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

[bonniesoo]

That's our Old Fella....way to go boy!!!!!

[chemisd]

I couldn't get rv.net to open at first tonight and I can't believe how panicked I was. Just needed to know that he is doing ok for the night. We will be gone this weekend. Going to PA for the Komen Race for the Cure Cancer walk. A cousin is battling breast cancer and we will all be going to support her. I guess we have about 100 on Terri's Team. I will check in if I can. In the meantime, prayers will be said......
jana
ps - and yes, he worked hard for that treat!

[Dixie_Flyer]

It was time for Fella to go outside so I asked him if he wanted to go. He got to his feet, very awkwardly as if he wasn't going to make it by himself but then makes it. He goes to the door and takes the steps like he is running a race. He hits the bottom on all four feet and goes to the middle of the yard and lays down. I watched him through the window to see what he does as he rest for a while, gets up, takes care of business and comes back to the steps and waits for me to let him in.

I take the sling with me {his support} when I go out and open the storm door so that it won't close on us making it easy for both of us to come through the door while I hold him up with the sling. I go to him as he is sitting on the ground as I start to put the sling under him he bolts for the door, never missing a step and beats me in the house. He goes to his bed and waits for me to give him his night time treat. {Walter he deserved that one}.

The old boy is improving but still has pain in the right front leg. Tomorrow I hope Dr. Ford will give him something that will finally bring that to an end. Wednesday I was ready to send him to Rainbow Bridge and tonight he out runs me to the back door.

[bonniesoo]

You know Richard....maybe his new medicine needed to reach a therapeutic level in order to work effectively and that is why he is doing better after a couple of days on the new meds. I hope that is the case and you can reach a level that will control his pain.....and I agree with Woodstick....Old Fella is not spoiled...he is very well loved!!!! Hope tonight is a good night for all of you.

[woodstick]

Your not spoiling him Richard, your just loving him!

[chemisd]

Oh my....I wish I had started reading from this page backwards.....I have been bawling at my computer for the last 10 pages. I have been so busy lately that I haven't even turned my computer on at home and I don't really check personal things here at work anymore. Like someone else said, when I realized there were about 10 pages I immediately thought Uh-OH!! I am so glad that he seems to be a bit better. But we do all know that there will come a time. Richard, we do all feel that he is "our" dog, but we know that you love him best and you and Sue will make the right decisions whenever that time comes. He has changed so many lives and just some ways of thinking that won't ever be known. I pray for the meds to work and that he feel no pain.
Love to all of you.
Jana

[Dixie_Flyer]

bonniesoo wrote:
Richard....how's he doing this afternoon???

Fella is resting and is in no pain as long as he is still. He will get up and move when I leave the room as he doesn't want me out of his site. He watches me leave the room and if I don't come back soon he comes looking for me. He is still limping very badly but is able to get around to get water and look to see what's in the kitchen.

I bought some Absorbine Jr and he just loves for me to rub his leg and shoulder with it. Spoiled rotten that's how he is.

[bonniesoo]

Richard....how's he doing this afternoon???

[Dixie_Flyer]

pjb2rlb wrote:
Yes - just past Furman take the Highway 276 veer off to the left - at the BP turn left, then right at the stop sign - her office is about 1/2 mile to 1 mile down on the left.

Thanks

[pjb2rlb]

Yes - just past Furman take the Highway 276 veer off to the left - at the BP turn left, then right at the stop sign - her office is about 1/2 mile to 1 mile down on the left.

[Dixie_Flyer]

pjb2rlb wrote:
Richard - if you are still interested in finding a acupuncture vet there is one in Travelers Rest - she has treated my boxer. The name of the clinic is All About Pets - Dr. Jeanne Fowler - and her number is (864) 834-7334.

That is in the Greenville, SC area isn't it? Thanks, I will check on her.

[pjb2rlb]

Richard - if you are still interested in finding a acupuncture vet there is one in Travelers Rest - she has treated my boxer. The name of the clinic is All About Pets - Dr. Jeanne Fowler - and her number is (864) 834-7334.

[Dixie_Flyer]

joang wrote:

Dixie Flyer wrote:
If I could find his secret I could sell it to the Cattlemen's Association and make a bundle.

I am sure the secret is living through cold winters on a couple of bread crusts, scraps from peoples trash and some lake water! His metabolism is very efficient!

I believe you have hit the nail on the head!

[joang]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
If I could find his secret I could sell it to the Cattlemen's Association and make a bundle.

I am sure the secret is living through cold winters on a couple of bread crusts, scraps from peoples trash and some lake water! His metabolism is very efficient!

[kokosfriend]

Old Fella must have some Lab in him. It is really hard to keep weight off of a Lab. They balloon up with the slightest increase in feed. I have Koko on carrot only treats, but we changed the food to Wellness Fish and Potato and she is gaining some weight, so we have to reduce the food amount.

Doggy Liposuction??? 🙂

Barb