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]

Its cold here in Greenville, SC. but the sun is shinning and it will warm up by afternoon. All the fur babies are doing well and enbjoying the trip. Construction on the house starts next Monday and I hope it will be finished by spring or early summer.

I got a call from Diamond's new family and they are so happy with her, it sounds like a match made in Heaven. I hope everyone has a great day, talk with you later.

[karen_Lee]

Why didnt Gary consider having Diamond flown to him?
Small Paws Rescue in Tulsa flies their rescues all the time with no problems. Its less stress on the dogs and very safe. But the main thing is that Diamond found a wonderful home with shell be loved.

[Gentle_Spirit]

I'm sad that Gary didn't end up with Diamond. It is nice to hear that she is with another dog and a couple children being part of the family. If anything, maybe the incident got Gary thinking he has room for another dog, even if it is not Diamond - maybe a visit to a local shelter is the way to go for Gary to save a precious life that would otherwise not be saved.

[colliehauler]

One of my concerns when someone adopts a dog is if they will just put it out in the yard a pay no attention to it. It sounds like Diamond will be part of the family (as it should be). Merry Christmas to all the FOOF's

[karen_Lee]

I am so happy to hear that Diamond found a loving forever home, good for her. thanks Richard for doing so much. Merry Christmas everyone for we are all certaintly blessed.

[chrisnpat]

You might be interested in checking out this search engine. www.goodsearch.com you put in your charity of choice and goodsearch donates $'s to that charity when you search from there.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Today I heard from Diamond and she is much loved and seems to be very happy. She has the run of the house with two children and an older Australian Shepherd to keep her company.

Tomorrow we will he leaving for Camp Dixie for the week returning on Sunday the 227th. We will be taking Suzie, Peaches, Hobo and Mama with us to enjoy Christmas in the cold and perhaps snow as they are still calling for snow Christmas weekend.

I would like to take a moment to reflect on the past year and say what a wonderful year it has been. The memorial has been completed at the City Park in memory of Old Fella and having received the Good Sam's Rver of the Year will always be precious and the many friends I have made through this thread have been a blessing to me and my family, so I want to wish each and everyone of you a Merry Christmas.

[Dashonthedash]

I'm sorry that I haven't answered before now, but the last two days have been extremely hectic, busy every minute at work trying to get everything done for the year, preparing for the Holidays and the wonderful but always hectic trip East to be with my family, and some last-minute shopping and errands that I just completed this morning. I haven't had the time to spend online, except for some correspondence with friends who were willing to help but, as you know, there is always something.

I did get Richard's PM and thought about it for a while, and decided yesterday that his neighbor would be a better home for Diamond, and certainly less stressful for her to go to. I just sent him a PM today, and hope he isn't too upset that I didn't reply right away. As all of us know, there are always (way too many) dogs and cats out there who need homes and, when the time is right, my next furry companion will be waiting for me. I do want to thank Richard for the effort he made on my behalf to try to get Diamond to me.

Again, I want to wish all of my friends on the Forum and the Old Fella thread a Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year.

Gary

[SGTJOE]

I'm sorry to hear this, wish I was east of Gary, I would have taken a leg. Richard, sometimes things don't go the way you would like, but you are well aware of that. What's important here is that Diamond has found her forever home and that she will have someone to love and someone who will love her. All of us should be happy that that one day you were drawn to her and saved her so that she could continue to love and be loved. God Bless you and Sue for all that you do.

[Dixie_Flyer]

chemisd wrote:
I looked at the route for Diamond, and it is no where near us....I'm hoping that something will work out for her and you, Dash....

I have tried everything and nothing seems to work. When It looked as if we had a completed route, it fell apart. It seems Pilots and Paws have a 300 mile range, 600 hundred round trip and its 1,500 miles to Evergreen.

I had someone come and spend time with Diamond and they offered to take her and give her a good home. I sent Gary a PM about this, but heard nothing back, I quess it hurt him too much to talk about it. So in the best interest of Diamond she is going to her forever home this weekend. I hurt for Gary, but I did everything I could to get her to him.

[chemisd]

I looked at the route for Diamond, and it is no where near us....I'm hoping that something will work out for her and you, Dash....

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone, I hope you had a great evening and a good night's sleep. Things here are getting a bit rushed as we prepare for Christmas. I do hope this transport with Diamond works out for her and Gary, but everytime we get something put together it falls apart. Oh well, on with the day and hoping things come together.

The weather is going to turn cold here next week for Christmas with snow in the forecast for the Greenville area on Christmas day. Last night when I look at the forecast the low was 12* Friday night with snow. I don't think our camper was designed for that kind of cold! Anyway, what will be will be and we will just have to deal with it.

Got to go for now, talk with you later, don't forget the bricks if you missed out on the first you can now get on board.

[Dashonthedash]

Here is a map to a possible route for Diamond. The intermediate points are not all certain, as it depends on the people. As it currently stands, there would be 6 people, including myself and Richard, involved in the transport, but we as yet don't have firm commitments on date and time. There would likely be at least one "sleepover" for Diamond, probably more depending on the timing.

Now comes the hard part...

Diamond Route?

[Dixie_Flyer]

agteacher wrote:
Do you have a trucking company nearby? You might check to see if they have a shipment going west and a trucker who might be willing to help. Might be a good community service thing for the company? Transporting a rescue animal to an adopter.

One of our volunteers husband drives a truck, no luck so far, but a good idea.

[agteacher]

Do you have a trucking company nearby? You might check to see if they have a shipment going west and a trucker who might be willing to help. Might be a good community service thing for the company? Transporting a rescue animal to an adopter.