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]

Just getting these two governments to the negotiating table to talk about animal control is wonderful news. Now I hope this doesn't break down somewhere before it is finished. In the mean while we still struggle with the usual things of not enough foster homes,not enough volunteers and not enough money. But every young volunteer agency starts off with these problems.

We have taken in a Golden Retriever that is positive for heart worms and we are having to wait for her treatment until we are able to take care of her. Today will be a busy day here as we take care of things around the house that have been let go, so I had better get started before Sue comes looking for me.

[CindyNRoger]

Richard - CONGRATS to you and the group. I know you have a lot of tired volunteers down there that are like Energizer Bunnies. :B This is WONDERFUL NEWS! Please continue to keep us posted.

Dan, Lori, and Anna - Take care and keep in touch. We are always here for you.

[Gottahaveit]

Excellent news Richard !!!! Keep up the great work, you have done wonders on your incredible journey. So glad we can share it with you.

[joelbaker]

Richard, that is truly wonderful news. Congratulations to you and Old Fella and everyone else who has worked so tirelessly for this to happen. There is hope after all!

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dan glad to hear that you are alright. I know your friend is glad to have your help with his store.

It has been an earth shattering day. Here goes. The county and the city got together and discussed how they could join together with animal control, this is a first!! Working together they have discussed many options,all of which are good. The Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue has been included in these discussions and now we have to draft a plan of how we intend to work together with the City Government and the County Government in animal control. For the first time in Burke County History these two Governments have come together to address the problem of animal control!

If you don't get the picture here is what has happened. The Burke County Commissioners are actively looking for a way to enter into an agreement with the Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue and the City of Waynesboro to put money in the budget for animal control.

From this point forward there is hope for the animals of Burke County getting the help they so desperately need. I thank God for all the doors that are opening for the rescue effort. Wednesday I will meet with Mr. Rowland and record the deed to the property at the Burke County Court House for the Old Fella Rescue. Thursday morning the Old Fella Rescue with Mr. Rowland will meet at the property for a picture for the Waynesboro True Citizen Newspaper, hopefully channel 26 News will be there also. Now if we could just win the lottery!!!

[Dandy_Dan]

Hi All, We are getting back to somewhat normal at least for us. Got all the mud shoveled out and cleaned up. Thank goodness we didn't get any in the house and while it was raining, the sump pump kept up. I have been helping a good friend who owns a Lee's Chicken franchise try to get his store back in order. They had over 2' of water and crud in the store and all the walls have to be opened up to a level higher than the flood waters and disinfected. We power washed all the floor and all the tables and chairs. After the place is cleaned and spray disinfected the Health inspector has to come in and give his blessing prior to any reconstruction can begin. I really feel bad for our friend as this appears to have to all come out of his pocket. Hope all you you are happy and healthy and to all, thanks for the PM's. The concern was very thoughtful.

[CindyNRoger]

Dan and Lori were suppose to host an Ohio Rally this weekend in their area. Needless to say, they had to cancel. 😞 The pictures are unbelievable! Look forward to hooking up with them soon.

[chemisd]

Just catching up....any news on Dan and Lori?? I forgot they were in Findley.
My great grandma was a great example of a true believer. She was 94 when she died. She used to have my dad, her grandson go to her "bureau" and get her billfold so she could give him money to pay a bill. He'd do it just to please her, knowing there would be no money there. Yet, time and again, money would be there. No one ever knew how that happened. She was almost blind, could hardly walk, obviously didn't drive, yet......so Richard, just believe. I don't know how it will work. I certainly can't right now. But just like grandma's wallet......help will come.
jana

[Hoops]

Will pray the answers and the money will come.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Things have been hectic around here lately with the OFBCAR. We are struggling with finances and the lack of foster homes. We have forty dogs in the system with more waiting to come in. We are also looking at changes in the intake procedure to give the intake coordinator a better handle on what is going on. Our volunteers are over worked and underpaid! I have never seen such dedicated people in my life, but I am afraid of burn out if we don't find some solutions to our problems soon.

I am still waiting on the deed to the land that is supposed to be coming this week and this week is just about gone. We have heart worm positive dogs that need medical attention and a puppy that has a bad case of the mange. The shelter in Waynesboro is filling up again and we have people calling us to surrender dogs they don't want. We have dogs that need to be spayed or neutered and the list goes on.

I believe that the dogs that have homes and the owners want to surrender them should come after the animals that are homeless and looking at death's door. I have a hard time convincing some of our people this is the way to go. Anyway, that is where we are this morning. I hope for a good day today and foster homes for our animals.

[kokosfriend]

Sounds like Dogdiva may have a new job!!!

[Dixie_Flyer]

dogdiva wrote:
I am sure the park is great but i do not tow a car, so transportation could be an issue

There is a shuttle that leaves the campround every morning and returns each evening, it's called the Old Fella Bus Line.

[dogdiva]

I am sure the park is great but i do not tow a car, so transportation could be an issue

[Dixie_Flyer]

Article in today's Waynesboro True Citizen Newspaper

County may
help with
animal control
Has Old Fella Animal Rescue made progress with Burke County’s commissioners? After Tuesday’s meeting, the
organization’s president Richard
Daniels seems to think so.
– Page 2A

County commission may
lend a hand to Old Fella

By Diana Royal
Staff Writer
Has Old Fella Animal Rescue
made progress with Burke County’s commissioners? After Tuesday’s meeting, the organization’s president Richard
Daniels seems to think so. Daniels attended the commission
meeting, along with more than 20 companions, most of whom were sporting matching Old Fella T shirts. He addressed the commissioners in what he referred to as a “last ditch attempt” before budgeting for 2008 begins.

“We just need your help,” he told the commissioners, adding that
$100,000 “is not a lot to ask.” Commission chairman Jimmy
Dixon entertained the idea, asking Daniels whether Old Fella Rescue wanted a monetary donation or for the county to take over the mission. Daniels responded that his organization
would never turn down money but that Burke County
needs to be involved in animal control. “We could certainly use the
money, but it would be selfish to just take it,” he responded. Then Dixon asked about the possibility of the county contracting Old Fella to perform the animal control duties.

Commissioner Wayne Crockett said he’d like to see what the entire
county’s feelings are concerning animal control, adding that placing the question on the November 2008 ballot might be a
good idea. “We’re almost at a point where development will force us to have animal control, but we’re not there yet,” he said, indicating that the commission will have a lot of constituents
to answer to regardless of what decision it makes.

After the meeting, Daniels said he felt as though something positive had finally been accomplished in regards to abandoned animals in the county.
“I am looking forward to working with the commission either on
a contractual or some monetary basis to help establish an animal
control branch of government,” he said. “I applaud their willingness to talk openly with (Old Fella) and
look forward to further talks in the future … I feel there will be an effort by the commission to assist in our goal.”

County administrator Merv Waldrop said the commission does
not want to operate a kennel. He did confirm that commissioners are considering making funds available; however, there are many options to mull over. The commission could hire or
designate an animal control officer to turn animals over to Old Fella.

Then there’s the issue as to whether there would be enough work to hire an employee for this purpose. Another option would be designating an Old Fella member as the officer.
Establishing animal control in Burke County has been a hot topic
throughout the year, attracting the attention of several nonresidents as well. Waldrop estimated operation costs of an animal control shelter to be approximately $250,000 each year

[Dixie_Flyer]

Here is a link for Magnolia State Park. It is a beautiful campground with lots of Civil War history. Camp Lawton was a POW camp during the last years of the war and when Sherman marched through he burned the town of Lawton which was never rebuilt.


Magnolia Springs State Park