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

[Buzz-ette]

I know the pain of losing a child - we lost two sons, but through accidents. I have always thanked God that I didn't have to feel the pain that parents feel when their child is taken from them by the hands of some one else or worse - by their own hand. I will be praying for them and for you.

[fulltimegrams22]

You are all in our prayers, I am so sorry to hear!

Fu;;timegrams22

[Dashonthedash]

Hang in there, we are all with you.

[bonniesoo]

Consider it done....so very sorry....

[Dixie_Flyer]

Today has been not a good day. A good friend of ours daughter killed herself. She recently went through a divorce and could not handle the separation. She was 38 years old, a beautiful young woman with a bright future. Sue and I spent time today with the parents as they grieved for their loss. There are no words to describe the sorrow they must feel and also the feeling they could have made a difference had they known the mental deep trouble she was in. The father spent Monday with her and all seemed well and talking with her friends they didn't have a clue anything was wrong either.

I have been depressed lately about a lot of things but when I think of all that I have been blessed with it gives me a reason to go on. Then I think of how pale my problems are compared to others. Sue and I have a child that has some mental problems that keeps him in a mess all the time. We worry about him but we cannot live his life for him. We tried having him live with us and it didn't work for either of us so we had to let him go. He calls often so we know where he is and how he is doing. It is the pain of knowing he is unable to have a normal life as others and wonder what is to become of him.

Then we face the sorrow of this couple today and comfort them as best we can, feeling helpless to ease their pain. Sue and I are blessed in many ways and yet someday fear we too will get that same call. When I go to bed tonight I will pray for their pain and guilt to be taken away. You pray with me please.

[Gottahaveit]

Another Cliff Hanger...Can't wait until tomorrow. Your writings are just wonderful and I must say Sue is an Angel. All the Furkids thank you and we know you can keep up the good work no matter where you are.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Now back to Levi the love sponge. Levi settled into his new home which was a place he was used to visiting so adjusting to life with the Daniels was not difficult. He loved the attention he was now getting with someone being home all day. Sue was working out of the house so she and Levi became constant companions. But the love of his life was Holly. Levi would never forget Holly nor would his love for her diminish. When the family would get together for a camping trip Levi could always be found at the McMillans hanging around Holly. Levi didn’t need a leash when he was with her because he was never more than a touch away, --always watching her every move with anticipation. The difficult time would come when the camping trip was over and the families would go their separate ways. Levi would always cry and beg to go with Holly having to be restrained from following after her.

Christmas was always spent in Greenville with the grandkids and for Levi that would be the happiest time for him. He was always in the mix no matter where the kids were making sure Holly was protected. Having lived with the McMillians for the first three years of his life and now belonging to the Daniels would create problems at times for Levi trying to figure out who his master was when he was with both families. But being the super dog he is he learned to adjust and belong to everyone.


Being with the Daniels also meant he would travel with them on camping trips and If there was a favorite place for Levi to visit it would have to be Hunting Island in South Carolina. This is a beautiful State Park right on the ocean. The beach is beautiful with its long stretches of uninterrupted sand where one can walk just as far as one can see. Then there are the hiking trails from the campground to the lighthouse that would heighten Levi’s excitement with the local deer and other wildlife in the area. Levi liked to be taken off the leash so he could run free, but never venturing too far from Mom and Dad. He would always come back to them to check and make sure all was okay. Levi learned not to chase the wildlife and was always obedient to Dad’s call to come back when called.

Being the only top dog in the family was fun for Levi as he loved all the attention he received from his Dad. Next to Holly Dad was his favorite and went with him everywhere he could. Levi never met a dog he didn’t like or any human for that matter. If ever there was a perfect dog for being sociable it was Levi so it was easy to take Levi along no matter where they were going.

Continued:

[agteacher]

I'm trying to type with a cat lying across my wrists. Doesn't work really well and when I move my arms too much, he reaches down and nips the arm. "I'm here, now make over me and put the laptop away".

[campingshadow]

It amazes me how "expressive" dogs can be with their communication to us dumb humans. Heidi makes it very clear when it is time to get up and more so when it is time to go to bed. After she has had her nightly walk, she thinks we should immediately go to bed. She gets treats then so she is ready whether I am or not! If I do not head for bed immediately she makes it very clear that she is impatiently waiting.....I am expecting her to start "stomping" her paw in exasperation any time now.

If I do not play with her when she wants, then she will bring me her squeaky toy and start squeaking it and will not stop till I stop whatever I am doing and pay attention to her. If she feels I have been on the computer too long, she will come in and simply jump up on my lap and block the keyboard (a laptop on my lap and a dog on my lap....now my lap may be big...but not that big)...two guesses who wins. The laptop gets set aside and Heidi gets her attention.

She is a ball of fire, so much fun, so loving and such a happy dog, that I just cherish every day I have with her. She is the darling of the RV park that I manage and every day makes new friends. All this from a rescue dog that had been abused. What a turn around and what a joy to have her in my life.

