Chef Bentley  

    Friday, March 4, 2005 Chef Bentley passed away. For those of you who didn't know Chef, he was our Official Store Greeter, Best Friend & Pet. Chef could be seen greeting people at our stores at the Suncoast Resort & on Central Ave. He was also seen at Grand Central Station where he would say hi to everybody.  We would like to Thank the 100's of people who have stopped by, called, sent e-mails, cards & flowers. Chef has such a positive affect by sharing Love to so many people.

   We have told the story of what happened many times. Maybe by sharing the story one more time it will help anybody else out there who has a similar unfortunate problem. For us it was a roller coaster of emotions from joy to devastation.

   Our week started out full of excitement. On Friday March 4th it was Chef's 1 year Birthday and Judy B. Goode's 50th Birthday. That Thursday Mark worked Judy's Birthday Show at Grand Central Station. On the drive home we were excited about Chef's Birthday & he got extra treats that night. The next morning at 8AM we let Chef out into the back yard. Then feed the cats & made coffee, but something was wrong, no Chef. When we went outside to check we noticed the side gate was open. Chef was out exploring. We went right out to find him but no luck. The phone rang at about 8:30 it was the Hyde Park Veterinary Clinic on Swann Ave. They had Chef. He was hit by a car and the car didn't stop but, a good samaratin did stop & took Chef to the Clinic. When we arrived Dr. Shelley Harper was taking good care of Chef. As soon as Chef saw us he lifted his head right away. They had him strapped down  with 2 IV's going and on oxygen. We authorized X-rays right away which came back showing no broken bones. Dr. Harper said we had 3 options. #1 To leave Chef there with her, but there wouldn't be anybody there at night. #2 To move him to our vet. #3 To move him to  FVS (Florida Veterinary Specialists) ( www.floridaveterinaryspecialists.com) . They offer 24 hour Critical Care Facility for pets. We chose #3. After paying Dr. Harper they put Chef into our van on a strapped stretcher. On the way up Mark sat in the back and comforted Chef. Arriving at FVS they came out side and carried Chef in. The whole time Chef kept his eyes on us. Once inside they took him right into the ER room. The nurse tech put us into a private waiting room office. Then she came back in and said that the emergency room exam was $128 was that OK with us. We said yes and about 30 minutes later the Dr. came in & met with us. He told us there was internal bleeding and he suggested that they keep Chef in ICU for 2 day. He then left & the nurse came back in to go over the costs. Before they started they needed a $2,300 deposit paid in full. Thank goodness for credit cards. After we paid them she then took us back to see Chef. He was still tied down with 2 new IV's going and on oxygen. Mark was petting him & telling him that everything was going to be alright. Then when Chef saw Carrie he lifted his head out of the oxygen mask. You could just imagine what Chef's eyes were saying.  We said good bye & left him in good hands. 2PM we called the ICU nurse she said he had gone outside for a walk & was doing good. Next call at 4 PM she said he was sleeping. Then at 5 the doctor called and said he wasn't doing good. They thought that Chef had a crushed kidney. We were so upset that we closed the Central Store and went home to Tampa. At 7PM  the Doctor said Chef need surgery and had a 50/50 chance of making it. Then the Dr. put the nurse on the line to cover the costs. The FVS wanted an additional $5,000 deposit right away. We said let us think about it. Then we decided to take Chef to our own vet the next day. So we called back & told this to the nurse. The Doctor called back  and wanted to make sure we didn't want surgery right away. 8:45 the Doctor called back and said Chef wasn't breathing on his own & they could still do surgery & might be able to save him. We asked him to make Chef as comfortable as possible. The Doctor said that we didn't understand either he did surgery now or if we didn't want to save our pet we should put him down now.  With eyes full of tears we said to put Chef asleep. The Doctor then passed the phone to the nurse who said. I need to confirm that you want to euthenize Chef at this time. Mark said yes & the nurse said OK then I will tell Chef good bye from you.  The next day FVS called and said that we were free to come & pick up the body. Or for $79 they could cremate it. Or for $216 they could cremate the body and give the ashes to us. We chose cremation and to return the ashes to us.

    The reason we told the whole story was so that  if this ever happens to you. You will now what to expect and be so vulnerable as we were. Once again Thank You for all the Kind Thoughts. Below is a Loving Memorial Poem Carrie wrote to Chef.

