A very old stray {The Old Fella Story}

[Dixie_Flyer]

Went camping this weekend at a campground on the lake, had not been there for a few years. Once there I began to walk around looking at the different sites when I noticed a very old dog. He just lay there until I got too close then he got up on three legs and hobbled away. Just judging I would say he is at least 11 years old. Well back to my story. The next afternoon he wanders into camp and just sits there looking. He looked so sad, so the wife got a bowl of our dog's food and put it down for him and he came over and ate. He then walked over to our dog and the two of them sniffed each other over and then they lay down together for the rest of the afternoon. That night he disappeared.
The next morning he was back and was a little more receptive of me. I looked at his injured leg and found that half of his rear foot was gone. It had healed and was not causing any problem except that he was walking on the stub that was left with no foot pad which causes him to limp. His front teeth were gone except for one canine tooth and it looked decayed. His eyes were tired looking and showing his age. He spent the rest of the day just laying around looking for a handout and by afternoon the campground host came around and saw him. I enquired about the dog and was told he had been there for three years and that most of the campers were tolerant of him and gave him food.
So what to do? Do you pick him up and bring him home or do you let nature take it course. He can't harm anyone, he has no teeth and he isn't a nuisance unless you don't like dogs, and no one seems to mind him being there. He is gentle and likes other animals as seen by his interaction with our dog. He still would not let me touch him but he would eat from my hand. Enough said, what would you do???

On June 28th 2008 Old Fella passed away of complications caused by bone cancer. Fella spent almost three years with his new family and became the icon of rescued old stray dogs. He will be greatly missed but his foot prints have been left in our hearts forever.

Now Charlie, the ten year old rescued Golden Lab has come to be a part of the continuing Old Fella story. (*Note, Charlie took his journey to Rainbow Bridge unexpectedly September 30, 2008)Suzie continues to charm her way into our hearts with her antics as she has grown from a puppy into a young lady. Togther they will carry on the Old Fella legacy. Come join us in their daily lives and be a part of the best feel good thread in RV.NET history. The legacy lives on.


HIghways Article Puppy Love

Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue

[MetalGator]

Happy Anniversary Richard!

[magnusfide]

Happy anniversary! Glad to hear of Izzie's improvement!

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. Izzie is doing so much better, He is back to his old self. Thanks for all the advice concerning his bowels. The coconut oil was handy since we already had some in the house. Today I will pick up some wet food to see if I can find any to his liking.

This morning I treated myself to a nice breakfast with blueberry pancakes with Maple syrup, coffee, beacon, and orange juice. Tomorrow Sue and I celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary. We are planning and evening with the kids at a popular restaurant in Simpsonville.

According to the weatherman we can expect winter to come back to us the rest of the week. Below freezing at night with temps in the upper forty's. It won't be long before we start to see a warming trend. Robins have been visiting us in flocks so I expect the weather to turn spring like in a few weeks.

Suzie came back inside this morning telling me all about her adventures in the back yard. She was tossing her head about as she made those guttural sounds. She really believes she is talking in a language I can understand, and sometimes I do. Yesterday with all the rain Peaches had an accident in the house. Suzie was the first to tell. You should have seen her getting all over Peaches and Peaches just hanging her head in shame when I approached her to ask her what she had done. At fourteen years old, soon to be fifteen I can't fuss at her too much. I am reminded of myself in how my bladder controls my day trips, any outings as I am afraid to get too far from the pot. When we travel the always asked question is, "How far to the next rest stop?"

I am so glad Izzie is doing well. He is so much a part of the Old Fella legacy as well as Suzie. In June Suzie will turn ten along with her sister Anna. Dan and Lori have done a great job taking care of her and giving her a good home. Sarah also has benefited from their care. It is nice to know both girls travel with them as family. We will be seeing them soon as they make their way South in a few weeks. Dan has to give that new truck a good workout so he will know what he has. I am sure it will do well.

Okay I need to get moving so I will close for now wishing everyone a blessed day. Be sure to give the fur babies a hug for me and be sure to tell someone you love them.

