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

[ladymc53]

I am reading everything as fast as I can - it's wonderful to see how God is moving today through all of you.

I have a dilemma - we have a very old stray dog that came to us about 8 yrs. ago,during a severe ice storm...he just wandered up, freezing, sweet and wagging his tail. I couldn't stand to see him in such bad condition, so of course he became ours immediately. He had been recently blinded in 1 eye, developed arthritis in his hips, and because he couldn't see very well, while on a walk with DH down a country road, he was hit by a truck, but it was minor. He has a torn ear...he's a mess, but he's my mess and we have cared for him as best we can. After getting hit he disappeared for quite a while and when he returned he had the torn ear so it could not be sewn up - it wasn't life threatening, just unattractive. Everytime we drive up to the house he greets us with a leaf, stick or whatever in his mouth - my dad said it's his peace offering. We named him Cy (not for cyclops as some have suggested) - it's a name from a Bing Crosby/Bob Hope movie where they greet each other with " Hi Cy!" and "Hi, Hy"...I always thought it was cute...anyway...the problem:

Cy is the sweetest dog we've ever owned and deserves a great life. We are in the middle of remodeling a large home and in order to sell it and go full time we must do some plantings outside. Cy is a total outside dog and lays around all the time - in my flower bed, which is now a huge hole. We will be full timing and cannot take him with us on the road. We will be in a FW and he's too large. I've tried to find him a good home by advertising in the paper, got some calls, but no looks. I would like to place him with a rescue place, but all the rescue's that I know of here in Arkansas are for full bred dogs and he's a mutt. A great mutt, but a mutt. The local animal shelter (not the pound) will take him for a fee, which is not a problem, but the problem is, no one will adopt him and he will live his life out in a cage, which I cannot stand the thought of.

What to do? Help me please!

[Dixie_Flyer]

ladymc53 wrote:
I stumbled onto this thread today and have read up through 50 pages so far. As of this writing there are 867 pages, so I have lots of reading to do and can't wait to get to it! I'm up to the part of the suggestion for a Ole Fella Rally in GA. Having read the link on his life, I know that it happened and there's more to this story...can't wait to read it all. God Bless you Dixie Flyer and all those that have donated. What a world we live in...

Welcome to the thread Ladymc53. This has been an amazing journey for the last two years. It's hard to believe that this story continues to grow and draw in more readers. Old Fella has certainly drawn attention to the plight of abandon animals across this nation. Many have written and said they would go to the nearest shelter for their next pet because of the Old Fella Story.

Old Fella spearheaded the first licensed shelter in Burke County, Georgia in its history. Burke County is the largest County in the largest State east of the Mississippi River. Its hard to believe that a county so large has never been evolved in animal control or rescue. As you read the story you will discover the love of animals that exist here and it is that love that has kept this story alive.

In October's Highways Magazine there will be an article about how one dog was rescued that had been hit by a car/truck and left to die on the side of the road. One of our volunteers found the dog brought it into the rescue. One of its legs had to be amputated by a local vet. After her recovery a group of people from RV.NET help transport this dog from Georgia to Washington State to her new forever home. Anna's Journey is another thread you will enjoy reading. Click the link below and enjoy reading Anna's story.

Anna's Journey from Georgia to Washington State

[chemisd]

Welcome ladymc53! You will really enjoy all that you read, and yes, there were many good things that have now come from that lost black dog!

[W7SFO]

Having a cat that lived to be 18 1/2 and a golden that lived to be almost 13 I am very aware of the risks your vet explained to you. Me and my Vet had an agreement about Snowball (the cat) and DJ (the golden). That was unless it were absolutely necessary they were not to be knocked out.

I would have the best cleaning that can be done without putting him under and hope for the best.

[ladymc53]

I stumbled onto this thread today and have read up through 50 pages so far. As of this writing there are 867 pages, so I have lots of reading to do and can't wait to get to it! I'm up to the part of the suggestion for a Ole Fella Rally in Ga. Having read the link on his life, I know that it happened and there's more to this story...can't wait to read it all. God Bless you Dixie Flyer and all those that have donated. What a world we live in...

[mpj]

And Dixie Flyer was wondering what he was going to do when he retired.....

Keep up the good work and good luck with the future endeavors for the Old Fella Rescue. You have done wonders for the world of animals. Many pets are given another chance at life and are appreciated so much more than ever before because of your efforts.

Pets are God's creatures, not throwaways. Thanks from all of us.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Sue and I were in the backyard with Levi, Suzie and Fella tonight. I was playing ball with Suzie and I saw the most amazing thing I have ever seen with Fella. He actually joined in playing ball with Suzie and myself. Of course he could out run Suzie to get to the ball so I threw it close enough to him so he could grab it and then he would bring it to me, tail wagging happy look in his eyes, he was so pleased with himself.

