Memory Thread for Phred.

[trayi52]

Oh my God, I also was not aware that Phred had passed away! I knew he was sick and in the hospital, but did not know he was that sick.

He was such a dear man. He always sent me a Christmas card every year. I am so sorry to see him go. I don't think there was ever a kinder person than Phred. I will miss all his threds and him too. I have such a knot in my throat right now, that is something I don't do is cry, but I think I am going to cry this day.

Willie

[MonicanHonda]

I remember showing up to all the memorial and labor day parties and he was always the one out there cooking, helping set up. He was always one of the first there. And it amazed me how close he was to every single person there. It amazed me that such great friendships were made over animals. I loved, and do love, every minute of it.

[cassiesmom]

I can't find the thread about fire extinguishers, but I know it's out there somewhere. This is from a couple of years ago. We were discussing what to do if you have an old fire extinguisher and you aren't sure if it works anymore. I PM'd Phred for help. Of course Phred knew exactly what to do. He advised me to call the fire station first (i.e., don't just show up), and how to frame up my request.

I also have a couple of PMs where I asked him for the help of the Prayer Pups -- his one-word answer:
** DONE! **

Phred, remember the thread about fire extinguishers? I took my little kitchen one to the fire department so they could check it out. (I called first and they said come on down) It was too old to be safe, so they kept it for discarding. That one was 10 years old, it was a housewarming gift. I went over to Home Depot and got a new one.

So thank you again for helping me figure that one out!
Elyse

Better Safe than sorry!

But call the Fire Guys back up - tell 'em you want to
"shoot off" the old one ... THEN they can toss it.

Glad some folks read my "stuff"!


/s/ Phred

[moosmom]

These beautiful memories of Phred has me sobbing like a baby.

I remember the first time I met John. He was the life of the party and made the BEST chokochippee cookies (how however ya spell it!) EVER! He was the best cook too. Most fireman are!!

John was the epitome of a good friend. I loved going head to head with him. While we didn't always see eye-to-eye, he had a great sense of humor that made whatever it was causing you heartache go away. He always loved a good debate, too.

RIP sweet man. You had a lot of good friends who are gonna miss you!! I'm one of them. Be assured that your furfriends will be well cared for!

Thanks for starting this thread, Staci.

[carole]

Oh my gosh i am in shock, i did not know Phred had passed away, i have been a bit absent from PT, i am so sad to read this, he was indeed a very special person, i loved reading his threads,and he was always so supportive to me and everyone, just reading this memorial thread, is amazing, i had no idea of the things you did for people, RIP dearest Phred, you are so very very much missed by me and everyone here.

[K9soul]

Phred was Pet Talk's heroic knight in shining armor when it came to taking action on behalf of those in need. He was absolutely relentless when it came to gathering up needed information, checking on the status of situations and getting answers. His sincerity in his prayers and words of encouragement was so very pure and honest. In any crisis, you could not help but feel some relief and peace in your heart as you read his prayers, words of compassion and comfort towards both human and pet. With any loss, he was there, and he hurt along with you at your grief and loss.

When someone else was suffering a loss or hardship and I would check back for Phred's soothing words to whomever it may be, feeling some relief when he had because he had a special ability to bring comfort to those who are hurting. He was always ready to give of himself, I think that is what made him happiest.

I just can't seem to think anymore at the moment. He touched my life though I never met him in person. He must have touched hundreds of lives.

[Laura's Babies]

I have to share this one with you. When that Johnny Walker business was going on, Kev called me one day and asked me if I knew who John Mxxxxx was. At first I didn't and asked him why? He said the Livingston Parish Sheriffs Department called him and asked him if he knew a John Mxxxxx in Ohio (I think it was) and Kevlin said he told them he didn't know who that was and asked "why?".... Kev went to telling me that the deputy told him that this guy called them up from another state, ranting on the horrible abuse that poor dog had suffered and warned them that he would be staying in touch about this and watching this close and they BETTER arrest the kids who did this and on and on he went off over the phone with the deputy expressing his outrage that nobody was in jail already where there was a eye witness to what happened. It hit me and I busted out laughing and told Kev.. "KEV, THAT'S PHRED!! It's PHRED!!!!". That phone call sure stirred up a hornets nest at the sheriffs department and that is when they realized that story was no longer a local story and have spread all over like wildfire! And I think he was true to his word and kept calling for updated on the status of the arrests.. PHRED turned up the heat on that Sheriffs department like I don't think they ever saw or expected... That is how he was, always on top of things, doing whatever he had to, to make his opinion known and ALWAYS on the side of the animals 100%.

