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

[searchnk9]

Richard please consider contacting the acupuncturist. It can make a significant difference in pain and comfort levels. There is real science behind it. I'ver seen it make big differences when added to traditional pain management.

[Gardening_Gurl]

Is this the longest a thread has run...
seems, theres always something new on this
subject and i was just wondering about it...thanks ....gardening gurl

[Dixie_Flyer]

Right now Old Fella is resting. He is watching me for any sign that I might take him for a walk. He doesn't realize he can't go. If got his bootie out and his bandage for his ankle he wuold get up to go. I am going to take him to the back yard for a while and sit with him, maybe that will make him happy. He still wags his tail when I speak to him or come and pat him on the head. It's so hard to watch him like this.

[kokosfriend]

Prayers from Nashville for Old Fella and Richard and Sue. We will wait anxiously for news on Friday.
Barb

[Dixie_Flyer]

dogdiva wrote:
Richard
I know you are doing everything for Fella. Have you heard of T TOuch

it is gentle touching, with the tips of the fingers kind of like accupressure
When he is laying down, sit with him and touch him , start at the head and go down the whole body to the tips of his feet, very gentle pressure, then work on the areas where he is inpain. It is very relaxing for him Also gentle stroking all over his body
Ck online for T TOuch
Prayers are with you all

I will try anything at this point and time.

[woodstick]

Oh Richard, so sorry to hear Old Fella is in such pain. Extra prayers for all of you, hope the old boy is feeling better by Friday.

[DOTLDaddy]

I really feel that Old Fella will start improving with all the fine care and attention he is recieving. He is a tough old guy, and he knows his job isn't over yet.

[Dixie_Flyer]

This morning is the same for Fella, a lot of pain. Doc Ford seemed to believe that the medications she has given and prescribed will make a difference by Friday, I sure hope so. With the prayers being said he should be up and running by Friday! I can't imagine the Old Fella Rally without Old Fella. Keep the chins quivering and the heartfelt words flowing for the Old Fella.

[dogdiva]

Richard
I know you are doing everything for Fella. Have you heard of T TOuch

it is gentle touching, with the tips of the fingers kind of like accupressure
When he is laying down, sit with him and touch him , start at the head and go down the whole body to the tips of his feet, very gentle pressure, then work on the areas where he is inpain. It is very relaxing for him Also gentle stroking all over his body
Ck online for T TOuch
Prayers are with you all

[Martyn]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
Tonight is about as bad as it has been. I don't know how much more he can take. He is in so much pain it is hard on everyone here tonight. I am beginning to lose hope. He is now whimpering while he is laying down. He looks at me asking me to do something for him. I cannot leave the room, if I do he starts barking and tries to get up. As long as I am with him he tolerates the pain.

Give Old Fella our love Richard - we are rooting and praying for him here in Colorado.

Liane and I have been going through some agonizing times with the GSD we adopted, but now is not the time to talk about it. Keep your chin up.

[Hoops]

Poor old guy. Bless his heart. Will keep the prayers coming. Prayers have pulled him through before.

Becky

[Dixie_Flyer]

Tonight is about as bad as it has been. I don't know how much more he can take. He is in so much pain it is hard on everyone here tonight. I am beginning to lose hope. He is now whimpering while he is laying down. He looks at me asking me to do something for him. I cannot leave the room, if I do he starts barking and tries to get up. As long as I am with him he tolerates the pain.

[Dixie_Flyer]

dwb619 wrote:
This may be misunderstood by some. I believe in God, but am not devoutly religious. But this old dog that I had the pain of seeing as a pitiful stray at Modoc Campground, has had me talking to the Lord over the past few years in ways that a lot of people can not understand. There have many occasions of wet eyes and trembling chin in Belvedere over this old dog.
Wayne

Thanks Wayne for the beautiful heartfelt post. Yes Old Fella has touched many hearts in the past few years including mine. He has been a great ambassador that has changed forever the way many look at old strays. Old Fella has given me a family of friends that now reaches across these United States. Before Old Fella, I was someone you had never heard of. Waynesboro, Georgia was a place few people knew about. Fella has changed a lot of things for the good. Some may argue if there is a God who loves us and cares for us. I look at Old Fella and know I have been touched by an angel that only God could have created.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Since Old Fella has been having so much trouble Izzie has watched over Fella. He follows Fella from room to room and whereever Fella lays down Izzie will lay with him. Izzie will groom Fella's coat and clean his face for him. I have never seen such a thing in my life. It's as if Izzie is trying to comfort Fella. Izzie gets upset when Fella goes outside and he can't go with him. Izzie will climb in the chair next to the back windown and watch Fella as he goes to take care of business. When I go to let Fella inside, Izzie is right there to greet Fella as he comes in the door and follows him to his bed as if he is making sure Fella makes it alright.

I'll take a picture after a while to show you how these two are sticking together.

[dwb619]

This may be misunderstood by some. I believe in God, but am not devoutly religious. But this all dog that I had the pain of seeing as a pitiful stray at Modoc Campground, has had me talking to the Lord over the past few years in ways that a lot of people can not understand. There have many occassions of wet eyes and trembling chin in Belvedere over this old dog.
Wayne