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

[Cataholic]

Diana- I would like to attend the funeral. Are you going to go? Anyone else? Also, will there be a dedication and burying of the ashes at Findlay this spring? To whom will the ashes be entrusted?

Johanna

[shais_mom]

Diana- I would like to attend the funeral. Are you going to go? Anyone else? Also, will there be a dedication and burying of the ashes at Findlay this spring? To whom will the ashes be entrusted?

Johanna

I can answer that Jo.
Yes, we are going to the funeral as long as the weather cooperates. As long as we do get to go I'm going to ATTEMPT to record the funeral on my camera to upload. I might be a crying mess so I can't make any promises. Last I talked to Diana the funeral was @ 11am on Wed the 29th.
We are going to do a Memorial of some kind over memorial Day weekend. We are going to try to make it the biggest yet. I believe Diana is going to keep the ashes until then.

[Cataholic]

Thanks, Staci. I will see you there.

[gini]

I think I speak for everyone on Pet Talk when I say how incredibly wonderful it is of you and Carl to take in Cinder and Smokey. I too, feel that Phred must have had a talk with them and explained that they would be living with you now and to be good dogs.

It is so comforting to know that they are alright and well loved because they represent all that we loved about Phred and the prayers that he offered for us in their names.

This thread just gives me leaky eyes, I cannot type any more.

[luckies4me]

I can't believe this. Phred is really gone. I just got done reading through all the posts and it's still very hard to believe. I am in tears. Pet Talk will never be the same without him here.

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I'm all awash in tears right now too. I'm so glad Cinder and Smoke will be with you in time for Christmas. I'm sure Phred pops in to chat with them from time to time. I will be keeping you all in my prayers as you adjust to being a new family together.

[trisha0503]

A lot of people don’t know me. Though I haven’t been posting, I’ve been reading all the postings and is up to date with what’s happening with Pet Talk.

When I read about Phred’s sickness, I shed tears.. He’s a pillar of Pet Talk.. He has helped so many people and often so amazed with his kindness… I can’t imagine this community without him…

When I learned about his passing, gosh, I cried so much… Like losing my own family… I can’t seem to understand how can I be so affected by someone I haven’t even met.. He probably doesn’t even know me… And somehow, I heard a whisper in my ear… You don’t need a name to be affected by people’s kindness and compassion.. The outpouring love from everyone in this community is so overwhelming… I am so proud to be a part of this community…

Dear Phred,

I know you are looking down at us and giving each and everyone a big hug… You are probably busy distributing biskits, catnip, treats to all the furry friends in the Rainbow Bridge…

I want to dedicate this song to all of us in earth who are left behind… This is one of my favorite song from Nathalie Grant - HELD.. We all need to be held.. This world is surrounded by sufferings and pain, and remembering your memories somehow provides us with comfort knowing love and kindness exists …

I also want to dedicate this song to Diana and Carl for losing their son Rob… Though years may have passed, I know the pain of losing a child doesn’t disappear..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-hJ87ApWtw

We love you Phred…. And we’ll miss you….

Love,
Rosebel

[Bibette & Lulu]

Hi, Cinder Dog. I’m your cousin, Bibette, from Maine. My Mom1 is Phred’s l’il Sis. She was real sad last week when she heard about your Daddy. Me and Lulu (my adopted older sis - Mom1 and Mom2 found us at the shelter here in L’wiston and brought us home together - but that’s a story for ‘nuther time), anyway - we were real concerned when we heard Mom1 crying. Lulu said we should tell you, Smokey Dog and Heidi how real sorry we are for your losing your Daddy. Mom1 has told us about you, although she doesn’t know a whole lot about Heidi. Mom1 came to visit you all a few years ago, while old Bowser was still kicking around. And you and Smokey were real special to their Mom who loved your visits to her home at Frenship Village. We’re new to the Mom1/Mom2 home - our forecat - Geraldine - had crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in ‘08 and they really missed having furry feet under foot - so they brought us home. (There I go again, getting into that story…). We know Unka Phred was a pretty special person, ‘ticularly cuz of his love for furry paws. We were sorry not to have had a chance to get a few skritches of our own. Mom1 has some real special memries of how he’d do his big brother thing and look out for her!!! We wish we could come with her for Unka Phred’s funeral - but I’m not very good with new things (should have seen me hiding under a bed for 3 days when Mom1 brought in the Chrismas tree our first winter!!!) and old Lulu’s health might kick up with the travel. So Mom1 will bring some pics. She’s glad that you have a new home with Unka Phred’s friend and that you will be able to stay there. Well, have to go. Got some new toy that Mom1 brought home to check out. Luv ya {{{hugs}}} and skritches - Bibette and Lulu (and Mom1).

