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.

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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.
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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

[Aquamarine]

Gizmo does it again! Another poignant interview.
You sure have some pretty cats Dansy.

[Aquamarine]

LOL!

[FreeTheHostages]

Wonderful! I LOVE these interviews. Oh, my favorite photo has to be Sylvie on the toilet top!

That's sweet that the cats were kind as the weakest as she was preparing to pass on: that's also unusual. A lot of cats -- it's just their nature -- will start to "hunt" older, sicker cats more.

[iceskater]

That's sweet that the cats were kind as the weakest as she was preparing to pass on: that's also unusual. A lot of cats -- it's just their nature -- will start to "hunt" older, sicker cats more.

Really? I never knew this. Maybe this is why Lucy and Bubba seem to be squabbling soooo much more lately. Bubba is 15 and had a tumor-filled eye removed a year ago. Hmmmm.... something to consider.

[iceskater]

Another excellent job by Gizmo. He's getting quite good at the interviewing!

Sylvie and Smokie are wonderful! I also loved the picture on the toilet. I wish I could think of something clever to say about "cats" and "thrones" but my coffee has not yet kicked in this morning.

Have a terrific day.

[FreeTheHostages]

It's true. They can't help it -- most cats can't anyway. They're half-wild and hunters too. Depending on how well their mom taught them to hunt, they can get tremendous reward from "pretending" to attack and kill another thing.

Things to do: keep the claws of the able cat clipped often and begin to teach her she's a bad cat if she makes any threatening play gesture -- spraying her with water when she attacks, etc.

[FreeTheHostages]

LOL. Very cute!

Good morning. How are we today?

[LadyX]

"How are we today?"

Not sure about you - LOL - but * I * am fine!!

On my way to the Post Office and grocery store, and hoping for inspiration for what to have for dinner...sigh...wonder if they sell MRE's..:))
That'd be simple enough!

Please do not sic your cats on The Thin Man today.
Poor fellow needs his rest.

[iceskater]

Well, we got Lucy from the Humane Society who had rescued her. She may very well have been quite a hunter before she was rescued. We're not even really sure exactly how old she is.

Without realizing it, we've pretty much done what you recommended. They both get yelled at when the squabbling starts. Then they run off into separate areas of the house and calm down.

[iceskater]

You have posted some truly adorable pictures. Thanks! I especially like the kitty in the sunglasses.

[martin_fierro]

Woobies are truly indispensible.

GIZMO KNOWS!

G'morning everyone!!!

[lonestar]

BOW WOW! BOW WOW WOW WOW!*

*I HATE cats! Almost as much as squirrels!

Weinie

[dansangel]

What a cute frog! I spoke to .45MAN earlier and he's swamped - don't know when he'll get to come visit. :-(

People shouldhn't have to w-o-r-k (ugh) on their birthday!

[dansangel]

(((((Meekie)))))

That dog is so funny! Someone here has it hanging outside their cubicle. It makes me smile every time I see it! :-)

[dansangel]

You sure have some pretty cats Dansy.

Thank you ((((((Aqua)))))

I know you are a "dog person" so I take that as a high compliment! :-) Hope your Tuesday is great!

[dansangel]

Oh, my favorite photo has to be Sylvie on the toilet top!

Mine, too, ((((((((Freezie))))))

Doesn't she look like "Queen of the Universe?" LOL!!

That's sweet that the cats were kind as the weakest as she was preparing to pass on:

That would have been Smokie. She's very gentle in nature. I'm not sure Sylvie would have been as kind. We adopted her about 7 weeks after Cookie passed. Sylvie is a spitfire! LOL!

[dansangel]

Sylvie and Smokie are wonderful!

Thank you ((((((iceskater)))))))

Haven't seen you in *forever*! Glad you came by for a visit. Enjoy your Tuesday! :-)

[dansangel]

{{{{{{{{{{{M_F}}}}}}}}}}}}}

Thanks for the picture of a woobie - I felt like a *dork* for not knowing what it was! LOL!

[FreeTheHostages]

Smokie sounds so nice. Seems, like me, you have cats with alter egos -- it makes for a good match.

[dansangel]

*I HATE cats! Almost as much as squirrels!

That's OK (((((weinie)))) - I still love you! :-)

{{{{{{{lonestar}}}}}}}}}