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

[Scottiemom]

MetalGator wrote:
Dale, were you able to get your refrigerator fixed?

I got it fixed by getting a new one! The track record on that particular fridge was not good. Glen said it was Dometic's experiment with helium and it didn't work well in hot weather and just quit a lot of times.

I bought a scratch and dent (can't tell) Norcold 4150 which slid into the same space with no alteration. The cost for the fridge, the door kit (had them switch from right to left open), install plus remove and dispose of the old one was $1008. It's running like a champ! Had it done at National RV Refrigeration in Shipshewana, Indiana. They did one for us 3 years ago in the Phaeton. Couldn't be happier!

Dale

[MetalGator]

Dale, were you able to get your refrigerator fixed?

[Scottiemom]

What a sweetie, Burch. Glad you made it home safely and had a great trip. I just arrived in Charlottesville, VA, to visit with my daughter and family. I'm here for 6 nights, then to northern Indiana to get the refrigerator swapped out for one that works. I'm doing okay using it as an icebox, but will be glad to have a fridge again. Everything else is working well.

Also, my BIL is in the hospital. I don't think he's going to make it. He's in kidney failure and they are doing dialysis today. Depending on what they learn from the biopsy he can elect to continue dialysis or hospice. He has so many problems, starting with only being a half person. Nothing from the hips down. All his drinking and smoking led to a AAA which ruptured and by the time the ER doctors realized what had happened it was too late to take him to a larger hospital with a heart center. So they clamped off the arteries to his legs and fixed the aneurysm, but he lost his legs. That was only the start of all his myriad of problems, but he has lived 20 years since then. Knowing him, he will want them to pull out all the stops to keep him going. He has two wonderful daughters with families (my sister died at age 30) in spite of his lack of parenthood. . . longer story there. I will go for the girls.

My daughter's MIL is coming today and we are taking the kids to dinner for our grandson's birthday. Then she is staying with me in the motorhome. It will be crowded, but it will be fun. She stayed with me at this camp when Terry died, but I had the 40' Phaeton then!

This Coach House motorhome draws a lot of attention. People are very curious about it. Don't see many of them. But in the KOA right now there are a bunch of B's and B+'s. We kind of have a little camaraderie going.

LOL

Dale

[MetalGator]

We made it home. It was a 1200 mile round trip. We really had a good time and are thinking about doing the same trip next year. ZuZu did great on her first long trip. She is going to be a good traveler. The other two dogs are used to the traveling and did fine. The only issue with ZuZu is getting her to do her business. She doesn't want to go when you walk her. After being at a location a day or two, she starts going but then when you get to the next destination, she doesn't want to go again for a few days. I am sure she will get better as she travels more. She is a very smart girl.

Here she is enjoying her first Memorial Day.





She is so sweet. I am so glad we got her.

Burch

[Scottiemom]

Awwww. Sweet. Have a safe trip home. I am leaving for the summer today. Going to my son's in Melbourne for the weekend.

Dale

[MetalGator]

This is our last day in Biloxi. We have had a good time and I am already getting sad that we will have to leave tomorrow. The weather today is beautiful.

We have been going to the onsite Tiki bar at the resort. It's right on Biloxi Bay with the pool. We have been taking ZuZu with us and she has been a rock star. She loves everybody and everybody loves her. Here is a picture of her having a miller light at the bar (just kidding, the bartender gave her some water).

[Scottiemom]

MetalGator wrote:
Dale, so sorry you are having to deal with refrigerator problems.

We went to the Beau Rivage yesterday for a few hours. I was sitting at the bar playing video poker and then realized you could select different slot games on the machine. I selected a game called "Stinking Rich" and got a bonus. Ended up winning $700! That should pay for our meals and fuel for the rest of the trip. I am sure we will end up back at the casino today but I think I will stay off the machines while I am ahead!

Good job, Burch! Congratulations!

Dale

[MetalGator]

Dale, so sorry you are having to deal with refrigerator problems.

We went to the Beau Rivage yesterday for a few hours. I was sitting at the bar playing video poker and then realized you could select different slot games on the machine. I selected a game called "Stinking Rich" and got a bonus. Ended up winning $700! That should pay for our meals and fuel for the rest of the trip. I am sure we will end up back at the casino today but I think I will stay off the machines while I am ahead!

[Scottiemom]

MetalGator wrote:
We made it to Biloxi, Mississippi. It was right at 600 miles from my driveway to the resort. We will be here until Friday morning and then start making our way back. ZuZu did great traveling. This is her first long trip. However, she doesn't want to do her business. She only likes doing her business in her own back yard. I walk her all over the place and she just won't go. I put down a pee pad in the motorhome and she will go on it. I am hoping I can break her of that habit during the long trip. The other two dogs (Monty and Pinto) know the drill and are great travelers.

I guess we will venture to the casinos today. The wife likes to gamble and she has a bunch of $$$ on her casino players card so we will be able to eat a nice dinner for free sometime this week. They have a really nice Italian restaurant at the Beau Rivage that she want to dine at. Hopefully she won't blow too much monty today since we will be here 5 more days!

Burch

ZuZu will come around eventually. They all have such quirky personalities.

I will be leaving Friday, but going to Melbourne to my son's. Leaving there on Monday and will drive to Virginia to daughter's family, then on to northern Indiana where I hope to get a new refrigerator to replace my 1 1/2 year old one in my new coach. It has quit working. . . no power to it. No circuit boards available, even called dinosaur. . .nothing. Dometic quit making this entire line of refrigerators due to problems. Lucky me. Since I'm the second owner, no warranty.

