to our needs. Last year I got food poisoning and was sleeping on the floor in the bathroom...Giz slept curled up next to me the whole time.

[dutchess]

If Fred put on another 10 pounds and became a girl, he'd look just like my "kitty." Hee hee.

But Fred IS a girl...something we didn't discover until he/she had kittens LOL!

[barker]

What is your little hedgehog's name? Mine, Velcro, died this last weekend. Took her to the vet last week and found out she had congestive heart failure plus a tumor that couldn't be removed because of her heart.She was so cool.

[Xenalyte]

This is Spot. She is not the cat you are looking for. Move along.


This is Dennis. Fear his expansive white belly.


And this, as many FReepers know, is the Dread Boston Salty, Houston's own Methane Marauder.

(Dolly, the alpha cat, declined to allow her photo to grace this particular thread. She will pick one that better showcases her unique talents and sparkling personality.)

[dutchess]

So that was a hedgehog. I don't think I ever saw one. Sorry to hear about Velcro barker. Do they have a personality? Like what do they do?

[Aquamarine]

I know what you mean about the guilt trip. That's the downside...we can't go anywhere anymore. When we leave her in a kennel overnight she thinks she's been abandoned again. When we pick her up she's panting and her heart is racing as if she's in distress.
My mom and I are going to NC this week-end and the hubby is staying behind to babysit Daisy.

[barker]

(actually it IS kind of cute...well...in an only a face a mother can love kind of way)

It's a hedgehog. They're adorable. I've had one for years, until last weekend. Great little pets. Our big dog, lab/rott mix, ran from her

[dutchess]

What cool pictures Xenalyte LOL! These guys clearly exhibit strong personalities LOL... Can't wait to see Dolly!

[E Rocc]

I added to my infamous "Hawse Roolz":

-Dissing the cats is punishable by the cats. Management has no sympathy for bite/scratch victims who deserve it.

-Eric

[dutchess]

You picture of Larry the cat is not coming up :o(

[iceskater]

I thought Fred looked like she had only one eye. It's amazing how well they can adapt to such a drastic change as losing an eye.

Lucy is my girl. She ALWAYS helps me get dressed in the morning when I head to the rink. I usually wear these wrap-around skirts that have ribbon at the waist for the waist band. Lucy particularly loves to attack the ribbons as I'm trying to wrap them around my waist. Some of them are fairly shredded now. I really should replace them. If it isn't the skating skirt, she attacks my shoe laces. Maybe she doesn't want me going to the rink since that's how I broke my ankle. Hmmmmm.... maybe there's something to that theory.

[Billie]

Sistah Dutchess, you know how much I've been looking forward to this thread, and all the future ones 'Giz' will be posting every week.

You're going to have to start a kennel to house all the pets of just today! LOL! Hope that FReepets' moms and dads won't give away too much on today's thread, so they can be in the spotlight all by themselves in a future thread!

Are you taking notes, dutchess? LOL!

Once again, today's thread is simply the most wonderful idea and your presentation is so touching.

Thanks, Giz, Codee, and FredtheCat - you precious things!

[MeekOneGOP]

Mornin', everybody ! Happy Humpday !!

64 degrees as I post this, headin' for around 73 today.
And enjoying this mild weather while I have the chance, too !
Summer's JUST around the corner ! . . .

Have a cup while you FReep !

For those who prefer hot chocolate.....

[MeekOneGOP]

And here is my FAVORITE doggie, Smilie ! Can anybody guess why I call him that, huh ??? . . .

[dutchess]

Dissing the cats is punishable by the cats. Management has no sympathy for bite/scratch victims who deserve it.

LOL!

One time we had a couple over and the woman DID NOT LIKE DOGS...she had a bad experience as a kid and was quite fearful of them. Well here's little Gizmo who was still a pup. The first thing he did when they walked in was lift his leg and pee on her foot! (he NEVER did that before or since!)

[DollyCali]

Just found it Pippin... I lived part time there - tennessee - in school.. Johnson city.. 1990-1991. Nice you have family still there & get to visit. It is a beautiful area.

I was born in Ohio.. went to public school & undergrad at Kent State... Left for 25 years & now back caregiving my semi invalid mom(well she gets out of her ROOM 3 times a year) .. guess it is more of an Invalid. she is still able to walk to her bathroom...with great difficulty

[Billie]

Happy FIFTH Anniversary, MusicMan!

[E Rocc]

This is Dennis. Fear his expansive white belly.

Looks like Troubull to me.

The Late Great Slash and Wanda have their own pages.

to Allegra for the mandatory Dulciepic.

-Eric