He has truly earned his place in Heaven and they are probably fitting him for his wings already. His assignment will be to watch over the animals still here on earth and help the ones that need helping..

A weird thing happened to me today and it made me wonder.... I was on my way to town, in my van alone. The sun was shining outside, it was a beautiful day. Suddenly the back of my neck felt a breeze and droplets of water. That has never happened to me before... there was NO way there was a breeze behind me much less any dampness. I immediately thought of Phred and I asked out loud, "Phred? Is that you? I know you are there and we ALL are going to miss you!"...

I sometimes "feel" things but why he choose me, I don't know or understand but I believe it was him. Call me crazy or read into this what you will. You draw your own conclusions.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Here is Dear Phred


With love,

Blondie, Curlie, HH and Basement Boy

[slick]

On that same Cali trip that Staci is referring to I was there. I remember when Phred called and the phone was passed around. It was handed to me and I was really nervous to speak to him. I felt like I was talking to God himself. I could hardly get two words out.

He tracked everyone, everywhere. When Gini and I decided to head to Ho-Hi-Ho for the Finday get together in May of 2008 I remember, again, being so nervous to meet him in person and in all honesty, he was one of the main reasons I decided to go. I knew then that he had health issues and I wanted the pleasure of knowing him in person. He sent me a PM after I got back home. I'm so glad I went.

Glad you made it back Home!!
REALLY glad you & Mom made it to OhHiHo ...
had me fooled!

Then there was Christmas 2005 when I sent him a little fire truck engine for an ornament. Here's the response I got back...
Wha's inna lil Box, Dad?
An Where'd it come frum - der'z a il CROWN onna label??
KANADA ?? (wow!)
Hey! It'z Sandy Klawz inna FireFighter U-neeform!
NEAT-O!!

Dear Slick ~
He IS **CUTE** - MANY Thanks!!
Since we got no TREE - where's he gonna go?
Not to worry ~ Years ago My Sis sent me a BIG (3 feet long)
Wooden Toy Fire Truck that sits on the fireplace
mantle year-round ...
Your Santa & the Rescued Cat are now
"riding on" the mantle Ladder Truck!!

THANKS again, Slick!!
/s/ with a {{{HUG}}}
Phred & the FurKids

It's hard to imagine that Pet Talk will see no more written words by this wonderful guy.

RIP Phred. Save a place for me at God's table, OK?

[jennielynn1970]

Back 2 years or so, Phred, Leslie, K9Karen and I teamed up to save a puppy that was found down by Leslie's house. I wanted a dog, and didn't realize the responsibility involved, but I did find him a good forever home. WOody... That was his name. He went by a few, I believe.

Phred was checking plane landings and take offs, what their routes were and whether it would be safe for the pup to fly since it was December/January and it was COLD. He always kept me in my place and made me be responsible for everything I had to do. I'll always remember that. He was a good man. He helped me find Woody, and although I wasn't ready for the responsiblities for puppyhood and all that went with it, he made me see clearly all that was needed and that I need to be responsible when I found him a new home. I know he was not happy with me, and that broke my heart, because he was such a good guy, and I hate to have someone upset with me.

I'm sorry I let you down Phred, but I did find him a good home, and he's a well taken care of and loved pup. I get photos of him now and then, and he is just ALL BASSETT HOUND!!! He was such a little guy back when I had him, he looked almost all beagle.

