A very old stray {The Old Fella Story}

[Dixie_Flyer]

Went camping this weekend at a campground on the lake, had not been there for a few years. Once there I began to walk around looking at the different sites when I noticed a very old dog. He just lay there until I got too close then he got up on three legs and hobbled away. Just judging I would say he is at least 11 years old. Well back to my story. The next afternoon he wanders into camp and just sits there looking. He looked so sad, so the wife got a bowl of our dog's food and put it down for him and he came over and ate. He then walked over to our dog and the two of them sniffed each other over and then they lay down together for the rest of the afternoon. That night he disappeared.
The next morning he was back and was a little more receptive of me. I looked at his injured leg and found that half of his rear foot was gone. It had healed and was not causing any problem except that he was walking on the stub that was left with no foot pad which causes him to limp. His front teeth were gone except for one canine tooth and it looked decayed. His eyes were tired looking and showing his age. He spent the rest of the day just laying around looking for a handout and by afternoon the campground host came around and saw him. I enquired about the dog and was told he had been there for three years and that most of the campers were tolerant of him and gave him food.
So what to do? Do you pick him up and bring him home or do you let nature take it course. He can't harm anyone, he has no teeth and he isn't a nuisance unless you don't like dogs, and no one seems to mind him being there. He is gentle and likes other animals as seen by his interaction with our dog. He still would not let me touch him but he would eat from my hand. Enough said, what would you do???

On June 28th 2008 Old Fella passed away of complications caused by bone cancer. Fella spent almost three years with his new family and became the icon of rescued old stray dogs. He will be greatly missed but his foot prints have been left in our hearts forever.

Now Charlie, the ten year old rescued Golden Lab has come to be a part of the continuing Old Fella story. (*Note, Charlie took his journey to Rainbow Bridge unexpectedly September 30, 2008)Suzie continues to charm her way into our hearts with her antics as she has grown from a puppy into a young lady. Togther they will carry on the Old Fella legacy. Come join us in their daily lives and be a part of the best feel good thread in RV.NET history. The legacy lives on.


HIghways Article Puppy Love

Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. What a wonderful day yesterday!! So many well wishers and so many beautiful cards. Last night we went to my friend Ernie's house for a birthday celebration. His wife Babe fixed a wonderful meal and a delicious birthday cake. Of course there were balloons filled with helium. Ernie and Babe's little dogs just couldn't get enough of Sue and I and were always in our laps looking for some attention.

Today I guess I will start looking forward to my next birthday and hope that God in His grace will allow me another year filled with hope and assurance that I am in His care.

The fur gang is doing well and we are looking for a beautiful day. I have to pay bills today, some of which I am beginning to have second thoughts about the restoration of the 1973 Lincoln. So far we are still under budget but It is still taking a lot of money to bring this car up to show car standards. Sue isn't saying anything but she is watching from a distance as I spend money on a hobby. I hope to be able to sell it when it is finished and find it a home that will be worthy. I don't want to spend money and bring it up to being a great show car only to have someone park it in the yard under trees and leave it and not take care of its maintenance.

A friend of mine told me about an old Lincoln on Burgess School Road. I drove over yesterday to have a look at it and was so disappointed to see what was once a majestic luxury automobile sitting in a yard rusting away. It is beyond repair but the body still has a look about it that shows even in its run down dilapidated state it still has an air of regality. I wonder if someday I will look like that old Lincoln? Old, rusted, run down with an air of regality?

Okay I need to get moving so I will wish everyone a blessed day. Be sure to give the fur babies a hug for me and tell someone you love them.

[Dandy_Dan]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
Thanks Dan and Gary. It has been a great day. Sue asked me what I was going to do now that I have turned 74? I said I was going to start over.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, RICHARD. By the way, if you are going to start over you better get your tools polished up cuz you will be again working for a Nascar Race team. We can bypass the younger years. :B At least you have a pretty blonde youngster there to keep you motivated. (right Sue):B Let us know when you decide to go to Michigan so you can come by this way. Hope you had a great day and the weather was pleasant. I mowed today and the temp was 40 with windchill somewhere in the 30's 😞

[Dixie_Flyer]

Thanks Dan and Gary. It has been a great day. Sue asked me what I was going to do now that I have turned 74? I said I was going to start over.

