A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....07-08-03..."Iceskater and her Precious Bubba and Lucy"

Dutchess and Billie | 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

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 have some great FinestPets for you to meet today and always look forward to meeting yours!

All Creatures Great and Small....
"Bubba and Lucy"...Iceskater's Special Kitties

Happy Tuesday FR friends and FRPets. Gizmo here. Decided to tackle this interview by myself as Codee and FredtheCat are still recooperating from the 4th Festivities. I'm heading to Virginia to meet the infamous Bubba and Lucy…beloved cats of Iceskater.

Iceskater greets me at the door as she heads out the door…to….you guessed it…go Iceskating. Go figure (more about that later) .

Bubba eyes me warily. I assure him that I have an older sister….FredtheCat…and he need not be afraid.

Bubba: Well…welcome then…I guess. Fred??? Fred a "sister" a she?…isn't Fred a guys name????

Gizmo: Mom and dad were "city folks" and never had cats. When Fred showed up as a kitten they thought she was a he until she had babies! What about your name…Bubba…isn't that what they call the worst president in our history…a source of fits, anger…shoes flung at the TV for 8 years….etc. How does that feel sharing HIS name?

Bubba: Well…I was named before anyone ever heard of him. Before him…. Bubba was a cute affectionate name…still is EXCEPT for that one….He's one Bubba we ALL want to forget!

Gizmo: Good explanation. So…Fred will be 15 this year, how about you.

Bubba: What a coincidence…I'm around 15 too. Mom and dad adopted me from the animal shelter when I was just six weeks old. There were only two of us there…vying for their attention. I started doing this cute little "kneading thing" with my paw and that won them over! Now, at age 15 they call me their "distinguished gentlemen".

(Just then Lucy runs into the room)

Lucy: Yeah right…"distinguished gentleman". The stories I could tell….

Gizmo: So tell them!!!!

Lucy: Now…this is all hearsay, as I wasn't adopted until 5 years ago but from what I hear Bubba has always been a little adventurous. At one time they lived in Northern Va. where there was a neighbor who had several huge dogs (black labs, I think). They loved to chase him. Mom says, if they had caught him, he would have been somebody's lunch. Bubba would just scamper up into the dogwood tree in the front yard and the dogs just wouldn't know what to do. That worked fine until the fall and winter when the leaves on the tree were gone. He scampered up that tree one day in Oct/Nov and got this look like "oh s***!, what happened to the leaves??" Mom thought that was just so funny…the look on Bubba's face.

Bubba: Yeah well…I just put that face on for show. Actually I had the situation TOTALLY under control. Hrrumph… .Lucy…I'm off to get some snacks. You talk to Giz for awhile…

Gizmo: Well Lucy, I notice that Bubba only has one eye. So does FredtheCat. It was already gone when Fred wandered to mom and dads as a kitten. How about Bubba.

Lucy: Last winter, he developed a tumor in his eye. You could see it and it covered part of the pupil. The vet said that in dogs those kinds of tumors are usually benign. But in cats, they are often malignant so he recommended taking his eye. The Vet said Bubba could live another 7 to 10 years and assured the folks that he would adapt to having just one eye. Mom was ok with everything until she picked him up from the vet. He had the "conehead" apparatus on and his eye was gone and there were all those stitches. Mom just lost it and the tears started falling. The poor vet must of thought she was out of her mind. I thought it was kind of funny….he'd get so mad when I referred to him as "conehead"!!!

But Bubba has healed nicely from the surgery and he gets around just fine. He is a little more careful jumping up and down but he's adapted well - just like the vet said.

(as Bubba returns)

Gizmo: Hey Conehead…err ah….I mean Bubba…

Bubba: (giving Lucy a disgusted look) Okay Lucy…time FOR ME to tell tales. (Lucy sheepishly stalks off)

Gizmo: Sorry 'bout that Bubba…but har har har….I can just picture you with that cone around your head….hehehehhe.

