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

[Dashonthedash]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
I just got back from Dr. Jim's and Old Fella and Levi are ready for the trip with a clean bill of health. Suzie I am afraid will have to stay behind at DW request. Departure is Thursday morning with arrival at Colorado Springs on June 4th.

That's a shame that Suzie won't be on the trip. I have a feeling that she and Lily would have really hit it off. Maybe next year. Have a good trip.

[Dixie_Flyer]

I just got back from Dr. Jim's and Old Fella and Levi are ready for the trip with a clean bill of health. Suzie I am afraid will have to stay behind at DW request. Departure is Thursday morning with arrival at Colorado Springs on June 4th.

[chrisnpat]

That is a good idea, she is very much into animals. With being on during the day I think there would be even more exposer, Than on the tonight show.

[whimstock]

VanPat wrote:
I have been reading this story from the beginning but have not posted before because I'm not very good with putting words into writing. May I suggest that someone write to Ellen Degenerous? She's a real softie for animals, and she always donates or otherwise helps out a good cause.
Keep up the good work Richard, and all others involved.

Pat

Terrific idea, Pat!!!

[VanPat]

I have been reading this story from the beginning but have not posted before because I'm not very good with putting words into writing. May I suggest that someone write to Ellen Degenerous? She's a real softie for animals, and she always donates or otherwise helps out a good cause.
Keep up the good work Richard, and all others involved.

Pat

[Dixie_Flyer]

We are thinking about it, could be that we could come that way home.

[Chemgoddess1]

Does this little set back mean that there is a chance again of you passing through Ohio??

[Dixie_Flyer]

I believe everything happens for a reason and that life's journey is meaningful and purpose filled to make us into who we are. For those of us who believe in a creator we must have faith that we are always under his watchful eye. For whatever reason Leno decided that Old Fella and Anna's story did not fit into their program I must respect that and go on with the goals we have for building a shelter. Who knows what lies in store for all of us who have been faithful to the story of Old Fella and the rescue effort.

Anna's story certainly brought a refreshing new look at rescue of handicap animals. Her journey across America is an incredible story of compassion and dedication and shows the spirit of love that exist in our family of RVer's. It gives me goose bumps to think of what happened here and to know that somewhere, someone is going to be touched by her story and rescue an animal that otherwise would have been left behind to die along side of the road or in an animal control shelter. Have any of us ever hit an animal on the road and never went back to see about it? Maybe some of us have, but never again after reading Anna's story. I thank Mr. Leno for giving us the time to hear about Anna's journey and Old Fella's rescue effort here in Georgia, just being considered is an honor I will never forget.

Richard/ Dixie Flyer

[dogdiva]

Perhaps OPRAH would be interested as she is also into pets

[bonniesoo]

Pattie....so sorry about the Leno show news. How about contacting either the Rachael Ray show or Martha Stewart. They are both animal activist and would definately show the rescuing effort in a positive light...Do you have and numbers or email addesses for them or anything we can do to get on their radar.

[CindyNRoger]

Richard, Pattie and Carl - So sorry to hear things fell through. I know you all put a lot of work into this. We will just have to continue getting our message out via RV.Net and word of mouth about what WONDERFUL pets rescues are.

Jana - The new coaster is FANTASTIC. I rode it twice and my oldest son got brave and rode it today with me. He can't wait until we go back to ride it again. If anyone is interested in looking at it, got to cedarpoint.com and click on Maverick. They have a link to video of it. It was a wonderful weekend. It rained off and on Saturday, but we were still able to get a few rides in. The rest of the weekend was glorious.

Have a good week all!!!!!! Safe travels to those heading out west. Give Fella, Levi, and Suzie, Richard and Sue a hug from me. :B

[Dixie_Flyer]

We just got back from our camping trip to Modoc Campground. What a wonderful time was had by all. Levi really had a great time along with Suzie and Old Fella as he did his favorite thing, going into the lake. You should have seen Suzie get crazy running fill tilt into the water and just raising heck. Fella just wading around and swam a bit, taking it easy.

When I got home and read the email and PM's I got some disappointing news from Pattie, she was so upset. The Leno show said "No" late Friday night to having Old Fella and Anna II on the show. Pattie had put in so much work in bringing this to Jay's attention and felt that she had a positive meeting on Thursday with Jay and his wife. So I say thank you Pattie for all of your hard work because I appreciate everything you have done for the Fella. You and Carl are great people.

We took the fur babies to Modoc Campground this weekend for an outing with the kids and hey had a ball. Levi loves the attention he gets when he is with the grandkids. Sue was walking Old Fella in an area that he used to hang around in. Sue let him off the leash and he headed straight for the woods. After a while Sue cold hear him barking so she went in to investigate. He was having the best time frolicking around. He gets excited about certain parts of the campground and lest us know. This is behind the children's playground where he spent much of his time watching the kids. We suspect that he also slept there a lot as well.

We will spend Tuesday and Wednesday getting ready for the trip out to Colorado and hit the road early Thursday morning. I hope all had a wonderful weekend and that everyone was safe. In honor of our veterans who have served our country thank you for a job well done!

[butterfly_girl]

[Dandy_Dan]

WOW!! 289,000 hits on this post. Excellent - Happy Holiday Weekend- Make it a safe and enjoyable one.

[chemisd]

Happy Memorial Day to all you FOOFs out there!