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]

TugCE wrote:
Burch,

As a fellow Papillon owner I can understand what you are going through. These Little Pups are really a different type of Pup as they act more like a Cat than a Dog. When Sandi was given to us, she was the result of an unplanned breeding, I had no idea what to expect. This little fur ball worked her way into my heart and I can not even imagine what life would be without her.

Our Little Sandi (Lady Sandra Lew of Sunnyside, to be exact) has a lose Kneecap which I have been told is common with this breed. Luckly she had only had problems with it twicw but man what a scream when it happened! Sandi is a bit of a baby when it comes to pain and whenever she is hurting she wants to be held by me and only me, much to my Wife's displeasure.

These Pups bring so much love to our lives that it really hurts us when they are hurting.

We all will be sending Good Thoughts and Prayers for Little Monty.

We got both our Papillons from an unplanned breading as well. My wife wanted a little toy size Papillon. She contacted a local breeder who just happened to have two Papillon puppies. She thought that the mother dog had been fixed but she wasn't. We went to look at the little girl and the breeder tricked me and said "you hold on to the male puppy while I get the little one for your wife". Needless to say, we came home with both little pups. Monty grew like crazy but Lola stayed small. She is only 5lbs but Monty is now 23lbs. He is overweight but even when he is slim, he is still almost 20lbs. He is very tall. He is my boy and he is always at my feet.

I have an appointment on October 25th with a surgeon in Tampa. I really want to get him fixed so I can take him on walks again. He loves taking long walks.

Here is a picture of my buddy with his little sister.

[Kevin_and_Maris]

Gary, it sounds like Hannah is training you well!

[Dashonthedash]

I always mix in a little canned food and water with the dry kibble for the dogs, and keep the opened can in the fridge. Apparently, this morning, there wasn't enough canned food for Hannah's delicate pallet, and she turned up her nose at the food. When I asked what was wrong, she jumped up on the fridge. I added more canned food and, sure enough, she ate heartily...until there was only kibble left. Looks like I'll have to buy more of the canned stuff.

[Dashonthedash]

I hear you about Sandi. I have had a number of greyhounds over the years, and most of them are real Drama Queens (and Kings). As big as they are, they are really big babies. If they get the slightest "owie" (or, heaven forbid, you step on their paw), you get the dreaded GSOD (Greyhound Scream of Death). If anyone happens to be nearby at the time, you get a look like they want to call the ASPCA. Of course, with a cuddle, they quiet down really fast. Dogs are a lot smarter than we sometimes give them credit for.

[TugCE]

I just want to say to all of the followers of Old Fella, that I do read each and every post even if I do not post very much. My heart goes out to any and all that are suffering through problems with the Furry Kids.

This thread and for that matter this section on rv.net really has helped me in many ways, especially now that My Macy is getting up there in years and I treasure each and every day that she is with me.

All the Best and Safe Travels!

[TugCE]

Burch,

As a fellow Papillon owner I can understand what you are going through. These Little Pups are really a different type of Pup as they act more like a Cat than a Dog. When Sandi was given to us, she was the result of an unplanned breeding, I had no idea what to expect. This little fur ball worked her way into my heart and I can not even imagine what life would be without her.

Our Little Sandi (Lady Sandra Lew of Sunnyside, to be exact) has a lose Kneecap which I have been told is common with this breed. Luckly she had only had problems with it twicw but man what a scream when it happened! Sandi is a bit of a baby when it comes to pain and whenever she is hurting she wants to be held by me and only me, much to my Wife's displeasure.

These Pups bring so much love to our lives that it really hurts us when they are hurting.

We all will be sending Good Thoughts and Prayers for Little Monty.

[MetalGator]

CA POPPY wrote:
When our Rosie (chiwa-what?) tore a tendon in a hind leg, our old country vet (who we loved) wanted us to crate her and wait for it to heal. I looked into Rosie's eyes and saw constant pain and confusion. It would never have healed, so we called a vet orthopedic surgeon and spent $3k to have it repaired. I was right, BTW, the surgeon said the injury was beyond healing itself. Rosie ended up with pins and straps put in her leg and we bit our nails while she was in the operating room as if she was one of our kids. It turned out well and Rosie had a few more good years. When we brought her home, she was a little altered from the pain and meds and would growl if we tried to touch her. I bought her a flat, fluffy bed that she didn't have to climb into . She healed very nicely and we never regretted doing the surgery.

I feel like I waited to long. The vet kept thinking it might heal on it's own but once he did the scan, he is all for the surgery. Monty just turned 6 so he still has a lot of good years left. My Jack Russell had a similar issue with her knee several months ago and it did heal after a few months. She just turned 13 this past June and she still acts like she is 2.

Burch

[Martyn]

Safe travels to all going to the rally. As usual, work and distance prevent us from coming. 😞

[dogdiva]

Be safe and have a wonderful time....Wish I could be there

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. We will be leaving in about an hour which will put us in Sevierville about 1:pm. Wish us safe travels and ask God to protect us as we make our journey toward Sevierville and the Old Fella Rally.

Here is 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.

[CA_POPPY]

When our Rosie (chiwa-what?) tore a tendon in a hind leg, our old country vet (who we loved) wanted us to crate her and wait for it to heal. I looked into Rosie's eyes and saw constant pain and confusion. It would never have healed, so we called a vet orthopedic surgeon and spent $3k to have it repaired. I was right, BTW, the surgeon said the injury was beyond healing itself. Rosie ended up with pins and straps put in her leg and we bit our nails while she was in the operating room as if she was one of our kids. It turned out well and Rosie had a few more good years. When we brought her home, she was a little altered from the pain and meds and would growl if we tried to touch her. I bought her a flat, fluffy bed that she didn't have to climb into . She healed very nicely and we never regretted doing the surgery.

[MetalGator]

dogdiva wrote:
Burch If y ou were in Texas I know of some excellent doggie ortho surgeons
Is there a teaching hospital close to you. I have been to the Texas A & M vet school here with several of my doggies/ Poor Monty has sure suffered and I hope you can get him fixed soon/ Yep it costs but that's what plastic is for lol

We are calling a surgeon that our vet recommends on Monday morning. Poor Monty has been in pain since Tuesday. The vet really worked out his leg while he was under. Monty rarely whines but a couple times this week he would lay under my feet and start whining. The vet gave us some pain pills and I have been giving him one each day. He seems better today. He actually picked up a toy and started aggravating one of my other dogs.

Burch

[dogdiva]

Burch If y ou were in Texas I know of some excellent doggie ortho surgeons
Is there a teaching hospital close to you. I have been to the Texas A & M vet school here with several of my doggies/ Poor Monty has sure suffered and I hope you can get him fixed soon/ Yep it costs but that's what plastic is for lol

[SGTJOE]

Safe travels to you all as you head to the Rally

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. So far we have been safe, no bad weather at all. The sky is very overcast this morning with a temperature of 64.9 degrees, no rain so far.

Metalgator I hope you will fair well being on the West Coast side of Florida, I expect you will get lots of rain however so you might get flooded.

We have folks traveling heading to Sevierville, Tennessee for the rally so I wish them safe travels and Sue and I will see you in a few days. We plan to get to Sevierville Monday afternoon. Peaches is doing so much better lately so I am not as worried about her as I was concerning the trip.

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.