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]

Soon Old Fella was at ease with the strange looking dog and realized he was sent by the Ancestors to help guide him through the rest of his journey and bring him to his forever home that he had longed for. As Old Fella listened he learned that soon someone was coming to take him away from the campground and he would live in a home with humans that he would learn to love with all of his heart. Then he learned that in his name many would be saved and that his legacy would live on for generations to come. “By why me?” asked Fella. Because you are worthy. Being humble is not always easy but you my friend have proven that inside you is a soul that has learned what the Ancestors have taught. Those who have learn to be humble become the Chosen and you have been chosen to follow in the ways of the Great teacher.

As Fella remembered that night and the length of the days he waited for the one who would deliver him he also remembered those whom he thought might be the Deliverer and almost got into trouble several times. Once he ventured into a campsite he just knew was the Deliverer and had rocks thrown at him. Once there were these ladies and one man that were so afraid of him they refused to come out of their camper and complained to the gate keeper about a mangy old dog terrorizing the campground. Then came the day that the Deliverer came to the campground, Fella wasn’t sure about this one, he already had a dog and he didn’t look at all like the person he had in mind. But something was drawing him to this old man that he couldn’t explain and the woman was beyond his expectation. She was beautiful and seemed to be not afraid of Fella, even offering him food and water. After his visit with the humans he went back to his hiding place in the woods and that night the strange light appeared again.

“Fella” a voice called to him. “You have waited a long time for this moment to come and now is the time for your destiny to be fulfilled. In a few days the man you met today will come back for you, to take you and give you a new home and a new way of life. Your days of wandering are over. In him you will find the kindness and love you have always longed for but in return you must give to him all that you are, every fiber of your being so that he can be all that he can be to you. In him you will find the goodness of life and he will honor you and give you peace on every side. So honor him as he honors you and you will live a good life never wanting for anything. Go now and find the purpose for which you were born and live in peace.”

Fella eyes were filled with tears as he thought of being delivered from the tormenting biting flies, ticks and fleas, living in a home with humans as a beloved pet. It was more than he could fathom. He knew the great Ancestors never lied about anything, they couldn’t because of the sacred oath they had taken, so Fella knew his life was about to change for the good.

Continued

[coop7243]

What a fantastic job on the website. It really looks terrific.
It's hard to believe that it is time for the Western OF Rally. Safe travels to everyone. It should be a wonderful time. We'll all be anxious to see and hear all about it.

[Dixie_Flyer]

waflhtrider wrote:
Richard & Sue,
Safe travels to and from the West Coast Old Fella Rally. Wish we could make the trip but it is not in the cards at this time.

Ryan

May be next year. I look forward to seeing both you and Beth along with Tia. I will be taking the lap top so hopefully I will be able to stay in touch with everyone. I will post pictures along the way so folks can see what's going on.

[W7SFO]

Richard & Sue,
Safe travels to and from the West Coast Old Fella Rally. Wish we could make the trip but it is not in the cards at this time.

Ryan

[whimstock]

CindyNRoger wrote:
Way to go Dan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And one from me, too!! Thanks so much!

The website is really impressive...a great job. 🙂

[CindyNRoger]

Way to go Dan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dandy_Dan]

After seeing the website listed for the Ellen Degeneres Show, I went to the website last night and wrote a fairly lengthy suggestion to the show about Old Fella and the Anna(Tia) journey. Since Ellen is an advocate for animal rights and is pro animal, maybe if we all would write to the show and offer the suggestion they might respond. I also added the links for the videos of Anna and the new website of the Burke County Old Fella Rescue.
Link to Ellen Show

[Dixie_Flyer]

Sue and I with Levi and Old Fella will be leaving in the morning heading for Colorado for the Western Old Fella Rally. We will be taking the laptop with us so we can post along the way.

[Grillmeister]

Very nice new website, well done!!

[jbreech]

Ellen D. email

http://www.ellen.warnerbros.com

[chemisd]

I actually had looked around the website over the long weekend. Great job on it. I also had looked at the ones available. I don't know why. We don't have room for any more, and the ones we have don't behave real well!

Cindy - both our boys are right about 52 and 53 inches. They have been doing all their stretches trying like mad to get to 54 inches! Jarod is currently looking at the video. Thanks for letting us know about that.

Back to Leno.....Just curious if there was an address we could write to. Not to ask for money, or to get him to change his mind. Just thought if there were several of us that wrote just to tell him thank you for his time, and that we appreciated it, etc......Just might keep it in the front of his mind. And sure! In the meantime, I say any of the talk show hosts would be great!

[mpj]

Ellen D is a good suggestion. Also, what about CBS and Dave Letterman? He has Jack Hanna on a lot, so we know he is into animal stories. Just a suggestion.

[CindyNRoger]

What a wonderful website! I took a few minutes to look around. I will be back. 🙂

[Dixie_Flyer]

Old Fella's new website

Take a look at the new Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue website.

[Camper_Carl]

Pat,
I will pass this on to my wife Pattie. I think that will be away that we can go. Did not even think of that. I think my wife might be happy again.

Carl