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

[Susee]

My vote is in too

[AFritz01]

My nomination for Richard is in.

Thanx Joel for the write up.

[E_Texan]

My vote is in. Joel you said it better than I did, but that's basically what I said about these wonderful people.

[joelbaker]

Following is a piece I wrote to accompany my nomination of Richard as the Animal Planet hero of the year. I thought others may want to use it as well. There is a link to the nomination web site on Anna's webpage, or just go to animal planet.com
Joel

"Richard Daniels rescued 'Old Fella', an old black lab mix with an injured left rear paw,almost 2 years ago from an RV park where Old Fella had lived outside on his own for at least 5 years. Richard posted his story, from his initial consideration of rescuing him, to the present, on RV.net, a popular website forum for Recreational Vehicle enthusiasts. He progressed from the single rescue to working with the Burke County, GA, animal shelter to convert it to a no-kill shelter, and single-handedly created a network of foster homes that has saved over 100 dogs in that short period of time. He has been a significant influence on the many thousands of visitors to the thread at RV.net, as well as attendees at the rallies that have sprung up across the nation in honor of Old Fella and Richard and their quest to save animals. Because of the active web presence and ongoing story, dogs that Richard has saved have been adopted in Missouri and Ohio, and currently (as of May 2007), Washington state. The story of Anna II, as she is known, the three-legged retriever mix, being transported across the country by many caring and involved RV.netters, is a beautiful story in and of itself.

Richard has caused many of us who are avid pet owners to take stock of our relationship with our pets and to make the decision to rescue a life when we next choose to bring a pet into our homes. He is truly deserving of being America's next Animal Planet hero!

http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/16147275.cfm
"

[Dixie_Flyer]

Kfancii wrote:
Richard -

Is the Ol' Fella Burke County Rescue a 501 3-C Non-Profit organization?

Thanks!

Yes it is.

[Kfancii]

Richard -

Is the Ol' Fella Burke County Rescue a 501 3-C Non-Profit organization?

Thanks!

[Luizianna]

Ok..my nomination is in....GOOD LUCK to Richard...got my fingers crossed!!

[Dixie_Flyer]

joelbaker wrote:
A link has been added to the Anna website to nominate Richard for the Animal Planet Hero of the Year. Please check it out and nominate Richard!
Anna's Journey Home website

For those who want this information I will pass it on.

Birthdate 04/23/1941
Phone: 706-554-2402
Cell : 706-871-8707

[Dixie_Flyer]

Anna has a heavy coat from the winter and should shed that one off for her summer coat. She has always had a nice soft feel to her fur coat. I am glad she is finding her place in the family and fitting in so well. I am still hoping to stop by Ohio on the way home from Colorado. Suzie won't be able to make the trip with us as she still has issues with getting car sick. Sue, Old Fella, Levi and myself will be along for the visit.

Thank you for keeping us informed of Anna's progress. I hope you and Lori have a nice day.

Richard

[Dandy_Dan]

Good Morning from the Anna I family to all involved in the Anna II transfer. Our Anna is getting settled in and thnking she should stay around a little closer. I take her with me to feed the horses in the morning and she will run around the barn and pasture as hard as she can go while the horses are eating. I then let them out and Anna will go into the pasture and run in circles around the big friends. We have made a fenced in area for her and Beau to lounge in. Put up a 42x50 chain link area with 2 doghouses, a fire hydrant and a tree for shade. When out in the yard Anna loves to play with a frisbee. We are going to have to get another one as she has pretty well trashed the first one from pulling and playing with it. Richard, Anna is shedding out quite a bit but is still really soft. She is finally getting the idea of the pecking order of the kitties. She knows that she can really play with one of them as it has been declawed. Still hope you can stop by enroute home from colorado at our Ohio rally. A lot of folks would like to meet you. All have a wonderful spring day.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Yesterday was a good day for the fur babies. The weather was very nice and breezy. Suzie, Charlie and Levi ran and played the whole day. I was sorry to hear from Gary that snow fell in Colorado over the weekend and he had to shovel snow out if his driveway before he could park his motorhome. There are some advantages to living in the deep south, but we don't have the beautiful Rocky Mountains to play on or look at. We do have the Smokie Mountains in North Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina with it's lush green forest. The Rhododendrum in the mountains is a beautiful touch of nature for everyone to see as you travel through the twisting highway cuts its path from Cherokee, NC to Gatlinburg, TN. The south I live in has so much history and so many nice people that take care of it heritage. If you ever get a chance to visit Savannah, Georgia you will find it to be the Southern Belle city of the south. So much to see and so much to enjoy.

Old Fella however, really enjoys his trips to the Smokies. He will get excited as we pull into Cherokee, NC. He will sit up in the seat and look out the window with that tail wagging. When we get to the KOA we usually camp at he will start barking as if to say, "We're here!" Maybe it's because he is tired of riding and wants to get out, but he does seem to enjoy camping there with the little trails around the campground and the mountain stream that runs through it. Once Levi ventured out a little too far and got caught in the swift current of the river and was swept down stream a bit before he could get out, caused us a little excitement.

Suzie is becoming quiet the little lady. She loves to hang around with me and when I fuss at Charlie for being bad she comes to me and wants to be assured she is alright. It is then she will want to snuggle up next to me as close as she can get. Suzie has become that loving little girl that wants to please and is mindful of her manners. Her favorite time is when I rest in the afternoon and she can lay next to me on the bed. Old Fella will come in and lay on his bed next to ours and wants me to pat him on the head or rub his tummy for a while. Suzie will wait patiently for me to give Fella his attention and then settle in next to me when I lay down.

Today is overcast, windy and cool for May, but just wait for July and August to get here with the temps in the 90's or 100's. That's when you wish for some of the Rocky Mountain weather.

Soon we will be on the road heading to Colorado Springs for the rally covering some of the same ground Anna II has covered in her trip home. Maybe Ryan and Elizabeth can come to the rally and bring Anna II with them. But maybe that would be too much of a trip for her especially since she will have just gotten to Spanaway, Washington. The rally dates are June 4-8 and if all goes according to plan the rally will be covered by a local TV station from Denver. So all of you come and put on those smiling faces and the best waving hand you have so folks can see the dedicated FOOF'S that gather to celebrate one old black dog named Old Fella.

[joelbaker]

A link has been added to the Anna website to nominate Richard for the Animal Planet Hero of the Year. Please check it out and nominate Richard!
Anna's Journey Home website

[mistressofdistr]

Wish I could make this trip but will have to wait for the Eastern Rally. I will miss not getting to see all the wonderful people that were at the first Old Fella Rally, but anxious to meet the new friends at the Eastern Rally.

[Dixie_Flyer]

[Dixie_Flyer]

It will soon be that time again