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

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dan. I liked that. At our house we know when we get dressed to go somewhere, not to sit down on the furniture before we leave. When you ride in our truck,Do not roll down the windows!! or you will be covered in hair. We don't transport food to church events in the truck. Whoever ends up with our truck will always have the Daniels heritage with them.
Today has started off just like the past week, rain and cold. The ground is so wet water is standing everywhere. I hope to be able to go to Florida in a couple of weeks to enjoy some warm weather and sunshine. The girls are doing well and ready for me to get moving. I heard from Sue Hall the other day and found out she was just a few miles from us in North Carolina. Her husband John died a while back after a battle with cancer. She is carrying on with the camping tradition and has two new fur children companions to keep her company. I hope she will come by to visit us sometime soon.

[Dandy_Dan]

I thought this was worth the read:
The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door.

Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and
contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food..
Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate and food does not stake a
claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that
aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing
me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I
fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry
about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to
ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a
ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to
each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know
that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the
other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by
some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is
not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your
paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through
the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years
- canine/feline attendance is not required.

The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other
dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough.

Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on
the front door:

TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:

(1) They live here. You don't.
(2) If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the
furniture. That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.
(3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.
(4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters
who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don't speak clearly.

Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:
(1) eat less,
(2) don't ask for money all the time,
(3) are easier to train,
(4) normally come when called,
(5) never ask to drive the car,
(6) don't smoke or drink,
(7) don't want to wear your clothes,
(8) don't have to buy the latest fashions,
(9) don't need a gazillion dollars for college and
(10) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children

[Code2High]

Sigh.... no snow here this year.... a little tiny bit of rain, praying for more. Life in the desert is DRY.

[Dixie_Flyer]

The rain is still falling and it is 37* outside. The girls went for an early walk this morning, but it was short. I have been inside all day watching the TV and taking it easy. My feet are cold as Sue and I have a battle of the thermostat. She sneaks and turns it down to 72* and when I get cold I turn it back to 74*, oh the little things that keep life interesting...

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning. I am glad we haven't had any snow so far this year. I can't take the cold like I could in my younger days. The girls however did enjoy being out in the white stuff last year. Sue went for a long walk with them around the pond and Hobo just had the best time. Suzie and Peaches had a hard time in some areas where the snow was very deep, but they managed to run and play. Mama wasn't that impressed. She just walked around looking trying to figure out if she liked it or not. I knew exactly where I stood on the matter. It was nice for a change, but I was ready for it to go away after a day of it.

Anyway it is still raining here with the temperature in the upper 40's. Water is standing everywhere as the ground is saturated. The rain is supposed to stay with us until Monday or Tuesday so it will be a good day to stay indoors. I hope all is well with everyone and you are having a blessed day. Don’t forget to register for the Old Fella Rally coming up in June. Go to the rally thread and look up the Old Fella Rally and look at the campground we have chosen, it is going to be nice.

[dturm]

Javanut wrote:
Well we're getting our first real snow. So far it's up to Sarah's elbows about 3-4". Supposed to get up to 48 on Sun. so it will be gone again. Dogs really like to go out & play but with a high today of 24 they didn't get to stay out long. Lori

Isn't that the truth. Jill takes her head and rolls completely under the snow. It finally stopped snowing, we got probably 8-9 inches and it was 14 degrees. This winter is strange with the temp shifts and our first real snow coming towards the middle of Jan.

Doug

[Javanut]

Well we're getting our first real snow. So far it's up to Sarah's elbows about 3-4". Supposed to get up to 48 on Sun. so it will be gone again. Dogs really like to go out & play but with a high today of 24 they didn't get to stay out long. Lori

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning. It is cloudy this morning with rain in the forecast. It's not so cold this morning so that helps. We had a good nights rest and ready to start a new day. The girls are waiting for our morning walk, they are so good about waiting for me to get ready. I hope you have a blessed day and a warm dry place to stay.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Everything has returned to normal tonight. The issue with the installed fan in the camper solved, All the girls are down for the night and I will be very soon. It is cold outside, makes me wonder how animals survive the cold? When I was a kid I never thought about the animals and surviving in the elements. Nature has a plan and keeps things in balance. With each new spring comes new life to continue the cycle of God's creation.

We take so much for granted as we live our protective lives. So tonight we will sleep in a warm house under winter blankets while our companion animals sleep a blissful night to awaken in the morning refreshed and ready to face another day without fear or worry.

