This picture was taken on our first visit back to the campground in the spring of 2006. The playground equipment has been taken down now, but this was Old Fella's favorite hang out as he looked for the kids that would play with him and give him food. It was here that I was able to capture him and bring him home, or should I say he captured us and found his way into our hearts.
2005 Ford XLT F250 Supercab - 6.0 Turbo Diesel
2005 27RL Wildcat Fifth wheel/Reese 16K hitch
Wife Sue
Pets: Old Fella, Levi and Charlie at Rainbow Bridge. Suzie the Imp, Peaches the Princess and Izzie the cat.
Great pictures Richard, happy you all such a great time!
Newk, what a wonderful story, thanks for sharing. Dozer is a very smart dog.
Woodstick and Queen of the North
Woody and Patsy and our Furkids-Oreo, a black lab and Cookie, mix of Shihtzu, Bichon, Lhasa Apso
38' Sportsmen Sportster Toy Hauler
Pulled by 2003 3500 Dodge Diesel 6 speed Rolling Castle Blog
Patsy does all the posting.
Very Cool Story...............Do I see ball games in Charlie's future? Only problem right now might being able to get the ball back from him. For Rent: Charlie Daniels Band and Ball Retreiver
Dandy Dan dan218b@tds.net
Dan and Lori Branson, Anna 1 (the rescue)
and Beau (waiting at the Rainbow Bridge)
2005 Dodge QuadCab 2500 4x4 Hemi
2009 Open Range 337RLS
RV.Net Ohio Rally Member
Hello Richard, I found this thread about a month ago and started reading. I read about 50 pages or so at a time but after 150 pages (and 500 to go) I had to jump to the end. I jumped to page 550 which on my computer is where Old Fella died. I have just finished reading the last 24 pages. I am so sorry for your loss, it is amazing how quickly "just a dog" can become "my baby".
Four years ago Coco (my poodle) was killed by a black lab. I swore I would never have another dog. Then a friend asked if I could take Rosco (her schnauzer, age 2) and Bradford (her silky terrier, age 8) because they were going on the road and would be unable to care for them properly. I finally consented and quickly fell in love. About six months later Bradford became very sick, the vet found a tumor about the size of a cantaloupe in his abdomen. I was devastated, I wasn't ready to lose another dog. Our choice was $800 surgery which he might survive (but probably wouldn't) and a probable re-occurrence in a few months, or $95 euthanasia. I figured if the vet was recommending the much cheaper option, it was really the best. (He had known Bradford much longer than I had) Bradford went to sleep without pain for the first time in months. The worst part for me was discovering he was in so much pain all that time and I had no idea. He was very quiet and hardly moved, but I didn't know that was because he was sick. I just thought it was because he was so old. I know 8 is not really old, but Coco was only 18 months when I lost her. Rosco is still here and has been a blessing. He has helped me get over both Coco and Bradford. He is looking at me now as if to say "what are you up too now, it's bedtime."
Thank you for what you did for Old Fella and for many others through this on-line community. You have touched so many lives. I grew up in the country and we often found the results of pets who were put out on their own. You may have gators in southern GA, northern SC now has coyotes. Pets left on their own in the country don't stand a chance. Thank you for starting a shelter in your area and for letting people see what can happen when they give a little love.
Did they ever get the book out? I would love to see this thread in book form so it would be easier to read. If anyone knows an easy way to print the entire thread, let me know. I don't always have my computer with me when I have free time.
I love the saying someone sent you "Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened". That is life. As Rosco would say if he could talk, "it's a new day, let's go play".
Good morning mwomack and welcome to the thread "A Very Old Stray, The Old Fella Story". The book is still in progress as every time we think it is about to end something happens that demands it to continue. With the death of Old Fella and the memorial that is in the planning stages new chapters will have to be written. The memorial will be placed in a new park in the city of Waynesboro with the space donated by the First National Bank of Waynesboro. They will also pay for the upkeep of the grounds and landscaping around the memorial once it is in place.
I have added a link that will take you to the RV. Net article about the Old Fella Memorial so you can read about that. Old Fella is truly being missed. Everyday I have to fight the tears at one point or another as I remember him. I have never had a dog have such an influence on my life as he did and still has. I look at his pictures on the computer every day and relive the camping trips and adventures we shared together and long for those days again.
But as everything else where time is concerned you can never go back to that exact time and place in life except in your mind and in your heart. God blessed us with a wonderful gift that keeps on giving and will continue to do so as long as we remember an old black dog with a lame foot and haunting eyes that captured the hearts of people every where that came to know his story.
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