Computer-savvy campers recognize Open Roads Forum on RV.net as an online community where RVers ask questions, share practical tips and make friendly conversation. Some topic threads garner one or two responses, but one thread on the RV Pet Health section has attracted more than 48,000 hits (views) since its September 2005 debut.
The captivating old stray story started simply enough when veteran RVers Richard and Sue Daniels connected with a lonesome black dog at a South Carolina campground. The wary canine was nearly toothless with a shabby coat and pitiful limp. He accepted food, visited with the family dog, then quickly vanished. He’d existed at the campground for three years, relying on kind RVers. The gloomy vision of the feeble, homeless dog tugged Richard’s heartstrings.
Back home in Georgia, Richard (known as Dixie Flyer on the forum) described his dog encounter in a message on the forum. When he mentioned a canine rescue effort, a flurry of interest and constructive counsel followed. Forum members encouraged him to find the dog a loving home, a second chance at life.
“How great does it get when people come together to help in a time of need,” Dixie Flyer wrote in one post. Buoyed by forum friends’ enthusiasm, he jumped into rescue mode with dog food, gear and sedatives provided by Dr. Bruce Gradous, a local veterinarian who offered to treat the pooch at a reasonable cost.
Because Old Fella (as Richard named the stray) was elusive, Richard repeated the 60-mile campground trip several times before capturing and delivering the canine to the veterinary clinic. The vet’s assessment confirmed Old Fella’s immediate needs: life-threatening heartworm treatments, surgery to repair a foot partially lost to a steel trap and more. Estimated age was 10 to 11 years. As vet fees mounted, Richard’s commitment to Old Fella grew. Generous forum members covered expenses with direct donations sent from all over the continental U.S., Hawaii and Canada to the clinic.
Meanwhile Richard and Old Fella’s bond strengthened. “He has forgiven me for his captivity and even wagged his tail when I spoke to him,” Richard wrote on the forum after their daily visit. “I made him a promise I intend to keep and that is he will never be mistreated again.”
Within weeks of rescue, posted photos revealed Old Fella’s wonderful transformation — sparkling eyes, playful grin, glossy coat and increased weight as he healed, inside and out. When Dixie Flyer sought forum approval to adopt Old Fella, everyone shouted “Yes!” They called it “a match made in heaven” and proclaimed that Richard and Sue’s welcoming of Old Fella into their hearts and home would count as an adoption by the entire forum.
“There is love in those eyes now, shining just as bright as the morning star! I believe he now belongs to all of us,” Dixie Flyer typed. “I am sure he will teach me many things in the time we have left together. My hope is I will be a good student.”
The pooch adjusted admirably to domestic life with the Daniels family. Even Levi the dog and Izzie the cat accepted him warmly.
“What a blessing he is to our household. He’s wagging his tail all the time now as if it is on automatic cruise control,” wrote Dixie Flyer. “I have learned a lot about humility and enduring the hardships of life from him. He never gave up and he never gave in. He just kept the faith that someday he would have his turn at a better life. It is now his turn.”
Posts on the old stray thread mentioned smiles, torrents of tears and record-setting tissue use for Old Fella’s readers. The trusty FOOFs (Friends of Old Fella), a core group of regular old stray members, support one another like a big extended family. Representing all ages, life stages and occupations, they’re a compassionate, knowledgeable bunch of RVers with big hearts for animals and people alike. The FOOFs respond thoughtfully to posted questions.
“The people of this forum have the love, determination and imagination to make dreams come true,” Dixie Flyer wrote in a forum message. Because many FOOFs are animal rescuers, they champion the dream that Old Fella’s story will inspire increased adoptions of elderly, stray and neglected animals, as well as widespread volunteerism in local animal shelters.
Apparently, FOOFs aren’t the only ones who can’t resist following Old Fella’s saga. When a forum participant recently attended church in Albuquerque, the topic of the sermon was — you guessed it — Old Fella and the caring people of RV.net. Another member forwarded the story to noncampers who were so impressed by the caring RVers that they’re considering becoming RVers themselves. Media interest is far reaching too, with an article and book project by a midwestern newspaper columnist and a story in Georgia’s Waynesboro True Citizen. And a few awestruck FOOFs are yearning to see Old Fella star as himself in a major motion picture, which may happen.
Let’s not forget the energetic, fun-loving FOOFs (and their pets) who are so eager to meet Old Fella, his family and each other that they’re staging a grand Old Fella Rally on June 22-25 at America’s Best Campground, a Good Sam Park, in Branson, Mo., a consistent Welcome Mat award winner. A Springfield, Mo., television station plans to cover the rally.
In a delightful description of a lucky dog embraced by a devoted family, Richard recently wrote, “Fella is now stretched out on the floor behind me just as content as a bee making honey. Every once in awhile he will bark with excitement and there are times I think I hear him laugh, he is so tickled with himself. Let us pray,” continued Richard, “that there will be a day when all the Old Fellas of this world will be given a rightful place in our homes and in our hearts.”
To join the Open Roads Forum and to read about Old Fella, visit www.rv.net/forum. Become a FOOF at www.friendsofoldfella.com. To attend the Old Fella Rally, visit www.abc-branson.com.