Dixie Flyer wrote:

Now that November is getting closer I have to start thinking about the campaign for County Commissioner. Politics is not one of my favorite things but I made a promise to Fella that I intend to keep. I promised him that someday there would be an animal shelter in Burke County, Georgia to be a safe haven for the homeless animals that live here. I hope and pray that I can make a difference in Burke County by bringing awareness to the plight of animals that are left to fend for themselves. Animals that roam in packs are a danger to society and also point a finger at a government which lacks a heart of compassion when they allow this to happen. I need your prayers and support as I will need to find an inner strength and wisdom to accomplish the task that is before me.

Old Fella came into our lives for a reason and his life so far has reached all across these United States from East to West from North and South to unite people to a cause that is needed to save and preserve a way of life that embraces the act of love and compassion toward not only the animals that God created and left for us to care for but to also teach us how to love one another. When we teach our children that all life is precious and to be honored and protected we teach them how to care for our elderly , our homeless, our sick and those who are less fortunate. To reach out with a helping hand and open the doors of our hearts and give sacrificially, not just from our abundance. We need to experience the blessing of giving with a pure heart to realize just what a difference one person can make in his or her community by giving even if it takes a something away from them.

Nothing is ever given in vain; it always comes back as a blessing in one way or another. The day I went to rescue Old Fella at that campground something changed inside of me and I began to see him not as just a dog, but as a living creature of God that needed a helping hand. Even as the task became great and the attempt became harder I felt something driving me on until at last I had reach my goal only to discover that the rescue wasn’t complete. You see the rescue wouldn't be complete until sacrificial love entered the picture. That is when the people of this forum stepped in and help show me the full picture of what this mission was all about. Fella didn’t just need a home, he needed someone who could identify with his hurt and pain of neglect for all those years he lived as a stray. That is when Old Fella became buried in all of our hearts and became the symbol of all the old strays that live a life of being abandoned and living on the streets, our county roads, at our trash dumps looking for some where to belong.

I intend to take this message to the people of Burke County and paint them a picture of neglect and suffering that is happening just outside their doorstep and bring it into their hearts and homes until something is done to help the animals not only of Burke County, but for everyone who reads the story of an old black stray dog that touched the hearts of Americans and caused them to shed tears of compassion. He will be remembered by all of us who came to know him for his gentle ways and the inspiration he gave us through his suffering and hardship of life to emerge out of the other side of the valley in triumph. His story is one of real love, love that was given unconditionally expecting nothing in return but receiving many fold the blessings that come to a spirit that has been sweetened by the experiences of live.

butchstorm wrote:

Richard,page 12 of the 2009 Burke County budget projection dated 08/19/2008 is for Animal Control and the amount is/was $933,220.00.
I know of three budget work sessions and there may have been more.
If no one was at one of these sessions to champion animal control the item may no longer be in the new budget.
To my knowledge none of these sessions were advertised, therefore the public did not know to attend.
If the funds are not in the budget when it is finalized then we have to wait another full year to bring the issue up again.

GizmosMom wrote:

I LOVE the photo of Charlie winning the lottery. It's one of the best photos I've ever seen!

I have this thread marked in "My Forums" and when checking it today I clicked in the wrong spot and went to the very first page. It was FOUR years ago today that you first posted about an old black dog, Richard.

Four years of prayers, love, tears, hope, laughter and helping animals. I hope you are as proud of yourself, Richard, as we all are of YOU! Thanks