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

[Camper_Carl]

Richard,
Have a great trip. Pattie and I are going out of town today and will be back on Sunday also. Have a good time we will talk to you then.

Carl

[CindyNRoger]

Safe travels Richard, Sue and family!

[Dixie_Flyer]

We're leaving for Greenville see you on Sunday. Have a nice weekend.

[kokosfriend]

Yeah!! Keep the good works, but remember to take care of yourselves, Rchard and Sue.
Barb

[chrisnpat]

Amen Richard and Sue, God bless you.

[mrskti]

Very cool Richard....and a most excellent plan with the RV presentation...good thinking!!!

Amen!

[Dandy_Dan]

Dixie, I sit here reading the threads and am awestruck. How can one man and a dog get so much accomplished? You and OF with the devine assistance of the fella upstairs have shown the world what can be done when an attempt is made. You should be commended highly for the unselfish time you have devoted to God's little creatures. You should be at the top of the list for a Humanitarian award. Kudos and God Bless your efforts.

[bonniesoo]

Wow...I really don't even know what to say...Camper Carl...what a wonderful rescue story with a fantatic ending...Rich...well...ditto from above posts...and my own AMEN!!! Way to go...

[Uppercrust]

That is some great news! Keep up the good work you are doing.

[E_Texan]

Amen also from me. Great job.

[Luizianna]

yankeeblue wrote:

Amazing, simply amazing....I'm in awe. the power of love, the power of Divine Intervention..

one man, one dog....

I'm so proud of you Dixie Flyer. So proud of this RV community.
Not enough words....except to say, Thank you! 🙂

I can only say "Amen"

[yankeeblue]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
This morning brings a lot of hope for the Old Fella Rescue here in Burke County. Last night when the Old Fella thread was projected on the screen and the people realized the multitude of people that visit the Open Roads Forum and that are watching the events that are happening here there was silence in the room that you could feel. For the first time folks here saw the impact that this small community is having on a nation. There was an applause at the end of the meeting that was heart felt.

Our local faithful newspaper was there to cover the meeting and there will be a feature article in next weeks paper that will give us even more exposure.

Chief Allen of the Waynesboro Police Department was there to lend his support and told of the magnificent job we have done for the city in helping find homes for the animals that they had not been able to. He spoke of the animals that have been saved and how much the city appreciated our efforts.

We had 52 in attendance which was great for our small town and the Fire Department did a great job in cooking the hamburgers and hot dogs. Our ladies did an excellent job in preparing the side dishes and the local high school Interact Club did an excellent job in helping with the seating arrangements and the cleanup afterwards.

The Burke County Commissioners was represented by Mr. Wayne Crockett. After the program was over Mr. Crockett stayed a while and talked with individuals about their feelings of the Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue and he was impressed with the overall support.

Mr Tinley and Mr. Byne was representing the City Council and gave their support for our mission and also told of the wonderful job we have done. I really feel that from this point forward we will see the Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue take a important place in the county with the support of all the people.

I will be notified by the County when to attend their meeting to present our program to the whole board of commissioners and from there I expect to have our new building. The Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue Center is just a short time away.

Amazing, simply amazing....I'm in awe. the power of love, the power of Divine Intervention..
one man, one dog....

I'm so proud of you Dixie Flyer. So proud of this RV community.
Not enough words....except to say, Thank you! 🙂

[Dixie_Flyer]

This morning brings a lot of hope for the Old Fella Rescue here in Burke County. Last night when the Old Fella thread was projected on the screen and the people realized the multitude of people that visit the Open Roads Forum and that are watching the events that are happening here there was silence in the room that you could feel. For the first time folks here saw the impact that this small community is having on a nation. There was an applause at the end of the meeting that was heart felt.

Our local faithful newspaper was there to cover the meeting and there will be a feature article in next weeks paper that will give us even more exposure.

Chief Allen of the Waynesboro Police Department was there to lend his support and told of the magnificent job we have done for the city in helping find homes for the animals that they had not been able to. He spoke of the animals that have been saved and how much the city appreciated our efforts.

We had 52 in attendance which was great for our small town and the Fire Department did a great job in cooking the hamburgers and hot dogs. Our ladies did an excellent job in preparing the side dishes and the local high school Interact Club did an excellent job in helping with the seating arrangements and the cleanup afterwards.

The Burke County Commissioners was represented by Mr. Wayne Crockett. After the program was over Mr. Crockett stayed a while and talked with individuals about their feelings of the Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue and he was impressed with the overall support.

Mr Tinley and Mr. Byne was representing the City Council and gave their support for our mission and also told of the wonderful job we have done. I really feel that from this point forward we will see the Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue take a important place in the county with the support of all the people.

I will be notified by the County when to attend their meeting to present our program to the whole board of commissioners and from there I expect to have our new building. The Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue Center is just a short time away.

[Buz2b]

Richard,
Hopefully I express this correctly. I must say that that was a BRILLIANT move to show the OF thread to the gathered folks. I don't mean that in a showmanship way either. I mean it just as you stated it; your little community was getting lots of exposure and scrutiny because of this "mission". I'm so glad you did that and I'm sure there are lots of citizens of Waynesboro that are happy too. You've educated and enlightened another group of folks it sounds like.
I know you still have to wait on a final resolution from the committee but it truly sounds like you did the best that you could for the cause. I'm hopeful He will provide.
Again, thanks for all you've done.

[Magic_Carpet_Pi]

What wonderful news, thank you Richard and Sue for being the caring people you are. I hope your eye is not causing you too much trouble and pain.

Jacquie