You will be missed PHred. You kept this place going, and you kept us on our toes. That will be sorely missed. Your thoughts and prayers will be missed as well. They were the backbone, you were the backbone of our prayer community.

I hope that you are up there looking down on us and taking good care of our Rainbow Bridge babies. I hope my Finae found you and is getting some lovies from you. As well as all the other Pet Talk Bridge babies. I hope you're having a blast up there.

[cyber-sibes]

I can't find the thread about fire extinguishers, but I know it's out there somewhere. This is from a couple of years ago. We were discussing what to do if you have an old fire extinguisher and you aren't sure if it works anymore.

Um, that would be when I almost burned our house down- JoJoe was in RI at the time. Oh my gosh, I was so shook up. Phred called and walked me through the whole process - I was so grateful for his guidance.

I was looking back at all the picnic pictures while writing a Memorial for him on my blog, and I couldn't help but smile while I cried. I wasn't sure what to write, but had Staci's post in mind:

I just had a thought that warms my heart.
Can you just IMAGINE the Rainbow Bridge right now? All PET TALK pets and many many others I'm sure rushed him when he arrived.

I started typing and these words poured out:

Yesterday there was a mob scene at the Rainbow Bridge. One of furkind's most beloved friends arrived at the gate on "God's Silver Kloud", our dear friend Jon, fondly know as "Phred". There were tails wagging, excited yipping & yapping, and many many licks placed on his ole' face fur sure!

"Phred rescued me!" says Bowser, the little husky mix. "Me too!" chimes in another, and another, and another. "Phred planted a tree in my honor!" "Oh yes, there are many trees" cried several more pups. "And a bench, and a shelter" "Phred calls my people & checks in on them", and "Phred's Prayer Pups prayed fur every one of us at one time or another."......

I loved his stories, and its heartwarming to remember them here--he touched so many lives! I'm very grateful to have spent time with him at the PT picnics & the Husky Hikes during the years we lived in Findlay. There'll always be a special place in my heart for our dear friend-- the wizard behind the curtain, the go-to guy who got things DONE. God bless you, Jon, be at peace.

[captain]

My first Phred encounter was Cinder wants to keep the stray she found,

OMGoodness, it still makes me laugh ....

I loved reading his posts, and even tho they got a little less as the years went by, they sure were fantastic.
I loved getting the Christmas cards each year, and reading his special message on the back - I have kept every one

One in a million Phred, truly you were.
Love
M

P.S. If you want to come back and visit me on this big ol dirt ball, feel free. We never met, but I wished we had ...

[lizbud]

I remember when I went to my first Pet Talk meeting in Findley, Phred
was so patient with me, giving directions to the Park, helping me with maps
etc,etc. I seem to be directionally challenged & can't make more than two turns
before I become hopelessly lost & can't tell North from South.

I was pretty nervous going so far from home & not really "knowing" anyone
except throught cyber messages, but Phred was like a rock with a soothing
calm about him & never got upset with me. By the time I arrived, I felt pretty
much at home & very welcome there. Smokey & I had a great time.

[kb2yjx]

I was on the pet t candles and clicked one of the candles, and what a shock to read the message that Phred was gone!!! He was one special fellow!!! Sleep softly dear Phred...

[Bengalz]

I have never personally met Phred but will surely miss him. His generosity and consideration for all who knew him and for all who did not know him was truly a gift.

I have read and re-read so many of his posts and cannot express the joy he has brought on so many occasions. Tears of laughter are a predominant memory of Phred for me.

Something that stays with me persistently is the many times he was encouraged to publish a book of all his 'tails'. I wish I had the talent to do such a thing in his memory because what a wonderful tribute it would be to share. Both he and John had a wonderful wit beyond imagination - perhaps they will now collaborate up there on the Bridge - what a team!!

It delights me to think about Phred surrounded by all of our little furry babies, being loved and pampered - nothing in this world could be finer than that picture in my mind.

Phred - you rocked on the ole dirt ball and now you're rockin the Rainbow Bridge - and doing a fine, fine job, I'm sure .

Rest sweetly,
Betty