So I am using it as an icebox until I get to Shipshewana. The Amish tell me they have a board for it and if that doesn't work they have the Norcold one that slides exactly into the same opening. The Amish there have saved the day for us many times. They are great. And if you buy from them they normally warranty it for 3 years.

Wish me luck. Oh, and good luck wishes to your wife, Burch, as she plays the slots. . . or whatever she plays.

Dale

[MetalGator]

We made it to Biloxi, Mississippi. It was right at 600 miles from my driveway to the resort. We will be here until Friday morning and then start making our way back. ZuZu did great traveling. This is her first long trip. However, she doesn't want to do her business. She only likes doing her business in her own back yard. I walk her all over the place and she just won't go. I put down a pee pad in the motorhome and she will go on it. I am hoping I can break her of that habit during the long trip. The other two dogs (Monty and Pinto) know the drill and are great travelers.

I guess we will venture to the casinos today. The wife likes to gamble and she has a bunch of $$$ on her casino players card so we will be able to eat a nice dinner for free sometime this week. They have a really nice Italian restaurant at the Beau Rivage that she want to dine at. Hopefully she won't blow too much monty today since we will be here 5 more days!

Burch

[Scottiemom]

I am leaving a week from Friday. . . first to Melbourne to see my son, then points north. Went to Nokomis Sunday for a Monday appointment. Fridge quit working. It's two years old. They couldn't do it and suggested I get a certified service center to look at it. The only reason I went down there to them, several hours south is one guy said he knew what the problem was and could fix it. Grrrr.

So there's that. I've got names of a couple mobile guys. Otherwise I will be making that trip without a refrigerator.

Enjoy your summer travels, Burch.


Dale

[MetalGator]

Good Morning FOOFs

We are getting ready for our big trip to Biloxi, MS. We are going to drive to Tallahassee, FL on Friday night and then on to Biloxi on Saturday morning. It is right at 600 miles from my house. The motorhome got an oil change and is gassed up ready to go. This will be ZuZu's first long trip. Poor Monty is not going to be happy. He hates riding in the motorhome but sure does have fun once we arrive at our destination. Pinto just sleeps the whole way.

I just need to get through the next few days at work.

Anyone else have any summer RV plans? For the July 4th Holiday we have booked Jetty Park in Port Canaveral and we booked the Resort at Canopy Oaks for Thanksgiving.

Burch

[Scottiemom]

MetalGator wrote:

Scottiemom wrote:
My neighbors just got back from Margaritaville at Auburndale, which is just 7 miles away. They said it was super nice, new and expensive. But they went with family and had a great weekend and it didn't cost much in fuel to get there.LOL
Dale

I wanted to try Margaritaville as it's only a little over an hour from me. I picked the cheapest lot from their website for a Friday and Saturday in August (their cheapest rates). The cost was going to be $399.60 for two nights! No way I pay that. I just booked Canopy Oaks for 4 nights during Thanksgiving (holiday rates) and it was cheaper than Margaritaville for two summer nights. I talked to someone at the dog park about Margaritaville and they said it was very nice but there was no grass. Said there was astrotuff everywhere instead of grass so your doggies have no grass to do their business on. As picky as my dogs are, that would be a challenge.

Burch

Yeah, when my neighbors went to Margaritaville, it was over $300 for 2 nights. They had a family weekend there. Said there was a lot of stuff to do and everything was paved, etc. They had fun, but I didn't think it was a place I would go just to chill for a few days.

Dale

[MetalGator]

Scottiemom wrote:
My neighbors just got back from Margaritaville at Auburndale, which is just 7 miles away. They said it was super nice, new and expensive. But they went with family and had a great weekend and it didn't cost much in fuel to get there.LOL
Dale

I wanted to try Margaritaville as it's only a little over an hour from me. I picked the cheapest lot from their website for a Friday and Saturday in August (their cheapest rates). The cost was going to be $399.60 for two nights! No way I pay that. I just booked Canopy Oaks for 4 nights during Thanksgiving (holiday rates) and it was cheaper than Margaritaville for two summer nights. I talked to someone at the dog park about Margaritaville and they said it was very nice but there was no grass. Said there was astrotuff everywhere instead of grass so your doggies have no grass to do their business on. As picky as my dogs are, that would be a challenge.

Burch

[Scottiemom]

Well, making an unscheduled trip down to Coach House Sunday night for service Monday. My refrigerator in my 2021 is DEAD. Yep. The beer was warm. Yuck. I've been puttering around out there getting things ready to go and check the fridge at least once a week. We had a power blip last Sunday and that may have been the culprit, but I have a surge protector. It was a very small blip. . . took out my GFCI in the house and one clock and that was it. I checked that in the moho along with the fuse, which I pulled and reset and the refrigerator breaker. Even shut off everything, pulled the plug, waited a few minutes, turned back on. No joy. I called it in and they told me there is another fuse on the back of the fridge that I wouldn't be able to get to. Hmmmmm. What good is that? I took the cover off and don't really see a fuse of any kind, but do see what looks like fuse block. Believe, they are gonna show it to me so I will know next time.

So the dog and I are going on a road trip. It's 90 miles down there, but I normally choose not to go on I-4 to I-75. I may do that on the way down since it will be Sunday, but coming home I normally come up 17.

It's definitely not getting any power cause there are no lights at all on the panel. Can't turn it on, etc., no code flashes, etc.

Wish me luck. I hope it's that fuse, but it is under warranty, so we'll see.

Dale