TO CHEF BENTLEY   It was a day I will not forget A day to find some stuff for the store I walked around and you found me A puppy of only three months You had brothers and sisters around that wanted to play but you stayed with me.   I brought my partner who you impressed and said come back for me A chance to take because I wanted no animals But you weren't just a dog You were an Aussie Pup!   We were Proud but we didn't interfere with you We guided and directed you You had the personality all by yourself The respect of others charmed everyone Yes you could shake, High Five, Sit and Entertain But that isn't you,  you liked the drivers seat To be in charge but not show it Always Friendly, Always Courteous Who are you? How Did We Find Each Other!   Tricks came slow, chewing came instinctively Balls are for other dogs I love showers because Mark said so. And don't get me mad or I'll eat your seat, seatbelts. And the leashes are appetizers Finicky about the food I love to eat and in the company of Sox I'll share the meal. Even if she is a cat.   The travel across the bay gave you a chance to nap I have to go to work I don't know if you would ever get car sick You never had the chance not too. Dr. Webb said you are  'Pristine' All we know is the monthly expense But it wasn't much. Besides 30 pounds went to 60 pounds and 45 was your goal.   Toys came in daily, you knew peoples soft hearts Nothing went unnoticed and you sat and greeted. Sometimes at the resort, sometimes on Central Chewies and Toys are everywhere A walk was at 5:00 needed or not   Every Morning a 10 minute hug for me and Mark You made sure that you had your time spaced A kick in bed would be a sign it was 9 AM Food never tasted good in the AM unless it was Fluffies, Princey, or Sox. Milk was the exception. That was a passion you could share with Mark!   Oh so much to say, Oh so much we wanted to share You are so Special, And I Know You Know. Because We All do. Tears are from Joy, and Sorrow I am so glad Our paths met, Chef... Now go and chase cats in the big sky.   With  Broken Hearts Filled with Love, Your Pops, Mark & Carrie

 

Mark You do the darndest things

 

Hey Carrie

Hey How do I Look?

 

Two New Clubs Opening in Tampa Bay

 

 

 

 

Congratulations

The Suncoast Squares had their first GRADUATION Class! They turned out a class of 8 FAB in rhythm dancers, and are looking forward to starting a new class soon. FMI write to bruceburbage@yahoo.com

 

And the Winner is???

Here is some HOT DISH. We just received a report that Sarah, Cliff & two others were at Southern Nights in Orlando and that one of the 4 won $100 in the amateur strip contest. They wouldn't tell us who won. We bet it was SARAH!!!! Let's all ask her at T-dance this Sunday!

 

Now Hiring

"Gearing Up for the Spring Season" There are now positions available in all departments at The Suncoast Resort. Apply in person at the front desk. No phone calls please. FMI www.suncoastresort.com

 

Judy Turned 50

WOW what a week. Judy B. Goode turned 50. To celebrate Judy & Paul put on two Fab shows. The first one was at Grand Central Station on Thursday. The crowd included people from everywhere around the country and even from England! The second show was at the Lunar on Sunday. Judy & Paul wowed a packed house with a  2 hour stomping performance. Acts included wanna be Tina Turner, Carol Channing, and Phantom of the Opera. It had to be one of their best shows ever! Many in the audience knew Judy as the "Crazy T-dance Party Girl" and were so surprised to see her as the professional entertainer.

 

 

Judy as Carol Channing...Whew.	Teacup with Tina Turner ...Judy
Paul, the Great Piano Man Sidekick.	Friends from Boston, MA
Part of the packed house audience	It's a Chorus Line!!

 

 

Now Playing

"The Joy of Gay Sex" is now playing at the Suncoast Theater. Gypsy Productions has recently received a lot of theater recognition for their play productions!!

Congratulations Trevor & Cast on another great performance...

 

 

 

St. Patrick's Day Events

Get ready to Party! The VFW on Central will be serving the traditional St. Patrick's Dinner for only $6. See Victor for tickets. Across the street at Grand Central Station there will be a very special St. Patrick's Day Show with Judy B. Goode starting at 6PM. Then get ready to party at the Platform where there will be a special "GREEN UNDERWEAR" night! YBOR CITY will be under the fun guns of the Rough Riders, Saturday Night for the Annual Rough Riders St. Patrick's Day Parade at 7:00 PM. Flamingo Auto Group Car Show and Second Annual St. Pete Pride Juried Art Festival is this Sunday 11:00 AM til 4:00 PM at The Metro Center and at Georgie's Alibi a "Taste of Georgie's Food Festival". 45 entries from 22 artist are participating and work displayed. Grand Central Station has TEACUP and Judy B. Goode doing an OL Irish Show, Thursday, St. Patrick's Day. And Fabulous Drink Specials at Georgie's!

