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

[TTBeachBum]

Lynn,
The webpages are great, did you design them?

[TTBeachBum]

leftnoright wrote:
IF a book gets published and IF some fool does come forward to try and claim OF, guess what? Then we would ALL come forward to claim OF. Let them try & unravel that mess!

Lynn,
I used to have the same fears when we adopted Axel. He was so attached to a male (he bonded with DH very quickly, he used to actually still does, just stare at DH). I would think the poor thing was heartbroken. So many people would comment on how beautiful he is (and well behaved someone invested alot of training into my old guy). I was afraid that his former human would show up and demand him back (and worse even Axel would want to go back).

As Linda stated, if anyone tried to mess with Old Fella, the thread would stand by Richard and his family. We stick together!

[lynno62]

Maybe I just worry to much but I know it would break my heart to see it happen. Much less anyone elses. Thanks for reasuring me.

[leftnoright]

IF a book gets published and IF some fool does come forward to try and claim OF, guess what? Then we would ALL come forward to claim OF. Let them try & unravel that mess!

[TTBeachBum]

lynno62 wrote:
:B I heard from Richard this morning all is well. They have all been sick since the left home with colds, but Old Fella and Levi are doing good. Richard says that you can tell that Old Fella was someones pet at one time. They will be home on Sat. the 12 and then you can hear about the trip from them.
Now this is JMHO but I hope when the book does come out who ever had Old Fella never buys the book or at least does not come forward to try and claim him. Old Fella has such a loving home that I do not know of anyone who could do better. I just have to say God Bless Richard his Faimly and Old Fella.
thank you.

In NYS it is abandonment which I think is felony not even a misdemeanor (not sure on that part). But it is posted by shelters, rescues, etc. They would not have a leg or paw to stand on.

[chrisnpat]

Code2High wrote:
Thanks for the update, Lynn! I think if someone wanted to "claim" Old Fella they would have ah.... very little legal leg to stand on so to speak. He was on his own for what, a couple years?

Besides that they would have to prove it.
Although it wouldn't surprize me at all if someone tried to claim him latter on (after the book comes out). Nope, Old Fella is Richard's dog and I don't think anyone of us will dispute that.

[Luizianna]

Nahh...I think whoever had him...didn't or couldn't keep him any longer and dropped him off at the cg or state park, thinking someone would find him and fall in love with him and take him home with them...they just didn't think it would take years!! JMHO

[Code2High]

Thanks for the update, Lynn! I think if someone wanted to "claim" Old Fella they would have ah.... very little legal leg to stand on so to speak. He was on his own for what, a couple years?

[lynno62]

:B I heard from Richard this morning all is well. They have all been sick since the left home with colds, but Old Fella and Levi are doing good. Richard says that you can tell that Old Fella was someones pet at one time. They will be home on Sat. the 12 and then you can hear about the trip from them.
Now this is JMHO but I hope when the book does come out who ever had Old Fella never buys the book or at least does not come forward to try and claim him. Old Fella has such a loving home that I do not know of anyone who could do better. I just have to say God Bless Richard his Faimly and Old Fella.
thank you.

[tandemsuit]

Huh??? :?

[Luizianna]

Lynn...the websites..good job! If I had to choose, it would be the first one, the second one felt confusing with the columns. So my vote is for the first one.

[lynno62]

I have not heard from them but as soon as I do I will let everyone know.

[Code2High]

Where is that dog, er, man? They were supposed to VISIT Disney, not move in there! Anyone heard from them?

[TTBeachBum]

Old Fella seems to be enjoying his retirement time with Dixieflyers family.

[sue_t]

Okay, I want to die and come back as Old Fella! I'm jealous! That spoiled dog is getting to RV more than we are and in better places too. I suppose he's paid his dues though.

Even so, maybe if I hang around a Waynesboro campground long enough, Richard will adopt me ... I'm probably almost as smart as the Fella and even still have all my toes! I can cook too. Surely that must count for something!! :B