A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....06-10-03...."Dansy's Angels...Ms. Smokie and Sylvie"

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, 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) FrPet on the Finest.

All Creatures Great and Small....
"Dansy's Angels....Ms. Smokie and Sylvie"

Happy Tuesday FR friends and FRPets. Gizmo here. Mom and Dad packed me up last night and I headed to Atlanta. Let me tell you. Coming from a small rural town to "the big city" was a real culture shock. I swear, the cab ride from the airport to Ms. Smokie and Sylvie's house about did me in.

I decided to do this interview solo as Codee will be 16 next week and I wasn't sure how she would handle the heat. FredtheCat is still "disco dancing" to Sister Sledges "We Are Family". She was so taken with the "Texas Varmints" she met at Roscoe's (son of Billie) that she's recruiting an assortment of Ohio varmints. Moles, a handful of squirrels and…can you believe…an opposum who is now named "Oppie". Ugh!

Anyway….I expected a "warm welcome" but instead found Dansy and .45Man already sound asleep…with Smokie under the bed and Sylvie wedged between them. They did leave some water, a midnight snack and a promise to be up very early so I could get this posted in time.

Like clockwork Dansy was up bright and early….set some ground rules…geesh….I can see why she is known as the "inquisitor" and left for the job she affectionately dubs "hell".

So Smokie and Sylvie….(who are eyeing me suspiciously…having been apartment bound all their lives and never having met a canine before) can you tell me how you came to be a part of this family?

(staring at each other….still not sure…clearly not jumping on their "mom's" idea that they should talk to a "dog.")

Cookie...waiting at Rainbow Bridge

Smokie: The folks moved to Atlanta in 1998 with Cookie, a 13 year old kitty who was getting "feeble". They thought some "young blood" in the house would perk Cookie up. They found me in December that year at a Humane Society promotion held at the local PetSmart.

(Suddenly Dansy bursts into the room…under the guise that she forgot her "lunch money.")

Gizmo: Yea right! Another FR sister control freak! (as we attempted to ignore her)

Smokie: I appeared to be a very docile and quiet kitty. Boy were they wrong! The first time I opened my mouth up shortly after I got home, they found out that I have a healthy set of lungs! My "Meow" belies my size (a petite 8 pounds). I come from a lineage of Siamese with attitudes!

Gizmo: (thinking…ahem…this is almost déjà vu from the FreetheHostages interview….what is it with these Freeperbabes….can't they let their "pets" speak for themselves!)

Okay Dansy…I hear you have a VERY demanding job…so just get your "two cents" in and then…PLEASE let me do my job!

Dansy: (not the least bit intimidated…or even "getting the hint" )Smokie and Cookie bonded over the three years that they were together. Cookie had to be confined to the laundry room off of the kitchen because she had a hard time finding her food and litter box. Smokie, ever the agile kitty, would visit by hopping over the child gate that kept Cookie from wandering around. Sometimes I would catch them touching noses through the mesh.

Giz: (looking at the clock) Ahem…dans…aren't you going to be late for work…

(dansy looks at her watch…gives the kids a huge hug and heads out the door…)

Smokie: Cookie passed away in January 2002. After 16 years, it was such a great loss for all of us. I was so saddened by the loss of a friend and sister. .Dad suggested finding me a companion, but mom wasn't sure she was ready to "replace" Cookie. She said "How can one replace a family member?"

Gizmo: So what happened?

Sylvie: ME!!!! Last February Mom and Dad were out shopping and decided to stop at another Humane Society/Pet Smart adoption day and ogle at "us orphans". I was about 5 months at the time, with cool black and white markings, and.... I guess I closely resembled "Ralph", another dearly departed kitty who passed on in May, 1998. I remember mom kept staring, instantly mesmerized by my perfect "tuxedo" markings. As she came closer to my cage I looked at her with my best "I need you" soulful green eyes - She was hopelessly hooked and I was immediately "adopted".

Gizmo: So Smokie…what did you think?

(at this moment .45man stopped in….nice guy…one of us…I REALLY liked him….he rubbed my belly…gave me a treat….showed me his "shooter" and filled me in as Smokie and Sylvia took a little "kitty food and litter break")

.45man: There was a lot of growling and hissing in the beginning and some serious rough-housing. Eventually, the rough-housing turned into good-natured play. Sylvie sometimes forgets that she has an unfair advantage, she still has her claws while Smokie does not. We occasionally hear growling and spitting from Ms. Smokie, but we don't think she'd trade in her feisty little sister for anything.

Gizmo: Thanks .45 Hope you can keep that woman of yours in check. God knows dad and I try with MOM!

Gizmo (to Smokie and Sylvia): Okay…a few more questions. Where do you "hang in the apartment?

Sylvie: My favorite spot is either perched on the toilet tank or in the bedroom window. Smokie prefers to be curled up on Dad's computer chair or on his spot on the couch.

