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

[Scottiemom]

Chris, Dudley and Maggie are just too cute together.

Richard, I will pray for those puppies tonight. I wonder where the momma is.

Dale

[Dashonthedash]

One of them should be named Deja (as in Deja Vu).

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dandy Dan wrote:
Dixie, Puppies at a dumpster:
Sounds like Anna, Suzie, Savannah,and Dixie all over again.

Only this time it is eight of them! Hope they all survive.

[Dandy_Dan]

Dixie, Puppies at a dumpster:
Sounds like Anna, Suzie, Savannah,and Dixie all over again.

[dogdiva]

WOW Richard to the rescue !! Maybe a local vet would know of a female that is nursing puppies and would feed the little pups Will pray that they survive

[Dixie_Flyer]

I got a phone call about 5:25 this evening about puppies being left at a dumpster close to the city limits. When I go there I found eight very small puppies about 3-4weeks old. They would have never survived the night with the temperature going down into the 20's. Thank God someone called so I could go get them before they froze to death.

[karen_Lee]

Richard your post has me bawling its just beautiful. Your words have touched my heart. You paint such a loving and caring story . Have you ever considered
publishing a book about the Old Fella saga? Funds from the book sales could go into rescue endeavors.Just a thought. I just look forward to reading in this forum everyday. Its a breath of fresh air. Thanks so much.

[Dandy_Dan]

Lori and I have had the opportunity to see the memorial to Old Fella being placed and also finished other than the walk. It would be great if you folks out there sometime have the chance to stop by Wayesboro and see it first handed. It is a great tribute to Old Fella and to Richard and Sue for the work that they have put into the organization. I feel very honored to have had the the chance of meeting, camping with and staying at the Daniels home and to say that I personally know Richard and Sue. These folks are truly friends..

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. Now that Christmas 2009 is in the past we can look forward to the New Year and a chance to get things right, it’s kind of like being given another chance at life and family. This past year has been one of sweet surprises that developed along the way to make things even better. I look back over 2009 and recall all of the new friends that were made and the new adventures we experienced and hope for a year in 2010 just as good or even better. I still miss Fella, Levi and Charlie very much, but their memories are always near when I look at Suzie, Peaches, Hobo and Mama, and let’s not forget Izzie. The Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue has made tremendous advances and continues to be a driving force here in Burke County. The Old Fella Memorial walk at the City Park makes me proud every time I see it and that’s about every day as Sue and I pass by it walking the fur gang. We always stop and look at the memorial and reminisce about the days we spent with Fella . By the way, don’t forget to buy a brick for the memorial as these will be placed around the base of the bronze statue adding to the beauty of the memorial. Many generations to come will spend time at the memorial thinking about the old black stray dog that changed a community and touched the hearts of people from all across these United States and Canada. I guess this will be my legacy to a community I have loved and also to people I have come to know because of him.

Each year when Sue and I attend the Old Fella Rally it just amazes me that people still gather to remember him. Next June will be two years since he left us making his way to Rainbow Bridge, but his spirit is still alive among us and still draws people together. His last rally was in Branson June 2008, even then he was still able to enjoy being center stage. His will to live was evident even up to the last day when he finally said it was enough. Sue and I hugged him goodbye and watched as he slipped away from us with a gentle sigh and just stopped breathing. It was hard to leave him there at the hospital until his remains could be sent to us. Somehow we made our way back to my daughter’s house in Fountain Inn where she met me at the door and just held me in her arms with tears running down her cheeks. She said “He is okay now, no more pain.” His suffering and pain had transferred to my heart as I felt the loss of one of the greatest companions I have ever known. My love for him now shows in the rescue effort that continues here in Burke County and in the memorial for him in the city park. No other dog will ever mean so much to so many and especially to me as this once old black stray dog found his way into our hearts. I have been truly blessed to have found the love of a faithful wife, children, grandchildren and one old black dog that allowed me to come into his life and change me forever.

Through him I have found a new family and I cherish each and every one of you. We may live in different cities and States, but I love you just the same. Wishing you a Happy and blessed New Year I am grateful to you all.

[Dixie_Flyer]

SGTJOE wrote:
Richard, our DD has a black Lab and although he is a well trained guy he loves the couch when no one is home. The only way he got caught was the hair. So now she gets him shaved and this has virtually eliminated the dog hair on the couch and in the house. I realize you have four but it's never too late to learn something new, Richard The Groomer. It's been single digits a lot here and it just makes Jack do his business and come in quicker. Just a thought.

It's been single digits a lot here and it just makes Jack do his business and come in quicker

Now that's a thought!!!!

[SGTJOE]

Richard, our DD has a black Lab and although he is a well trained guy he loves the couch when no one is home. The only way he got caught was the hair. So now she gets him shaved and this has virtually eliminated the dog hair on the couch and in the house. I realize you have four but it's never too late to learn something new, Richard The Groomer. It's been single digits a lot here and it just makes Jack do his business and come in quicker. Just a thought.

[kokosfriend]

Do you have a "Furminator" to use on Mama? They really work better than the average comb! Worth the extra cost.

Welcome home and I know what it is like to walk 3 dogs in the rain, much less 4. 🙂

Barb

[dogdiva]

Glad you made it home safe and sound. Truely a different experience camping with the furbabies in bad weather, but good memories..Try brushing Mama alot, brush the opposite way the hair grows, you can get alot of hair that way

Have a Happy and HEalthy New YEar

[Dixie_Flyer]

We're home, thank goodness! Boy what a trip! Four dogs, knee deep in dog hair, Mama has given us a dog hair blizzard with her shedding! I am taking her to the groomer tomorrow and see if they can get some of that inner layer out of her coat.

Thursday it rained all day and then Friday it rained off and on most of the day. Walking four dogs in the rain is loads of fun, I think it makes the leaves and bushes smell different because Mama and Hobo sniffed every leaf and bush up and down the street. Everyone was happy to be home especially the fur gang as they are still outside not wanting to come inside.

I hope everyone enjoyed Christmas and that Santa was good to them. Okay I have to go unload the camper, talk with you later.

[dogdiva]

I wish Joy to the WOrld and Peace and Health for the New Year to all the FOOFs