[Dandy_Dan]

Richard, With the dogs and also the cat, We put some warm water in their food. Dogs get dry and a tablespoon of wet and warm it up with some warm water. The cat food is a pate but we keep the open can in the fridge so we use just a touch of warm water on it so it isn't cold. Jenni thinks the cat is at least 20 and still kicking. Dogs are doing fine Weather was in the 50's today but the rest of the week will be high in the 30's and maybe 40. Still having to help Jenni. Vision is a tiny bit better but still no sure cause. All blood tests and MRI, MRA and all blood are negative.

[DonNH]

Several years ago we lost our 4 year old Jake after fighting mega colon (failure of the large intestine to keep things moving, so everything accumulates there).
Shortly thereafter, his "brother" Devin was having trouble with constipation.
Probably unrelated, but we were paranoid.
Our vet recommended using Miralax in his food.
We use 1/8 teaspoon each day mixed in his wet food. (12# cat)
If his stool seems to get soft or runny we cut back.
So far it has worked well.

[dturm]

Vaseline use is not an issue (have used it for years), but you may get other benefits from the oils.

Constipation in older cats is a common issue. It sometimes is a signal that an age related problem is starting (sometimes before lab work shows us anything).

I'd think about doing special urine and blood tests that check for very early renal (kidney) disease. In the meantime, increasing water consumption will be helpful. Wet food is a very good way.

Doug, DVM

[Wanderlost]

I'm definitely NOT a fan of Vaseline inside a cat. Coconut oil or edible mineral oil, a small dab on nose or paw, or mixed into food if Izzie will eat that.

[vickiebec]

My friend put mineral oil in her cats soft food. Works great

[dogdiva]

Rather than vasoline I would use coconut oil...I have been reading of the good uses for it for humans and animals. The kind I have is pure organic and it is SOLID I have to put some in the palm of my hand to warm it up and liquefy it
I would try mixing a little kibble and soft food to see if he likes it
So glad he is on the mend

[CA_POPPY]

Richard, Sue's idea for Izzie is an old time remedy for a cat's hairball. Except not on the nose, we put a little cooking oil on the top of a front paw. Just a dab, not enough for him to fling off.

[magnusfide]

I agree about the wet food. We feed our seniors wet in the morning and dry at night to keep the tooth plaque under control. The moisture is good for older cats' digestive systems. Sometimes a little sardine or tuna oil in the food helps as well.

We had one cat live to 22. All she would eat was Tender Vittles, a half pack in the morning and the other half at night. Sadly Tender Vittles is not made anymore so our elders get Friskies' shreds.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. Izzie is much better. I am concerned about his stool however. They are very firm and small pellets. He only eats dry food but I told Sue as we age our digestive system changes and perhaps this is what is going on with Izzie. We will try him on wet food to see if he will eat it. Sue came up with the idea of putting Vaseline on his nose. She says he will lick it off and then it will lubricate his digestive system. Never heard of this has anyone else?

Anyway this morning he was at the water bowl when I got up. This is what he does early in the morning when he is feeling good. He is eating his dry food and drinking water and being social.

The weather here is raining and warm. It is 64 degrees outside and we are expecting thunder storms today. Sue and I have a camping trip planned for the weekend of the 12th. Our plan is to go to Calhoun Falls, which is about 60 miles away on Lake Russell on the Carolina side of the lake.

Peaches, Hobo and Suzie are well. Suzie is such a sweetheart and so full of energy. At nine years old she is doing great. This June she will turn ten years old. It doesn't seem that it has been that long since she was rescued along with Anna, Dixie and Savannah. I thank Mrs. Barnes for making the call that lead to their rescue and her and her husband helping in the effort.

Okay I need to get moving so I will close for now wishing everyone a blessed day. Be sure to give the fur babies a hug for me and be sure to tell someone you love them.

[Wanderlost]

Glad to hear Izzie is feeling better. Hope all goes well in future.

[dogdiva]

happy to hear Izzie is better.....prayers work

[Toolguy5]

Glad Izzie is doing better.