The more I am around this old dog the more I see what a wounderful companion he is and know that at one time he must have been someone's beloved pet. I wish I knew more about his past life.

[critter_02]

Since Sophie's autoimmune hemolytic Anemia episode I do not want to put anything into her system. We took her to the vet I used to work for when we went throuh Oregon. He agreed about thr risk but felt her teeth needed cleaning. So
i held her(because I do not baby her and make her behave) I told her to sit and be good ( and then secretly hoped she would) she sat stll while the tech cleaned her teeth and they look great. It is not as good as a major cleaning but better then nothing. After Ol fella leeting you do all you have done to him I bet he would be good. wORTH A TRY. If you must do the aneshetic then go with sevo( the new iso ) and have then keep him light.
good luck,
BRENDA

[coop7243]

I would definitely opt for cleaning the teeth. Infections in the mouth can create many other problems, not to mention difficulty eating. We have all our dogs' teeth cleaned every year when they have their annual check-up.
One of our girls is old and quite frail now. This year our vet did an anesthesia-free cleaning on her. Although, maybe not as complete as if done with anesthesia, it worked very well. Here is what he did. He had her come in for the day. They only cleaned a few teeth at a time, so as not to upset or aggravate her. Then they walked her, let her rest, have a drink, etc. It took most of the day, but she tolerated it well and her teeth looked great.
Maybe Old Fella's vet could attempt something like that. We all know the old boy has a wonderful disposition and I think he would cooperate without any problems.

[Code2High]

In CA, and some other places but I have no idea about GA, you can find people who are essentially dental hygienists for animals. They do anaesthesia-free cleanings and while it is not "the same as" knocking him out, it also doesn't have the risks.

The advantage of having someone who does this all the time, vs the vet trying it, is that they learn how to get it done on a conscious animal. So they learn to coax the critters into cooperating. I had my old guy Andy done a year before he left, as well as my kitty Sput. Sput is as opinionated as any feline and bites when she's in a good mood, let alone a bad one. I was outside walking the girls and when I walked in, here's my cat upside down in this woman's lap, mouth open, looking like there wasn't another place she wanted to be in the whole world. Andy did really well, his teeth gleamed afterwards.

Anyway, its another option to consider and look around and see if anyone offers this in your part of the world, or somewhere you could readily get to w/Fella.

[Dixie_Flyer]

At this point the problem is mild so there is no rush to do anything. The vet recommended that I think about which procedure I would like to try and get back with her. There is one trouble spot where the gum is starting to get infected so its not the whole mouth. I will have to decide which way to go and call her.

[Dashonthedash]

As was mentioned, isoflurane gas anaesthesia is much easier on the dog and, in my case, it is an absolute necessity for greyhounds, who are especially susceptible to anaesthesia. On the other hand, infections in the teeth or gums can spread to other parts of the body, and wreak havoc with the immune system. I would have the teeth cleaned, and then have regular blood tests afterwards to keep an eye on the kidneys. This is a good idea anyway for a dog of Fella's age. As for antibiotics, the type and dose will depend on the type and severity of the infection, as well as the weight and age of the dog.

[searchnk9]

Cooked bones splinter and can cause damage. Raw bones are quite pliable and digest easily. Especially if well chewed, which you want for teeth cleaning. Think about it, wolves eat raw bones all the time. So do many many dogs who are fed a raw diet. I've been feeding raw for 6 years, and I've never had a problem feeding raw, appropriately sized bones to my dogs from the 17 lb. terrier to the 90 lb. male German shepherd.

[dogdiva]

Its definitely a tough call......Anesthetic is so hard on any age dog. Try the careful cleaning and keep watch so no major infection crops up. He is happy and doing so well Raw carrots ( the roughage) are good as snacks, and dont adhere to the teeth, dont know about raw chicken bones as I always heard they splinter and can damage the intestinal tract
I imagine it is periodontal problems just like we humans have, cleaning and antiobiotics only as needed if the infection gets really bad

[kokosfriend]

When Hannah was 12, we had her teeth cleaned. The vet usually does not get involved in the tooth cleaning, but she was really attached to Hannah and so hung around. Well, Hannah went completely under and the vet had to work very hard to bring her back. She didn't have her teeth cleaned again. She made it another 2 years just fine.

I know this is a hard choice with his teeth having problems, but if you can, avoid general anesthesia and have only sedation. We want OF around a lot longer. By the way, Hannah's blood work was fine and her kidneys were fine, but she just went too far under.
Barb