Bubba: Shhhhhhhhsssh..this is just between us guys….but boy did I play the sympathy game….milked it for all it was worth!!!!! Even Lucy was nicer than usual!

Gizmo: Speaking of Lucy….what's her story.

Bubba: In 1998, Mom went grocery shopping and they were having a joint Adopt a Pet thing with the local Humane Society. She normally doesn't stop and had not planned on getting another cat (at least that's what she told me!). Anyway, she came running home and insisted that dad go back with her to look at this "shameless hussy". She said that Lucy had the softest gray fur she ever felt. Dad wasn't thrilled either…but it all worked out.

Gizmo: How'd she end up at the shelter?

Bubba: From what the Humane Society worker said Lucy was picked up by Animal Control and that she recently had a little of kitties although they never found them. Anyway, the Humane Society had a litter of kitties that had no mom, so Lucy became a "surrogate" mom, nursing them until they could eat on their own. Once I heard her story…I was a little more "tolerant". I mean you could tell she had a pretty tough life…. two of her teeth - her canines - were broken off. She still acts a little skittish if mom or dad OR especially strangers try to pet her head.

Gizmo: Wow…. what a sad story. How did she act when she first came here?

Bubba: Well she hid under mom and dad's our bed for about a week. Mom knew I wasn't thrilled so she would feed her and everything in there. After about a week she started venturing out. The shelter said she was very quiet BUT man she talks just like a girl….I mean non-stop…especially around dinnertime. You would think we were never fed!

Gizmo: Heheheh…and we know how girls can talk…just don't know when to shut up!

Lucy: (entering) Excuse me Gizmo…mom always says if you can't say something nice…don't say anything at all!

Gizmo: (sheepishly…) Sorry Lucy…you weren't supposed to hear that…it was…you know….just guy talk!

Lucy: Okay…I'll forgive you THIS time!

Gizmo: Now tell me…are either of you "cuddlers" with your mom?

Bubba: Naw…not really….I kind of like to "hang"…look out over the yard. Lucy wasn't much of one either until mom broke her leg skating a few years ago.

Lucy: It happened right before Thanksgiving, a few year's ago………..mom was trying to do a backspin, caught her toe pick and went down. She was completely devastated. She had to go through the holidays in a cast and was in so much pain.

For the first couple of weeks, she spent a lot of time lying on the couch in the sunroom with her broken ankle propped up. I knew she wasn't doing well and wanted to make it better for her….just like she did for me. So I started crawling up next to her or lie on her stomach and purr and purr just to let her know I understood. That's when we really bonded. I knew I was totally safe and that she needed me too.

Bubba: Now they cuddle all the time. Guess it's a girl thing!

Gizmo: So…what about the two of you.

Bubba: Well, Lucy and I still squabble - on a daily basis. I mean it's kind of a game. Then we'll start grooming each other and then 3 minutes later, we're off yelling at each other, chasing each other around. Sometimes mom thinks we're serious…hehehe it can get pretty noisy…but we're only playing. Lucy has turned out to be pretty cool.

Lucy: Yeah…you are too Bubba!

Gizmo: Pretty cool story and glad to hear you all get along now. You know…these interviews are usually ONLY about FreeperPets…but I've never known an Iceskater before. What's the deal…I mean it's summer for pete's sake. When I first prepared for the interview was afraid I was going to Alaska or Antarctica or something!

Bubba: (proudly) Oh no…mom is an avid iceskater…she tries to skate at an indoor rink almost every day. She's also been in lots of competitions and has three…count them…THREE "coaches" Here's a picture of her practicing!

Lucy: I like to help her get dressed to go to the rink. Most mornings she gets up at 5am to go skate at 6am. She skates about an hour before work. She says it's great exercise first thing in the morning really starts her day off on the right foot.

Gizmo: Unless she forgets and uses her left and falls…hehehe…on the right foot…falls…okay…just a little Giz humor…sorry!

