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

[dogdiva]

Welsome GUy
THanks for rescuing your furbabies., BOth mine are rescues but i started Rving with 5, It was a wonderful experience

[chrisnpat]

Wow four years?? Doesn't seem that long.:)


Welcome Guy Autorino, you will enjoy this thread. I know I sure have enjoyed being part of this group.:) Almost seems like I know some of you personally.

[Dashonthedash]

I see you are new to the Old Fella Thread, Guy. Welcome to the longest running and most visited thread in the history of RV.net, started by the founder of the Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue and the 2009 RVer of the year, Richard Daniels. When you have a few days, and a few boxes of Kleenex, go through the thread and relive the wonderful story that many of us have followed over the last 4+years (has it really been that long?), including the happy and sad times. Old Fella has been gone now for more than a year, but the story continues to be written. I hope you can consider making it to the Branson Rally in June, and thank you for rescuing your dogs.

[Guy_Autorino]

I can't stand the pictures of annimals they show on TV about dogs that have been mistreated, we have two dogs, (mainly because camp grounds only except two) Got one from a shelter in Columbas Ohio, and one from shelter in Jacksonville N.C. both dogs were about five years old and mistreated, took about six months to get one dog to really trust us. So I say God Bless you for going back and get it.

[ljr]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
Believe it or not getting started was the hard part...

I have heard more than one experienced author say that the most difficult sentence is always the first.

[Dashonthedash]

Glad to hear that the book is coming along. You may find that it eventually comes out different than you first envisioned it. Good writers often find that their characters write their story for them and, in this case, you need to let Fella himself direct your writing. Good luck.

[joelbaker]

My condolences to Dr. Doug & Sandy on the loss of their Megan.

[SGTJOE]

What a wonderful way to begin the New Year with homes for the puppies. Old Fella is surely watching over you and has to be as proud as can be. Great news.

We too, would like to offer our condolences to Dr. Doug and Sandy on the loss of their beloved Megan.

Joe, Angie
Cookie Monster & Rocky Road

[Dixie_Flyer]

dogdiva wrote:
Glad to hear you have started the book
How are the new puppies doing at Dr FOrds?? Any idea what kind they are???

All of the puppies have new homes. They were Pit Bull mix.

[dogdiva]

Glad to hear you have started the book
How are the new puppies doing at Dr FOrds?? Any idea what kind they are???

[Poodle_Power]

HAPPY NEW YEAR everyone.
Richard, I know everyone will be delighted to know about the book. We will all look forward to reading it.
Charles, Phyllis and Sweetie
The Smiths

[Dixie_Flyer]

Happy New Year everyone! :B Just for your information I have been working on the book about Old Fella. Its been going kind of slow as I write and rewrite, but I have ten chapters done. I have made a New's Year's promise to finish the book. Believe it or not getting started was the hard part as everything ran together. I would remember something and go back and add it that would change the whole story to that point, so I would rewrite again. Hopefully now I can speed along and get it done. There are so many of you that have been a part of the Old Fella Story, I hope you don't mind me using your name, I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.

Okay, got to go for now, talk with you later.

[sisodals]

Helen & I wish to send along our condolences on the loss of Megan as well. We also had a loss last year whiich is still fresh in our hearts but the new puppy has added a lot of Love and filled much of the empty spot loeft by our loss of Jingles.

Ray & Helen Siso

[Dashonthedash]

I was planning on doing some ice skating and fireworks viewing at Evergreen Lake tonight. Unfortunately, they were requiring everyone to use shuttle buses to get to the Lake, and they didn't have enough buses. After waiting for more than a half hour in the freezing cold, I got fed up and went home. It was just as well, as I could hear (but not see) the fireworks from my house and the dogs might have gotten nervous if I weren't there.

Happy New Year to All and to All a Good Night.

Gary, Dash and Lily

[Dixie_Flyer]

Well here it is about one and a half hours to midnight and we are home for the first time in 12 years for New Year. We have spent the last ten years at Hunting Island in South Carolina, but this year we just didn't feel like going after spending a week in the camper with Suzie, Mama, Peaches and Hobo in South Carolina for Christmas. It has been a rain filled day, so I am glad we weren't trapped inside the camper with four dogs wanting to go outside. The fur babies have gone to bed and are dreaming whatever dogs dream of. They must be chasing a lot of things as you can watch their feet and legs moving as if they were running. Hobo snores a lot, just like a human so when she is full asleep you know it!

I am about to join the fur babies and go to bed myself. Hope all is well with everyone and I will talk with in 2010.