[chemisd]

Allie gives us what we call head lovin'......she will jump on the bed when she thinks we should be up and butt me with her head, tail wagging, and I swear she has a grin on her face that says c'mon mom!!! its time to get up!!!
A friend just called to tell me that her dog, Hershey, died today. He was 11 and had been dropped off at her house when he was just a puppy. They never knew what kind of dog he was. He was one of those huge dogs that would resemble - well nothing - he ran sideways, and fur so thick they would shave him in summer and probably came to my waist he was so tall. Great dog. Now he is running free with all our other Rainbow friends....RIP Hershey......

[Dashonthedash]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
Once her mission is accomplished and all have risen to greet the new day she escorts Levi and Fella outside to a turn around the yard to make sure nothing has gone on during the night out of the ordinary.

Dash will not go to bed unless I let him outside into the yard for a brief visit. It's not to do anything (The dogs have already gone for their walk), but just to check for "suspicious activity" and make sure that there is nothing out there that might attack us while we sleep. Once he is satisfied the area is clear and the perimeters are secure, he settles down in the bedroom for the night. Gotta love 'em :B

[LizFM]

Dixie Flyer wrote:

This morning Suzie was very hyper and she made about ten trips from the back bedroom to the kitchen running just as fast as she could with a ball in her mouth. She would jump on the bed and let the ball roll off the bed and then jump down to catch it and take off running again.

Man! Susie sounds *just* like my Rommie!! We had 3 years of 'puppy brain' with her until she started to settle down...and we don't have a yard! Sometimes I'm amazed we both survived.

Of course, 'settle down' is a relative term. Her enthusiasm and energy level is still higher than a normal dog, as is her sense of humor. She's the kind of dog that *other* people look at and say, "Wow! I bet she's a LOT of fun!"

[Dixie_Flyer]

Today is a beautiful day here in the deep south. We were awaken by the sound of Suzie wanting to get the day started. Sue gets up first and lets Suzie out of her kennel crate and she of course comes straight to the bedroom as fast as her little legs would carry her and starts digging me out from under the bed covers. Once her mission is accomplished and all have risen to greet the new day she escorts Levi and Fella outside to a turn around the yard to make sure nothing has gone on during the night out of the ordinary.

I stagger to the kitchen while Sue puts a pot of coffee on and start preparing breakfast for the fur gang. Izzie follows talking to us about his night and how hungry he was. Izzie walks back and forth between my feet and legs as I stand at the kitchen counter trying not to step on his tail. Finally each one's food is ready with the required medicine in each, the cabinet looks like a drug store with all the meds inside and put away.

Sue opens the back door and here comes Suzie in first followed by Levi and Fella. Suzie heads straight to her kennel where her food is waiting while Levi goes into the laundry room for his and Fella thumps his way into the kitchen where his food is waiting next to the kitchen door that goes into the dinning room. Of course Suzie finishes first so she can surf the bowls for any left over food. Once she is satisfied that Levi and Fella left nothing she will go back and check hers just to make sure not even a crumb is left.

This morning Suzie was very hyper and she made about ten trips from the back bedroom to the kitchen running just as fast as she could with a ball in her mouth. She would jump on the bed and let the ball roll off the bed and then jump down to catch it and take off running again. Fella was laying in her path and watched until he got tried of all the noise and activity and decided he wanted to go outside. Of course Suzie wasn't going to be left inside so she promptly ran out the door following Fella.

By this time I was exhausted just watching and decided it was time for my shower. Levi's job is to accompany me into the bathroom and make sure I am clean. He lays by the door until I am ready to go to the bedroom to finish dressing. He then follows me to the bedroom and helps me pick out my clothes for the day. With his approval we are now ready to face the day.

I can't imagine life without the fur gang and can't remember what it was like before they came into our lives. What a joy to have them as our children now that our other children have gone on to lives of their own. I look at each of the children and see similarities in that they all have fur babies and love camping and most important the have a place in their hearts for us and God.

[chemisd]

Ditto...ditto....ditto....
Depression is tough. Especially when the rest of the world thinks all is well.. Love to you Richard and Sue for all you do and are willing to put up with.

[Dixie_Flyer]

mistressofdistress wrote:
I think that bonniesoo has just stated how the forum feels about you and Old Fella. Even though we don't see each other on a regular basis I feel I can count on you as one of my best friends and hope that you feel the same about me. I am not ashamed to tell you that I love you, your family and your pets. I feel honored to have met you, your family, your pets and what you stand for.

You are surely honored to have a friendship base as large as this forum, and this forum is surely honored to be affiliated with it.

You are definitely a person that is loved by many.

The kindness and love I have experienced from being a part of this thread sometimes is over whelming. I have met some wonderful people in person and on the thread that has given me a wonderful vision of what real love is all about. Real love is pure and is a love that is unconditional, forgiven before you ask. Old Fella has taught me a lot about that kind of love and the people on this thread have also shown me what real compassion is all about responding to each crisis with their prayers and support.

In the book of my life I am turning a new page and writing a new chapter that I don't know the ending of. I just know that I am looking at the future through a clouded glass trusting that each step I take is the right one. I hope and pray that when it is all said and done that it can be said of my life that I was a Godly man and treated all with kindness and compassion. The hope of any man is that he is remembered that way. Thank you for your kindness and your prayers. I love each and everyone of you.