A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-04-03..."I'll Be A Good Boy"

Dutchess and Billie | Gizmo 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

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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...
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!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 06-02-03...Military Monday 06-03-03...Face Off at the Finest

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

[WVNan]

Ahhhhh....what a cute kitty. I watched my neighbor's cat play with a mouse in my back yard for an hour a couple of weeks ago. Cat didn't know it was supposed to eat the mouse, so he just played with it. One time the mouse jumped real high and it scared the cat so much it jumped straight up in the air. I fell over laughing.

[Billie]

Hi, Nan! You are here early this evening! What a sweet thing to say, too. And he 'was' terribly brave. Honestly, while I was sitting in the waiting room that night, I heard a dog just crying and crying and I knew it was him because I knew he was in such pain. Then when she came out and told me it was ANOTHER dog doing all the crying - that Roscoe had never uttered a sound (but he did lick the doctor's face once), I couln't believe it. :)

[WVNan]

Ignore the freepmail Billie. You just answered my question.

[WVNan]

I wonder why Roscoe didn't cry. That is so unusual. Does he ever bark? Some dogs don't bark while others yap all the time.

[WVNan]

Ouchy. That is hot! Makes me appreciate our 59 degree jacket weather.

[Billie]

:) too late! I just answered it, but I didn't understand it! Whew!

[Billie]

I wonder why Roscoe didn't cry. That is so unusual. Does he ever bark? Some dogs don't bark while others yap all the time.

That's one reason it was odd he didn't cry. He is the biggest talker we've ever had! I mean, he makes more noise more often than any we've ever had. He 'talks' to us all the time. He fusses at us, he talks when he's happy, but he gets very, very quiet when he feels bad. You can see it in his eyes he doesn't understand why he hurts, but he doesn't complain.

[WVNan]

And I just answered you back LOL. Whew is right. I'm glad we are here at the same time for a change.

[WVNan]

Oh, I know I would love that pooch. I once had a dog that looked somewhat like him. He was a Bird dog/bull dog mix. Best dog I ever had. He was fiercely protective of me.

[WVNan]

I luv kitties. I still miss Heathcliff.

[Billie]

And I have to go again. : (    But it was nice saying hello - honestly, I do see you on the thread much later than I'm here, and when I come back to say goodnight I always wish I could say hello first. :)

Enjoy your evening. I'm glad you could love my Roscoe. He does that to everyone that meets him though - guess it's why he 'stuck' when he showed up. :)

G'night, Nan!

[DollyCali]

Dog Letters to God

Dear God:
How come people love to smell flowers, but seldom smell one another? Where
are their priorities?

Dear God,
When we get to Heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it the same old
story?

Dear God,
Excuse me, but why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the
mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not one named for a
dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We dogs love a nice ride!
I know every breed cannot have its own model, but it would be easy to
rename the Chrysler Eagle the Chrysler Beagle!

Dear God,
If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he
still a bad dog?

Dear God,
Is it true that in Heaven, dining room tables have on-ramps?

Dear God,
More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.

Dear God,
When we get to the Pearly Gates, do we have to shake hands to get in?

Dear God,
We dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles,
horns, clickers, beepers, scent IDs, electromagnetic energy fields, and
Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?

Dear God,
Are there dogs on other planets or are we alone? I have been howling at the
moon and stars for a long time, but all I ever hear back is the beagle
across the street!

Dear God,
Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?

Dear God,
Is it true that dogs are not allowed in restaurants because we can't make
up our minds what NOT to order? Or is it the carpet thing, again?

Dear God,
Can you undo what that doctor did?

Cat Letter to God

Dear God,
Do you exist? I'm just curious. I don't care.

[LadyX]

I forgot about your wanderer....you always keep looking for a long time, hoping they're all right.

I had a stray adoptee; wonderful fellow named 'Boyo,' with the sweetest disposition - love personified. I was ill and lying on the couch one night with a high fever and chills merry-go-round, and he came from across the room and stretched out on me to 'keep me warm.'
Turned out to be pyelonephritis, a severe kidney infection, and I was in the hospital for five days.
Apparently he went looking for me, and never returned.

[WVNan]

Good night Billie. God love you.

[WVNan]

Yes, I still look for Heathy. I heard a Bluejay fussing in the back yard today and I looked out just as a yellow cat rounded the corner of the church next door. I wondered if it might be Heathy. I wish he would turn up. He was such a love too.

[LadyX]

Think I'll try to go to sleep early tonight, Nan.
So glad we were here at the same time!

Love to you and Jack,

Maggie

[WVNan]

Nighty night Maggie. Loveya.

[Dubya]

Boot Camp Joke



As the sun rose over Parris Island, the senior drill instructor realized that one of his recruits had gone AWOL. A search party was dispatched immediately. After a few hours the recruit was discovered hiding in some bushes. He was sent back to the base and promptly escorted to the drill instructor's office. The instructor asked the young recruit, "Why did you go AWOL?"



The recruit replied, "My first day here you issued me a comb, and then proceeded to cut my hair off. The second day you issued me a toothbrush, and sent me to the dentist, who proceeded to pull all my teeth. The third day you issued me a jock strap, and I wasn't about to stick around and find out what would follow that SIR."

[Pippin]

Well, you know how it goes when you're the only hobbit amongst the trolls! LOL! (my liberal coworkers)

[Pippin]

SUUUUURE you ARE!