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

[fulltimegrams22]

We have more heroes to mention here again. The story of Anna's Journey to Washington State is in the Good Sam Highways Magazine October 2007 issue page 41. So a handclap and a thanks to all those involved in getting Anna safely home. The story is entitled,

An Amazing Journey by Paula Loehr

Fulltimegrams22

[Dashonthedash]

Speaking of heroes, the Animal Planet Hero of the Year finalists have been selected and, unfortunately, Richard is not one of them. The 10 finalists will be announced officially when the ballot is open for public voting on September 25. I hope that all of you will vote for one of the nominees anyway, because I am sure that all of them do important work, and the top prize includes a $10,000 donation to an Animal Welfare organization of the winner's choice. Whoever wins, the animals benefit (and there is always next year...) :B

[Hoops]

Just did the CNN Heroes thing. The Purina thing sounds good as well. We feed Missy Eagle Pack so we aren't much help.

[jbreech]

Hi !
I just found a web site www.giveabowl.com.
That has a download coupon for $4.00 off
purina food .But the best part is they will
donate $1.00 to a participating animal
organization of your choice. If Dixie Flyer
wants to put old fella on .There is a link
at the bottom of page in red (pets for people)
that has a place to register your organization
If we all used the coupon there would be a lot
of dollars donated if you can get the old
fella on there. Dont you think?

[fulltimegrams22]

Hi Everyone, I just has a V-8 moment :S

We are writing to Oprah and hoping she will put Richard and Old Fella with the volunteers on her show right, well what about CNN Heroes on television?

I just filled out the form because Richard and his volunteers are my Hero and I would hope that we could see them on CNN's Heroes commercials. I provided the phone number from the OFBCAR website to them for reaching Richard. I know that won't really get him directly but it will sure get to someone who will provide his direct telephone number to CNN.

Do you wanna do it too???

Cnn Heroes link

[justALnow]

I've been casually following this thread. Read the first few pages, and check in every now and then.

Anyway, I saw the bit in "Highways", which arrived today and recognized the names.

Great work you're doing, keep it up.

Al

[fulltimegrams22]

Thanks for the OFBCAR membership application Richard, I will mailing it shortly. I will be honored to be a long distance member.

I have a lost and found pet hotline on yahoo in the Corpus Christi, TX area I moderate for photo posting of lost and found pets. There is an original Lost Pet Hotline of Corpus Christi and they cannot post photos to the internet, so after two years of having a dog we found, which was Buddy and no way to see a photo of him online I started the yahoo group so those that reported to them could then post photos to the Yahoo group.

When I had spoken to them about the photo posting and they told me they didn't have the manpower or the media I started the group and wished them a Merry Christmas. It is slowly being learned about here in the area.

Fulltimegrams22

[Dixie_Flyer]

Ron & Shirley wrote:
Richard,
Will you be going to Moorehead City? If so don't miss going to Tony's Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant. In case you haven't heard of it it has quite a reputation. Very famous place. It was opened in 1938 I believe. Excellent seafood restaurant!! Ronnie's Aunt Mildred Denham who happens to be 95 lives in the Havelock/New Bern area and it is her favorite place to eat. Gee I wish I was going with you! I have only been to that part of the Country one time in early 2002 and it was so beautiful.

I hope Sue gets to feeling better.
Have a great trip!

Shirley

Our plans take us to Moorehead City so we wll look up Tony's. Thanks for the tip.

[Ron___Shirley]

Richard,
Will you be going to Moorehead City? If so don't miss going to Tony's Sanitary Fish Market and Restaurant. In case you haven't heard of it it has quite a reputation. Very famous place. It was opened in 1938 I believe. Excellent seafood restaurant!! Ronnie's Aunt Mildred Denham who happens to be 95 lives in the Havelock/New Bern area and it is her favorite place to eat. Gee I wish I was going with you! I have only been to that part of the Country one time in early 2002 and it was so beautiful.

I hope Sue gets to feeling better.
Have a great trip!

Shirley

[Dixie_Flyer]

We will be leaving in the morning. Our first stop will be at New Bern, NC. After a quick visit with Martha, my first cousin we will head for the Outer Banks of North Carolina. I can't wait to see Suzie's reaction to the surf at the beach. I bet she will be funny! She is such a daddy's girls she will probably run straight for me to save her.

I am so looking forward to going on this trip and then our annual trip to the mountains in October when we get together with the kids. Sue is not feeling well so I had better go and take care of her. See you later.

[Dixie_Flyer]

LizFM wrote:
My mixed breed has a very touchy digestive system, and frequently has loose to downright runny stools. I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but canned pumpkin is a lifesaver. Rommie loves it (well, pretty much Anything that is or might be food). She weighs around 50 pounds and a cup or cup and a half of canned pumpkin will usually do the trick. I feed it in place of her regular meals for a meal or two.

This is NO replacement for a vet visit but if there's nothing wrong besides just something "not agreeing" with them, and until you can *get* to the vet, it is a lifesaver!!

I'm much more comfortable giving them pumpkin than some human medication.

My memory is short. Sue just reminded me about Levi coming down with a bug in Colorado Springs last June. Dusty gave us some canned pumpkin that seemed to help.

[bonniesoo]

Richard...you and Sue and all your furkids have a great time at the Outer Banks....take lots of pictures of Suzie and everybody in the water. The first time Suki saw the ocean she walked up to the edge and then turned and ran like crazy away from the approaching wave (lil fradiecat!!!). Mika just calmly waded into the water and stood there and got splashed....two entirely different animals....Drive safe...

[LizFM]

My mixed breed has a very touchy digestive system, and frequently has loose to downright runny stools. I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned it, but canned pumpkin is a lifesaver. Rommie loves it (well, pretty much Anything that is or might be food). She weighs around 50 pounds and a cup or cup and a half of canned pumpkin will usually do the trick. I feed it in place of her regular meals for a meal or two.

This is NO replacement for a vet visit but if there's nothing wrong besides just something "not agreeing" with them, and until you can *get* to the vet, it is a lifesaver!!

I'm much more comfortable giving them pumpkin than some human medication.

[chemisd]

Left both girls in the garage and all was well at lunch. Took her out and things were more "formed" shall I politely say. Still debating about dinner tonight. Kind of feel like trying it, then if it loosens again, take my flashlight and get a sample and take it in. She is NOT fond of the vet, so we only do the emergency and yearly checkups. She hasn't shown any other symptoms. I am not seeing worms, but doesn't mean they aren't there.
Richard, enjoy the outer banks. I love the beaches there. I wish it wasn't such a far drive. Takes us about 14 hours in the van, not camper. Still hoping for one more trip out....

[sher9570]

Richard, have a great time in th outer banks, we just got back from there last weekend, it's a beautiful time of year to go especially with the dogs, the beaches are not crowded, the water is still pretty warm. Our dogs love the sand, surf, and the saltwater. Have a good time and get lots of pics.

Sher