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

[bonniesoo]

Old Fella is in our prayers for a speedy recovery.

The Hales

[kokosfriend]

I am so sorry you and Old Fella are going through this. I am praying for him. It is sometimes so much a struggle with an older dog with health and joint problems - one thing after another. The important thing is to keep the infection from spreading throughout, so it is good that you are early on it. This would prob have happened to him when he was homeless and then he would have died already in pain and suffering - so glad that you have him now and can care for him and keep him comfortable.
Barb

[Dixie_Flyer]

We are back in trouble with Fella's foot. When I took the bandage off this morning and looked at the foot I knew something was wrong, so I took Fella to the Vet's office. Sure enough he confirmed my fears that Fella was getting in real trouble with the infected foot. It looks as if now it could involve the whole foot if it isn't stopped. He took a culture and sent it off and it won't be back for a week. In the mean time he is calling a specialist in Aiken, South Carolina for me to take Fella to in the next few days. Time now is critical as we fight to keep the infection from spreading throughout the foot and leg. As of this morning Doc seems to think we still have a jump on whatever this is, but admits he is baffled as to just what is going on, that is the reason for the culture. It looks as if this is going to be a long and drawn out affair.

I hope he will be able to walk on his own when we go to Branson but doc even suggested this morning that part of the foot may have to be amputated if this continues. If that happens I don't know where that will take us?. Whatever happens I am in it for the long haul, whatever it takes for Old Fella to have a quality of life.

Fella has lost another pound so he is now down to 78lbs from 85 so that is an improvement and will help him with his getting up and down. Doc suggested that I put Fella on Cosequin to help with the joint in his other leg as it feels as if it is grinding when you take it and move it around.

Keep the prayers coming as they help a lot.

Dixie Flyer.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Old Fella's foot doesn't look as good this morning as it has looked. There is now a strong odor coming from the bandage when I took it off and he didn't want me to touch it this morning. So I am going to take him back to the vet sometime today and let him have another look.

Sue has a problem at work that I have to help her get through that may require all morning and perhaps even longer to resolve. She had a shipment returned that Road Way Express damaged and each container weighs about 200lbs and here are 24 of them I think she said. We somehow have to separate the damaged ones from the good ones and repackage the whole shipment. Since all we have is muscle and not much of that we will have a hard time with this. Anyway we'll get'er done somehow.

Keep the prayers coming for Old Fella that he can get that foot well before Branson and that we can arrive there all nice and healed.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Keredd wrote:
There is a product called "Mattherma." It's an ointment that has the ability to cure some pretty hard to cure injuries to skin. Bed sores are one of the toughest injuries to cure and Mattherma works where others have failed.

Google Mattherma for more info. Show the list of ingredients to the vet to see if there's anything in it that's harmful to dogs.

Have you used the product and if you have what was your experience with it?

[Keredd]

There is a product called "Mattherma." It's an ointment that has the ability to cure some pretty hard to cure injuries to skin. Bed sores are one of the toughest injuries to cure and Mattherma works where others have failed.

Google Mattherma for more info. Show the list of ingredients to the vet to see if there's anything in it that's harmful to dogs.

[Dashonthedash]

Dixie Flyer wrote:


Okay, what do you think?

Does it have a picture of his tail on the back? :B:o

[deeratpond]

Simply put... you never know when you will meet one of God's angels. I know throughout my own life, that God has sent an angel to take care of me or show me His road to take!! I never question God's direction in my life.

Richard, you are an angel!! I mean that sincerely!! You have a God-like quality about you. I don't have to meet you in person to know this.

I would love to attend the Old Fella Rally , but unfortunately, it would be too far to drive. I will be thinking of all of you and just give Old Fella a big hug & kiss from us!! He is such a handsome boy... 😉 He looks so happy & healthy!! 🙂

Have a great day!!
Shirl & Rich

[needsomefun]

them's pretty cool t-shirts :C:C

[Dixie_Flyer]

Okay, what do you think?

[bonniesoo]

Rich....I had acupuncture for chronic back pain and it worked beautifully. I also had acupuncture to quit smoking some 17 yrs ago so I'm really a believer. If you decide to try that with OF, please keep us posted on his experience.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Quote from Gary by PM




A recent poster recommended acupuncture therapy for Old Fella. For your information, the American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture mantains a database of vets certified by AAVA for acupuncture. I have done my own search and obtained a link to a list of such vets in Georgia, although I don't know if any of them are near you. These are likely not the only vets who practice acupuncture, but they are the ones who belong to the AAVA.

Gary.





Georgia American Academy of Veterinary Acupuncture


Gary {glshapiro} did a search for me and found a vet in Washington Georgia which is about 80 miles from me that is a registered AAVA.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Well Old Fella ate his breakfast and waited for me to eat, shower and shave. When he saw me get his towel that I use to keep the iodine and peroxide off the floor by placing it under his sore foot he came without a word from me to lay down so I could doctor on the foot. First I clean it with the peroxide and then with the iodine. Then I put the ointment inside the sore area to help with pain and healing. He allows me to do this without a fuss as he knows I am trying to help him. If I get up to get something and leave Sue with him while the doctoring is going on he gets that look on his face of "Wait a minute, where are you going?"

He is so smart and catches on so easy to what is going on around him. Everyday I see more of the Lab come out in him than any part of Chow that he may have. His head, body, feet all say Lab along with the loyalty that comes from the breed. Too bad our paths didn't cross years ago when he was still young and could have enjoyed his family more over the years rather than spenting them as a stray. Fella is such a loving friend and I have never seen anything that would suggest he would be a threat to anyone or anything.

Doc Gradous said about him, "What you have is a rare occurrence when an animal that has been living in the wild, meets a man and falls in love with him right away. Richard you are lucky." My reply back to him was, "God is never at a loss as to how He will bring his plan together for man and His creation." Old Fella didn't come by us as an accident or happenstance. Old Fella came to us through the ordination of God in helping one of his creatures to find and fall into His grace.

If ever there was a story of God's grace intervening in the lives of His people and His creation it is pictured here in the "Old Fella Story". Everyday I live the experience of grace and feel the presents of forgiveness as I see this old dog lay at my feet or by my side in complete serenity knowing that all of the trials and troubles he may face the rest of his life, he will never be alone ever again.

In others words he is forgiven even before he asks and he is loved unconditionally no matter what he does. At last Old Fella has found the place in life where he can say, "I am loved beyond my expectations".

[CockerDodger]

Buz2b good job, now we can see his soulful eyes. Black animals are hard to photograph. Even so, we love to see the pet photos.
Chuck

[Dixie_Flyer]

dogdiva wrote:
Have you considered accupuncture for OF...... It definitely could help his mobility
Ck to see if there are any vets in your area that do it

Okay, I will do that tomorrow.