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

[butterfly_girl]

Happy Easter to all of Old Fella's friends.....

[Buzz-ette]

Dan,

If you "subscribe" to this thread, then it will always be on the top of your Forums list. Happy Easter to you and yours. Honeybun sends her best to Beau and Anna.

[DIXIESMAMA]

We had a little snow and sleet here, in SE Virginia today!! I remember a little snow on Easter Sunday when I was 7 or 8 and that was a LONG time ago. Dixie Dew steps outside and turns around immediately to come in. She sure don't like going out with the cold on her little bare belly or wet high grass on same little belly!!!

DIXIESMAMA

PS: Richard, you haven't told us anything about that photo of the adorable little furry puppy....we want to hear about him.

[Dandy_Dan]

Sorry about the brain fade. Yes, I meant Anna. I am having trouble adjusting to the weather up north after being down in them there parts for over a month. Can't seem to get the shorts to fit right over the long johns.:B:B:B Again. Hope all have a very Happy Easter.

[chemisd]

I'm thinking he meant Anna....
It has snowed more today than in all of Dec. I think! We weren't ready for it let me tell you! Ended up using a whole LP tank to keep warm. We only had a fire one night. And ended up using all the firewood we had with us. Just too cold and windy to sit outside. Hard to believe it is 36 and having snow squalls!
Glad to be home but hate all the laundry!
And to keep in about dogs - ours weren't too good. Forgot to look outside the first morning and darn near lost both arms as they attempted to drag me out the door! Learned my lesson!
Hope Old Fella and the rest are having a great time.
Gotta head out and get the girls' their baskets! Happy Easter!

[joelbaker]

Dandy Dan wrote:
Sure don't know what is happening. I had to go look for this forum quite a ways down the list. Suzie is geting the chance to see what snow is like and doesn't seem to mind romping outside it it. She still does not try to eat all the snow in the yard yet as Beau does. You all have a wonderful Easter and God Bless.

Suzie? Do you mean Anna?

[Dandy_Dan]

Sure don't know what is happening. I had to go look for this forum quite a ways down the list. Suzie is geting the chance to see what snow is like and doesn't seem to mind romping outside it it. She still does not try to eat all the snow in the yard yet as Beau does. You all have a wonderful Easter and God Bless.

[Buz2b]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
.........
Dan sent me some pictures of Anna and Beau last night and I can see that Anna is doing great. It looks as if she hasn't even missed us at all! I am glad for Anna, Dan, Lori and Beau that they have made one happy family with Anna's addition. Maybe in our travels we may be able to visit them someday........
Dixie Flyer

I know sending Anna off was troubling and difficult for you Richard but it must make your chest swell with pride knowing how well she is adapting and filling her role in her new forever home. It's sometimes hard to understand His guidance but it's wonderful to see the fruits of it. 🙂

[Uppercrust]

Diesel loves eating carrots. It is about the only food he takes his time chewing. Tried a small pickle the other day he enjoyed that also.

Anna looks so happy in her new home & what a beautiful dog.

[Chemgoddess1]

Oh, I cannot wait for Evergreen to meet this beautiful southern belle!!

[Dixie_Flyer]

Sue and I are going to take a little break and go camping this weekend. I know its going to be cold but plans were made months ago so we are still going. Old Fella, Levi and Suzie {Dramamine Suzie} will be going with us. Suzie didn't get any food this morning so she is running around wild with her Lion King squeaky toy making all the noise she can. Izzie is saying "God help us!" It is going to be colder here this Easter weekend than it was at Christmas with a low of 25 degrees Sunday morning. We will be staying at Petersburg Corps of Engineers campground on site #10 at Clarks Hill Lake {Strom Thurmond Lake for the South Carolina folks} if anyone would like to come visit.

Dan sent me some pictures of Anna and Beau last night and I can see that Anna is doing great. It looks as if she hasn't even missed us at all! I am glad for Anna, Dan, Lori and Beau that they have made one happy family with Anna's addition. Maybe in our travels we may be able to visit them someday.

Suzie will get a Dramamine tablet about two hours before we leave today and hopefully make the 60 mile trip without getting sick. Would you believe I can't find any fire woord??? Camping in the winter isn't camping without a campfire! Okay I have to go for now and I will talk with you when we get back. Have a blessed Easter weekend.

Dixie Flyer

[Dixie_Flyer]

A little piece of my heart will always be in Ohio. Thank you Dan for giving Anna such a great home.

[DIXIESMAMA]

Dan, Do you live out on one of those big mid-west farms? Anna is going to have the best time checking that place out. Her nose will be busy for the next year! I think with her beautiful coat she will stay quite warm. The vest will help too. I always thought Anna looks like a little fox. She has a very smart looking face.

DIXIESMAMA

[Dandy_Dan]

As you can see by the above posts, Anna is getting along quite well. We made it home this afternoon around 5:15 to 32* weather. After asking Beau what the white stuff was, she seemed to go along with the program of trying to eat it out of the yard. None of us were ready to come back to this type of weather.

[Dandy_Dan]

Sure is cold here


Beau, What is that funny white stuff you are eating?


Hmm......This isn't too bad