Phred has Passed, the Prayer Pups join our family & funeral news (pg. 13)

Thank you Staci for calling me last night and letting me know, sorry I broke down at the end.

My dear Phred,
I can barely write this through my tears.

I know that your finally out of pain, and for this I am truly glad. You've suffered for such a long time. I try and tell myself this every time I start to cry but the tears still come.

I know there are soooo many pets at the bridge who were so very happy to see you arrive. I'm sure they all welcomed you, and you in turn reached in your treat bag and rewarded them:)

I remember the last time I hugged you at the park and you told me it would probably be the last time you'd see me. I was hoping that it wouldn't be true, but alas...it was:(

This world will be a lot more empty without Phred the fireman.

RIP dear friend.

I am just so sad. I can't ever find the words to express how much Phred meant to me. He helped me through two of the darkest periods of my life as well as the greatest joy. Never had an email or phone call with him that didn't leave me uplifted. In person meetings were the best. He held it all together for many of us, many times, his loving nature was a true testimony to his faith. He was a remarkable man, and a good friend. I will miss him so very much. Say hello to all of our pets and loved ones. Enjoy your reunion with your mom.

I had very little interaction w/Phred but what I did have was very encouraging and I came to know him through his posts and the testimonials of others. It's difficult to see someone suffer as Phred did towards the end and especially at this time of year b/c we want everyone to be filled w/joy and hope. Now, at least, he's at rest and is enjoying a wonderful reunion w/his critters and all those that he had helped down through the years. Phred, you will be missed around here but we are so glad that you are now at peace and can really and truly exhale. :love:

Our friend Phred and Cinder and Smokey:

<center>
<a href="http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d3/MOFF55/?action=view&amp;current=Phred.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d3/MOFF55/th_Phred.jpg" border="0" alt="Phred with Cinder and Smokey" ></a>
</center>

I'm so sad to see this post today.....my thoughts are with his family and everyone here who knew him.

Phred rest in peace.

Melissa

I've been looking through my old pics from the times we spent with phred, then LES sets in again. What a special man... Im glad he's out of pain, the last time I talked to him in the hospital he sounded so, so bad. Hate to think of him feeling so miserable.

I posted about Phred on our blog today, he always comments there. I imagine he's still going to keep tabs on all of us, he just has a better view point from "up there."

Mom of fuzzyfaces - that is a wonderful photo of Phred, Cinder, & Smokey! Do you mind If I put it on my blog?

I can't express what I feel right now. The impact Phred had on those who have already written reflects what is in my heart. I hope that in some way we can get together to provide some assistance to those who will step up to take in the beings he cared about the most....his beloved critters.

I am so sorry. Rest in peace, dear Phred.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by anna_66

Thank you Staci for calling me last night and letting me know, sorry I broke down at the end.

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No worries. I held it together until I got home then and now am drowning my keyboard.

I'm so sorry to hear this...Rest in peace, Phred.:(

Phred,
You always knew what to say, you offered the best advice about life, relationships, etc. I'll always remember you and I'm sad I have never had the chance to meet you, but I feel like I already have. Bless you, and godspeed. I'm sure Benny, Anna, and Rosie have greeted you along with so many of our loved RB pets!

Rest in peace Phred. You were loved by many. My dear baby boy Griffin, I am sure was at the bridge to greet you. You will be deeply missed.

I'm on here in tears again. :( At least we can all take comfort in knowing there's someone wonderful to take great care of our pets who have crossed over. I'm sure he's met Reggie and Smokey by now. I found my pics from my two trips to Findlay, it was bittersweet looking at them. There's some RB doggies too which I'm sure Phred is taking care of now. Miss ya Phred, you were one of a kind, wish I had the chance to see you one last time. :(

Is there any possibility of establishing some sort of memorial to Phred at the Findlay dog park? A bench or something, with a plaque? I'd surely contribute to that.

I'm sitting here in tears again.:( Luckily I'm still at home. I feel like I've lost a member of my own family. He has touched so many peoples lives in such a positive way. The world was a better place with him in it. We have lost not only a wonderful member of PT but a beloved caring great man. I'm just so lucky to have known such a man.:)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Prairie Purrs

Is there any possibility of establishing some sort of memorial to Phred at the Findlay dog park? A bench or something, with a plaque? I'd surely contribute to that.

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I think this is a wonderful idea.:)

There already is a bench there from Pet Talk and I'm not to sure they would be keen on adding another one from us.
I've been toying with the idea donating some animal books in his honor at his local library.
I am confident we will do a memorial service of some kind over the Memorial Day weekend.

