All Creatures Great and Small...
Billie's Precious "Roscoe"
Gizmo: Hello Finest Friends. Today we have the distinct pleasure of introducing you to a truly finest FreeperPet….Roscoe…the pride and joy of our own "Finest founder", Miss Billie. Joining me on this interview is FredtheCat. While looking forward to meeting Roscoe and the "lovely and gracious" Billie…I must admit to wanting Fred for "protection" as I was pre-warned that there are some unusual "varmints" that hang out in the Texas plains. (no….I wasn't referring to you Meekie!)
Giz: So we arrive at the "ranch" only to find no one home.
FredtheCat: Well not exactly no one. I was immediately "drawn" to the fishpond on the patio. It was a long trip and my stomach was rumbling! Just as I was about to "grab a snack" this fish started talking to me. Gosh…a talking fish…only in Texas. Well that stopped me in my tracks! I had to ask….what's your name….and while we wait can you give us a little background on Roscoe? (while licking my chops)
Getting to know....the territory!
Fish: My name is Fish…pretty clever huh. Billie was a huge fan of the sitcom, Barney Miller and named me after Detective Fish. I've been living here for a few years with Goldie and the others. For background however, I suggest you talk to that guy over there in the flower bed.
Gizmo: As I looked over all I saw was this shell thing…moving closer to investigate, this head popped out. YIKES.
FredtheCat: Hehehehe…Giz must have jumped 3 feet…Can you believe he had never seen a turtle before…geesh! Good thing he brought me along.
Gizmo: I knew it was a turtle…I was just showing off my "flair for the dramatics". So uh…what's your name and what can you tell me about Roscoe?
Mr. Turtle: Why I'm Mr. Turtle, Mr. T. for short! (Mr. T. and A-Team? It's a TV thing) I have lived here for…a long long time and around here am considered the "ranch" historian…chronicling the history of all of the pets. Let me pull out my notes….
Mr. T continues: Prior to Roscoe's arrival the family dogs consisted of a toy poodle and purebred chows, three in all. Billie and Mr. B. were definitely drawn to high-maintenance "furry" dogs…not your garden-variety mutt.
Fish: (jumping in) Living in the country as we all do, it's not uncommon to wake up in the morning and see a strange dog or kitty hanging around, wanting a bite to eat and a kind word. Dumped on the road in the dark of the night... scared, half-starved, pitiful, it makes Billie so angry that anyone would do that to a helpless animal! She would always try to shelter and feed them ... and find a home for them in the next few days. (FredtheCat...you're getting a smidgen too close!)
Then Came Roscoe
Mr. T: They had just lost Sugar, their beautiful blue chow when "Roscoe" showed up. Unlike the others…he wasn't scared, he wasn't half-starved, nor pitiful, and he wasn't here in the early morning. He literally 'appeared' out of nowhere, mid-afternoon, and latched on to them with his determined way.... he used a 'look' that he knew would get to them.
Gizmo: Kind of like what happened when both Fred and I "appeared" at mom's. FreeperPets sure know how to spot them! So…what was their first reaction?
Mr. T: Actually I saved a page out of the journal Billie keeps. Here was her entry for that day:
January, 2000. "He stands barely a foot tall and not much longer - sort of square shaped, husky, with bowlegs and a personality like none we've ever seen before. He 'appeared' from nowhere, this little stick of dynamite. We just can't resist him. That face, those eyes! (The vet says he is 'about' 4 months old). I have a feeling he's going to "rule the roost".
Gizmo: Well well…here he comes now. Hey Roscoe…where ya been???? No battin' those big brown eyes at me….I know that game…heck I mastered it at my house! Anyway it's very nice to meet you. So…what was it like those first few days?
Roscoe: Hey Giz and FredtheCat. Nice to meet you too. Fred….stop eyeing Fish. He IS NOT cat food but is a pet…just like YOU!
What was it like? Well…I knew this was where I wanted to be BUT I had to put forth some real effort the first hour or so! They kept me outside at first, but I was "relentless" following them every step they took. Finally they let me in the house BUT that night that put me in the courtyard to sleep. Can you imagine????? WELL that, too, lasted only a few nights. It took some effort but they moved me inside within a week and soon I was sleeping on "mom's" chair in the den.
