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

[GreenRiverGroun]

Rich - glad to see I'm not the only person standing in the rain in my jammies! I'm so glad that Old Fella is fitting in so well! We also have cat/dog avoidance in our house, the exception being our rescue Ginger, who just can't figure out why the cats don't want to play with her. She is the proverbial "keeps going back for more"!

[Dixie_Flyer]

GreenRiverGroundsHunter wrote:
Here's an idea - perhaps this OLD thread should be closed - not deleted - (as it contains all of the background material etc.) and a NEW FOOF thread could start with new updates. This OLD thread would be "archived" into history, but the NEW "Old Fella's new life" thread would pick up where the OLD thread leaves off. Basically, this OLD thread still would be accessible through (everyone's favorite) "Search" for anyone who wants to read the back-story. The rest of us can continue on with 56 less pages on a NEW thread!

Basically, this OLD thread would just fade into history, while preserving the story, but a NEW thread would carry on from where we are now.

How does that sound?

DIXIESMAMA - I think Dixie Dew hath thrown down the gauntlet, so to speak!

That is fine with me as long as it is okay with everyone else. I feel this thread belongs to everyone who participated or read the threads and I would not want to offend anyone. If this okay with the people who made all this possible then it is okay with me.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Tomorrow I am going to take more pictures and have them processed and have Needsomefun post them for me. Old Fella is doing great. I laughed this morning. We are having a lot of heavy rain so when opened the back door for him to go out to take care of business he took one look at the rain and wet ground and looked at me as if to say, "Oh no-- not me bubba" as if he hasn't been in the rain before.
He just wanted to make sure I didn't leave him outside so he waited until I went out with him. So here I am standing out in the rain with my PJ's on bare footed. Now who is the smart I ask one??

He and Izzie are getting along by avoiding each other as much as possible. Its funny when they meet in a narrow passage way. One gets on one side and one gets on the other and as they pass it as if both of them expect to get a slap. As soon as they are by each other they quicken their pace looking back at each other. Old Fella ran into a chair looking back, that was funny.

Old Fella's coat is looking better everyday and his face is clearing up. He has really been a blesssing as I watch him settle in and adapt to his new family. I will take care of the picture as soon as I can so you can take a look.

[GreenRiverGroun]

Here's an idea - perhaps this OLD thread should be closed - not deleted - (as it contains all of the background material etc.) and a NEW FOOF thread could start with new updates. This OLD thread would be "archived" into history, but the NEW "Old Fella's new life" thread would pick up where the OLD thread leaves off. Basically, this OLD thread still would be accessible through (everyone's favorite) "Search" for anyone who wants to read the back-story. The rest of us can continue on with 56 less pages on a NEW thread!

Basically, this OLD thread would just fade into history, while preserving the story, but a NEW thread would carry on from where we are now.

How does that sound?

DIXIESMAMA - I think Dixie Dew hath thrown down the gauntlet, so to speak!

[DIXIESMAMA]

I sat down and discussed the book with Dixie Dew, the mighty Schnauzer. It sorta went like this:

A nice lady is going to write a book about 'Old Fella'. (She thinks the new spelling is COOL)

"Oh, Mama, that means he is going to be famous and rich, Mama, he will be RICH!!!
Then he can take me to the pet store and buy me chew bones and collars and a new ball...and we can go eat spaghetti like Lady and the Tramp..Oh, Mama, it is wonderful..soo romantic."

But, Dixie, you have never met him.

"I will when you take me to the Old Fella Rally next summer. I have to get there before that beagle, 'Happy', gets there. Did you see her picture? What about that "come-hither" look she was giving 'Old Fella' over her shoulder. She is a TART, Mama, nothing but a TART!!!

"Can we go, Please?"

Do you see what you have started, Rich.

DIXIESMAMA

[needsomefun]

CA POPPY wrote:
Well, my 2¢ worth is, I honestly don't see a book's worth of material here. A wonderful, heartwarming magazine article, yes. As someone said, just the kind of thing Reader's Digest likes to run. But a BOOK with many pages? Background on Rich and the dog and everybody involved? Well, not for me to say, but I sure don't want anymore stress put on the dear heart who made this story possible.

But it could sure make a heck of a movie. I don't mean Disney either. Romance and Trash. Old Fellow will be wealthy beyond his wildest dreams!!!

[chrisnpat]

CA POPPY wrote:
Well, my 2¢ worth is, I honestly don't see a book's worth of material here. A wonderful, heartwarming magazine article, yes. As someone said, just the kind of thing Reader's Digest likes to run. But a BOOK with many pages? Background on Rich and the dog and everybody involved? Well, not for me to say, but I sure don't want anymore stress put on the dear heart who made this story possible.

I'm with you on this CAPOPPY, and Thank You Rich.

[MrsSoCalToolGuy]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
I just got off the phone with Susanne and the thread will live on just as it is so that you may continued to be updated as to Old Fella and his family and post your comments. Just to let you know there is an agreement with Susanne for a percentage of the book sales go to a shelter of my choice for animal rescue.

Yes, thankyou Rich....Barb

[pasco1215]

Thank you Rich!

[Kfancii]

Thanks for the update Rich! I didn't mean to stir up trouble, it just hit me wrong and I tend to be pretty vocal when I have an opinon. I'm very glad to know that there is a percentage of the sales that will go to the shelter of your choice too. I'm anxious to see what Susanne writes and will support her and the book knowing that it will benefit other animals out there like Old Fella. I like the idea of giving it as a gift alot! With so much ugliness in the world these days it is heartwarming to know that there are still good people out there.

Kelly

[Luizianna]

welllll...to be honest...I would not like to see the thread pulled either...but it is Rich's decision...his intention was to get O.F. to a vet and get him taken care of regardless of the cost. He had no idea the vet would help with the cost and he had no idea any of us would be willing to help financially. He just went out and did it! It is actually his story and I for one will go along with his decision.

[MrsSoCalToolGuy]

I've followed this thread from the beginning and I would be very disappointed if this thread were to close. I feel we are all a part of this story and I would hate to lose contact with (Dixie Flyer) Rich and Old Fellow so someone can write a book. I agree with Kelly, this thread should not have any effect on the sale of such a book. I've looked forward to Old Fella updates...Barb

[CA_POPPY]

Well, my 2¢ worth is, I honestly don't see a book's worth of material here. A wonderful, heartwarming magazine article, yes. As someone said, just the kind of thing Reader's Digest likes to run. But a BOOK with many pages? Background on Rich and the dog and everybody involved? Well, not for me to say, but I sure don't want anymore stress put on the dear heart who made this story possible.

[Dixie_Flyer]

I just got off the phone with Susanne and the thread will live on just as it is so that you may continued to be updated as to Old Fella and his family and post your comments. Just to let you know there is an agreement with Susanne for a percentage of the book sales go to a shelter of my choice for animal rescue.

[tandemsuit]

I don't like the idea of the thread being removed either. JMHO