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

[Dixie_Flyer]

Camper Carl wrote:
Thanks for the answers. He is sure turning out to be a great pet no matter what his age is. Richard, Pattie has a suggestion for you. Why don't you make op a story board with your pictures and bring it to the rally. Have about 20 pictures of when you got him, and his progress until the rally. It is only a suggestion, but we hope you like it.

Carl & Pattie

That is a great idea! I will do that.

[mrskti]

Good idea, scrapbooking pages!!!

[Camper_Carl]

Thanks for the answers. He is sure turning out to be a great pet no matter what his age is. Richard, Pattie has a suggestion for you. Why don't you make op a story board with your pictures and bring it to the rally. Have about 20 pictures of when you got him, and his progress until the rally. It is only a suggestion, but we hope you like it.

Carl & Pattie

[Dixie_Flyer]

Old Fella loves his bed. When I washed the cover he waited at the washing machine and dryer until it was done and then followed me to put the padding back inside and once it was back on the floor, well you see where he went.

[CA_POPPY]

Camper Carl wrote:
Richard, are you sure of his age? He does not look the age that everyone had been giving him. I am only looking at pictures, but in the picture Old Fella looks like 5 to 7 years young.

I say the same thing, Carl. A dog of 10 or 11, especially a black dog, will usually have a graying muzzle and the beginning of cataracts. I think he's younger and his hard life made him look older when Rich first got him. He looks wonderful now!

[rvinaz]

This story is truly amazing. I've been away from rv.net for a few weeks and I missed seeing the wonderful story unfold. Old fella, as well as Izzie and Levi, are certainly blessed to have such wonderful 'parents'.

[mistressofdistr]

He is georgous:B

[Dixie_Flyer]

To answer Camper Carl's question about age. When you can really see his age is when you look at the skin and how it folds around his cheeks and the flabby skin around the neck. But like you say his eye are very clear, but they are glassy looking at times under certain light. Being around him all the time I think he is about 10 years old. As far as his breed, I know he is part Chow because of the black tongue and looking at his feet I believe he is part Lab.

[Tommiecr]

He is looking very good. Not at all like the stray you found. He just needed some tender loving cars.

[needsomefun]

He is lookin' better all the time!!

[Graydog]

I can seen it now Old Fella - Nike will want to do a shoe contract for your bad foot. Then comes Gatorade! I would hold out for a Dog Food Commercial! Richard he looks amazing compared to how we first saw him. You and your wife are truly wonderful people (along with all those who helped Old Fella along the way). Your story has touched more people than you will ever realize!

[Camper_Carl]

Dixie Flyer wrote:


DOTL OLd Fella in his new bandanna!!

Boy, Old Fella eyes are really clear. Richard, are you sure of his age? He does not look the age that everyone had been giving him. I am only looking at pictures, but in the picture Old Fella looks like 5 to 7 years young. By the way, any idea what breed he is?

Carl

[Dixie_Flyer]

I almost forgot, Levi asked where was his other picture so here it is. This is Levi relaxing after some hard DOTL training.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Thanks to mistressofdistress for the new bandannas!!

[Dixie_Flyer]

That is Old Fella off duty.