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

[mistressofdistr]

Dandy Dan, how is it up your part of the country, still wet, how about your friends place?

[Dandy_Dan]

What gives?? No posts since around 8:30 AM- how am I to keep up on the great gossip around here??:B:B

[Hoops]

Great will be looking forward to seeing it.

[Dixie_Flyer]

It was just confirmed that the Old Fella, Anna II story will be in October's Highway magazine.

[Dixie_Flyer]

The Old Fella Story Continues:

Richard continued to give daily reports to the people on the forum and deep down inside he felt he was about to lose the old dog that he had come to love so much. It was hard to watch Old Fella slip further away but each passing day was not better than the one before. The last report from the vet was not good as it seemed now Fella’s body was shutting down as his blood became more polluted with bacteria eating away at his insides. Sunday came and with it a resolve that it was time to give Fella some rest from his ordeal and do the humane thing. Richard and Sue put Fella on the stretcher and carried him to the yard and laid him in the grass and walked back inside the house still hoping for a miracle. Richard watched Fella as he lay there and then suddenly Fella raised himself to his front feet and sat there for a moment and then started dragging himself across the back yard. About half way across the yard he stopped and started barking and then started pulling himself once again across the grass. Finally he reached the bushes that lined the fence area and relieved him self.


Richard ran out the back door to where Fella lay and fell to his knees and hugged him with tears in his eyes thanking God that finally there may be some hope of recovery. The rest of the day went well as Fella began to show more determination and fight to live as he ate his food and drank plenty of water. The next morning Richard and Sue once again put Fella on the stretcher and carried him to the back yard to a shady area and put him on the grass. “Fella looks better this morning.” Richard said to Sue. “Yeah he seems to have more strength, hopefully he will be up and about soon.” Sue said trying to encourage Richard. “In the short time we’ve had Old Fella I have really come to love that old dog.” Richard said. “Yeah you have, but do you think that is such a good idea, you know he has some real health issues. He’s old and, well he might just not make much longer. I hate to see you get your heart broke.” With that Sue turned to look out the back window and with excitement in her voice she said, “Richard, look at this! Richard turned to the window and looked out into the back yard to see Fella walking across the yard. “I knew he could do it, I just knew he would do it.” Richard said with tears streaming down his face. He and Sue embraced each other as they watched Fella slowly, wobbly walk across the yard to the ivy and take care of business and return to the shade of the pecan tree and lay down.

Richard hurriedly went out side and hugged Old Fella and just held on to him. As he embraced him in his arms he gave thanks to God for all that He had done. Back inside Richard posted to the Old Fella thread that Old Fella was up and walking.

Continued:

[E_Texan]

Great Richard. Glad everything shaping up. Give Old Fella a hug and the other fur babies.

[HobbsHauler]

Richard, this is so exciting for you and all of us. Congratulations to you and all your volunteers. The animals have been blessed to have you.

[Dixie_Flyer]

From an article in the Waynesboro True Citizen Newspaper June 2006

The True Citizen asked, and RVers from across the states piped up.

"We are all looking for common ground to draw us together," Mark Lipman of southern Orgeon answered. "What better than a lame old abandoned dog rescued by a southern gentleman with a gift for pulling heartstrings with words?"

I like that..

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dandy Dan wrote:
Richard, Congrats on the land acquisition for the Rescue Effort. Also kudos on Camp Dixie. Glad OF is feeling better. Anna is here trying to get me to pull her chew toy as I try to type this to you. FYI Anna says woof woof woof

Tell Anna her and her sisters picture will be placed in the new building as the first of the rescues. It seems like so long ago when she with Dixie,Savannah, and Suzie were just babies living here at the house. Those times are gone forever but not the memories. Those were wonderful days of adventure for all of us. I look though the pictures ever so often and reminisce of those days when they were so young and enjoying their childhood. The house was full of life and I was worried about finding them homes. Then I was worried that I would find them homes and I would never see them again. Suzie and Anna went to homes and then returned, I was relieved to have them back but soon Anna went to live with you. What a wonderful home she has and the joy to see her once again at the rally. It touched my heart when she recognized me right away, as she will always be in my heart.

Thank you for being so kind to her and staying in touch with us as it means so much to hear from you. Next year seems like a life time away when we go to Branson, but we will endure and wait for the moment we can see you and her again. Thanks for all that you have done and continue to do for her.

[Dixie_Flyer]

We just got back from the property with Channel 26 NBC News and our local Waynesboro True Citizen News paper being there to cover the story. Old Fella is now laying around without a clue to what he has accomplished. Maybe someday when he goes to Rainbow Bridge the animals will rush to greet him with shouts of praise welcoming him into the ranks of the Chosen Ones. If ever there was an angel disguised as a dog it certainly has been Old Fella.

If ever there was a story that begged to be told as a family movie or book it is the Old Fella Story. In God's own time, so we wait as the blessings continue and for the moment that Old Fella's name will become a household word.

[Dixie_Flyer]

I haven't been writing the Old fella Story lately as some of you can tell, it has been so hectic with all that has been going on. I hope to start back soon when things settle down some more. Last night the OFBCAR Board drafted a purposal to present to the Burke County Commissioners in a few days. I am still trying to stay low key with them because it seems that we are making progress with that approach. Just pray that we will win their hearts and their support in this most important matter of animal rescue.

This morning we meet at the property for the Waynesboro True Citizen Newspaper and hopefully our local NBC station to have pictures taken of Mr. Rowland giving us the deed to the property. What a great day!

[Dixie_Flyer]

joang wrote:

Dixie Flyer wrote:
Modoc Campground has another stray. This one is a beagle and seems to be young.

Does that make him the "Little Fella?"

I guess it does...

[joang]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
Modoc Campground has another stray. This one is a beagle and seems to be young.

Does that make him the "Little Fella?"

[Dandy_Dan]

Richard, Congrats on the land acquisition for the Rescue Effort. Also kudos on Camp Dixie. Glad OF is feeling better. Anna is here trying to get me to pull her chew toy as I try to type this to you. FYI Anna says woof woof woof

[Dixie_Flyer]

Okay, all those folks who are willing to help clear land, dig a well, put in a septic tank, build a building, put in a drive way come on down and let's get started.