[Tireontheback]

This thing is like a Stephen King novel.

[Toolguy5]

Dashonthedash wrote:
Happy Birthday, Richard!

X2 hope you had a Great Day

[Dashonthedash]

Happy Birthday, Richard!

[agteacher]

You might check your local salvage yards for a jack stand. They might have something.

[Martyn]

Dan - so sorry to hear of all your troubles. Looks like you've found some really nice folks to help you now.

I hope that will take away the frustration and allow you to get things straightened out. Definitely looks like time for that new truck. I'm sure that Patty will come around when you get it! 🙂

[Dixie_Flyer]

Glad to hear there is a calm after the storm. There are some nice people out there and yes there are angels sent from God to help us over the rough spots in life.

[colliehauler]

Toolguy5 wrote:
Thanks to all for all your kind words. After a moderate night rest still not completely sure on our path.
Walter you are correct that we do not have much faith in existing truck. It was a great truck until the work with the glow plugs.
I can say the people that came to our rescue are great. M&M tire and Mechanical services in Birmingham. They towed us and escorted us to a small campground. Helped us get set up and offered us rides to anywhere we want to go for food. The campground is owned by the Mayor of Brookside, Alabama where it is located. The Mayor was by 3 times last night to check on us. He also gave us his home number, cell number and office number. Same offer if we need anything call him. The last time he stopped by he brought the deputy chief of police to introduce him. He as well gave us his card and extended the same. So far they have been our angels.
Not sure exactly what we will do yet. But I suppose we will figure it out.

It sounds like you got VIP treatment from the town.

[dogdiva]

WOW You did get some "angels" on your side Glad to hear that there are nice folks out there

[Toolguy5]

Thanks to all for all your kind words. After a moderate night rest still not completely sure on our path.
Walter you are correct that we do not have much faith in existing truck. It was a great truck until the work with the glow plugs.
I can say the people that came to our rescue are great. M&M tire and Mechanical services in Birmingham. They towed us and escorted us to a small campground. Helped us get set up and offered us rides to anywhere we want to go for food. The campground is owned by the Mayor of Brookside, Alabama where it is located. The Mayor was by 3 times last night to check on us. He also gave us his home number, cell number and office number. Same offer if we need anything call him. The last time he stopped by he brought the deputy chief of police to introduce him. He as well gave us his card and extended the same. So far they have been our angels.
Not sure exactly what we will do yet. But I suppose we will figure it out.

[dturm]

I think a lot of us have stories, but fortunately for us ours wasn't nearly as harrowing as yours. We did breakdown on I-80 just on the south side of the Chicago area, talk about busy. This was a brand new motorhome and the engine computer chip decided to malfunction. Dead everything!! We were able to coast to the shoulder. Of course it was a Sunday, but the road service got there in a reasonable time. The only Ford dealership that worked on motorhomes was in Peotone, about a 50 mile tow.

Not a pleasant experience, but it has become a good story with the passage of time.

I hope what farmerjon, Walter and Charles said comes to pass. New truck, no problems and we'll see you at the Old Fella Rally.

[DOTLDaddy]

Dan & Patty, when you finally get home and have had a chance to relax, cool down and decompress, I think then you can make the right decisions concerning your truck and future camping.

If I were you at this point, rightly or wrongly I would have little confidence in my present truck. I have always had excellent service from GM trucks, so I would consider them in the mix. I am not brand loyal, however, so I would look at all brands.

We are hopeful that after the stress of this fiasco has passed, you and Patty will still be out there camping!/ 🙂

[dogdiva]

It sound like Good Sam hasn't changed.....I had an issue with the awning on the slide and couldn't pull the slide in( fortunately I was in a campground at the time) Good Sam insisted I move the camper ,,,,,,and after a screaming match they got the picture that I couldn't move it and sent some one out
I cancelled everything with Good Sam
It sure is frustrating but you had your camper to stay in and that's better than being stranded naked on the road