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

[CA_POPPY]

The other day, Bud brought me a little orange tabby stuffed animal (toy) as we lost our 19 yr old cat Edna earlier this year. Cutest thing, Darcy went and got one of her favorite toys and laid it in front of the new "kitten." I think she misses Edna.

[MetalGator]

Dashonthedash wrote:

MetalGator wrote:

Scottiemom wrote:
Looking at your pix, Burch, I would say those poor doggies need more toys! :B

Yes, my dogs are a little bit spoiled! They haven't learned how to put up their toys yet. Monty will empty that basket to find the right toy and then I have to put all the toys back!

Burch

For a while, I thought your pups might be hoarders. I know of several greyhounds who take toys, shoes, and whatever else they can get their mouths on, and pile them up in their beds, crates, or other favorite places.

Monty is a hoarder. He will take several toys, chewies, etc. and will lie on the floor with the toys in front of him. He usually has one toy in his mouth like a pacifier. If the other dogs get near him, he will bark at them. It's pretty funny watching him.

[Dashonthedash]

MetalGator wrote:

Scottiemom wrote:
Looking at your pix, Burch, I would say those poor doggies need more toys! :B

Yes, my dogs are a little bit spoiled! They haven't learned how to put up their toys yet. Monty will empty that basket to find the right toy and then I have to put all the toys back!

Burch

For a while, I thought your pups might be hoarders. I know of several greyhounds who take toys, shoes, and whatever else they can get their mouths on, and pile them up in their beds, crates, or other favorite places.

[MetalGator]

Scottiemom wrote:
Looking at your pix, Burch, I would say those poor doggies need more toys! :B

Yes, my dogs are a little bit spoiled! They haven't learned how to put up their toys yet. Monty will empty that basket to find the right toy and then I have to put all the toys back!

Burch

[DOTLDaddy]

Whimstock, that would be over 11 years ago.:C

Dixieflyer wrote:
Posted: 09/05/05 04:18pm

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 . . . . .

I used ta see you all the time in OTC, but I gave that forum up quite awhile ago.:R Where the heck have you been? I see that you have not posted in a very long time.:h

[whimstock]

Just checking in to see if this thread was alive and well. Does anyone know when it started?

[Scottiemom]

Looking at your pix, Burch, I would say those poor doggies need more toys! :B

[MetalGator]

Monty is doing well. He is feeling much better as he is acting more like his old self. He wants to play all the time but I really need to be careful with him the next several weeks. He will sometimes take a few steps with his back leg before he pulls it back up. He still has about 2 weeks before I can really start letting him test the leg. I usually carry him outside to do his business but I let him walk around the house when we are home. He only needs to wear the cone/collar for another 2 days then I think it will be safe to leave it off. His incision looks very good and he never really got any swelling.

Burch

[ro_sie]

My gosh MetalGator, we are all getting an education here about taking care of dogs after surgery. I did have to care for Rockie after he had his surgery, but I cheated. I had one of those baby things where you carry an infant in, like a big heavy cloth thing and I carried him around in it. He didn't mind it, but Gracie was jealous. How is he doing today? Everyday he should be doing better and better.

We are preparing for a new taekwando belt test here. shes going to be a black belt before we know it. Have a good evening. I am going to hit the sack with my latest book.

[Dernhelm]

I'm amazed at how often this is the case. All my own dogs who have had surgery have done the same thing. The clipping and IV are irritating and the site is right there under the mouth.

Glad things are progressing well.

Ask any girl who's ever been shaved. It ITCHES.

[MetalGator]

As I mentioned before, I have webcams in the "dog room" so I can watch my doggies. One of Monty's many talents is his ability to hold up walls in the house. He likes to sleep up against the wall. Here are a couple of pictures I just took from the webcam.





Burch

[dturm]

MetalGator wrote:
... He doesn't seem to try to get to his incision on his knee much but he tries to lick his front paw where they had the IV in him.

Burch

I'm amazed at how often this is the case. All my own dogs who have had surgery have done the same thing. The clipping and IV are irritating and the site is right there under the mouth.

Glad things are progressing well.

[MetalGator]

dogdiva wrote:
Burch
Monty is sure a handsome boy.....I am a fan of that type of collar rather than the cone type. I can imagine how the come magnifies the sounds and I thing the tube is much more friendly

The surgeon said to keep the cone on him 10-12 days. It's been 8 days today so I am hoping to not have to use it after this weekend. I take it off when we are home and he's around us. If he tries to lick, I just say "Monty stop" and he stops. He doesn't seem to try to get to his incision on his knee much but he tries to lick his front paw where they had the IV in him.

Burch

[dogdiva]

Burch
Monty is sure a handsome boy.....I am a fan of that type of collar rather than the cone type. I can imagine how the come magnifies the sounds and I thing the tube is much more friendly
Keep that boy contained so he heals good
Thanks for posting the pics

[MetalGator]

Scottiemom wrote:
MetalGator, Monty is sure a cutie! Don't feel badly keeping him confined. Trust me, it will be worth it. Our Sheltie had blown out her knee (the torque on the hind legs on those spins at the end of the fence row is what did it). Her first surgery, the vet said I didn't need to confine her. She tore out those stitches within the first hour of being home. The second surgery our vet said she could never tear out those stiches because he used wire. That lasted a little longer, but still gave way the first day. Our vet then said he couldn't do any more because he had didn't have enough left with to work with.

So he sent us to a bone specialist who performed a ligament transplant. This was "new" technology back then. This time the vet said to keep her crated when we weren't there and on a leash when we were. She was not to run. She had a cast and even after the cast came off, she wasn't to run just yet. When he finally gave her the all clear, she ran like the wind. The only problem she had was that later in life she developed a bit of arthritis in that leg. But she could always walk on it.

So it will pay big dividends for Monty to remain vigilant. Best wishes to your beautiful little guy.

Dale

I am really glad to hear your doggie was able to heal after all that surgery. I will just be happy to see Monty walking on all four legs. He has been putting the leg down a little more each day but it will be another 2 weeks before he can really test it. If he pulls on the lease when I have him outside, he will put the leg down and walk a little on it. When I see him do this, I loosen up the lease and he then pulls his leg back up. I don't want him trying to test it too soon.

I have been leaving him locked up in our den. I leave all the dogs in there when we leave for work in the morning. I have a webcam in there and I check it through out the day. He is always laying right in front of the gate that blocks the door.

Can't wait for my handsome guy to get healed!

Burch