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

[W7SFO]

Glad to see that Anna if feeling so well. It does the heart good to see she is happy!

[critter_02]

Richard, I think it is never to early to plan for the new shelter. After working at several Humane societies and seeing many I would suggest some research. I would go visit nearby vet clinics, shelters, and even boarding kennels to start compiling a list of do's and don'ts. You may even make a trip to the big city shelters and find out what they like and do not like about thier set up. There is so much to consider. I suggested heated floors if possible it keeps the dogs more comfortable and after cleaning the kennels dry very fast. Also a really goog ventaliation system espscially in the cat areas. They are so succeptable to upper respiratoy. You may even talk to some cattteries(spelling ?). Also you will have to decide it a pet does need to be euthanized will it be done by a local vet or a staff member. If it is to be done on house by staff they will need to be trained and certified and to have euthanol on the premises is a whole other project. I suggest a nice queit area were prospected owners can spend time with a prospected adoptee. Also a seperate area were new animals come in and can be quaranteed for some time to evaulate health and temperment. I know it is a lot to consider but I have been to many shelters were thier was not much thought put into the shelter and it created many problems down the road. Good luck and if you have any questions feel free to ask. I know there are some volunteers here on the site as well and I am sure they have some good ideas. Just remeber there can never be to much planning and research. Oh one more thing design the shelter so that it and the kennels can easlitly be expanded in the future.
Brenda

[joang]

Can I make a small suggestion? I think when new folks come to the forums, they see the thread and might start to read it but somwhere around page 15 or 20 they have to go eat dinner or pee. They mmight come back to it and start reading again, or they may try again another day, or they'll read the last few posts, see the OF is great and just move on to shorter threads. It's *really hard* as a new memeber to try to take in the enormity of 350 pages of content. It took me nearly 2 years, in small bites, to get fron the first page to the last. Jumping to the end doesn't really help because it's clear we missed So Much in those 300+ pages. The folks that are still reading and commenting are the folks that have been around since the very start because for new members, the price of admission into this thread now is huge! Perhaps it's time to start a new thread? Maybe make an Old Fella FAQ so new members can catch up on his and your story? It's not that people don't care any more or don't want to hear about it, it's just really hard to stay on top of such a huge thread that has so many things going on at once!

Just my 2 cents, worth all you paid for it. I'll go back under my rock now.

[Dandy_Dan]

Good Morning Richard, I am getting kind of used to this nice southern weather. Was 89 yesterday here and 40 at home. Makes a fella wonder. Still working on the suntan to take back with me. It seems like the time is flying by and it won't be too long before we see you again. Will PM and try to get things worked out as it gets closer. Am so happy to hear about the possibility of a new facility. At least the land is a step in the right direction. As far as walking all 4, Where is your sense of adventure??:B:B Have a good day and give all hugs from us.

[Dixie_Flyer]

colliehauler wrote:
Richard what do you mean that you can't walk 4 at a time.:B I'm glad the Golden is doing ok.

You have yours so well trained they could sit at the dinner table with you and pass for humans.

[chemisd]

Oh, I think it is that time of year, where we in OH are getting grumpy with the cold and MUD - yuck! I love the seasons and I love walking out and hearing the birds, but I hate the in between time to get things dried out and green! Enjoy your day alone with the furry friends. I'm glad Golden Anna is doing well. And Oreo - my is that a cutie!
Keep us all posted about the land and hopes and dreams. You never know how these things work out.

[colliehauler]

Richard what do you mean that you can't walk 4 at a time.:B I'm glad the Golden is doing ok.

[Dixie_Flyer]

It's Saturday morning and I am alone with the fur babies. Sue went to Greenville this morning to visit with the daughters and their families. I am stuck at home with an empty day in front of me. She decided to go Thursday night leaving me no time to get someone to teach my Sunday School class so I will make the best of it by cleaning up around here.

