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

[doxieparents]

Richard and Sue,

I am not a regular poster, but am definitely a regular reader of the Old Fella thread.

Tonight, my heart is heavy and my eyes are crying. As a lot of other posters have said, "Old Fella's legacy will live on". He has left his paw print on my heart and thousands of others.

God Bless you, Richard and Sue, for sharing your home and your lives with this lovable old dog who, without you and your kindness, did not have a chance. Now, he has been reunited with Levi and
many others dogs at the Bridge.

[Martyn]

Richard and Sue - deepest sympathies from Liane and me. Nothing we can say will ease the sorrow and pain of your loss right now, although those of us who have followed this story for so long (and especially those of us who have been privileged to meet you and Fella - we met you in Colorado) are feeling a deep sense of loss and sorrow today, as well. Fella is in heaven right now and is surely waiting for you on the other side of the bridge.

God Bless.

[Code2High]

The first few days are so hard to get through... but you will, because you must. And then things will start to get a little easier, once the mind begins to process and accept this new reality.

Take care of yourselves, and get out and walk with Suzie. It will help her and you, even if it sounds like the last thing in the world you want to do.

[Dashonthedash]

When my brother lost his beloved German Shepherd many years ago, he decided he would never get another dog because he couldn't deal with the grief. I have raised two GSDs on my own, Max and Dash, and rescued four greyhounds: Willow, Dot, Allan and Lily. I have lost four of them now, all but Dash and Lily, but it has never dampened my love of dogs, nor my desire for their companionship. Even though I had to lose them, I am much better off having known them and having shared their company while they were alive. They will never be replaced, but they will always be a part of me and, as long as I am able to care for them, there will always be a dog or two to comfort me when I'm down, to share in my joys as well as my disappointments, to provide me with lifelong memories, laughs and fun, and a lifetime of unconditional love and devotion.

[mistressofdistr]

I have lost something I will never get back in this life time, but I would do it all over again if given another chance.

That is what is so remarkable about you and makes the Old Fella story so special.

There are many sad hearts tonite after reading about Old Fella, but we must remember what he stands for and that he is no longer having any pain. I am happy for him and will miss him so much.

[Dixie_Flyer]

This has been the longest day of my life. When we got home this afternoon that is when all the heart break and sadness over whelmed Sue and I. Suzie is acting sad and is wondering where Fella is. Each morning I would wake up and look forward to another day with my friend. Fella would get to his feet and wait for me to let him outside. Even if Sue got up first Fella would not follow her to the door, he would wait for me to escort him. He would always look back at me as he started down the steps just to make sure I was watching.

I have lost one of life's treasures and that is a friend that was ever faithful and whose love was pure and unstained. As Sue and I talked to Fella, patted his head and rubbed his body last night as his life slipped away, I felt as if a part of me had died. I have lost something I will never get back in this life time, but I would do it all over again if given another chance.

[Dashonthedash]

Richard and Sue,

My heart cries out for you, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I just got home from a weekend camping trip to Rocky Mountain National Park, and just read the news. He is now healthy and whole at the Bridge, running like a puppy again with Levi and all our departed companions. You will see him again and, in the meanwhile, he and Levi will be watching over you and the legacy he started. You might consider burying him at the site of the new shelter, or erecting some kind of memorial to him, to remind everyone what the love of an old stray can do. In the meanwhile, I can offer you this simple poem I wrote when my own dear Allan succumbed to cancer more than two years ago:

The hurt will surely go away,
but the memories will always stay.
We may now be far apart,
but you'll be always in my heart.
Through my soul you'll always run,
You and I, forever one.

You were always there for me
When I needed you to be
Like a friend that's tried and true
I could always count on you
Though your days on Earth are done
We will be forever one.

Now you're running young and free
But still watching over me
One thing ever will be true
So long as I remember you
Through my soul you'll always run,
You and I, forever one.



Rest in Peace, Old Fella.

God Bless you and keep you, Richard and Sue

[needsomefun]

I know you're crushed, it breaks my heart thinking of it. Goodbye Fella, thank you for bringing joy to so many, I will miss you.

[Dixie_Flyer]

[Wanderlost]

A four-legged angel on earth is now one in fact.

Although it hurts us all to have lost Old Fella, we'll have wonderful memories of how one skinny old stray changed the lives of hundreds of people, for the benefit of thousands of strays.

Richard and Sue, take comfort in the knowledge that Old Fella and Levi are happily playing together at the Rainbow Bridge, young and healthy again.

[dogdiva]

The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.....

ThaNK you Richard and Sue for your stories and sharing Fella with all of us.

Fella will always be remembered by all of us that have followed this thread from the very beginning
You know you have done everything possible to enhance Fellas life, and one day you will be together again, Now, you are grieving, and simple words can not take that pain away.........

God Bless you and give you comfort ......

[Dixie_Flyer]

bonniesoo wrote:
I was cleaning out a closet this morning and came upon an old computer monitor. Taped to the top of the monitor was a note a friend had sent me after our Bootie had passed. It simply read "don't cry because it's over....smile because it happened" I don't know who wrote that phrase but I think it's very appropriate here....love to all. Donna

I like that a lot. Thanks

[bonniesoo]

I was cleaning out a closet this morning and came upon an old computer monitor. Taped to the top of the monitor was a note a friend had sent me after our Bootie had passed. It simply read "don't cry because it's over....smile because it happened" I don't know who wrote that phrase but I think it's very appropriate here....love to all. Donna

[Dandie_Dinmont]

I'm so sorry for your loss, old fella certainly had a lot of love and a lot of people who cared for him.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Animal Emergency Clinic

This is the link to the emergency clinic that we took Old Fella to Saturday night. Diana Phillips DVM was the attending doctor. She was the most caring vet I have ever had the experience to meet. Her compassion for what she does came through in every thing she did.

I am so grateful that we had such a personal professional taking care of Old Fella and also taking care of our needs at the same time. She made things a lot easier.