Sir Gus Sr.
I was foaled in February 1977 at the Knoxville, Tennessee Zoo. My purchase was financed by donations, from the Bahia Nobility, in August of 1977. The Camel Herders Club received their charter in December of 1977.
I was named "Sir Gus" in recognition of Noble Gus Patterson who made a $500 donation.
My first home, in Orlando, was at Bobby Royal's Nursery, on Red Bug Road. It was at this time that Noble Dr. Ken Sundberg volunteered to provide veterinary services to me.
To eliminate rental fees, membership donations provided for the purchase of a horse trailer which was modified and overhauled by Curtis Wicks. I was presented to the Nobility, for the first time, at the 1978 Spring Ceremonial, which was held in Melbourne.
I underwent surgery, in July of 1978, that made me forget about girl camels. Dr. D. Batchelor, D.M.V. did the job.
In October of 1978 the "Camel Herders Degree" and the "Harem Girl Degree" were conducted for the first time. The Divan were the first initiates.
In June of 1979, I outgrew my trailer. The materials and labor to enlarge it were donated by Mid Florida Tech.
Since I was foaled in February, a huge birthday party was held for me in October, of 1979. Degrees were held and the belly dancers put on a show.
In November of 1979 it became necessary that I be moved to new quarters. Mrs. Louise Tanner offered the use of a fine pasture, on her property, on South Tanner Road. The club membership restored all the fencing and build a barn for me! I moved into my new home in January of 1980.
After the Club Membership made a fruitless search for a bus to meet my transportation needs, Noble Gordon "Stumpy" Harris was instrumental in obtaining a bus, donated by his church. This happened in February of 1980.
In May of 1980, following hundreds of hours of work, the "Gus Bus" was fully modified, painted and ready to roll.
I was made an Honorary Life Member and Ambassador at Large of Bahia Shrine, in February 1982.
Because I kept growing, by the fall of 1982, the Nobility had to raise the roof of the "Gus Bus" by an extra foot. It was a lot of work, but a beautiful job was done by Mid Florida Tech. A new lettering job was arranged by Noble Bob Winegarner. Mid Florida Tech donated their work, on my bus.
In December of 1992 I had a swollen leg, that was later determined to be the result of a snake bite, by a water moccasin. My Vet Dr. G. Vizcarrondo arranged for my antibiotics to be given to me with molasses, that was real tasty. He gave me anti-inflammatory medicine in a shot, you know where! That made me so mad I took off for the far end of the pasture. Next time he will have to catch me. I was released for normal activities February 5th
In 1993 I made a TV movie with Alan Thicke.
The saddest day I experienced was February 22, 1996. That was the day Louise Tanner died. She was the lady that raised me. I will miss her. I did go to her funeral to pay my respects. If you would like to read the article that was written in the Orlando Sentinel click here.
In 1997 I had two 20th birthday parties, the Shriners gave me one and the Elks gave me one. I enjoyed them both! I was celebrating my birthday all year long. My real birthday is August 4th.
Since I started traveling in late 1977 to the present, I have covered more than 125,000 miles, making friends for the Bahia Shriners and the hospital program. To list every function that the Camel Herders and I have attended over the past 25 years would require that a book be written.
At least once every three months, the membership turns out for a work party to repair fences, pick up trash in the field and clean my bus inside and out.