Memory Thread for Phred.

[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.

[shais_mom]

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.

There is no doubt in my mind that he did. I just told Zippy-kat that "I bet he is visiting anyone and everyone that he couldn't visit or meet in real life" she replied "he is gonna rack up some Frequent Flier miles!"

[Tubby & Peanut's Mom]

When I think of Phred, the 3 things that stick out most in my mind are clam juz, California Fireman and the prayer pups.

The Clam Juz was SO hilarious!

I can't believe he actually pulled the California Fireman off - what a thrill we all got at Gini's when they pulled up!

And the Prayer Pups were ALWAYS there for those in need. They were always there when a PT'er was in need....I'm still so sad.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Here is Dear Phred


With love,

Blondie, Curlie, HH and Basement Boy

[tatsxxx11]

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.

You said it all, and so beautifully, Jess. He touched all of our lives here at Pet Talk, human and furry, and countless others we will never know.

We love you Phred, dear precious friend.

[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.

[Randi]

As we all know, Phred was a gifted writer and a true animal lover, but he was much more than that... he was helpful, compassionate, organized and had an eye for the details. Whenever one of us had a problem, either with our animals or how to get to a place, he would do the research and get the answers.

When I joined PT, Phred’s “gibberish” posts were some of the first I came across. It took some time before I learned to decifer what he was talking about, but after a little while, I couldn’t get enough of his “tails”. He really had a briliant sense of humor!

At the time when Phred was an assistant moderator, I PM’ed him with questions about the technical stuff on PT (I had never been a member of any Forum before). I did it to not pester Karen and Paul with silly questons, but mostly because I wanted to get to know Phred better - and it worked. I have countless PM’s and e-mails from him, which I treassure.

His cat Boots was blocked up back in 2002 and had an operation, Phred was really worried and he did everything possible to get Boots better. Boots lived until 2007, I believe. Still, he had time to worry about Fister and offer lots of advice, since he had similar problems at the time. The vast information he gave us was very helpful.

One time, I had a question about whether my fire distinquiser was too old, and Phred, of course, was the one I turned to, he knew all the answers.

I will always remember the support Phred gave me after John had passed away, he was there for me all the way - along with other PTalkers. That gave me strengh to move on.

Sending the firetruck and four firemen to Gini's BBQ in 2005 was really something else - only Phred could have pulled that one off!

Phred, John and I were sometimes talking about age (John liked to know the age of the people he was addressing) and in a typical Phred manner, he said this: “I used to fear that middle aged label! Now my worry is How Long can I get away with USING it!” LOL!

I would have loved to meet Phred in person, John and I even talked about attending one of the Findlay gettogethers, but that never happened. I spoke to him on the phone a few times - he had such a nice voice. I could have listened to him forever!

One thing Phred used to say was, that he was a “thread killer”. How could he say such a thing! His posts were the most popular on PT - he did prefer a thread to keep going, rather than postig new ones all the time.

Phred, we have all had such good laughs - and cries too, you kept us up late and made me burn the dinner, because I just had to read the latest post of yours on PT. You were one of a kind! Your compassion, love for animals and sense of humor shone through each of your posts.

I believe you and John have met by now and are sitting there in the sunshine, giving out treats to all of our departed fur babies - and enjoying a cold beer.

Rest in Peace, dear Phred - you were loved and respected more than you could imagine and I will miss you so much!

[CountryWolf07]

Had a dream last night, even though I never met Phred or his dogs, Cinder and Smoke, his dogs were in my house, hanging out on the couch. He must've sent his dogs to check on me. I just realized that this morning and had to post on here before I forget. I just thought it was interesting!

[Vio&Juni]

I didn't know Phred had passed away. I was so sad when I started reading this thread and then after going through all the stories and remembering some other of Phred's threads, and remembering his sense of humor and his compassion, I am just glad a person like this existed. He will be missed by so many whose lives he touched.

[lute]

I never had the pleasure of meeting Phred, but I do remember learning quite a bit from his posts and I adored the way he spelled things. Seemed like such a wonderful caring guy.