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

[tlfield]

Does Georgia have a state police that might respond?

[chele]

Oh man, how awful. How could anyone do such a thing? As for breaking the law, I'd be right behind you, BUT keep in mind the man that did that to the dogs could do that to you.

[Code2High]

I'm right there with you, but without going into that, if someone calls and says they heard a human scream for help, local LE will respond. I'm just sayin...

Alternatively, keeping the mayor up all night until he gets on the PD to go do their flipping job may be what it takes to get the job done.

[Dixie_Flyer]

What I would like to do is against the law....

[Dixie_Flyer]

Today the Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue received a report of animal abuse of the worse kind I have heard of. It was reported that a dog and had been killed by repeatedly being thrown to the ground and kicked until it was dead and her little puppies left to die. This same person took another dog and lifted it above his head and threw it to the ground breaking its back. The sheriff’s Department refused to respond to the call. As an individual private citizen I cannot go onto the property to investigate these allegations, but according to the neighbor who called in the incident the injured dog is dragging itself through the yard using its front feet and legs.

It will be Monday before we can get the proper authorities to come and investigate, meanwhile the poor dog is suffering. I don’t know what to do as I sit her pondering this situation….

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone, it is the start of a beautiful day here in the Deep South. The outside temperature was 66* when I got up and the high today will be in the 80’s. It’s football season and Georgia lost its first game to Oklahoma State last weekend, maybe a long season for us.

Georgia will play South Carolina Gamecocks tonight at 7 on ESPN. You never know what Steve Spurrier might come up with to beat the Bull Dogs. Mama, Suzie, Peaches and Hobo will be watching with me to cheer the Bull Dogs along.

Thinking about all the departments of the Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue and how well the organization functions it is amazing how all of these talented people volunteered and how well everyone works together, the transport of the dogs to New England, the Spay Neuter program, the Educational team that goes into the schools the adoption coordinator and the foster homes. It is just amazing when you look at it how all of this has come together.

The memorial walkway is still in progress with 36 bricks so far. We need at least 75 to start and I hope we will soon have those. The city park is so beautiful with the care the city has given it, what a tribute to Old Fella to have a memorial statue and walkway there in his honor. Okay I have things to do and places to go and people to see, talk with you later.

[Dixie_Flyer]

It has been a busy day and now I ready for bed. The girls have been outside and now settled down in their beds waiting for me to come into the bedroom. It feels good when all of your children are well and accounted for. When I think of the four girls and how much we love them and how much they love us it brings joy to my heart to know they are safe tonight because of one old black dog that touched our hearts and opned our minds and eyes to see the suffering of homeless animals and how all of that could be changed. Mama, Hobo, Suzie, Peaches and Izzie will be comfortable and safe tonight without a care in this world. Then there are the many puppies and kittens and adult dogs and cats that have come through the Old Fella organization to find happy homes.

How great it is to know in some small way our volunteers have made a difference in so many lives.

[Hoops]

Just seeing all these positive things that are happening because of an old dog left at a campground.
It warms my heart to read these things. Old Fella Rescue has come a longgggg way.

God Bless them all.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Reaching the Children in Burke County

[Dixie_Flyer]

The Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue has an educational team that goes into all of the Burke County schools each year with a program approved by the state. The solgan is "It's not cool to be cruel" After each session the kids are given material to take home with information on how to care for animals. Also in the packet are some materials that tell how to report dog fighting and why it is harmful to society.

This year will be the third year and I am so glad to report we are reaching people with the message. At the end of each session a bracelet is given to each child that reads, "It's not cool to be cruel"

[dturm]

Animal fighting is such a tough problem. It seems pretty black and white to many of us, but we have a whole lot of ethnic traditions and ignorance to deal with. The legal and enforcement part is important, but to really break the cycle, education in the schools, churches, boy and girls scouts and any other kids group will really change things.

Doug

[Dixie_Flyer]

Finally Time wrote:
Hi Richard. I rarely post but I read this thread constantly. If your county needs help with prosecuting animal cruelty or dog fighting you might try contacting the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Their Criminal Justice program is especially effective. Quote from their website - "ALDF’s Criminal Justice Program is staffed by attorneys, including former prosecutors, with expertise in animal protection law. Our attorneys provide free legal assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement agencies to ensure that state criminal anti-cruelty statutes are vigorously enforced and that those convicted of animal cruelty and neglect receive appropriate sentences. We work with state legislators to enact felony anti-cruelty statutes in states that do not yet have them and to upgrade existing laws in states that do. The Criminal Justice Program also maintains a nationwide database of animal cruelty cases and current and model animal protection laws available to prosecutors, legislators and researchers." In my experience they are more effective than the Humane Society.

Thanks for the information.

[Finally_Time]

Hi Richard. I rarely post but I read this thread constantly. If your county needs help with prosecuting animal cruelty or dog fighting you might try contacting the Animal Legal Defense Fund. Their Criminal Justice program is especially effective. Quote from their website - "ALDF’s Criminal Justice Program is staffed by attorneys, including former prosecutors, with expertise in animal protection law. Our attorneys provide free legal assistance to prosecutors and law enforcement agencies to ensure that state criminal anti-cruelty statutes are vigorously enforced and that those convicted of animal cruelty and neglect receive appropriate sentences. We work with state legislators to enact felony anti-cruelty statutes in states that do not yet have them and to upgrade existing laws in states that do. The Criminal Justice Program also maintains a nationwide database of animal cruelty cases and current and model animal protection laws available to prosecutors, legislators and researchers." In my experience they are more effective than the Humane Society.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. It’s great to be alive and well and to be able to say all of the family is doing great! Last night’s meeting was very informative and on the surface what was offered looked good. I am not aware of every aspect of the Humane Society Of the United Sates and what goes on inside the organization, but am sure the Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue will look very closely before committing to anything they have to offer.

Over the weekend there was a two year old child attacked by a Pit Bull tied to a tree in a wooded area of town. No one has claimed ownership of the dog and no one knows why the dog was tied out in a secluded area with no shelter, food or water. The dog was covered with scares and wounds as if it had been a fighting dog, so the local police took the dog into custody, holding him until it can be determined what should be done. This morning Bruce Storm, and I along with Cheryl McAuliff, the Georgia director of the Humane Society will meet with the Waynesboro Chief of Police. The Humane Society has offered to bring in a team to investigate the matter and prosecute any offender of the law.

Dog fighting in this area is one of the toughest crimes to prosecute as the local police and Sheriff’s department is short on money and personnel. Maybe the Humane Society can bring assistance to the County and help clean up a long existing problem.

[ssherman1701]

I have not posted here for quite some time, but have kept up with the thread. PLEASE be very careful of your association with HSUS. Do some research on the web to see what they truly represent. They are not the same as a local humane society. You may not realize what they stand for. Here is a link for you to take a look at:

http://www.activistcash.com/organization_overview.cfm/oid/136

Thanks for what you are doing Richard. My sis runs a rescue out of her home in Tennessee so I'm aware of how much time and effort it takes.