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

[chemisd]

I love the Outer Banks and have been to the Wright Brother's Memorial many times. We have even climbed the dunes and marvel at the changes it makes every time we go.
I had forgotten the song! I now have it running through my head as I am supposed to be working on freezing the remaining garden goodies as they bring them in.
Pixie, I hope things work out well for you. Please keep us posted and know that although we have never met, there are many cyber "friends" who are praying for good results for you. Take care....
Enjoy the fall weather all you out there. Our last trip for the season will be Oct. 10-11, then home to winterize. I'd like to try and push it one more time in Nov., but hubby likes to get it done, and if we hadn't done it early last year, we would have had broken pipes. Guess he knows best on that one.
Better run, I see another basket of "stuff" headed for the house.....
jana

[Dixie_Flyer]

[Dixie_Flyer]

Outer Banks North Carolina

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning to all. Its a beauutiful Saturday morning here in the deep south. Today would have been my mother's 99th birthday. Mother was 97 when she left us. She lived a long life and a good one.

Tomorrow is Sue's birthday so we are planning a day out tomorrow. As soon as Jodi gets back from the Dixie Dog trip I will get her to post the PDF file of the Highways article so everyone can read it. Sue washed the clothes yesterday so they are piled up to to folded and put away. Suzie is looking at them with lust so I have to type and keep an eye on her at the same time. That is hard to do with one eye.

Pixie my prayers are with you this morning and we want to hear from you as soon and you can let us know something. The Old Fella Rally for 2009 looks like it will be in Ohio if things work out. I'll let you know as soon and I hear from the Ohio group. Okay I have to go for now. Talk with you later.

[Dashonthedash]

My prayers for Pixie that they caught it early.

[Dixie_Flyer]

chemisd wrote:
Ok...everyone start thinking of the song by Sammy Davis Jr that was in Willy Wonka called the Candy Man - everyone ready to sing it in their heads???

Who can take a puppy?
Sprinkle it with love?
Cover it with kisses and a miracle from above,
The Puppy Man, the Puppy Man can.
The Puppy Man can cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world look good.

Who can take a rescue?
Wrap it in a hug?
Take it to the vet and make it comfy and so snug,
The Puppy Man, the Puppy Man can.
The Puppy Man can cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world look good.

The Puppy Man helps,
Everything that yelps,
Find a home and feel so happy,
Talk about the ones that's snappy,
You can even get real sappy!

Who can take tomorrow?
Dream of what to do?
Add Ol' Fella in just to make the dream come true,
The Puppy Man? The Puppy Man can, the Puppy Man can.
The Puppy Man can cause he mixes it with love
And makes the world look good
And the world looks good
Cause the Puppy Man thinks it should.....

I can't really remember the ending of the song, but went to the website to get the rhythm and how to end....what do you think??
Jana

Remember this??

[LoneWolf17]

Hi everyone. I've emailed a PDF of the Highways article about Anna to RVSnowbird so he can post it here on the thread. Anna and Old Fella have had amazing journeys and are such lucky dogs!

Also wanted to note that the October Highways issue will be posted on the Good Sam Club website in early October. We try to get it posted on the first of the month, but I just learned that it might be delayed by a few days.

[RVSnowbird]

Arrangements have been made to post a link to a PDF format of "An Amazing Journey" by Paula Loehr. I'm traveling so haven't gotten my October issue of Highways yet so I am looking forward to reading it myself.

For Good Sam members, I'm told the October issue with it will be available on their website next Monday, October 1st.

RVSnowbird

[Dixie_Flyer]

Uppercrust wrote:
Richard, Great article in the highways magazine. That picture says allot about the love Old fella has for you.

I picked up this sign at a campground & thinks it fits you & your situation,
Dog ownership is like a rainbow...
puppies are the joy at one end & old dogs are the treasure at the other.

I like that a lot!

[sher9570]

It was a really nice article, glad you had a wonderful trip to the Outer Banks, we did also, great place to take the dogs.
Old Fellar looks pretty good considering what he has gone through, I too hope he has many more years with good health.

Sher

[Uppercrust]

Richard, Great article in the highways magazine. That picture says allot about the love Old fella has for you.

I picked up this sign at a campground & thinks it fits you & your situation,
Dog ownership is like a rainbow...
puppies are the joy at one end & old dogs are the treasure at the other.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Well it's Friday, I think it's Friday?? I have lost count of days lately. While on vacation it's hard to tell what day it is. Anyway we're back home and all is well at the home front. I was saddened by the news from Pixie about her health issues, it seems she has had her plate full in the past few months.

Old Fella is doing great and enjoyed his time away from home with his family. He is in the best health he has been in since he has come to live with us. Levi has really been more active lately and eating more as he now tries to keep up with Fella and Suzie. Suzie keeps everyone on the move including Sue and I. She is such a livewire and brings so much joy to the home. I guess by all standards life before Suzie {BC} was kind of dull. I know she has made a difference in Old Fella. He is certainly more active and playful since she has been around. They are all outside enjoying the cool morning air, playing and barking at each other. I laugh when I see Old Fella running after Suzie barking. It's kind of a falling foward type of run with stiff rear legs, if you know what I mean. It's so good to see them enjoying themselves and knowing that life for them is running on borrowed or extended time. Neither of them would be here today except by the grace of God who has given them a second chance at life.

Fella's life has now been extended at least two years and I pray for more. Suzie, well Suzie's life has been extended for many years yet to come bringing joy and laughter to all whose lives she will touch. It makes me feel good to know that because of an old stray dog many animals lives have been changed and have found homes with families.

The Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue has growing pains as it charters new waters and views the future as a new born learing how to walk for the first time. We have some very good people working with us that have a lot of compassion for what they are doing. I think that is great and our future is bright as we move along day to day working together to make a difference in our community and in all the communities that have been and will be touched by our mission of saving the animals.

Sue has work for me so I have to go for now. Talk with you later.

[Hoops]

Richard, glad you made it home safe. Safe travels to the Dixie Transport and crew.
And prayers are lifted up for you Pixie for a fast healing.


Becky

[Ron___Shirley]

Pixie our thoughts and prayers will be with you as you go through your treatment.

Shirley

[Dixie_Flyer]

Old Fella's Dixie Transport takes off tomorrow with the Dixie dogs heading to Massachusetts. Wish everyone a safe trip. I think they are taking about 15-18 dogs on this trip.

I heard from Bill Johnson's wife Pixie today. I hope everyone remembers them. She has just found out she has cancer and will undergo treatment very soon. Hopefully they caught it in time. If you remember Bill passed away back in June. He was planning to help out with the Anna II transport and had to back out because of declining health and then died shortly there after.

Things are looking good here with the rescue efforts and I finally got to read the article in Highways magazine. The Old Fella sure looks good doesn't he??? Suzie did very well on the trip. It was as if she had been talking with Old Fella and Levi about traveling manners. She handled the camping like a pro and was in bed every night without a whimper and Dan, she slept all night and didn't wake us up until seven every morning. How do dogs tell time???