[shais_mom]

Hi, Cinder Dog. I’m your cousin, Bibette, from Maine. My Mom1 is Phred’s l’il Sis. She was real sad last week when she heard about your Daddy. Me and Lulu (my adopted older sis - Mom1 and Mom2 found us at the shelter here in L’wiston and brought us home together - but that’s a story for ‘nuther time), anyway - we were real concerned when we heard Mom1 crying. Lulu said we should tell you, Smokey Dog and Heidi how real sorry we are for your losing your Daddy. Mom1 has told us about you, although she doesn’t know a whole lot about Heidi. Mom1 came to visit you all a few years ago, while old Bowser was still kicking around. And you and Smokey were real special to their Mom who loved your visits to her home at Frenship Village. We’re new to the Mom1/Mom2 home - our forecat - Geraldine - had crossed over the Rainbow Bridge in ‘08 and they really missed having furry feet under foot - so they brought us home. (There I go again, getting into that story…). We know Unka Phred was a pretty special person, ‘ticularly cuz of his love for furry paws. We were sorry not to have had a chance to get a few skritches of our own. Mom1 has some real special memries of how he’d do his big brother thing and look out for her!!! We wish we could come with her for Unka Phred’s funeral - but I’m not very good with new things (should have seen me hiding under a bed for 3 days when Mom1 brought in the Chrismas tree our first winter!!!) and old Lulu’s health might kick up with the travel. So Mom1 will bring some pics. She’s glad that you have a new home with Unka Phred’s friend and that you will be able to stay there. Well, have to go. Got some new toy that Mom1 brought home to check out. Luv ya {{{hugs}}} and skritches - Bibette and Lulu (and Mom1).

welcome to PetTalk!
We sure miss Unka Phred! I hope to meet you next week!

[Karen]

http://www.lanefuneralhomes.com/_mgxroot/page_10806.php


Here is his obituary, online, with a nice background fire engine picture.

[shais_mom]

well, its been an emotional day. I'm not sure I can do it justice in explaining and I KNOW my video won't. There was a professional photographer there and Diana got her card and I got her website. I know she got more footage than I did and lots of pics that are MUCH better.

Diana, Carrie (gabbiegirl), and I got there and he was in the casket and we got to see him. He looked just like the Old Phred. His good friends Pat and Joan came up to us and we introduced ourselves and then Nancy (Bibette and Lulu) introduced herself to us.
We went and took our seats and the honour guard was guarding the casket and had a change of the guard. Kimmy came in and sat with us and then the service started. After the minister said a few words he had several people stand and give memories of Phred, so there was lots of laughing. Diana told of Pet Talk and how much he meant to us then I stood up and told of when I flew to California and he tracked my flight before I even knew where I was! And of course the firemen story. Then the minister spoke some more and then the present Chief read the Fireman's Prayer (which is where my video cut off ) and then they rang the bells and called Roll Call. This kind of explains it here http://www.ehow.com/how_5206391_cond...l-service.html Then the firemen came in and escorted the casket out while Bagpipes were played. He was put back into the hearse and everyone went outside the church for a Fire Truck parade. It was so nice. I'm sure I forgot something and I hope that Diana can fill in blanks and Kimmy when she is back in town.
Then after a lunch we spent the afternoon with Nancy and Pat and Joan and the INFAMOUS Molly and Callie.
Here are just a few pics of the slideshow and his Firefighter uniform. They aren't the best b/c they are pics of pics on the wall.

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/w...=9Qas2bFs1UiLw


I'm still working on videos - but here is the Fireman's Prayer.
http://www.chaplin-nest.com/unkarock...ans-prayer.htm

[Cincy'sMom]

Welcome to Pet Talk Bibette, Lulu and Mom1. Sorry it is under these circumstances, but we're glad you are getting a chance to see how special Unka Phred was to all of us and maybe we'll get a chance to hear more about you. Unfortuantely, I won't be able to make it to the funeral either, but we'll be thinking about everyone next week.

[robinh]

I went and signed the guestbook. Hard to find the right words to say.

[cyber-sibes]

Hello to Bibette, Lulu, and Mom 1. We are so sorry for your loss, the world has lost a gem of a man. We knew John/Phred from the Findlay picnics (we lived in Findlay for several years). We seem to share connections in other ways - my husband is from Campbell, (next to Poland OH), and I see you are living in Auburn ME-- that is where my grandparents were married and lived! I have a brother in Gray, and my SIL (now deceased) was from Lewiston and is buried there. What a small world! Unfortunately I will not be able to travel back for John's funeral, but will be with you all in spirit there. Phred was a remarkable force, I'm sure he's busy organizing something in Heaven! We shall miss him.

~~~~~~~
Karen, thanks for posting the obit. I broke into tears again reading the comments before signing. Words seem so inadequete.

[ramanth]

If the weather holds out, I'd like to make the trek down for the funeral as well.