 

 Now Some Irish Humor from a Fan of Dishing

>>Martini time>>
>>
>>McQuillan walked into a bar and ordered martini after martini, each time >removing the olives and placing them in a jar.
>>
>>When the jar was filled with olives and all the drinks consumed, the Irishman started to leave.
>>
>>"S'cuse me", said a customer, who was puzzled over what McQuillan had done, "what was that all about?"
>>
>>"Nothin', said the Irishman, "my wife just sent me out for a jar of olives!"
>>
>>*******************************************************
>>
>>"I've Lost Me Luggage"
>>
>>An Irishman arrived at J.F.K.  Airport and wandered around the
>terminal with tears streaming down his cheeks. An airline employee asked him if he was already homesick.
>>
>>"No," replied the Irishman "I've lost all me luggage!"
>>
>>"How'd that happen?"
>>
>>"The cork fell out!" said the Irishman.
>>
>>*****************************************************
>>
>>"Water to Wine"
>>
>>An Irish priest is driving down to New York and gets stopped for
>speeding in Connecticut.
>>
>>The state trooper smells alcohol on the priest's breath and then sees an empty wine bottle on the floor of the car.  He says, "Sir, have you been drinking?"
>>
>>"Just water," says the priest.
>>
>>The trooper says, "Then why do I smell wine?"
>>
>>The priest looks at the bottle and says, "Good Lord!  He's done it again!"
>>
>>***********************************************
>>
>>"The Brothel"
>>
>>Two Irishmen were sitting at a pub having beer and watching the brothel across the street.
>>
>>They saw a Baptist minister walk into the brothel, and one of them said, "Aye, 'tis a shame to see a man of the cloth goin' bad."
>>
>>Then they saw a rabbi enter the brothel, and the other Irishman said, "Aye, 'tis a shame to see that the Jews are fallin' victim to temptation as well."
>>
>>Then they see a catholic priest enter the brothel, and one of the Irishmen said, "What a terrible pity...one of the girls must be dying.
>>
>>*************************************
>>Irish Cemetery>>
>>Three Irishmen, Paddy, Sean and Seamus, were stumbling home from the pub late one night and found themselves on the road which led past the old graveyard..
>>
>>"Come have a look over here," says Paddy, "It's Michael O'Grady's grave, God bless his soul. He lived to the ripe old age of 87."
>>
>>"That's nothing," says Sean, "here's one named Patrick O'Toole, it says here that he was 95 when he died."!
>>
>>Just then, Seamus yells out, "Good God, here's a fella that got to be 145!"
>>
>>"What was his name?" asks Paddy.
>>
>>Seamus stumbles around a bit, awkwardly lights a match to see what else is written on the stone marker, and exclaims, "Miles, from Dublin."
>>
>>***************************************************
>>
>>Irish Predicament
>>
>>Drunk Ole Mulvihill (From the Northern Irish Clan) staggers into a Catholic Church, enters a confessional box, sits down but says nothing.
>>
>>The Priest coughs a few times to get his attention but the Ole just sits there.
>>
>>Finally, the Priest pounds three times on the wall.
>>
>>The drunk mumbles, "ain't no use knockin, there's no paper on this side either."
>>
>>***************************************************
>>
>>Irish Last Request
>>
>>Mary Clancy goes up to Father O'Grady's after his Sunday morning service, and she's in tears.
>>
>>He says, "So what's bothering you, Mary my dear?"
>>
>>She says, "Oh, Father, I've got terrible news. My husband passed away last >night."
>>
>>The priest says, "Oh, Mary, that's terrible. Tell me, did he have any last requests?"
>>
>>She says, "That he did, Father..."
>>
>>The priest says, "What did he ask, Mary?"
>>
>>She says, "He said, 'Please Mary, put down that damn gun!'
>>
>>*************************************************
>>
>>Happy St. Patrick's Day!

 

Miss Ausable

Don't tick this Queen off! She puts your name up on her web site next to a fake photo and then proceeds to trash you. Check out this fun web site, but don't get any ideas!!!!

 

 

From Our E-mail Bag

In case you missed it.

 

People are Talking

Gram's other half let him do the movie! Peggy Sue was spotted playing Balcony Bingo where she broke a window to get in! Robinson had a great surprise Birthday Party for Davis with a full Laos Style Celebration with Thai Food and Sri Lanka Costumed Dancers. Happy Birthday Davis! Davis is on the dance floor almost every Sunday at T-Dance. Cindi likes talking to walls? Right Miss Kaye!! The Suncoast Gay Bowlers Convention last weekend had over 400 participants from all over North America competing. What a bowlers delight.