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]

bonniesoo wrote:
I don't think there will come a day when there are no more strays but....the inspiration of Old Fella will certainly cut down on that number by a lot. You should be so proud....and as far as talking to yourself....I'll bet there are a few "lurkers" out there. How can you follow our Old Fella!!! Any new antics with Miss Suzie or Charlie today? It's so hot here my girls are just lying on the cool tile in the house.

It's hot here as well, everybody in staying inside where it's cool and the A/C is blowing. Every once in a while Suzie will get her Bobo toy and put it in front of Charlie, but so far he isn't taking the bait.

[bonniesoo]

I don't think there will come a day when there are no more strays but....the inspiration of Old Fella will certainly cut down on that number by a lot. You should be so proud....and as far as talking to yourself....I'll bet there are a few "lurkers" out there. How can you follow our Old Fella!!! Any new antics with Miss Suzie or Charlie today? It's so hot here my girls are just lying on the cool tile in the house.

[Dixie_Flyer]

It sure is quiet here today, I feel as if I am talking to myself....

[Dixie_Flyer]

This is the Old Fella we want to remember, just as happy as can be. This was taken at the last rally in Branson, MO this past June.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Old Fella's obituary

[Dixie_Flyer]

A New Beginning for an Old Stray

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dog inspires city to help local strays

[Dixie_Flyer]

The Dixie Transport took 42 dogs to New England this weekend to their forever homes! What a great bunch of volunteers we have! On the home front however we are running into some negative press from some of the county residents who oppose animal control/shelter for the county as being too expensive. In this week’s paper a letter to the Editor was sent in by one of our residents citing the cost of operating a shelter along with the equipment needed as being something not needed in our county for the tax payers to have to foot the bill.

The plan I have for the county has not yet been explained so I guess I had better get started with the campaign and let the folks out there know just what is waiting in the wings. But then I know there are still some who will be opposed to any kind of animal shelter. Burke County is a rural area where animals have been allowed to roam ever since I can remember. Stray Dogs and cats are just as plentiful and salt and pepper is for the dinner table with just as much regard. We were one of the last states to have a fence law requiring cattle and horses to be fenced to keep them off the highways. A dog was something you put in the back yard and hoped it didn’t get run over and a cat was for the barn to keep the mice out of the chicken feed.


Now let’s talk about bird dogs, coon dogs and rabbit dogs. Now that’s a different story. Those were kept in pens so they wouldn’t wonder off or be stolen, after all you spent good money for a hunting dog, can’t lose that now can we? The mentality concerning animals in the rural South still needs a jolt into the 21st century. Old Fella was a good example as one being left alone in a campground for five years to take care of his self as best he could. People would see him, feed him, but no one wanted to take a dirty, nasty old stinking dog home with them and give him a place in their family. Just think of how many people came across Old Fella, felt sorrow for him, but did nothing to help him. Fella was one of the brightest moments in my life as far as a companion animal was concerned. What a blessing he was and still is to so many who have read his story, attended his rallies and met him personally.

As long as I have breath and am able to champion the cause of stray animals I will do what I can to help those who cannot help themselves. Maybe someday we will succeed in making Old Fella’s mission one that is heartfelt in every home in every state across the land. The lines have been drawn and the mission is clear, no more will I see an animal suffer alone without doing something about it.

This forum has been an inspiration for me and I am proud to be a part of it. The people here are full of compassion and give from their heart. This is where Old Fella lives and will continue to inspire, so let’s keep the old Fella story alive and well and continue the work he started until there are no more strays to save, no more homeless animals left in campgrounds and places like Burke County, Georgia don’t exist with the attitude “It’s just a dog.”

[sukerpooch]

Richard, I don't post much but I do read everyday. I love this picture memorial. It is great seeing the times gone by and the animals past and present. You truly make a difference in this world.

[Dixie_Flyer]

[Dixie_Flyer]

A little walk down memory lane

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning mwomack and welcome to the thread "A Very Old Stray, The Old Fella Story". The book is still in progress as every time we think it is about to end something happens that demands it to continue. With the death of Old Fella and the memorial that is in the planning stages new chapters will have to be written. The memorial will be placed in a new park in the city of Waynesboro with the space donated by the First National Bank of Waynesboro. They will also pay for the upkeep of the grounds and landscaping around the memorial once it is in place.

I have added a link that will take you to the RV. Net article about the Old Fella Memorial so you can read about that. Old Fella is truly being missed. Everyday I have to fight the tears at one point or another as I remember him. I have never had a dog have such an influence on my life as he did and still has. I look at his pictures on the computer every day and relive the camping trips and adventures we shared together and long for those days again.

But as everything else where time is concerned you can never go back to that exact time and place in life except in your mind and in your heart. God blessed us with a wonderful gift that keeps on giving and will continue to do so as long as we remember an old black dog with a lame foot and haunting eyes that captured the hearts of people every where that came to know his story.




Old Fella Memorial

[mwomack]

Hello Richard, I found this thread about a month ago and started reading. I read about 50 pages or so at a time but after 150 pages (and 500 to go) I had to jump to the end. I jumped to page 550 which on my computer is where Old Fella died. I have just finished reading the last 24 pages. I am so sorry for your loss, it is amazing how quickly "just a dog" can become "my baby".
Four years ago Coco (my poodle) was killed by a black lab. I swore I would never have another dog. Then a friend asked if I could take Rosco (her schnauzer, age 2) and Bradford (her silky terrier, age 😎 because they were going on the road and would be unable to care for them properly. I finally consented and quickly fell in love. About six months later Bradford became very sick, the vet found a tumor about the size of a cantaloupe in his abdomen. I was devastated, I wasn't ready to lose another dog. Our choice was $800 surgery which he might survive (but probably wouldn't) and a probable re-occurrence in a few months, or $95 euthanasia. I figured if the vet was recommending the much cheaper option, it was really the best. (He had known Bradford much longer than I had) Bradford went to sleep without pain for the first time in months. The worst part for me was discovering he was in so much pain all that time and I had no idea. He was very quiet and hardly moved, but I didn't know that was because he was sick. I just thought it was because he was so old. I know 8 is not really old, but Coco was only 18 months when I lost her. Rosco is still here and has been a blessing. He has helped me get over both Coco and Bradford. He is looking at me now as if to say "what are you up too now, it's bedtime."
Thank you for what you did for Old Fella and for many others through this on-line community. You have touched so many lives. I grew up in the country and we often found the results of pets who were put out on their own. You may have gators in southern GA, northern SC now has coyotes. Pets left on their own in the country don't stand a chance. Thank you for starting a shelter in your area and for letting people see what can happen when they give a little love.
Did they ever get the book out? I would love to see this thread in book form so it would be easier to read. If anyone knows an easy way to print the entire thread, let me know. I don't always have my computer with me when I have free time.
I love the saying someone sent you "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened". That is life. As Rosco would say if he could talk, "it's a new day, let's go play".

[Dixie_Flyer]

The only problem with Charlie would be him standing behind the guy at bat catching the ball before the catcher could get his hands on it.

[Dandy_Dan]

Very Cool Story...............Do I see ball games in Charlie's future? Only problem right now might being able to get the ball back from him. :B:B:B For Rent: Charlie Daniels Band and Ball Retreiver