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

[Dandy_Dan]

We are at a tropical high of 23* right now with the temp going to 7 tonight not including the windchill. It is to warm up into the low 30's Friday and Saturday and then come Monday the high is to be 15-20* Boy I love this weather..NOT
It is amazing that our 2 dogs don't mind going outside to do their business. They must have lost a little of their Southern Belle status.
Come on up Richard, the weather back home will feel better when you return. One consulation- with the colder weather where you are now, that should get a good kill on some of the bugs and maybe not have as many in the spring.

[Dixie_Flyer]

I went to Wall-Mart and bought RV antifreeze and put some in the black tank, the others I know are empty. I have heat inside the camper so I am not worried about that. Starting Sunday we will be going down hill with the weather and by Monday morning we will have snow and a high of 28* with a low of 18*. Tuesday the high will be 34* and the low 25*. Sue and I will be moving to Florida after Christmas!

[Dixie_Flyer]

dturm wrote:
Ditto what dogdiva said about the lightbulb. Are your valves in a closed compartment or just open under the 5er? Like Gary, I put pink stuff down the drains and toilet after winterizing and that puts antifreeze right next to the valve so it won't freeze.

Join those of us way north of the Mason-Dixon line that start worring about this stuff in October. My RV is sitting lonely in the storage lot with 4" of snow on top and temps about 10* this am. Not as bad as some, but I'm getting too old for this.

Doug

The valves are inclosed in the underbelly. I hadn't thought about putting antifreez in the toilet, but I will do that today. Thanks for the tip.

[dturm]

Ditto what dogdiva said about the lightbulb. Are your valves in a closed compartment or just open under the 5er? Like Gary, I put pink stuff down the drains and toilet after winterizing and that puts antifreeze right next to the valve so it won't freeze.

Join those of us way north of the Mason-Dixon line that start worring about this stuff in October. My RV is sitting lonely in the storage lot with 4" of snow on top and temps about 10* this am. Not as bad as some, but I'm getting too old for this.

Doug

[Dashonthedash]

Dixie Flyer wrote:

Dashonthedash wrote:
Two words: insulated tanks

The tanks are insulated, its the valve that releases the black water that concerns me.

You can just pour some antifreeze into the toilet. There is also a valve lubricant that is very useful. It is also poured into the toilet.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dashonthedash wrote:
Two words: insulated tanks

The tanks are insulated, its the valve that releases the black water that concerns me.

[Dashonthedash]

Two words: insulated tanks

[dogdiva]

RIchard
Try running an extension cord with a 40 or 60 watt light bulb to the compartment where the water lines go into the camper. This works for me

[Dixie_Flyer]

This morning it was 15* outside when the fur gang went out. Mama, Hobo and Suzie don't seem to mind the cold that much but Peaches doesn't like it at all. I don't let them stay out too long before bringing them back in as they are not used to this kind of cold. The high today will be 40*, were did the 60's and 70's go too? I know this is a different climate with four seasons, unlike Waynesboro where you could have days in the 70's this time of year. I didn't winterize the camper as we camp year round, but I am beginning to wonder if that is a smart decision on my part? I keep the inside of the camper heated with electric heaters and it is keeping the inside warm, but I am worried about the plumbing in the under belly? The fresh water tank is empty and all of the hold tanks are empty so I am hoping there isn't anything to freeze up and burst.

Needless to say Sue and I are not too eager to get outside for the morning walk so we delay that until it has warmed up above the freezing mark. Sue and I bought a Christmas tree yesterday and will decorate it today while the fur gang looks on. Izzie will be exploring the branches tonight while we are sleeping, that's his thing. So we will find some of the Christmas balls on the floor in the morning along with some other things.

I hope everyone has a blessed day and all of you Christman wishes come true and all of your family will come together for the Holidays.

[dogdiva]

Yeah It started with aA DOG and an exceptional man and wife, that dedicated themselves to encouraging the rescue of critters
What a ride this has beeen!!!

[Dashonthedash]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
I was informed by Jodi from the Old Fella organization that someone has stepped up and donated all of the plumbing and fixtures for the building.

Must be that time of year :B

Congratulations, and I hope things continue to go well with the Old Fella organization in the coming year. And to think...

It all started with a dog...

[Hoops]

Wow so many good news today, beside the cold weather.

[Dixie_Flyer]

I still have this bed he slept on. It is old, ragged and just worn out, but I can't throw it away. Mama uses it now.

[Dixie_Flyer]

And don't forget this the Old Fella Memorial Walkway into the city park.

[Dixie_Flyer]

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