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]

Dandy Dan wrote:
Happy Birthday Dear Suzie and Anna, Happy Birthday to you both!!:B:B:B

Yeah, it's Anna's birthday too. So happy birthday to you Anna, You're still my little girl. Dan, how about coming to the Old Fella Rally in Branson next year?

[Dandy_Dan]

Happy Birthday Dear Suzie and Anna, Happy Birthday to you both!!:B:B:B

[Dixie_Flyer]

I had the film developed today and when I got home with it to post some on the thread guess what? They now have a whole new program on the CD that I have and I can't figure it out. So until I can learn how this works there won't be any rally pictures.

[DOTLDaddy]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
.... Old Fella says he is ready to hit the road again.

Old Fella,

Don't forget to pack a couple of cases of Dasani next time! :B

We're glad to hear Levi is doing better. 🙂

[Dixie_Flyer]

Levi is doing better today and is just as happy as he can be. Last night we had a bad thunderstorm so Levi decided to be comforted by climbing into bed with Sue and I. Well that was okay except Izzie was already in bed with us. Fella looked up at the crowded bed and just rolled over and went back to sleep.

Suzie was so glad to see us she hasn't stopped running through the house counting her toys and playing with every one of them. She has really turned into a nice little puppy. Suzie turned one year old in June, as best we can figure. When I reacued her she was about eight weeks old so that would put her birthday sometime in June. Anyway happy birthday Suzie the whole month of June!

The rally was a lot of fun and we enjoyed the trip out there and back. When you say 3-1/2 days really, really fast it doesn't seem that long to travel to such a beautiful place. I am having the pictures processed and when they are finished I will post some to the thread for your enjoyment.

When we left Georgia I decided to take along a coat, glad I did! There were some cold nights still left in old man winter. Somebody forgot to tell him it was June! It dipped down to 38 one night while we were there. The drive through Kansas and Oklahome were beautiful and so different from Georgia. As I mentioned before the state park we stayed at in Kansas was one of the most beautiful we had ever seen. Okay I am off to do some errands, see you later. Old Fella says he is ready to hit the road again.

[Dashonthedash]

2008 Branson Old Fella Rally

[Dashonthedash]

Sorry to hear about Levi's problems. Looks like the last time any of us will be staying at Mountaindale. I'm even beginning to wonder if the water had anything to do with the pain in my back this past weekend. It started on the trip home. I thought it was a muscle pull, but it was severe enough to have possibly been a spasm caused by a bug, or maybe even a small stone. It finally subsided yesterday. Hope Levi is feeling better soon.

[E_Texan]

Glad you and the family are home safe. Looking forward to the pictures. Hope Levi will heal quick.

[W7SFO]

Richard,
Glad Sue, Yourself and the Fur kids all made it home safe. Sounds like Levi will be fine in a few days. That is great news. I think Miss Tia (Anna) is starting to get comfortable with us and her new home. Much less fussing and yapping. This is a good thing! :B

[Dixie_Flyer]

Report on Levi. He caught some nasty germ from the water at the campground in Mountaindale, it did a number his bowels. The fresh blood was coming from a really raw spot near his tail caused by irritation from the bug he got and his strainning. Anyway he should be better in a few days with the medication he got.

We had a safe trip back and everything went well. We stayed at the most beautiful state park in Kansas I have ever seen, Cheney State Park. Just before that we passed through the small town of Greensburg, Kansas. It was the worse dustruction of a town Sue and I have ever seen. It was completely destroyed by a tornado, nothing was left standing and all the trees were stripped bare of leaves. Cars and buildings thrown around like match sticks. It reminded me of a movie scene of the aftermath of war where hundreds of rounds of cannon fire had leveled all the buildings.

That night while staying at the state park just down the road we experienced a severe thunderstorm during the early morning hours. I lay there in the bed waiting for a tornado to come and pick us up and carry us away. The campground host and his wife were alseep in their camper when a tornado picked up their 5th wheel and dumped in in the woods about 100 yards away about a month ago. He and his wife both survived with minor injuries. Okay enough for now I will post some pictures sometime tomorrow from the rally.

Carl I am glad you are home and doing better and I pray for a full recovery.

[butterfly_girl]

Carl...So glad your home Now follow Dr.'s and Pattie's orders....

[Code2High]

Carl,

Glad to hear you finally made it out! Sorry it took so long, hopefully your recovery will accelerate from here...

[Camper_Carl]

HI All,
Thank you so much for your get well messages. Put a smile on my hurting face. I did not get home until today. It is good to be home.

With all my love,

Carl

[Dandy_Dan]

Bonniesoo, If you are in Newark, might I invite you folks to come to Austin Lake in Toronto Ohio for the weekend with the Ohio Rally Group? We will be there sometime Thursday for the weekend. Our fearless leader Ssands lives in the Newark area and could probably give you excellent directions. If it fits in come on over. I am forwarding this to Steve on the Austin Lake Thread. Happy Camping and be Safe...

[bonniesoo]

Oh my Anna....this technology is getting the best of you....honey just read the instruction book!!!! Oh that's right you can't read yet...oh well...Good luck Daddy Dan. P.S. We are in Newark Ohio for the next few days....lovin this cooler weather.

Rich, when Mika had her intestinal upset and reaction to Science Diet food she had a lot of bright red blood in her stool as well. The vet told us that red blood was better than dark blood and that it was most likely a sign of severe bowel irritation. We kept her on unseasoned cooked rice and boiled chicken for a week and all it cleared up. Good luck and I hope he will be feeling better shortly and that long days on the road won't get Old Fella down again.

Please drive safe.

Donna