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]

Mama says, "It's been a good day to be indoors." It has been cold!! It hasn't been out of the 30's all day.

[dogdiva]

AMEN

[Dixie_Flyer]

It is very cold this morning here in the deep South. It was 19* when I went into the kitchen and looked at the outside thermometer. Mama is really having a bad time getting around with her hips hurting her. But she manages to do what she needs to do and then sometimes there is some extra energy for some playing with Claire and Suzie. Hobo is really beginning to show her personality lately and she is a lot of fun. She loves top pick at Claire and Suzie when they are outside and when it comes to Mama she is so attentive to make sure she is not left out. Often she will go to Mama and lick her face and make sure she is groomed. If Mama goes to another part of the house soon Hobo is looking for her. When she finds Mama she will then go back to her favorite spot in the house and that is her bed and lie down.

Claire is really turned into a nice young lady and is starting to be very obedient. She wants to please so much and just loves it when you praise her. This morning I was petting Mama and Claire walked over and ever so gently took my hand in her mouth to draw it to her so I would pet her. When I looked at her she just melted into a love sponge as her eyes said it all.

We have such nice dogs pass through our home, its hard to believe they were strays with no where to go. I remember the first time I saw Claire at the city dog pound and the look she had on her face. I hoped there would soon be room with Old Fella Burke County Rescue for her, but after weeks of trying to get her in I finally had to take her myself as she came down with the mange. She spent a month at the vet's before she could come home where she was immediately welcomed in by the crew.

It was very evident from the get go she was a dominate female and she and Suzie would have to work things out and with a little help from Dad they soon became the best of friends. Watching she and Suzie play in the back yard is so much fun as they gallop around chasing each other. First it will be Claire chasing Suzie and then it will be Suzie chasing Claire, round and round they go all over the yard until finally at last the fall down as if dead, panting so hard you can see the sides going up and down rapidly trying to catch their breath.

I can't thank God enough for the experiences Sue and I have had and the lives that have been given a second chance to belong to a loving family. Great is our reward knowing that laughter and joy has been given to the people who have adopted a rescue. Thank you Lord for allowing us to be a part of this great life that has given so much to so many.

[dogdiva]

I would love to make the trip but just dont know at this time if I can swing it
I just put the house on the market and may not make my yearly trip to Virginia this year, Hate to think of spending the summer in Texas

[Dixie_Flyer]

What an honor and a wonderful blessing it would be to have people from the forum to come to Waynesboro, Georgia for the memorial service for Old Fella in April. You have shown your support all of these years on the forum for an old black dog that most of you haven't met. Now in our final tribute to him Sue and I as well as the City of Waynesboro would like to welcome you to this great Southern town with all of it's spring charm to participate in this event.

I hope many of you can come to see the spirit of love transcend across boundries of time and space to show support for all the Old Fella's still out there looking for a home. They wait with hope that some day their turn will come to find acceptance with open arms just as Old Fella did, let's help make dreams come true. If I can help any of you with accomodations please let me know.

[chrisnpat]

Very cool Richard, I like that.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Check this out

Old Fella collectibles

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone, it looks as if it is going to be a beautiful day today. I spoke with Jackie about Mr. Trecartin yesterday and his health is on a daily watch as he has some good days and some bad days. When I spoke with her she said Cy mentioned he had received a letter from someone he didn’t know and she assured him his animals were being taken care of and he found some comfort in that.

Hobo and Mama continue to do well, adjusting to their new home and loving all of the attention they are getting. Hobo makes progress everyday overcoming her shyness while Mama settles into her role as Queen. Her hips are painful and she gets around very slowly at times. I wait to see if the medication will help her, right now I don’t see that much difference in her ability to get around. She will get go outside with the other gang and sometimes she will join in the games they play, then she comes back in limping and down in her back. She is such a sweetheart as she clings to every word Sue and I speak to her , no doubt about it, she loves attention and just waits for someone to come to her and stroke her soft fur. She has the most beautiful coat of fur, so soft to the touch and so very shiny.

She reminds me so much of Fella in her gentleness and loving attitude. All she wants to do is please. Hobo is getting so it is easier to touch her and love on her, but she will still shy away at times and curls up in a ball when you walk up to her. Right now she, Suzie and Claire are in the back yard playing tag. For a big dog Hobo is fast, but not as fast as Suzie as she can out run them all. Suzie is such a ham and so cute in her ways. She has now adjusted to all the new fur babies in the house and has chosen to make them her toys, all except Mama who has chosen not to be at Suzie’s beck and call. Mama will let Suzie know when she doesn’t want to participate in her fun and games. So far it has been a good mix with the different personalities and everyone is getting along just fine. Mama is asleep on her bed in front of the couch while Peaches is asleep on the other bed next to the bookcase. All is at peace at the Daniels home this morning with full tummies and a mindset that this will last forever, oh what peace they have found like a child whose play world is as large as their imagination.

[Gentle_Spirit]

Well, since Mr. Trecartin was okay with my letter, then I guess other "well-wishers" can go ahead and send their letters. I'm sure he still needs our thoughts and prayers.

[Hoops]

That would be so cool if we could come. But must be home for the dreaded "T" word, otherwise we would make it a stop on our way home.....
Love the pictures. Just beautiful dogs.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Tonight the the City of Waynesboro approved the memorial for Old Fella to be placed in the City Park with the memorial service to be held April 30th when we get back from Albuquerque. The City wants to acknowledge the Rver of the Year at the memorial service as well. A statue mounted on a granite base with the bronze plaque mounted to the base will be unveiled for public display on that day. Old Fella's ashes will be placed under the base of the statue as a final resting place for the dog that changed a community and touched the hearts of people all over this nation. My goal of bringing Old Fella's memory to a forever resting place is now complete as generations to come will honor him as a real hero and a gentle soul.

If anyone from the forum would like to attend the memorial service let me know and I can tell you about arrangements for camping or a stay at a motel.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Gentle Spirit, I believe it was you who wrote Mr. Trecartin, he told Jackie he got it and enjoyed reading it.

[whimstock]

Love the new pictures! 🙂

[Dixie_Flyer]

When Mama talks, you better listen...

[Dixie_Flyer]

With a face like that, you just have to love her.