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]

Good morning this Easter Sunday. Old Fella is doing great as well as everyone else here. Sue is visiting the daughters and grandchildren in Greenville, SC so I have been holding down the fort at home. I was not able to go because of responsibilities here at home with the church.

I wish everyone a blessed Easter Sunday and hope that all of your families are safe and secure.

Dixie Flyer.

[Dixie_Flyer]

sue.t wrote:

Dixie Flyer wrote:
He got some new booties the other day, but they are made out of some kind of material that is slick so they won't stay on. The others he had were made out of something like cotton ...

Richard, those other ones were made of fleece. Commonly worn by sled dogs. Very warm on the foot, nice and soft padding, but also tend to wear through easily. With the velcro ankle strap they stay on nicely though.

I found the website for the ones you sent me and ordered them yeaterday. He only needs the bootie on one foot so the ones you sent have lasted until now.

[sue_t]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
He got some new booties the other day, but they are made out of some kind of material that is slick so they won't stay on. The others he had were made out of something like cotton ...

Richard, those other ones were made of fleece. Commonly worn by sled dogs. Very warm on the foot, nice and soft padding, but also tend to wear through easily. With the velcro ankle strap they stay on nicely though.

[leftnoright]

I just ordered Mitzi some of those booties. There's been so much rain here lately I think using the booties would be easier than washing her feet all the time. Plus, with her allergies, her feet will be protected better.

[maltese-lover2]

Just a note--be sure and check around for the harnesses. I have a catalog at home and they will range from $16 - $35. When I get home, I'll email the address of the cheaper one. A friend of mine bought one and it works great. Don't know how big your dog is but I'm sure anything would help (unless its a tiny one like ours). Good luck. BTW, I am going to try the booties because 2 of ours has knee problems. Thanks and really appreciate the info.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Old Fella just got one of these and it works great! Even with his bad leg he hopped right into the camper! It is sturdy and the platforms are large which gives him the confidence to go right up.


Pet Loader

[DOTLDaddy]

Code2High wrote:
Walter, do you have a pet assist harness for Missy? They can be a real lifesaver as things get more difficult.

No, I don't. But I have been thinking about that. Some days she has great difficulty getting up our carpeted basement steps, and I end up carrying her up.

[Code2High]

Walter, do you have a pet assist harness for Missy? They can be a real lifesaver as things get more difficult.

[DOTLDaddy]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
I just ordered two. We will see how they work out.
Thanks

Wow Richard,

Once you make your mind up you don't waste any time!!! :W

[Dixie_Flyer]

I just ordered two. We will see how they work out.
Thanks

[DOTLDaddy]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
...The ones you recommend, what are they made of?

Here is a description:

"100% PVC "rubberized" coating applied to a knit backing. A durable, abrasion resistant non-scuff grip material which retains grip, wet or dry."

Also, look at the website description.

[Dixie_Flyer]

DOTLDaddy wrote:
Richard,

These work very well for Missy. Her rear legs are very weak now and she has great difficulty on smooth floors:

http://www.dogbooties.com/toug90boot.html

If you decide to get some, make sure you read the sizing info. I ended up getting Missy "small" booties! 😛 Of course, she has rather dainty and petite feet. 🙂

Old Fella's bad foot is hard to measure as he only has half a foot left. I found some at Free Spirit Outfitter just like the ones he had. I ordered a size larger than the one he had so that they would fit better. The ones you recommend, what are they made of?

[DOTLDaddy]

Richard,

These work very well for Missy. Her rear legs are very weak now and she has great difficulty on smooth floors:

http://www.dogbooties.com/toug90boot.html

If you decide to get some, make sure you read the sizing info. I ended up getting Missy "small" booties! 😛 Of course, she has rather dainty and petite feet. 🙂

[Buz2b]

Dixie Flyer wrote:

CockerDodger wrote:
DF, great pictures, Two side questions, have you always had all those fingers on your left hand? Does it hamper your golf game? Guess it's all the better to scratch OF. Can't wait to see all those fingers.
Chuck

Yeah, I grew those overnight just for the picture!

Maybe it was Sue trying to illustrate that you are "all thumbs". :B :W

[Dixie_Flyer]

Simon3xUD wrote "I'm sure he'll be quite svelte by the time the Rally rolls around . When you changed OF's food, did you switch him over gradually (mixing new with old) or all at once? The latter can sometimes encourage a bit of gastric upset until the dog's system adjusts to the new diet"

I did mix the new dog food with the old and he now has solid bowel movements. The sock type booties we had before worked great and as you mentioned there was a pad on the bottom that hepled with traction. Since they have worn out I need to find some like the old ones as the ones I just replaced them with don't work as well.

Levi for some reason is dragging around as if he has no energy. I will watch him for a few days and see what is going on with him.