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

[CatandJim]

GREAT NEWS! This is me doing my happy dance!



I hope y'all have many wonderful years together.

[Modocmohawk]

:C Well, Rich thanks to you and your wife we will all rest better knowing you and your great wife are going to keep Old Fellow, and I know he will do just fine, as I said before, he chose you!!!!

[Dixie_Flyer]

lynno62 wrote:
Dixie,God Bless you and your family for keeping old Fellow. I am so glad for you and him. Looking forward to hearing more about him,and you and how everything is going. How is the heartworm treatment? this was the touchy time I remember. Good luck.

I haven't checked this morning by yesterday he was doing fine. I am planing on going out for a visit this morning so I will report when I get back.

[lynno62]

Dixie,God Bless you and your family for keeping old Fellow. I am so glad for you and him. Looking forward to hearing more about him,and you and how everything is going. How is the heartworm treatment? this was the touchy time I remember. Good luck.

[Code2High]

WWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!

(ps: "told ya so!! :B :B")

[whimstock]

You have truly made my day! Not to mention Old Fellow's!

What a special person you are. I am thrilled that he will have such a wonderful home with you and look forward to hearing more about him...and seeing more pics.

Barbara



We are all smiling here today!!!

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dixiedew the Old Fellow is somewhere between 10 or 11 years old according to Dr. Gradous.

[GreenRiverGroun]

Yay!!! Go you! Go you! Go us! Go Us!

Since we didn't hear from you, I decided you were either 1) camping or 2) getting a bunch of new stuff for Old Fellow!

I'm sure I speak for all of us when I say how happy I am for Old Fellow and for you. Our maker works in mysterious ways and I'm sure there has been some divine intervention going on!

Please thank your dear wife for her efforts in providing Old Fellow with new hope and a new life!

(And as for the $$, there isn't a one of us who doesn't know the ongoing costs of keeping pets. This, my friend, is but a drop in the bucket! I know we are all committed to getting Old Fellow off on the right foot, so to speak. Since you, yourself, have done soooo much, we can feel that, in some small way, we helped too!)

I know you've made us all happy campers today - even as the rain pours down outside!

God bless all of you, my friend! 🙂

[Dixie_Flyer]

The wife and I took the weekend to go camping and talk things over and we have decided to give Old Fellow a forever home with us. Thank you for all of your support and encouragement. I promise to keep giving you updates and pictures as I believe he now belongs to all of us. Thank you for helping with Old Fellow's vet and boarding bills you have made a forever friend.

I love each and every one of you for what you have done.

Dixie Flyer

The story continues as Old Fellow begins another journey this time with his new family.

[Modocmohawk]

Folks, Old Fellow picked Rich when he hung around his campsite when Rich camped at the campground, he always checked out the campers and knew which ones would feed him etc, but he did not hang out with them, he Chose Rich and not that I am pressuring you Rich, but the ball is in your court!!!
God Bless You

[DIXIESMAMA]

In my former life, I was a facilitator for the Department of the Navy. Without going into a long explanation----I helped people get things done. One of the things I had to learn was body language. If anyone looks at the photo of you and Old Fella, you are his true protector and there is so much love in your body language. Instead of standing with your hand on his head, you are kneeling down to his level, encircling and protecting him with your body and arms. DIXIE FLYER, THAT DOG IS YOURS AND YOU BELONG TO HIM.

I donated to get that fellow well. If you need a little more to get him on his feet let us know and I will try to help next month. If you feel you can, I want you to keep him. I know if you can't you will find him a wonderful home.

Oh, Dixie Dew, the mighty Schnauzer, wants to know how old he is. She has a real thing for 'older gentlemen' especially those with a 'past'. She thinks he is so handsome.

Keep in touch.

DIXIESMAMA

[MrsSoCalToolGuy]

Dixie Flyer
What does your wife think about bringing Old Fellow home? I think I remembered you saying that you also had a cat or cats? How will Old Fellow fit in with all your other family members?

I may feel a little different than some of the other folks on the forum. You rescued this old dog and I think that was ment to be, but I also trust that what ever decison you make concerning Old Fellow will be a good one. I feel confident that if you decide that someone else can give him a good and loving home then thats the right decision.

I would rescue any animal that I could, but I could not take another into my home at this time. So I would hope that people would understand, if I had to find another home for a rescued dog or cat. I say this because I found a litter of kittens once. I could not take anymore in, as I already had 7 cats at the time. ( I would end up being one of those cat ladies) you see on TV:o. I called several rescue organizations until I found one that could take them. I drove 40 miles and donated enough money to the kitty rescue organization take care of them until they found them homes. Some times you can only do so much.

God Bless you for helping Old Fellow and I trust that what ever decision you make will be the right one...Barb

[Timmo_]

My vote is: It's up to Dixie Flyer.

If he is the best home...or if someone else is the best home, then so be it.:B

Hell...you did the right thing before (even when it pained you that it might cost a few duckets) so you'll do the right thing now-besides, thanks to you, now every day will be a "good day" for the little guy and isn't that what really matters?:W

[Code2High]

Besides what I said before, I think the more important consideration for anyone here, who donated or didn't.... is the best interest of the dog. And I think THAT issue needs no further clarification.

[E_Texan]

Yes adopt him. Your the only true friend this old guy probably ever had.