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]

Thanks Ryan. I just ordered two devices for Fella, let's hope they work.

[W7SFO]

Richard,
I stumbled onto this K9 Dog Brace. I wonder if it would help Fella.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Old Fella threw up twice yesterday, once in the afternoon and last night at bed time. Maybe it was the shot he got, or maybe he is reacting to the meds he has been taking, could be his new dog food that Sue has prepared for him, then it could be something in the air. Anyway he is off the pain pills as of yesterday but he stays on the Deramaxx which is a prescribed medicine for joint pain. This takes the place of the metacam that he was on for about two years.

This morning he is about the same as he was yesterday at this time. He went outside and made sure that nothing happened over night that didn't meet with his approval. He then went to the kitchen window and let me know he was ready to come in for his breakfast. He refused my help climbing the steps and said he could do it on his own thank you and made his way into the house. After a good morning meal he is now resting next to me as I make this post.

Suzie is in our bedroom laying on the bed looking out the window. This is her morning pearch to watch over the front yard and sidewalk. Nothing gets past her watchful eyes as she waits for Anne or someone else walking their dogs to come by. When she sees something she will come and let me know and beg to go outside. Tomorrow we leave for Hunting Island. This will be a test run to see how well Old Fella and Suzie get along in the rear cab of the truck for three hours. Once Suzie settles down on her portion of the seat then there is enough room for Fella, its just the first few miles that Suzie wants to be all over the back of the cab bouncing from one side to the other.

I will be glad once we get to the island and settle in for the weekend. I do hope Fella is able to enjoy his stay. Okay I have to go for now so I will talk with you later.

[W7SFO]

NW Dog needs a home!

She has special needs but needs a home fast.

[Code2High]

A harness and seatbelt might help keep Suzie on her side of the car. Building out the back seat to form a deck, if you haven't already, will help as well. Other than that, frequent breaks and be real careful as he gets out for them... he's going to be stiff.

[butterfly_girl]

How about turning the back seat in to one big bed....make a platform and put a pad on it...then you will have storage room underneath we make a camping van out of our Ford Arostar by putting plywood up on several milk crated then pads and sleeping bags...had the entire under area for storage...went from So Calif to Canada that way....

[GizmosMom]

Richard, maybe you could put a divider of some sort in the back seat. Maybe some creative readers can make some suggestions. Do you pull with a truck?

[dogdiva]

Whatever the difficulties on the trip, you will handle it....Enjoy

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. Fella was awake and hungry this morning at the crack of dawn. "Let's go Dad, come on it's time to get up." He and Suzie went outside and waited until I had their breakfast ready and then came in to eat. Fella is becoming leery of the hardwood floors and the tile floor in the kitchen. He is also hesitant to walk on the scatter rugs.

This morning I take Fella to Dr. Ford for another shot, but I believe that he is always going to walk with a limp for the rest of his days. Its going to be a challange to take him and Suzie to Branson with his limited ability to move around. Suzie will take up space on the back seat and it will be difficult for Fella to move and stay comfortable on a long trip in limited space. WE still have a few weeks yet so we will see how it goes.

I have to get moving now so I will talk with you later. By the way, the computer is now up to speed and is very fast.

[Dixie_Flyer]

I'm tired and Old Fella is too. Each time I watch him get up and I see that back leg bend out of shape I wait for the sound of SNAP! It bows out so much I don't understand how it stays together. When I can I run over and help him get to his feet just to keep the weight off that rear leg. He seems to be happy and content it doesn't matter if he is limping about and struggling to climb the steps going in and out of the house. He wags his tail and and barks at me when he wants my attention. He eats all of his food and loves to go outside and sit with me in grass. He doesn't want me out of his sight and gets restless when I am. Tomorrow I take him back to Dr. Ford for another shot of her joy juice and cocktail of meds for the joints. He is in no pain when he is resting and he doesn't mind getting up to come check on me if I am somewhere in house and haven't come back to check in with him.

I hope he continues to improve and is well enough to make the trip to Branson without being stressed out. Oh well It's late and I need to go to bed so I am going to say goodnight to everyone and go brush my teeth, pat Fella on the head and tell him how much he is loved, make sure Suzie isn't left out of the attention and crawl under the bed covers and go to sleep.

[Dashonthedash]

Let's hear it for the computer, software and printer makers! I hear they are getting kickbacks from the makers of ulcer and headache medications :B

[Dixie_Flyer]

Today Old Fella, Suzie, Izzie and Sue went looking for cover. My neck extended about six inches, my head started going round and round while my eyes starting spinning in all direction.

So what caused all of this startling behavior? Yep, you guessed it, Sue bought me a new computer and I had to install the software and printer. All went well until I discovered I didn't have the CD with the printer driver on it. No big deal, I would just go the the maker's website and just down load it. It took me all day to get it working. But now praise the Lord all is well except it will take my hair a few days to go straight again.

Old Fella continues to do well. He is not as fast today as he was yesterday, but he is still making progress. I have to go for now and throw someting on the grill for supper. Talk with you later.

[kokosfriend]

It is just miraculous! 🙂 So glad
Barb

[dogdiva]

I am so glad to hear Fella is improving, please continue to touch and love on him when he is resting

[campingshadow]

What an amazing dog. He is an inspiration to us all. When you are getting the love and care he is getting....you can bet he wants to stick around. Smart pup. Nice way to start the day, with good news from Georgia.