Apr 18 2009
The “Very Old Stray (the Old Fella Story)”
I came across a story in a magazine that really touched my heart.. As I read this story I felt a special bond with this man Richard for I identified with him for I have the same kind of heart as Richard does filled with love for these unforunate animals that are alone and abandoned and on the streets hungry. Hopefully not for long, for as long as their are people like Richard and Myself who care, some of these dogs will find their way into someone’s loving home. So Im hoping that by sharing this story with you it will open your hearts and you all will reach out and help a stray dog and make these dogs lives better…. Now the Story:
When Richard and his wife Sue hopped into their RV and set out for a relaxing Labor Day vacation in 2005, they had no idea their lives were about to change forever. Resting at the Modoc Campground in South Carolina, the couple met their new life companion—in the form of an old, wounded stray dog. Richard and Sue took in the dog, who they named Old Fella, and nursed him back to health. A member of the Good Sam Club, the world’s largest RV owner’s organization, Richard began sharing his experiences on the organization’s RV.net forums and quickly discovered a vast following of other club members that sent him words of encouragement and monetary donations towards Old Fella’s medical bills. Through the “Very Old Stray (the Old Fella Story)” thread, the forum members eventually convinced Richard to establish his own animal shelter, Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue (OFBCAR), which has saved more than 100 dogs and placed them in good homes.
Sadly, Old Fella passed away this June after struggling for months with arthritis and bone cancer. In loving memory of Old Fella and his legacy as an animal rescue icon, Richard and his devoted animal-loving community will be erecting a statue of Old Fella in the First National Bank Park in Waynesboro, Ga. in 2009. In another remarkable story, Richard spearheaded an effort to transport a disabled dog to her new home across the country by fellow RV.net forum members. In an effort coordinated by postings on the site, Anna, a Labrador retriever who had a leg amputated, was relayed from RV to RV from Georgia to Washington State. Through OFBCAR and RV.net, Richard has not only found homes for these animals, but also blessed families around the country with lifelong companions of their own.
Inspired by his dedication and contagious generosity towards stray animals, Highways Magazine has honored Waynesboro, Ga. native Richard Daniels with the first-ever Good Sam Club’s RVer of the Year award. As a tribute to his humanitarian contributions, Highways will feature Richard on the front cover of its January 2009 issue. Source: Lilyruth & doggieaficionado magazine
