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

[DOTLDaddy]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
....They don't think they are dogs, they act more like--- well you know---that other species....
Dixie Flyer

Yes, we know exactly what other species you are referring to . . . . DOTL!:C

[TTBeachBum]

Thanks for the update. I love the rain story!!!

[DOTLDaddy]

I am also happy this thread is not being deleted. The other option, while possible, was not preferable.

[lynno62]

Dixie, Thank you for the update. So looking forward to new pictures. So glad to hear that everything is going good. I am so happy for Old Fella, and his new family.
Lynn,Mickey

[Dixie_Flyer]

Desert Rat-59 wrote:
Dixie Flyer so give us an update.

This morning all is well. All the furries have had their breakfast and are ready for the adventures of the day. It is still raining here so Old Fella and Levi will hang out in the house again today. Izzie will go to his favorite spot, his chair looking out the front window, and look over his domain. When Izzie was a kitten we didn't know if he was a boy or a girl, so the question was is he? Well that became Izzie and the name stuck. So Izzie the cat and Old Fella and Levi the dogs have full tummies and heavy eyes. Did I say DOGS!! They don't think they are dogs, they act more like--- well you know---that other species. Yep they are spoiled rotten. Well that is it for the morning. I am going to send more pictures this afternoon. See you then

Dixie Flyer

[Desert_Rat-59]

Dixie Flyer so give us an update.

[Code2High]

Hmmmmmm perhaps someone is into The Kinks?

[MrsSoCalToolGuy]

whimstock wrote:

GreenRiverGroundsHunter wrote:
Maybe Dixie Dew, Happy, Old Fella and Levi can double date? Izzy can chaperone - LOL!

Brilliant! I knew what with the girls' morals, a threesome was totally out--but a double date would be great!!!

Now, I'm thinkin' Izzy is a boy...but if she's a girl....we have Lola, our male (yes, male....it's a long story) cat, who could join the group.

Oh my Barbara, you have a male cat named LOLA?:B I knew I liked you. That's how I met my neighbor. She has a transvestite cat. I knew her cat's name was Sassy and assumed Sassy was a girl. Well Sassy is a boy and there's an interesting story there too I quess.:W Barb

[whimstock]

GreenRiverGroundsHunter wrote:
Maybe Dixie Dew, Happy, Old Fella and Levi can double date? Izzy can chaperone - LOL!

Brilliant! I knew what with the girls' morals, a threesome was totally out--but a double date would be great!!!

Now, I'm thinkin' Izzy is a boy...but if she's a girl....we have Lola, our male (yes, male....it's a long story) cat, who could join the group.

[GreenRiverGroun]

Maybe Dixie Dew, Happy, Old Fella and Levi can double date? Izzy can chaperone - LOL!

[Dixie_Flyer]

Old Fellow is going to get his share and if the book doesn't fly then Old Fella will still be taken care of. I understand he has his eye on one good looking lady and she looks like she has plenty of money.

[Timmo_]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
...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.

Why doesn't "Old Fella" own a percentage of the book deal directly? :?:?:?

This twist might help boost book sales and the proceeds would help offset Old Fella's expenditures during his lifetime. My reasoning is based on these 3 simple observations:

1. We "encouraged" DixieFlyer to make several trips to the campground...so in essence, DixieFlyer was our "agent" and acting in our behalf--obeying our instructions...afterall aren't we all living these Old Fella moments through Rich?:W

2. Now be honest with us DixieFlyer, the morning before you ever laid eyes on the sickly dog, the notion of adding another furkid in your household was the farthest thing from your mind? Right? You went back to the campground repeatedly because--no else was there to do it but you did try to weasel out, remember...:B

Dixie Flyer wrote:
...I am hoping that someone will step up and give him a home as we already have two pets. I don't know how he would get along with the cat. The cat is my wife's pride and joy and nothing will upset that relationship.

3. Since DixieFlyer has physical custody of Old Fella I think that means he is also responsible for Old Fella's medical bills and would be financially responsible if Old Fella had "issues" with someone.:E

Now, if you get what you pay for...and I bet a bunch of us feel that Old Fella deserves an extra portion of pie. Since DixieFlyer is "our agent" and he sorta is working at our direction, I think we then sorta have an obligation to make sure there are resources to get the job done. And if the table can be turned so Old Fella repays Rich with the dough earned from the book deal...now that would be way too cool!:C:C:C:C

That's my $0.02...USD of course!

[whimstock]

DIXIESMAMA wrote:
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

And I sat down with "Happy"......... :B

I explained that Dixie had her paws out for Old Fella. I told her what Dixie said, too, about mundane $$$$ monetary things and Fame. :R

Happy said she wants only to make her honey "happy" and take him riding with her in that boat, especially since he's had so many difficult years.



"Tart?!?!?!? Come Hither?!?!?!?!? Me?!?!?!? Mom! That was a wholesome smile if ever there was one! :W Aren't you trying to plan a trip for this fall? How does Georgia sound, Mom???????"

[tandemsuit]

I'm fine with starting a new thread.

[needsomefun]

DIXIESMAMA wrote:


"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.

DIXIESMAMA

That Dixie needs to GET A GRIP. She's gonna be standin in line for Old Fella's autograph!