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]

whimstock wrote:
Richard, I do feel for you! This photo shows why we have not invested in a backyard fence. :B

Some how when I look at this picture I feel blessed!

[Angel_in_white]

whimstock wrote:
Angel....I am glad to have an understanding ear! LOL There are those who say "training" is the issue. Obviously, they don't have a Beagle! :B

We have two!!! We inherited the second one from a sick friend...the two dogs are great friends, but a real.........challenge. 😉

Difficult to train a nose with feet! 🙂 All you can do is love em!

[whimstock]

Angel....I am glad to have an understanding ear! LOL There are those who say "training" is the issue. Obviously, they don't have a Beagle! :B

We have two!!! We inherited the second one from a sick friend...the two dogs are great friends, but a real.........challenge. 😉

[Angel_in_white]

whimstock wrote:
Richard, I do feel for you! This photo shows why we have not invested in a backyard fence. :B

I have a beagle too, and boy how I can relate to this picture! Too funny!

[whimstock]

Richard, I do feel for you! This photo shows why we have not invested in a backyard fence. :B

[Code2High]

A little cayenne pepper on the spot is said to discourage persistent digging. Maybe mixed in with the fill dirt as well as on top. A couple of stepping stones or large rocks can also help.

[Dashonthedash]

I used to call Max "The Great Digger" because of what happened one summer. I had left Max and Willow one day to go to work. Now, Max, like any self-respecting German Shepherd, was a pretty good digger, and we often entertained ourselves with lively games of "Dig and Fill" (Of course, he did the digging, I did the...well, you get the idea). He would actually get excited and jump around whenever he saw me come out with the shovel. I had no idea just how far it had gone, however, until I returned later that day. Usually, I was met at the door from the garage into the house by both dogs, but this time there was noone to greet me. I called upstairs but got no response. I walked up the steps into the living room, but there were no dogs. Called out their names. No dogs. Opened the door and looked out into the yard. No dogs. Walked back into the bedrooms. No dogs. At this point, I started worrying that they might have jumped the fence. Finally, I walked outside onto the deck and checked the yard more thoroughly, then walked down into the yard, calling them. Just as I walked by the area underneath the deck, a very dirty German Shepherd came out from a hole underneath the deck followed by a surprisingly clean blue Greyhound. Max had dug a "den" underneath the lower deck that reached from the bottom of the deck steps almost to the yard gate. It looked like something from the movie "The Great Escape". I was laughing too hard to be upset, although it took me days to fill in the hole. Afterwards, I placed anything I could find to block access, even put in a concrete pad on part of the underdeck area, but he continued to try to dig under the pad. The only thing that eventually stopped him was the DM he developed in his later years, but I know that he personally taught Dash everything he knew about digging. So far, though, Dash has not dug any escape tunnels, but then he never was a particularly good student...unless, of course, you believe that the way "out" is straight "down". :B

[Dixie_Flyer]

I have decided to handle Suzie's digging problem by beating her at her own game.



Now let's see who can dig the most holes!!

[sukerpooch]

Richard, Suki used to dig ALOT when she was a pup. We found if we filled the holes back up with dirt, she would dig them up again. HOWEVER, If we put a piece of sod down over the "digging" area, she would leave it alone. Not sure if that is a possibility or not.

[Uppercrust]

Good Luck Richard!

[bonniesoo]

Good luck with the County Commissoners Rich

[Dixie_Flyer]

This morning it is a brisk 35 degrees here in Georgia. All the fur babies are nice and warm inside with full tummies. Suzie has started digging for some reason and she has picked the worst place to dig, at the base of the steps at the back door. I cover the hole and tell her no, but she doesn't seem to understand. This actually started some time ago when Queenie was here, but then she stopped after Queenie left. Now Anna is back with us and the digging has started again.

Anna is such a sweetheart and I must say quite the lady. She doesn't want her paws wet and dirty but she doesn't mind rolling in the sand pile with Suzie. Suzie and Anna have the best time with Fella. They love to kiss him all over his face when they are first let out of the kennel each morning. No matter where he is they will look until they find him and give him his good morning reception. The old man loves to be fussed over by the ladies. I guess that is a natural thing though isn't it,--- an old man enjoying being fussed over by young ladies?

Sue fusses over me a lot. "When are you going to take the trash out?" "The house needs vacuuming." "Have you fixed dinner yet?" "Just look at the mess you made."

Just kidding of course. Sue is the best thing about not fussing at all. I don't know how she does it? She works at her job all day and still finds the time to do chores around the house. She amazes me at how well she keeps up with the house and meals and still finds time to enjoy herself.

Old Fella is doing great. He is just enjoying life to the fullest. He really looks forward to his walk in the morning, that is the highlight of his day. When I get dressed in the morning he watches to see if I get my coat or jacket. If I do he starts following me barking excitedly telling me "I'm ready."

Levi has started chweing on his hind quarters yesterday. He does this from time to time until he makes a bloody mess. Dr. Jim calls them hot spots. I put some medication on the area last night and that has helped him a lot.

Well I have to get moving so I will talk with you later. Don't forget to pray for us this afternoon as we meet with the County Commissioners about the shelter. I will let you know what happens when I get home. Have a great day and hug all the fur kids for me.

Dixie Flyer

[W7SFO]

Dixie Flyer wrote:

CindyNRoger wrote:

Dixie Flyer wrote:

CindyNRoger wrote:

Dixie Flyer wrote:

CindyNRoger wrote:
Richard - I just told Roger that it's a good thing we don't live closer. I have a thing for small black dogs. 🙂

Do you know what kind of dog Bear is?

Part Lab was Dr. Jim's guess.

He is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute!

You live too close to me to be talking like that! I can make that trip in a day and put him on your lap!

:E

Is that a "yes" or a "no"?

Looks like a definite maybe??

[Camper_Carl]

Just got back home. They have enough people on the line helping with some pets that got loose. Traffic is a nightmare getting around Malibu tonight. And I am glad that I was able to make it home early.

Carl

[Camper_Carl]

Guys I have to go wee have another fire going with homes involes. Got a call that there are a lot of pets involed in this. will talk later...

Carl