Mr. T: Roscoe occasionally lets Billie share the chair with him hehehehe.
Roscoe: I must admit that they "took to me" early on. I would do the "silliest" things that just tickled them to death.
Mr. T: Here's another excerpt from Billie's Journal:
"He switches from a rough and tumble boy-dog, to this sweet and innocent 'you-can't-stay-mad-at-me-because-I'm-so-adorable" puppy in an instant. Here my husband had been tossing Roscoe's favorite toy - a green and orange frog - for him to chase (yes, in the family room. LOL!) and it landed once on that table. With no effort, and without a moment's hesitation, Roscoe jumped on the table to get it. Once there, though, he must have thought to himself, "Oops, I may be in trouble".
FredtheCat: Hey Roscoe….you sound part cat. Dogs aren't supposed to "hang" on tables!
Roscoe: Wanna bet????…one of my favorite spots is "hanging" on the patio table so I can see over the fence. I can just stand right there and hop up on it…"just like that!" Hmmmm…maybe there is some cat in my mixed lineage.
Gizmo: Speaking of mixed lineage….what are you? (MY vet just says I'm a "pure bred lap dog"!)
Roscoe: Well…I'm not quite sure but the vet told mom and dad that I'm probably part Boston Terrier and part Heeler. Whatever…I just know I'm darn cute!
Gizmo: So, it's clear your folks adore you. Do they also do some silly dress up stuff? Geesh…one time mom dressed Codee up as Monica with a blue dress and black beret! How humiliating! Fortunately I escaped this torture.
Roscoe: Well, one time dad's sister got me a trench coat for Christmas (what do you get a dog who has everything????). Mom took this picture of me and I think I look pretty cool!
Gizmo (to Roscoe, Mr. T and FishtheFish (who is getting nervous as Fred is licking his chops again): Is there anything else you want to share…wait…here comes….it REALLY is the lovely and gracious Billie Blue….Wow…you're even prettier in person!
FredtheCat: I have to admit she IS awfully pretty but humble, blushing at the compliment's we are bestowing on her. Then in the next breath she apprised the situation with my "fish obsession", gently picked me up giving me a kitty treat and bowl of milk. All thoughts of a fish snack soon dissipated.
Fish: Wow…what a close call. Thanks Billie!
Gizmo: So, Miss Billie…is there anything you would like to add.
Billie: Here's a story that to me sums up the essence of our dear Roscoe. He was attacked by a pack of dogs about a year ago, and we had to take him to the emergency vet clinic. It was after hours and our regular vet's office was already closed. He was in pain, but never whimpered, and all the while the doctor was cleaning him up, and his assistant was holding Roscoe, he just pressed his face against her cheek and never whimpered once. When they finished working on him, she came out and told me how amazing he was. A few nights later, out of the blue, she called me at home. When I answered the phone, she said simply, "I want Roscoe." She was still thinking of him - fell in love with him in those minutes she held him as his wounds were getting cleaned. He does that to people.
Gizmo: Well, he certainly did that to our sweet Miss Billie. It's clear Roscoe that you have found a great home, and clear Miss Billie that you and Mr. B. are just the best parents for todays finest. It's been great meeting you all but it's time that FredtheCat and I head off for home. All this love that Miss Billie is bestowing on Roscoe is really making me miss my own mom.
Fred the Cat: Hey Gizmo….Mr. T. just said that….SINCE Miss Billie is "mom's" SISTAH….that makes her our "AUNT" and Roscoe, Fish, Mr. T and all the others our newfound cousins! Do we really want to leave yet????
Gizmo: Well FRFriends…who could argue with that logic and leave a family we just found. Fred, Fish, Mr. T. et all decided to have a patio party "boogying" to Sister Sledge's "WE ARE FAMILY" with Mr. T. in the lead:
Mr. T. We are f-a-m-i-l-y…FredtheCat, Fish, Gizmo and me….
Gizmo: And me…Roscoe offered me Aunt Billie's chair, and she offered her lap….Of course we made room for Roscoe too. So glad to have met my new extended family and especially happy to introduce them to you.
Well that's it FRFriends….another special FreeperPet who has touched the lives of one of our most special finest friends…
See you all next week! Love to all our FRFriends and FrPets!
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