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]

I would like for everyone to meet Rascal. What is so special about Rascal?





He is Old Fella's 100th rescued puppy of the year and it is only mid May!

[Hoops]

Haven't made reservations, as still unsure if we can come. Here is hoping funds appear, and time allows. Would love to meet everyone on here.

Becky

[Dandy_Dan]

WOW!! Only 21 more days until the Ohio Old Fella Rally will be here.
Sure am looking forward to seeing all you from out of state.

[CindyNRoger]

I VOTED! :B

[Dixie_Flyer]

Shelter Challange

It's that time of year again to vote for your favorite animal shelter. Remember Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Well Mama has me worried as she has not eaten now in two days. It started out with loose bowels so I gave her some worm medicine. Yesterday her bowel movement was firm so I figured we were on the road to recovery. This morning she refused her food again and just lies around. She acts okay as far as being happy and wanting to be social, but she isn’t interested in food.

I will watch her for the next day or two to see what is going on, maybe a delayed reaction to Joint Strong? I don’t know and right now it is a guessing game, all the other fur babies are doing well and enjoying life especially Suzie. She is so full of life as nothing seems to get in her way of having a good time. By the way, Suzie got car sick on the way to Camp Dixie this past weekend but she was fine on the way back home. Hobo is improving every day. She loves to go for a walk about town, you can see it all over her face as she walks beside Mama, ever so polite. She never pulls on the leash and she always stops when we come to a corner and waits for me to say “Okay” before crossing the street. Mama will always sit when we come to a corner and waits for me to let her know when it is time to cross over to the other side.

Suzie and Peaches on the other hand want to know, “What, why are we stopping? Let’s go! There are places to go and people to see!” The trip to Ohio for the Old Fella Rally is right here on us. I do hope we can take all of the fur babies, I worry about the ones left behind when we can’t take them all. Hobo rides well once you get her into the truck. She wants to bolt out every time the truck stops and the door opens. So Sue has to make sure she has a hold on her before any door is opened. I can’t believe that a dog as large as she is can squeeze between the seat and closed back door, but she can just like her body was greased with some slippery substance or something. Okay I have to go for now, talk with you later.

[dogdiva]

carole
very well said......I agree

[Gentle_Spirit]

The reason God chose Richard to rescue stray dogs (and cats) is because dogs/cats are angels, they are here to guide us and show us what love is - right now, so many people are in such distress that they are forgetting about these angels, so God has chosen Richard to come to their rescue in his name to gather up his angels and distribute them to the people who so desperately need to open their hearts and accept their precious love.....

[Mymaize]

This should be required reading in every church and synogog. What a beautiful message.

Bette

[E_Texan]

Well said Richard. You do have a way with words. Very touching. Thank you.

[Dixie_Flyer]

For the last three years or so I have been wondering why God had taken a retired Baptist minister and plunged him so deeply into rescuing animals. The reason I went to seminary was to learn the bible, learn how to bring people to the Lord and also to learn how to organize churches. None of which seemed to be useful in going out in the county to rescue puppies, dogs and cats. It was not useful in standing before an angry dog that was set on tearing my throat out or at least leaving me with the impression of his teeth somewhere on my body. Yesterday Sue and I attending church in Greenville, South Carolina and in the sermon the preacher touched on the life of Paul and how circumstances help shaped his life and bring about a transformation in his ministry.

If Paul had been able to have his way I am sure he would not have chosen a Roman prison as his place to minister from, yet by being there he was able to change a community and touch the lives of many people who would have never heard the Gospel he proclaimed. Paul changed a community and also he changed the way the World would view the cross of Calvary. The words “changed a community” rang over and over in my head. Old Fella and a retired Baptist minister are changing a community, touching lives and hearts reaching out all across this country. I can now see the big picture of how I became so committed to the cause of rescuing God’s creatures and changing forever the lives of so many people who have come to hear the “Old Fella Story.” The Old Fella memorial in the city park is a testimony of what can happen when one kind deed changed the life of an old stray dog and his love forever changed the way people will look at an old stray, human, or any of God’s creatures again. If nothing else I can be remembered as the man who helped change a community’s view for all of God’s creatures and for that I am thankful. The memorial walkway at the city park just took on a new meaning for me as I envision the names that will represent folks from every walk of live, from many cities and states from all over the United States that caught a vision of what love is really all about.

When the walk is finished and one can see the love one old black stray dog brought forth from the hearts of people, they will feel a peace that only comes from a heart that gives without question of what will come in return, but gives because it brings joy to all who will be touched by its generosity.

[Dixie_Flyer]

We're back home and the weekend went great! I am amazed at how well the camper does with the new Trailair Equa-Flex system and the new tires and wheels.



Traveling to Camp Dixie in South Carolina was never so easy and relaxing. Not only does the camper look sharp with the new wheels and tires, but the ride is much smoother and inside the cabinets is not all jumbled up when we got there, or on the return trip home.

Mama and Hobo enjoyed themselves, but there were times Mama was not happy being away from her home where she is used to everything. She got a little anxious last night and climbed in bed with Sue and I. She got just as close to me as she could get pushing me toward the middle of the bed. Once she was satisfied she lay there all night without moving. I put my arm around her and that seem to settle her down. If I took my arm away she would raise her head and look at me as if to say "Stay close to me."

The bond between she and I is very strong and she is very upset if I leave her. Hobo has attached herself to Sue and looks for approval from her when not sure what to do. Truly these have become our children and we love them very much.

[Dashonthedash]

It's tricky, but you need to put the picture either on your own site, or on a public photo sharing site such as Photobucket or Webshots, then post a link here. You will need to use the Advanced Post Form to insert a link or image into your post (There are icons above the Form). Use the preview icon to "practice" until you can see the image.

[Hoops]

Nina, send and email with picture to Richard or Dan or Dashonthedash they know how to post pictures. I have been trying for 4 years now and still don't get it.

[nonameperson]

BTW, if I could figure out how to put a pic of the pups on here I would.

Nina