Deb and Ed M
SW MI & Space Coast, FL USA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/07/2004
View Profile
|
[quote=CatandJim][
I am hopeful the generous spirit that has surrounded the RVing community where this dog's story is concerned will carry over. As someone who has given time and money to local shelters my entire adult life I know the shelters have so many needs. Perhaps everyone who reads Old Fella's story will begin to contribute to their shelter on a regular basis, whether it be of your time or from your wallet. There are so many dogs and cats that need our help! This could be done in honor of your own pets or of course in honor of Richard and Old Fella.[/quote]
Something else to be aware of - and not be influenced by (Richard certainly wasn't!):
My good friend Sue helped run a large no-kill shelter after she retired from the County Animal Shelter; and she talked of "Black Dog Syndrome": the tendency of the general public to NOT adopt black dogs. It almost strikes me as odd, since I know several adoptees like Old Fella who are a true delight (let's face it - black dogs are likely to have Black Lab in them - and Labs are such sweeties!).... but Sue assured me that the County euthanized WAY more black dogs than any other color.
http://www.centexhumanesociety.com/html/black_dog_syndrome.html
Deb
Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.
Ed, Deb, and 2 dogs
Looking for a small Class C!
|
campingshadow
Waskom, Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 11/24/2002
View Profile
 Offline
|
Deb.....I never knew about the Black Dog Syndrome. I adore Black Labs...they are my first pick of any breed, any color. If I could I would have several of them at all times. Heidi is a rescue dog and she is mostly black. Most dogs I have owned have been rescue dogs and I routinely donate to the local shelter.
I worked at one for awhile, but it tore my heart out to see all the wonderful dogs there that I wanted so badly and I lived where I could not have pets. I finally decided two things.....I could no longer work in a shelter, and I would never again live where I was restricted from having pets.
Dogs make better companions than most humans anyway - no matter what color they are!!!! ![[emoticon]](http://www.coastresorts.com/sharedcontent/cfb/images/smile.gif "smile")
Shadow and LD
Angel. 15 lb Toy Fox Terrier
2001 Damon Intruder. 349. Class A
Semi-retired and loving it!!!!
|
lv2camp
Alabama
Full Member
Joined: 06/15/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
I have followed this story from the beginning and I am hooked on it to say the least. I cant wait to sign on in the morning and read throughout the day about the updates on OF. I too have rescue dogs and they are the greatest and so appreciative of what they have. I wish many times they could talk if only for a few minutes to let me know what type of life they had. You are a great guy Dixie Flyer and it is great to see there are so many nice people in this world. Keep up the updates and you make my heart smile!
Rescued Dog
Once I was a lonely dog, just looking for a home.
I had no forever place to go, no one to call my own.
I wandered up and down the streets, in rain, in heat and snow.
I ate whatever I could find, always on the go.
My skin would itch, my feet were sore, my body ached with pain.
And no one stopped to give a pat or gently say my name.
I never saw a loving glance, I was always on the run.
For people thought that hurting me was really lots of fun.
And then one day I heard a voice so gentle, kind and sweet,
And arms so soft reached down to me and took me off my feet.
"No one again will hurt you," was whispered in my ear.
"You'll have a home to call your own where you will know no fear."
"You will be dry, you will be warm, you'll have enough to eat."
"And rest assured that when you sleep, your dreams will all be sweet."
I was afraid I must admit, I've lived so long in fear.
I can't remember when I let a human come so near.
And as she tended to my wounds and bathed and brushed my fur
She told me about the rescue group and what it meant to her.
She said, "We are a circle, a line that never ends.
And in the center there is you, protected by new friends.
And all around you are the ones that check the local pounds,
And those that share their home with you after you've been found."
And all the other folk are searching near and far.
To find the perfect home for you, where you can be a star."
She said, "There is a family, that's waiting patiently,
and pretty soon we'll find them, just you wait and see.
And then they'll join our circle, they'll help to make it grow,
so there'll be room for more like you, who have no place to go."
I waited very patiently, the days they came and went.
Today's the day I thought, my family will be sent.
Then just when I began to think it wasn't meant to be,
there were people standing there, just gazing down at me.
I knew them in a heartbeat, I could tell they felt it too.
They said, "We have been waiting for a special dog like you."
Now every night I say a prayer to all the gods that be.
"Thank you for the life I live and all you've given me.
But most of all protect the dogs in the pound and on the street.
And send a Rescue Person to lift them off their feet."
Arlene Pace
September 18, 1998
2004 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab
2004 Jayco Jayfeather 25E
|
Dixie Flyer
Piedmont, SC 29673
Senior Member
Joined: 01/26/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
There is a local group in Augusta, Georgia that I had talked with about Old Fella in his first few days of rescue. They were turned off because he was black and had a black tongue. They suggested that either I keep him myself of put him down. Well you know the ending to that story!
