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

[SGTJOE]

OK folks you made me think. My Cookie has never got sick, (to the best of our recollection) in the MH, but has in the car, which BTW takes her to the Vet and Groomers. You may be on to something here.

[Hoops]

Great reasoning. With Missy's car sickness she gets car sick in the cars (which take her to the vet or groomers) But the truck has never taken her there so with or without the 5th wheel, she doesn't get car sick. Go figure.

[Dixie_Flyer]

On our trip to the beach Suzie did not get car sick there or back. On our recent trip to Greenville, SC for Christmas Suzie got sick on the way there and somewhat on the way back. Thinking over her past trips Sue and I came to realize that Suzie gets car sick riding in Sue's white truck and not the beige truck we tow the camper with.

Reading about car sickness in dogs on line there are articles that say most dogs do not suffer from motion sickness but from anxiety. I am now starting to believe that Suzie suffers from anxiety attacks not from motion sickness.

When she was a puppy she and her sisters were carried to the dumpster in some kind of vehicle and left . When I rescued her she was taken from the dumpster to the vet, in the bed of my white pickup truck. When she went to adoption events she rode in the bed of the white truck in a kennel cage with the other puppies. Everytime she was taken away from her security she traveled in a vehicle of some kind.

There have been times she has gotten sick before the truck even moved from the driveway. But every successful trip she has had has been in the beige truck with the camper hooked to it. So I am beginning to think I should paint the white truck beige and get a cardboard replica of the 5th wheel to put in the bed of the truck and Suzie is cured!

[CindyNRoger]

Good Morning Everyone!!!!!!!!

Dan, Lori, Roger and I are busy looking forward to hosting everyone at the Old Fella Rally. Boy has a lot happened since Roger and I hosted that first rally in Branson not so long ago.

We would like to have a few raffles throughout the duration of the rally. If anyone has any ideas or has connections so that we can get some prizes, please let one of the four of us know. You can post or PM one of us. If you are able to obtain a prize, please bring it with you. If you are unable to attend, but would like to contribute, feel free to mail it to us. Dan and Roger both work from home, so either address is fine. Thank you and HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone.

[campincandice]

Dixie Flyer wrote:

campincandice wrote:
Richard, Peaches looks great - any idea how much weight she's lost?

Peaches has lost 15 pounds!

She can probably thank Suzie for all 15 lbs!:B That's great news!

[Dixie_Flyer]

campincandice wrote:
Richard, Peaches looks great - any idea how much weight she's lost?

Peaches has lost 15 pounds!

[campincandice]

Richard, Peaches looks great - any idea how much weight she's lost?

[Dandy_Dan]

Good Evening all you FOOFs. I want to tell all of you that I am really excited about Richard being named National RVer of the year by the Affinity Group and hope that you all will make a concerted effort to attend the Ohio version of the Old Fella Rally June 10th, 2009. We would like to try to have the biggest turnout that any Old Fella Rally has had to date. I know there are spots left so if you will check on page 1 of the thread you will find the link to the campground. Evergreen is in its 4th year in operation and has all paved roads, lots, and really nice ammenities including an indoor pool, exercise room, hot tub, large large showers with facilities right with the shower, and a really nice laundry area. For 2008 Evergreen was one of only 3 campgrounds to get a perfect 36 score from Good Sam.

If you do call and make reservations, please PM or e-mail me so I can try to keep the attendence and lots up to date. Thank you for your time and consideration and hope to meet some of you at "The Rally" in New Mexico where Richard will be presented his award.

Happy Camping,
Dan, Lori, Anna and Sarah

PS. The exposure in Good Sam, Trailer Life, and Motorhome magazines has really enhanced the awareness of the Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Hoops wrote:
Richard, did Peaches like the water? From the picture it looked like she really didn't want to get wet.

Welcome home and glad you guys had a great trip.

Becky

Peaches is a lady and ladies don't get dirty, wet or engage in anything that might show extreme joy or excitement, maintaining always the dignified air of pristine refinement to the utmost of prefection.

[chrisnpat]

Thanks for the picture Richard, they are beautiful with that white sand. Something we will never see around here.

Happy New Year, everyone.

[Hoops]

Richard, did Peaches like the water? From the picture it looked like she really didn't want to get wet.

Welcome home and glad you guys had a great trip.

Becky

[Dixie_Flyer]

Visiting Hunting Island was bitter sweet. So much has changed in the past year with the passing of Levi,Fella and Charlie. As I walked along the beach a flood of memories swept over me thinking about Levi and Fella walking on the beach with Sue with Fella's first trip. How exciting it was for Fella as he absorbed all of the sights and sounds. Levi was proud to show off his new friend and showed Fella around as if it was his own private playground.

Suzie brought life back into the outting with her unbridled joy as she raced through the sand and then plowing through the water at break neck speed chasing the birds and sand crabs that ran along the beach and then would hide in the sand as she approached. Peaches was more refined, a perfect lady, always showing ellegance and poise no matter what. Peaches thinks chasing things is not the lady like thing to do, especially out in public.

Monday I will start writing the book and setting a deadline for myself to finish it by next Christmas. I intend to go back to the beginning of the thread using it as my notes to make sure I get the facts right. I also plan to tell some of my life in the book so folks can get to know me better.

I want to wish everyone a happy and prosperous New Year and may all of your dreams come true.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Welcome One Country Boy, its good to have another FOOF to join us.

Everyone had a great time at the beach. The weather was spring like except for New Year's Day. Here are some pictures and as soon as I have the others developed I will post some of them.

[SGTJOE]

Richard, We just went and watched the new movie Marley and me. It was a great movie and all I could think about was how great it will be to read your book and what a great movie it would be. The theater was packed and towards the end there wasn't a dry eye in the place. I could hear some little ones up a few rows crying and even the teenagers beside us were moved. If the people at the show ever get to watch The Old Fella Story I'm betting it will have the same effect. When I got back to the MH tonight I hugged my Cookie and Rocky a little more then usual.

[CindyNRoger]

Dan, I am so looking forward to seeing my new niece and Anna. :B Sorry you couldn't make my birthday party! Sure hope you are feeling better.