The Petfinder Old Fella website has logged 500 views this past week and we have had several calls asking about our rescues. We have a German Shepherd mix named Hope that is such a sweetheart. She has been in foster care now since August and I am worried about her finding a home. She really isn't a looker but she is so sweet and just craves attention. We got her and her puppies from the shelter here in Waynesboro. All of her puppies have been adopted so she alone is left looking for that special home.

Anna the Golden Retriever is doing great just like we thought she would. She is so active and loves to be the center attraction. Anna and Suzie are doing well also. Last night Suzie went to sleep early and Anna was looking for company so she came in the family room and lay down beside me and went to sleep while I rubbed her tummy.

Old Fella had his perch on the couch while Levi lay at Sue's feet on the floor. Sometime today I will go and walk over the land that is promised us and get some idea about what we are going to do. I guess it is alright to dream a little and just hope and pray that everything goes according to plan. I have learned from past experience not to get your hopes up too high until you have everything nailed down and in place. Right now we are living in a dream and I am afraid I am going to wake up and it will all be over.

I hate to see the vet bill this month as I know it will be tremendous. But we have done a great job with our recources so far, let's just hope it continues. Snowbird said to me you will know when the people have lost interest in the thread when you start posting and answering your own posts. I have noticed lately that the views are still strong but the posts are getting fewer in number. Maybe folks are just busy with other things for now? I need to get moving this morning so as not to get lazy. Old Fella and the gang will be looking for their walk in a little while so I best get going. They will have to be walked in shifts today as I cannot walk all four at the same time. Got to go, talk with you later.

[mrskti]

If i could talk my daughter and family to going south, i'd be there in a heartbeat. they sorta need being in their school district with my grandson, as he's mildly autistic and they have a good program that's he's been in since pre-k...so the day will come that we are outta here! Plus we have a business with 80 employees, so we cant dump them. there's always something keeping us here. but we head south monday or tuesday, so we'll be fine. We're pretty lucky to have the house in FL too, along with our motor home.

[Dixie_Flyer]

I love the deep south. Our winters are not severe and camping year round is possible. I would go crazy bound up in a house with it freezing cold outside. Sue is from Michigan so when we visit there in the winter time, which is not too often I stay close to the fire place or heater.

Sue has never asked that we move from this area as she also likes the freedom we have twelve months of the year. Old Fella wouldn't know how to act with snow covering the ground most of the winter, so I expect we will live out our days right here in Dixie.

[mrskti]

omg, am i ever glad i live far from you richard, that pup is gorgeous!!!!! What a face.

We are in a major blizzard here in No IL, and it sucks! The dogs wont pee, takes them forever out there! All they want to do is play, i dont get it! I hate this area, i wanna go back to FL!!! we're leavin in a day or two. Here's a little sample of today....

throw'n snow in style

[dogdiva]

Oh She is a beauty, I do wish I was able to give her a good home, but my fear of Elizabeth ( who is as year old, 52 lb ,BRAT),being a little too rowdy and bumping her around in this small space.
My little Pierre is dying,. he hasnt eaten for a month. I first thought it was his teeth and mashed up food for him. He refuses everything so I am forcing broth and vitamins down his throat with a syringe/also some nutri paste from the vet. I just went thru this with Willie and lost him at Thanksgiving so I am pretty bummed out. I do so enjoy reading Richards posts, they seem to make my day a little more hopefull

[Dixie_Flyer]

This is Oreo our newest rescue

[Dixie_Flyer]

Buz2b wrote:
Thanks for the update on Anna Richard. It looks like she's doing well enough to get up on the couch even.....oops! Ha!

She is here , she is there, she is everywhere! When I go over to th efoster home to take her picture I make sure I have a lot of time to devote to the project as she ca't sit still for wanting to play. What a nice little dog she is.

[coop7243]

Oh my gosh, she looks fantastic. What a beautiful girl. She will make a wonderful companion.