2016 Ford F250 King Ranch Crew Cab 6.7 Power Stroke
2015 Montana Model 3611 with 4400 Pullrite Hitch.
Wife Sue
Pets: Rainbow Bridge: Bart, Old Fella, Levi, Charlie, Mama, Hobo, Izzie, Peaches. Others Suzie, Dixie.
Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue
|
TTBeachBum
Landlocked!!!!!!!!! :O
Senior Member
Joined: 07/13/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Dixie Flyer wrote:There is a local group in Augusta, Georgia that I had talked with about Old Fella in his first few days of rescue. They were turned off because he was black and had a black tongue. They suggested that either I keep him myself of put him down. Well you know the ending to that story!
Truly a gain for you (and us!)
|
|
|
DOTLDaddy
Camp Canine, Eureka, MO.
Senior Member
Joined: 05/10/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
[quote=Dixie Flyer]There is a local group in Augusta, Georgia that I had talked with about Old Fella in his first few days of rescue. They were turned off because he was black and had a black tongue. They suggested that either I keep him myself of put him down. Well you know the ending to that story![/quote][b]What the [u]heck[/u] kinda "group" was [u]that[/u]!? :R
Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.
Walter & Garland - Camp Canine caretakers
Miss Inga (aka "Shorty") - 10 y.o. old GSD.
Gen. Gretchen - Joined Rainbow Div., June 27, 2017 at age 13
Gen. Missy - Joined Rainbow Div., June 11,2006 at age 12
2018 Montana HC305RL 5th wheel
2018 Silverado HD 6.0L
|
Dixie Flyer
Piedmont, SC 29673
Senior Member
Joined: 01/26/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
[quote=DOTLDaddy][quote=Dixie Flyer]There is a local group in Augusta, Georgia that I had talked with about Old Fella in his first few days of rescue. They were turned off because he was black and had a black tongue. They suggested that either I keep him myself of put him down. Well you know the ending to that story![/quote][b]What the [u]heck[/u] kinda "group" was [u]that[/u]!? :R[/quote]
One that I was very disappointed in.
Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.
|
DIXIESMAMA
VIRGINIA
Senior Member
Joined: 02/15/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Dixie Flyer,
Just had time to sit and look at your latest photos. You have such a wonderful family. You and Sue must be so proud. OF looks about as plump as Levi now. When he first came to you, Levi looked so much larger. How is Levi taking to sharing top dog spot?
Never heard of the black dog, black tongue myth. My sheriff neighbor, says there is a reward out for 'a little black dog'. You know the one, "I hit that car because I had to swerve to miss a little black dog".
Great photos.
DIXIESMAMA
|
leftnoright
SO CA, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 09/24/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
|
[quote=DIXIESMAMA]OF looks about as plump as Levi now. When he first came to you, Levi looked so much larger. How is Levi taking to sharing top dog spot?
I too was wondering how Levi was taking all of this.
Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.
Linda(poster)
Fred (the innocent husband)
Jordan (Shih-Poo Rescue)
Mitzi (Pom now with Rainbow Division)
|
Dixie Flyer
Piedmont, SC 29673
Senior Member
Joined: 01/26/2004
View Profile
Good Sam RV Club Member
Offline
|
[quote=leftnoright][quote=DIXIESMAMA]OF looks about as plump as Levi now. When he first came to you, Levi looked so much larger. How is Levi taking to sharing top dog spot?
I too was wondering how Levi was taking all of this.[/quote]
Levi has his moments, but all in all he is doing great with Old Fella. The problem is Old Fella has no play in him at all. Levi is full of play, so he aggravates Fella to the point that Fella says, "One more time buster and you are going to get yours!" It so sad sometimes to watch Levi trying to get a playful response from Fella and just can't do it, but that doesn't mean he gives up.
It is different personalities between to different dogs that sometimes clash. But then it's over and the two get along with Levi just waiting for another chance to bushwhack Fella coming through a door or around a corner. Sometimes it funny to watch the two of them as Fella try's to anticipate Levi's next move and Levi outsmarts him. But then there are the times it reverses and Old Fella pulls one over on Levi. Levi was going to jump of the back steps and roll Fella over, but Fella saw him coming and stopped just short of Levi's landing zone and it was a beautiful crash landing. Levi gets up and trots back to the porch as if to say, "I did that on purpose."
Levi loves the company and is a love sponge by nature. He wants more than anything to have romping good playmate----Old Fella---well he is old and wants his peace and quiet. Fella will adjust to Levi's antics because Levi never gives up.
Note: Due to invalid formatting, all formatting has been ignored.
|
|
|
|