Gizmo: Anything special you want to tell me about each other. Like what do you do all day?

Smokie: Well…sleep and eat! That is what cats are supposed to do! Also, Sylvie hunts pens from "dad's" desk and hides them under the coffee table. When he begins to run low on pens, he just moves the coffee table and...voila!

Gizmo: What about you're politics, given your "moms" leanings?

Smokie: I'm definitely a conservative…...Sylvie tends to be a libertarian - no rules! LOL!

Gizmo: So tell me the real scoop on you're parents. They are obviously IN LOVE…with a capital L….are big time gun toting second amendment types….what are they really like?

Sylvie: THEY are really boring people and so lovey-dovey it's sickening - LOL! But, we can feel the excitement when DAD is FReeping from his computer, mom at her laptop and something "BIG" is happening on FR! The whole place lights up!!!!!

Gizmo: Regarding guns…we know your folks are big into that…opinions?

Smokie: I have an aversion to guns, but Sylvie is more daring. She likes "Mom's" new Walther P88 and hops up on the bed when Mom is putting it inside her concealed carry handbag for the weekend.

Sylvie: Well…I'm just trying to take care of my older sister and family. Guns don't shoot people, people shoot people!

Gizmo: A good way to look at it…hey gals…am heading out before rush hour traffic AND BEFORE your mom comes home….MY MOM warned me that I might be subject to a great inquisitive interview if your mom "corners" me! It's been great meeting you. For cats you two are pretty cool!...SEE YOU!

Gizmo: Well that's it folks….Just caught my flight, mom had the good sense to pack my "wooby". and a cute little stewardess has offered me her lap… LIFE IS GOOD!

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 06-09-03...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

[Dubya]

WOW! He sure is. I didn't realize they weighted 2100 pounds. I would hate to have to run this fellow a foot race.

[Dubya]

I just go on instant call most of the time. If someone wants to look at a foreclosure I try to go when they can.

[Dubya]

Thanks. After seeing Meeks gator I may just trade him off. I didn't know they got that big.

[dutchess]

Tame. Thanks for the link to your recall efforts and also for what you are doing! I was so sorry for you all when Davis squeaked by in the election! Keep up the good work.

[dutchess]

you and your Gizmo are quite the intrepid reporters...I do believe I'm experiencing the warm fuzzies at this moment...

That is so-o-o sweet. I kind of experience "warm fuzzies" when I'm doing this! God love our FRPets!

[dutchess]

Hi Ice...Sorry I missed you this morning...had a VERY busy work day. Glad you enjoy this thread. It IS fun to do...and a nice diversion from the "REAL WORLD"!

[dutchess]

Awe Billie, just got to your early post...thanks and what a sweet picture...We ALL LIKE YOU TOO!

[dutchess]

Also, hello to my favorite interviewer......Gizmo! Your questions are always tough but fair.

Awe, how sweet

Maybe our hostesses can learn a few things from you. :-)

Now that's the TM I've come to know and love :o)

[dutchess]

Gizmo's looking forward to next week :o)

[dutchess]

Woobies are truly indispensible.

Isn't that the truth...and what a cute picture you posted. Thanks!

[dutchess]

Hi Maggie. Just catching up. Love the pictures you posted today!

[dutchess]

Hi Meekie...Gosh I love that smiling dog...AND the new MickeyMeek! Way too cute!

[MeekOneGOP]

Ohhhhh, THAT must be Pip's cutest logo yet! One to go with Meekie's cowboys!

Cute alright. But she REALLY needs to sign up for a gun safety class. She could be dangerous with those shootin' irons !!

[MeekOneGOP]

. . . I didn't realize they weighted 2100 pounds. I would hate to have to run this fellow a foot race.

Me either. What a scary thought alright !!

[deadhead]

Excellent interview Gizmo :-) dansangel and .45MAN, your kitties Ms. Smokie and Sylvie are adorable. All the photos are precious, my personal favorite is Sylvie on the toilet tank...LOL So nice to meet our FRiends pets up close. My sister had a cat "Kitty" that looked just like your beloved Cookie.

Colleen

[deadhead]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY .45MAN

[MeekOneGOP]

Howdy ! Hope you had a great day !

[MeekOneGOP]

Birthday ?? Alright ! Happy birthday, .45MAN !!

[deadhead]

LOL, don't hold back Weinie. My brother has 2 cats, recently spent the weekend there. Brought my pup Lucy with me, so the cats hid most of the time while we were there. Except for one night, late at night we were all up chatting, and my niece's husband says "Aunt" and before he could say "Colleen" (trying to alert me that the kitties were in sight of Lucy), the chase was on. Lucy chased those poor cats all over, and the rest of us are chasing Lucy. The cats are very clever and got away. It was quite comical.

[deadhead]

Hi there, saw the photo of you and Ling, a beautiful photo indeed. Lots of celebrating here at Freepers Finest :-)