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

[joelbaker]

Hoops wrote:
Gary thanks, didn't realize Branson was considered western.

Maybe to those folks east of the Rockies, but certainly not to us left-coasters!

[Hoops]

Gary thanks, didn't realize Branson was considered western.

[Dixie_Flyer]

There is a rally planned in Branson for June 16-20 2010

Old Fella Rally 2010 Branson Mo..

[Dashonthedash]

Hmmm, was planning on going to Zion in 2010, in May. I should warn you, Zion gets pretty hot during the summer months. Moab is another option, but can be even hotter. The best times are before Memorial Day or after Labor Day, but those are also the times a lot of people can't come because of work or kids in school.

Hoops, There is a rally scheduled in 2010 for Branson in June.

I just checked the Zion River Resort website. It says:

NO PETS are allowed in our tent sites, camper cabins, or people traveling with tent trailers. Motorhomes and hard-sided travel trailers, with air conditioning,are allowed a MAXIMUM of 2 dogs. NO Pit Bulls, Chows or Rotweillers are allowed in our Park.

Sounds like a problem for some of our folks, including Richard and Sue.

[Hoops]

Is there a western Old Fella Rally? or just a Rally anywhere????

[Gentle_Spirit]

A western Old Fella Rally???? YAY! Maybe we could have it at this beautiful park we went to in Zion, Utah....

http://www.zionriverresort.com/

It's dog friendly!

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dernhelm wrote:
Do we have date/site for a Western Old Fella Rally 2010 by any miracle??

Branson is West

[Dernhelm]

Do we have date/site for a Western Old Fella Rally 2010 by any miracle??

[Dixie_Flyer]

chemisd wrote:
Thanks for the service this morning, Richard. I always get very teary-eyed, then can't really say what I would like. Safe travels to all....

You are welcome. I hope you received something from it that will always bring you comfort.

[Mymaize]

wish I could be there Richard but I am in the process of joining the Peace corps and will be gone for 27 months (after I leave in probably jan). I hope I will be able to get any internet service and keep up with all the furbabies.

Bette

Still voting every day.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Here is the link for the 2010 Old Fella Rally in Branson, Missouri.

Old Fella Rally 2010

[Missy120]

Mymaize wrote:
Good morning everyone. Don't know where Richard is. Hope they are OK.

Old Fella is up to 224 in the national thing and still #6 in the Ga section. Need lots more help here to win Old Fella any money.

Bette

Been voting every day here in PA. Hope it has been helping 🙂

[Mymaize]

Good morning everyone. Don't know where Richard is. Hope they are OK.

Old Fella is up to 224 in the national thing and still #6 in the Ga section. Need lots more help here to win Old Fella any money.

Bette

[chrisnpat]

Awe Dan, you don't have to Thank us, We wanted to come and we had a great time. I loved meeting everyone, and yes everyone was as nice as they seem on this thread. Especially Richard and Sue, what a pleasure that was spending time with them and all the pooches.

Ohio is a beautiful state, very calm and relaxing with rolling meadows and fields. Driving the hillie country side scared me a little but after a few times I did just fine. Sorta like a roller coaster. :B Its pretty flat around here so that was fun. We also didn't want to leave today. Im sorry we didn't get a chance to go to the sermon this morning and say goodbye to everyone but hopefully we will have a chance to come another Rally.

Thanks to Dan and Lori and Cindy and Roger for putting on such a nice rally, and also making us feel very welcomed. Hope to see everyone again at another rally.



Travel safe everyone.

[Dandy_Dan]

Chris and Pat, thank you for taking the time to come to Ohio for the Old Fella Rally. Also thank you to all the folks from Ohio who took the time to also come to the Rally. It was a really nice time and the weather was fairly good except for 1 day with some drizzle. Richard and Sue really enjoyed the scenery of the Amish communities and the folks working in the fields with horses.

At the Rally we had an auction that was a big success. Between donations and the auction, Richard was sent homeward with around $800 for the Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue. I also have to give a great big pat on the back to Cindy and Roger for hosting the rally. It was so easy to assist with someone like them.

The next year Old Fella Rally is tentatively scheduled for the 3rd week in June in Branson Missouri. If there is someone willing to take on the task of hosting this please get ahold of Richard.

Hope everyone made it home safe and sound.