I'm so sorry to hear this news. Phred's presence will be felt here always. There is joy at the Rainbow Bridge today. . .the babies got one of their human angels back to be with them.. . :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shais_mom

There already is a bench there from Pet Talk and I'm not to sure they would be keen on adding another one from us.
I've been toying with the idea donating some animal books in his honor at his local library.
I am confident we will do a memorial service of some kind over the Memorial Day weekend.

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What about another plaque to affix to the current bench?

I having been thinking about the idea of Memorial Day since last night. Since it is only Decembr now, that might give people time to plan, save money and make the trip from further away. I'd love to see it be our biggest gathering ever, to get together and share our memories of a great friend.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Cincy'sMom

What about another plaque to affix to the current bench?

I having been thinking about the idea of Memorial Day since last night. Since it is only Decembr now, that might give people time to plan, save money and make the trip from further away. I'd love to see it be our biggest gathering ever, to get together and share our memories of a great friend.

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I TOTALLY agree - My couch is already spoken for from NM. I think we should make this biggest one EVER!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by cyber-sibes

I've been looking through my old pics from the times we spent with phred, then LES sets in again. What a special man... Im glad he's out of pain, the last time I talked to him in the hospital he sounded so, so bad. Hate to think of him feeling so miserable.

I posted about Phred on our blog today, he always comments there. I imagine he's still going to keep tabs on all of us, he just has a better view point from "up there."

Mom of fuzzyfaces - that is a wonderful photo of Phred, Cinder, & Smokey! Do you mind If I put it on my blog?

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Phred sent me that years ago. I think he would be honored to have you use it. He does love his prayer pups!!! :love:

You can be sure he was engulfed by a sea of wagging tails, cold noses and kitty purrs the second he got to heaven.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shais_mom

I TOTALLY agree - My couch is already spoken for from NM. I think we should make this biggest one EVER!

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If all goes as planned (and I've been telling him we're doing this for a while) I'll be dragging Corby and four dogs across the country for memorial day. I hope this will be the biggest one ever, I know he would be so happy to see that many PTers together in his honor.

:( To God we belong, and to God we return. :(

I am in shock to hear this heartbreaking news. Phred has always been such a big part of pet talk. This site will never be the same.

His poor pets must be so sad. :( Anyone knows who will be caring for them?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by krazyaboutkatz

I'm sitting here in tears again.:( Luckily I'm still at home. I feel like I've lost a member of my own family. He has touched so many peoples lives in such a positive way. The world was a better place with him in it. We have lost not only a wonderful member of PT but a beloved caring great man. I'm just so lucky to have known such a man.:)

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I couldn't have said it better, Tracey! I too, found out about this from FB and came right over. I didn't get to meet John/Phred in person - but he was certainly a pillar of this community. I'll never forget the year of the firemen at the southern CA BBQ! :)
He always had something positive to say and prayers to give for those in need. Reading through all these posts brought tears to my eyes. He will certainly be missed.
Although I don't have a dog - I'm close enough to actually drive to Findley this year...hmmmm....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by popcornbird

:( To God we belong, and to God we return. :(

I am in shock to hear this heartbreaking news. Phred has always been such a big part of pet talk. This site will never be the same.

His poor pets must be so sad. :( Anyone knows who will be caring for them?

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Diana - 5 dog mom and Carl are going up to get them thru the holiday. The rest kind of depends on Phred's sister's decision.

I keep coming back to this thread. Hoping I'm just waking from a nightmare, and Phred is still with us :(

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Grace

I keep coming back to this thread. Hoping I'm just waking from a nightmare, and Phred is still with us :(

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I keep doing the same. I'm sure by tomorrow IT will have Pet talk blocked from our network. Most "social networking" sites are.

I did not know Phred but always saw his encouraging, caring posts and I am saddened to hear of his passing. May he rest in peace and please let us know if his pups need anything. I will be happy and honored to contribute.

Amy

The mystery is solved. Phred's dogs will be come to live with us. His friends don't feel they can take them permanently. His sister will not be a part of the equation. I hope they will be ours the rest of their lives but that makes us a 7 dog family with 6 grandogs who often visit (although now that Christy lives in Findlay her 3 don't come as often). The important part of this is that not only do all the dogs need to get along on a day to day basis (which is quite different from a visiting basis) but the dogs have to get along with the grandkids. Can't have a biting dog here. Not too worried about Jasmine at almost 7 but that 4 year old Dominic has no fear of dogs and can pull some not so thought out tricks. Like jumping at them and screaming "boo!" Or just running pell-mell at them. Or getting down in their faces when they are eating. He is way too used to all the dogs in his life putting up with his shenanigans. Remember little boys aren't long for warnings and have a heck of an impulse factor going for them.