Lucy: Usually, mom wears these wrap-around skirts that she makes. They're simple things with a ribbon that ties around the waist. I LOVE to tackle those ribbons - especially as mom's trying to wrap it around her waist. I also love to attack the laces on her tennis shoes.

Gizmo: Well the curiosity got the best of me so the three of us headed over to the ice rink, digital camera in hand. I was pretty impressed with the pictures I took…but admit I've had some pointers from jkphoto and Billie!

Gizmo: So that's it Finest Friends….Two more special FreeperPets, rescued and living the good life (and making life so much better for our special Iceskater). Me…I'm heading home…I suddenly miss Codee and FredtheCat and especially mom's lap…so enjoy….see you all next week!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 07-07-03...Military Monday

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

[dutchess]

(((((((dansy)))))))))

[dutchess]

Thank YOU for stopping by!

[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; 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.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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 bkwells..................active duty

Maigrey................cousin ladtx....................2 sons Mama_Bear...........nephew gator girl............husband severa................husband MozartLover......son, nephew LBGA........................son 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

[Dubya]

GOD BLESS OUR MILITARY

AMEN dutchess

[dansangel]

Great interview - be sure to give Giz an extra belly rub for that one. (And see my post #6 for some extra special hugs sistah dutchess!)

(((((((iceskater)))))) - thank you for sharing Bubba's and Lucy's and even *your* stories with all of us. It is wonderful to get to know y'all even better!

PS - my two kitties Sylvie and Smokie behave the same way - licks one minute and fur flying the next! :-)

[Calpernia]

Well, it isn't his pet...but a sweet memory. We were out hiking and saw this newborn deer stuck under a fence. My son, who was 4 at the time, turned into the 'hulk' and pulled the chain link fence up while I pulled the fawn out from underneath. He lovingly carried the fawn all by himself back to our van. He and his sister sat with the fawn between them until the ranger came.

[dansangel]

[[[[[{{{{{(((((Louie_Wolfie_Man)))))}}}}}]]]]]

[dansangel]

((((((((martini_ferrari)))))))))))

Great pic - LOL!

[iceskater]

Dutchess, Gizmo - you did a wonderful job capturing life in my house with the "kids." Sorry to be so late getting here but I got busy with work.

Billie - thanks for taking care of the photos! You're a gem!

[ST.LOUIE1]

You sure have 'sticktoitiveness'. : )

wolfie((((((( dutchess )))))))wolfie

[iceskater]

PS - my two kitties Sylvie and Smokie behave the same way - licks one minute and fur flying the next! :-)

I'm glad mine aren't the only ones. Sometimes it sounds awful when they get to squabbling.

[dutchess]

Oh what a sweet story and picture. Thanks for sharing it with us!

[ST.LOUIE1]

Afternoon, fuzzy sistah! : )

wolfie((((((( dansy )))))))wolfie

[dutchess]

Sorry to be so late getting here but I got busy with work.

Actually I just finally got this up and posted so your right on time.

Gizmo - you did a wonderful job capturing life in my house with the "kids."

Glad you liked it. They really are sweet things!

[iceskater]

Great picture! I could not do that move - uh uh, no way! Skip calling the ambulance, just call the hearse 'cause I'd be dead.

I think this is a skater whose last name is Volchkova. She skates for Russia and I got to see her in March at the World Figure Skating Championships that were held in Washington DC. She is pretty amazing to see skate in person.

[Molly Pitcher]

That's right dutchess! Another storm a-comin', and I haven't finished cleaning up after the previous 3! My garden is a wreck...

Anyway...thanks for the thread and the darling pets!

Hello to everyone at the Finest thread!

[martin_fierro]

Make that "Iceskater", not "FigureSkater". DUH <|:)~

[iceskater]

I hope the storms aren't too bad. How is your house?

[dutchess]

Hi Molly...we have limbs everywhere including on our roof...the neighbor lost a huge oak tree. Fortunately we just got our power...hear many folks in Columbus won't have theirs up until tomorrow!

[Calpernia]

Thank you