We are so blessed to have good health, family, friends and love ones. Have a blessed night and may you wake up to a new day with hope and a quiet calm that overwhelms you with peace.

[Hoops]

Richard, it is all in God's big plan no matter what. Figuring out that plan is the hardest. May a move up in everything is his plan. You and I are from the old school, if you are going to do something then do it right the first time, which is why the fan install bothers you.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning. Well it looks as if we are going to have a week of rain coming at us. The camper is at Camping World and has been there for a week and it looks as if it will be there for another week as they decide what to do about the mechanism that lifts and lowers the TV in the living area. The TV has a hideaway feature so when you are traveling it is lowered into a cabinet out of sight. It has been hanging up going down so it is in need of repair. They installed a Fantastic Fan in the water closet where the throne is and when I went on the roof to see what was done I was so disappointed. The rubber membrane is all wrinkled and has bubbles in it where it joins the frame of the fan. I told them I wasn’t satisfied with that arrangement and I wanted to see it corrected when I came back to pick it up.

The girls are doing well as usual and waiting for me to take them for a walk. It needs to warm up some as it is 29* outside right now. It is funny how something that really doesn’t matter can keep you awake most of the night. I went over and over the issue of the installation of the fan and wanted to get up at two in the morning and go to Camping World and take care of the problem myself. Now no one is going to be there to let me in and by this afternoon it will be handled anyway, so what’s the big deal?? I need to set some priorities don’t you think? Really, what is so life altering about the way a fan is installed on a camper?? Robin called last night and her job is being down sized and since she is leaving anyway to live in Blakely, Georgia she got her notice. So this moves things up a bit for her so she will be leaving ahead of schedule moving her wedding plans up as well.

Just about the time you have your plans made life comes along and changes things. I hope this is for the better, who knows, there may be a job just waiting for her next week. Okay I need to go for now. Have a great day.

[Hoops]

Barb, that is sooo great. The weather has been a roller coaster every where. Usual year, but anymore, what is usual?

[Dixie_Flyer]

Wow, thunder storms in January???? What a roller coaster ride last night! It got so bad Mama and Hobo went into the closet in the bedroom, made me think that maybe I should do the same. But here we are this morning with everything fine and a new day beginning with sunshine and the promise of warmer temperatures. I am very worried about the Old Fella rescue effort in Burke County. The organization has had to stop taking in strays and concentrate on the building. If the building isn’t finished by this December the land reverts back to the donor. Their ability to raise money for the shelter has fallen short and it is a possibility that there will not be a shelter on the property by next December. The Burke County Government hasn’t any plans to help further with the rescue effort citing short falls in the budget. I hope and pray that someone will come forth with the talent to lead them into the next phase of the rescue effort and complete the task that lies ahead.

The dream is still alive it just needs a booster shot to get going again. Keep us in your prayers that the shelter will become a reality. Visit www.oldfella.net Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue and read about the efforts being put forth at this time.

[dakonthemountai]

Thanks! We are doing well. Unfortunately, I lost my mom last year and my 13 year old Great Pyre "Boo" the year before, along with a rescue I got from a shelter a few months later... Then after another rescue, almost lost (to parvo) a little black lab mix puppy from the middle of the desert (she made it and is fine now! 🙂 She actually looks a lot like Old Fella! It all really set my life in a spin, but you know, we keep on kampin!! Life is good! 🙂

I was just reviewing the site and found the link to the statue of Old Fella! I must admit that after reading more about what happened during my absence I shed quite a few tears! Glad to see the successes! All the best to you,

Dak

[Dixie_Flyer]

dakonthemountain wrote:
Oh MY!!! I was "gone" for a few years from RV.Net Now I'm back, and low and behold, the Old Fella thread is still going!! :B I'm SO glad! I followed you from the beginning here. All the way through Old Fella going to Rainbow Bridge to wait for you and now up to date. Yes, I've read every post. Some more than once! Thank you for all you have done and continue to do and for keeping the positive life lights burning in the furkids you have helped through the years. Kudos to you!.... There truly is a special place reserved for you in heaven and all those you have ever loved and lost will be there with open arms and smiles when you get there (but let's hope that's not for many years to come ! 😉

Dak

Dak, it is great to have you back. I hope you and your family are doing well.