For the most part I think things will work out. Phred's dogs are around the age of 10 now and ours are getting older too which certainly mellows them out. I am a little concerned about the money - Carl and I both had are jobs eliminated over five years ago and with the ones we now have we are living on less than half of what we did then. Brian has left Christy and is not sending as much money as he should be so we find ourselves helping them out often. The day to day costs aren't so much of a worry but dog licenses are coming up and of course vetting fees. I think Phred gives the dogs heartworm medicine year round and I am sure he must use the flea meds in the summer. However, I can't see letting the Prayer Pups go to strangers so we may have to look into welfare for dogs (LOL). I am sure the neighbors and many others will think we are crazy (I certainly don't intend to tell my mother) but you got to do what you got to do.

Phred was always there for us and now we have to be there for his pets.

omg. I just read the first sentence and thought it said they WON"T be coming at all. And my heart stopped.

well I know this makes me happy that they will stay with PET TALKERS!
and I'm wondering instead of a plaque if Phred would rather the funds for something like that go to his dogs during their lifetime. I know if it were up to us PET TALKERS we would put a life size statue of him at the park but truth be told I really don't think he wanted a lot of fanfare. And knowing his dogs would be taken care of he would really REST IN PEACE! I know he'll be around checking on all of us.

I'd happily contribute to a Prayer Pups fund.

For those who might have missed it, there's a Phred memories thread here.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by shais_mom

well I know this makes me happy that they will stay with PET TALKERS!
and I'm wondering instead of a plaque if Phred would rather the funds for something like that go to his dogs during their lifetime. I know if it were up to us PET TALKERS we would put a life size statue of him at the park but truth be told I really don't think he wanted a lot of fanfare. And knowing his dogs would be taken care of he would really REST IN PEACE! I know he'll be around checking on all of us.

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I think we could do both...a little plastic plaque, like the one already on it a few screws and a cordless drill, and we should be able to attach it overselves overselves. I can check into have something made, but I don't think it would cost much.

Oh my gosh. My heart is broken. I think it's a remarkable thing that a Pet Talk friend is giving his dogs a home. Rainbows really do show up after a hard rain.

I am glad to here Cinder and Smokey will go to live with you. I am hoping it works out for everyone easily. :love:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 4 Dog Mother

The mystery is solved. Phred's dogs will be come to live with us. His friends don't feel they can take them permanently. His sister will not be a part of the equation. I hope they will be ours the rest of their lives but that makes us a 7 dog family with 6 grandogs who often visit (although now that Christy lives in Findlay her 3 don't come as often). The important part of this is that not only do all the dogs need to get along on a day to day basis (which is quite different from a visiting basis) but the dogs have to get along with the grandkids. Can't have a biting dog here. Not too worried about Jasmine at almost 7 but that 4 year old Dominic has no fear of dogs and can pull some not so thought out tricks. Like jumping at them and screaming "boo!" Or just running pell-mell at them. Or getting down in their faces when they are eating. He is way too used to all the dogs in his life putting up with his shenanigans. Remember little boys aren't long for warnings and have a heck of an impulse factor going for them.

For the most part I think things will work out. Phred's dogs are around the age of 10 now and ours are getting older too which certainly mellows them out. I am a little concerned about the money - Carl and I both had are jobs eliminated over five years ago and with the ones we now have we are living on less than half of what we did then. Brian has left Christy and is not sending as much money as he should be so we find ourselves helping them out often. The day to day costs aren't so much of a worry but dog licenses are coming up and of course vetting fees. I think Phred gives the dogs heartworm medicine year round and I am sure he must use the flea meds in the summer. However, I can't see letting the Prayer Pups go to strangers so we may have to look into welfare for dogs (LOL). I am sure the neighbors and many others will think we are crazy (I certainly don't intend to tell my mother) but you got to do what you got to do.

Phred was always there for us and now we have to be there for his pets.

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It makes me so happy to know that Phred's pups will not be separated
and will live with people & dogs that they are already familiar with.:):)
I will be more than happy to help with a "Prayer Pups Fund". Please PM
me your address where I can send a check. Gog Bless You Diana & Carl. :love:

It is slowly starting to sink in that Phred is really gone, but I am so glad
that he isn't suffering with every breath any more. The image someone offered
before of all the Pet Talk RB animals rushing to greet him at the
Bridge makes me smile. I know John would love that & I'm sure he has made
himself at home there already. We miss you John, but know you are surely
in a better place.:)

Bless you for taking in his pups. I hope it works out and that they all get along.

Please PM me with the address to send something to help.

I am SO sad to hear of Phred's passing. Am glad the pups will be going to a PTer. I can't type anymore through my tears.:(