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

[RVSnowbird]

it's been a pleasure Richard and all the followers of this thread. I'm happy and proud as well to have been part of the history that was made here.

A very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all, furkids included! :B

RVSnowbird

[Grillmeister]

Anyway we have been allowed many exceptions here and we should be grateful for this thread to have been here for two years now without being shut down for one reason or another. Thank you moderators for being kind to the Old Fella thread and keeping us on the forum. I hope someday to be able to meet Dick {Snowbird} and thank him personally for the time he has put into keeping things in order and on track. Merry Christmas Dick and a very Happy New Year!

Ditto 🙂

[Dandy_Dan]

As you can see, Anna the southern belle has seemed to adjust to the snow and sometimes turns into a bulldozer.

[Dixie_Flyer]

dogdiva wrote:
Richard, you can help Fella get up and walk by using a "belly band"
A long towel, a neck tie, or a piece of material that will fit under and around him You hold the ends and support some of his weight when he tries to get up and walk.....kind of like a sling
I have done this for many of mine when they needed some support to get up and around

I went digging for the one have last night and found it in the camper. Now if Fella will wait on me to help him get up and down the steps and also when he is inside the house all should go well.

This morning he seems to be doing better with the hip and leg but we will keep a watch on him and his activities. Today is December 17th, just a few more days to Christmas. I know I promised you another Christmas story but I ma having a difficult time keeping it on topic. The last one was allowed by grace to remain and I don't want to wear out our good natured moderator's patience.

Anyway we have been allowed many exceptions here and we should be grateful for this thread to have been here for two years now without being shut down for one reason or another. Thank you moderators for being kind to the Old Fella thread and keeping us on the forum. I hope someday to be able to meet Dick {Snowbird} and thank him personally for the time he has put into keeping things in order and on track. Merry Christmas Dick and a very Happy New Year!

[dogdiva]

Richard, you can help Fella get up and walk by using a "belly band"
A long towel, a neck tie, or a piece of material that will fit under and around him You hold the ends and support some of his weight when he tries to get up and walk.....kind of like a sling
I have done this for many of mine when they needed some support to get up and around

[Dixie_Flyer]

Fella is having a hard time lately getting around on his rear legs. He struggled tonight to go outside and was having a hard time walking. If it gets any worse I will take him in for an opinion from Dr. Jim.

Good night everyone, see you in the morning.

[Dandy_Dan]

I got an e-mail this morning and I wanted to share the link. Hopefully it will work. It is of a 12 year old boy talking about losing someone special. Little boy's love

[bonniesoo]

Good luck Dan....we will be thinking of you.

[Hoops]

Dan will keep you in our prayers as well. Speedy recovery.

Becky

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dandy Dan wrote:
Richard and Sue, Glad the family is up and around and happy. It is nice that relation from Grand Rapids is coming to visit. Wish you would send some of the warmer weather this way. We are at 29° and the threat of either freezing rain or possibility of up to 8" of snow by tomorrow evening. If we get the snow, I will try to get a picture of Anna playing bulldozer in the show.
I am still hoping that you will be visiting Grand Rapids sometime early spring prior to June. :B Just to let you know I will be going in for a total knee on Dec 19, so hope to be home prior to Christmas.
Give all a hug from the sloppy northland.

Sue and I will be remembering you in our prayers. Wishing you a speedy recovery so you and Anna can get outside for some play time. By the way, how is Lori doing?

[Dandy_Dan]

Richard and Sue, Glad the family is up and around and happy. It is nice that relation from Grand Rapids is coming to visit. Wish you would send some of the warmer weather this way. We are at 29° and the threat of either freezing rain or possibility of up to 8" of snow by tomorrow evening. If we get the snow, I will try to get a picture of Anna playing bulldozer in the show.
I am still hoping that you will be visiting Grand Rapids sometime early spring prior to June. :B Just to let you know I will be going in for a total knee on Dec 19, so hope to be home prior to Christmas.
Give all a hug from the sloppy northland.

[bonniesoo]

Dan....that was a great picture of you and the family...Stay warm up there ,,,.

donna

[dogdiva]

Richard and Sue
Enjoy your company, Tell susie to be good and give Fella lots of hugs

[Dixie_Flyer]

It's Saturday morning here in the deep south and we have the promise of rain today. Old Fella and Suzie were up with the chickens this morning ready to go. Both of them are in the back yard enjoying the warm weather. Fella must be feeling pretty good this morning as he was running across the yard a while ago.

Today Sue's brother John and his wife Sandra are coming for a visit from Grand Rapids Michigan. I always enjoy being in their company as they are both a lot of fun to be around. Christmas is just around the corner, a few more days and Santa will be bringing the toys and other bright new play things for the furkids. Sue and I really miss Levi, but it seems Fella has decided to move along as he has stopped looking for him at night. Fella is such a sweet old dog and loves his new life. Suzie loves him so much she has to be around him all the time licking on him and grooming his coat. He doesn't seem to mind her carrying on about him and allows her to give him the attention.

Sue has a list of things for me to do today before company arrives so I had better get going before she comes in here with the broom handle. Talk with you later.

Merry Christmas and have a great weekend.

[dogdiva]

That is such a great picture....it sure would make a nice greeting card to send to your friends