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

[mistressofdistr]

A picture is worth a thousand words!

[TTBeachBum]

🙂

[RogerNCindy]

Richard has asked me to post the following story:


The Kiss

He had just saved her from a fire in her house, rescuing her by carrying her out of the house into her front yard, while he continued to fight the fire.

She is pregnant.

When he finally got done putting the fire out, he sat down to catch his breath and rest.

A photographer from the Charlotte, North Carolina Newspaper, "The Observer," noticed her in the distance looking at the fireman. He saw her walking straight toward the fireman and wondered what she was going to do.

As he raised his camera, she came up to the tired man who had saved her life and the lives of her babies, and kissed him, just as the photographer snapped this photograph.

[Dixie_Flyer]

This was taken at Hunting Island back in December 2005. It is a great picture of Levi and Old Fella but I made it too small.

[Dixie_Flyer]

The rally is shaping up with some surprises for the raffle. I will let Buz2b, Roger and Cindy tell you about that over on the rally thread. Fella is ready to go for this weekend's camping trip to Modoc Corps Of Engineers Campground. As you remember this is the campground he called home for many years. This time he is going back as a guest with his family and he will be coming home with us.
Nina has informed the rangers and other regulars that Fella is coming so they can come for a visit and see what a beautiful well mannered animal he is. The Masters Golf tournament is in full swing in Augusta this week. Hootie Johnson wanted to invite Fella to the tournament as a guest but was afraid that he would draw too much attention once he started watering the azaleas {just a joke}.
Back in 1992 I did get to play golf at the Masters and enjoyed it very much. I shot an 82 with the help of one of the greens keepers who knew every break on every hole. Anyway, Fella hopes everyone has a great day. So from all of us to all of you have a great day!
Dixie Flyer

[CockerDodger]

Good picture of Richard and Ol Fella. We knew you could do it Sue!

Counting the days till we leave for Branson. We pray all stay well and looking forward to seeing Ol Fella in person. May tuck a treat up my sleave, poor dog.

Seriously a little less weight will make it easier on that injured leg. With our Mollee being blind we know how you have to make adjustments to make it easier for their handicap, and we too use a ramp to get our girls into and out of the pickup.

God bless the Daniels and furkids.
Chuck

[Buz2b]

Well Dixie, it could be worse as far as OF wanting to be fed. Our cat Pita (also on a diet) will sit in front of us, staring holes in us for 10 minutes or more. Then she'll come up to us rubbing and purring. As soon as one of us make a move to get up, she hustles in front of us to "lead" us to the food bowl. If we dare venture off away from the bowl she starts letting us know we made the wrong choice in a kind of whining meow that tugs at the heart. The good news is that she has accepted the "good for you" food and it seems to be working. She is now down to a slim 20 lbs. That is down from 25+ lbs just two years ago. Think how hard it would be to lose one fifth of our weight! Not that I couldn't use it!! :W Seriously though, Old Fella looks great. I'm sure he'll get used to the idea of less food. Just watch out for any scavenging he might try to do. They can be pretty sneaky and get into things they shouldn't.

[Happytraveler]

He turned out to be such a beautiful dog. Isn't it funny how quickly they learn how to rule the house.

[RogerNCindy]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
Well it is a beautiful day here in Georgia. Old Fella sends his best to everyone. I think He is starting to look for a new home as we are starting to win the weight battle. He thinks we are starving him to death. He has been hanging out in the kitchen lately. When ever we go near he sneaks in to check on the food supply.

He walks around the counter with his nose held high sniffing the counter for food. He then checks the floor for any crumbs that might have fallen. If all else fails he will lay on his bed in the family room and bark, woof, woof, woof. It is the three woofs that is the signal for me to go and get him a treat and bring it to him. Two woofs means someone is at the door. Four woofs means it is time to go for a walk. Continuous woofing means let me outside now!

So is the life of Old Fella and his servant Richard. He sends his regards to all and asks if someone would please send some food?

Sounds like Old Fella has you trained pretty well :B

[Dixie_Flyer]

Well it is a beautiful day here in Georgia. Old Fella sends his best to everyone. I think He is starting to look for a new home as we are starting to win the weight battle. He thinks we are starving him to death. He has been hanging out in the kitchen lately. When ever we go near he sneaks in to check on the food supply.

He walks around the counter with his nose held high sniffing the counter for food. He then checks the floor for any crumbs that might have fallen. If all else fails he will lay on his bed in the family room and bark, woof, woof, woof. It is the three woofs that is the signal for me to go and get him a treat and bring it to him. Two woofs means someone is at the door. Four woofs means it is time to go for a walk. Continuous woofing means let me outside now!

So is the life of Old Fella and his servant Richard. He sends his regards to all and asks if someone would please send some food?

[Dandy_Dan]

Dixie, you and Sue have done a wonderful job with OF. He looks so shiny and proud. Just FYI, Anytime you leave, the dog thinks that is the last time it will see you. that is why it is so excited to see you when you come back. Too bad there is not a way to explain to the puppu that we "will" return. Keep up the good work and if all goes well may get to see you in my town...haha.....Happy Camping and God Bless

[Dixie_Flyer]

I enjoy looking back to the trip to Cherokee, NC.

[mpj]

Richard: OF is looking GREAT! Thanks for posting the photos and keeping us updated.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Hi Camper Carl. It is so hard for Fella to get into and out of the truck with his bad leg and foot so we don't take him for short trips around town. We bought him a ramp that makes it so much easier but it is still a hassle for him. Once in the truck he settles in on the back seat and goes to sleep right away. Ask him if he wants to go and you better be ready to take him somewhere because if you don't he will drive you nuts following you around barking and whining. The thing is he wants to go wherever we go just to be close to us. If we are gone for any length of time he gets panicky and nervous as if we are not coming back for him.
He is getting better at that however and is not as stressed when we go some where and leave him. It is strange that he thinks the kennel where he stayed when he was first rescued is his second home. He gets excited when we take him there for grooming and starts barking with excitement. He loves Kim one the workers at the kennel and he really gets excited to see her. So if he thinks he is going on a camping trip, or a ride to the kennel he is ready and then some.

With his bad leg getting into the camper is a problem for him even with the ramp. The camper is high off the ground {three steps up} and that puts the ramp at an angle that is tough on him. So Sue leads him to the ramp and gets all four paws on it and then I lift up the back end of it to make it level and he steps right in. We have to make concessions for him but he is worth it. The joy we see in his eyes and different expressions of happiness overcome any difficulty we have helping him with his handicap.

[Camper_Carl]

Dixie Flyer wrote:

He is so handsome with his silky soft coat. He is one happy boy.

WOW!!!Again. He is a great looking dog and he is really filling out in all the right places. How is he in the trailer when you guys take him camping? Also, I don't remember if I have asked you this or not, but when taking Old Fella in the car for a ride to the store, vet, ect, how is he? Does he like car rides? We have one of our that can do without car rides (Hilldy) the others are great in the car.
Take care,
Carl