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]

I found the string of lights that was broken. I wonder now if Izzie didn't get shocked last night when the light socket broke on one of the lights. Izzie made it all the way to the top of the tree with Suzie standing on the floor acting like she has just treed a squirrel or a racoon. She was barking and carrying on as Izzie was clinging to the angel at the top of the tree. Maybe Izzie thought that lighted angel could somehow help?

Getting Izzie down was a project in its self. But with a lot of help and some talking Izzie finally let go of the angel and I was able to get him down. I then put Suzie in time out for a while in her kennel cage.

Suzie has brought a lot of life to the house, it hasn't been the same since she has been here. She is a lot of fun..

[Ron___Shirley]

You need to tell Suzie that "Santa Claus is watching her". That should do it. :B

Shirley

[TomW2]

Richard,

You need to tell Suzie to tone it down for a while. I've got some type of cold that includes some coughing so that laughing at her antics makes my side hurt.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone.

Suzie, Old Fella and Izzie are up to their old tricks. Suzie is pestering Old Fella and Izzie trying to get them to play with her. Old Fella just lays there and takes the antics and playfulness while Izzie raises a paw trying to swipe Suzie across the snout. Then Suzie will take off running with Izzie in hot pursuit. Suzie chased Izzie up the Christmas tree last night and as a result the Christmas tree lights are not working. Its never a dull moment around here.

Hope everyone has a blessed day.

[ElBigDodgeO]

I camped at Hunting Island years ago when the Hale-Bopp comet was in the sky. Anyone remember that? It's been a while. Back then it was just me, my young dog Copper (now 12 years old), and a tent. It was magical to walk on the beach at night and look up toward land, and there was that huge light in the sky, with its ragged tail, and it looked absolutely still.

The sense of awe that I felt kind of made me understand how certain shepherds felt so long ago to see a Star of Wonder, know what I mean?

Let's keep that awe and joy in our hearts as we gather with family and friends in the next week. Best wishes, everyone!

Sandi

[dogdiva]

I hope Fellas hips are doing better. Are you going to see Dr Jim before you leave? Take Fellas meds with you. Have a blessed trip and Christmas with your loved ones

[sisodals]

The true definition of unconditional Love.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Uppercrust wrote:
Those pictures look like they need to be framed & hung somewhere proudly.

These pictures are so precious to me as they remind me of happy days with the family. Levi is hung on the wall of my heart for as long as I live. These pictures will always be a part of our lives and memories that God has blessed us with. When ever I think of any living creature that has demonstrated to me a love that is pure and unstained Levi comes to my mind. What a perfect example of what love should be. I thank him for the beautiful memories he has left us with.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning Sandi and Matt. It sure was hot at Four Paws in August. 105* is hard on everybody and everything. Coats and sweaters look good now however with winter settling in.

We have friends at Hunting Island this week and they report the place is about empty, unusual for that place. We wish you could come join us for the week after Christmas, it would be nice to have friends from the forum to come and visit. It is always a nice time of year for camping there in December. It has been cold there some years, but for the most part it has been very warm and comfortable during the day with a cooling down at night just enough to make the campfire cozy.

The December of 1999 it was so cold the water froze in the hose and did not thaw out until I brought the hose inside the camper. Then I had to take a hair blow dyer to thaw out the hydrant. Then on New Year's day it started snowing so we headed home driving in the snow. By the time it was over we had about two inches on the ground.

But for the most part we have had wonderful camping weather there in December. If any of you want to come join us maybe it's not too late to get a campsite.

[Uppercrust]

Those pictures look like they need to be framed & hung somewhere proudly.

[ElBigDodgeO]

Dan, good luck with your Knee. Most folks I know that have had them report that it's a miracle how much better they get around, after the recovery period and physical therapy is done.

It's been cold up here in the Asheville area, 16 this morning. I drag the dogs' beds out on the deck as soon as the sun comes out so they can be more comfy. The big dogs are spending nights in the house too. Scooter has been reluctantly wearing the blue sweater she won in the "sausage bobbing contest" at the summer rally at 4-Paws. Thinking back, can you remember how hot it was? I could not imagine her ever wearing a sweater while we were there! But she doesn't like the sweater at all, and in fact it makes her look like an Armadillo :B Then she doesn't like it when I laugh at her.

We are heading to Florida for a week to visit family, then we'll be camping at - guess where - Modoc on the 28th and 29th. Sure wish we could be at Hunting Island, but Matt has a function to attend in Commerce GA on Saturday morning or we definitely would be down there.

Have a wonderful, blessed Christmas and holiday season, everyone!

Our love to Fella and Suzie and Izzy, and Levi in memory.

Sandi and Matt

[Dixie_Flyer]

Last year at Hunting Island. Levi will be missed greatly.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Wouldn't it be nice to have a large group of people at the rally in Branson in June... Old Fella would be so proud to see all of his friends there. You know he is getting up in age so we had better make every year count from here on out. The Rally in 2009 will be some where in Ohio put on by the Ohio rally group, that promises to be a big one for sure.

We have had a change in plans for the trip to Greenville. Instead of camping at Camp Dixie we will be staying at Allison and Jeff's house. That makes things a little better and puts is where the action is.

John and Sandra left Monday and went to Savannah for a few days and then will head back to Michigan. John called home Sunday night to find out they got about 7-8 inches of snow. We finally got some rain here over the weekend, but we still need more. Some folks got as much as three inches. So that only puts us about 13 inches behind for the year.

Okay Fella wants to go outside so I will go out with him, talk with you later.

[bonniesoo]

I can't believe it's already been 2 years....What a great group of people we have on this forum. Even though we haven't had the opportunity to meet anyone I feel as though we have friends all over the world. Everyone have a great day.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Officially the low this morning was 21*. That temperature comes from the weather station in Augusta, Ga. The temperature in Waynesboro was 26*. The only thing missing is the snow, thank goodness.

Sue and I are looking forward to visiting with the grandchildren in Greenville Christmas, it promises to be a great time. On the 28th we leave for Hunting Island, State Park in South Carolina for a few days with just us and the furkids. That is a trip we always look forward to. The walks on the beach with the animals, enjoying sitting around the campfire at night, it just don't get much better that that.

Fella is wanting to go, he seems to enjoy the cold weather this year. Maybe he has forgotten the long winters he spent living outside? Okay, here's wishing everyone a blest day. We sure hope to have one!!