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

[CA_POPPY]

JUST A DOG
Some might like to know that this lovely essay has been, in fact, posted in many vet clinics and rescue organizations for years and is part of many dog related websites. The author is Richard A Biby.

[bonniesoo]

Richard: We're all anxious to find out how Charlie is doing on the camping trip...did he travel well...did Suzie get sick etc etc etc. Hope ya'll are having a good time and hope he is doing well.

[newk]

Great news clip, Richard! You've made the big time now! 😉


Dan, nice find, great words.

[dogdiva]

JUST A DOG////...... How about making up 8 x 11 posters that can be framed and sell them with the profits going to Old Fellas Rescue????

[Chemgoddess1]

Just a Dog is now up in my office with pictures of Chloe and Quincy.

[kokosfriend]

Thank you, Dan - I understand!!

What a great message.
Barb

[Grillmeister]

Dan
Just a dog
What a great post, I agree, it should be a poster on a wall of the Rescue Facility

Ditto 🙂

[dogdiva]

Dan
Just a dog
What a great post, I agree, it should be a poster on a wall of the Rescue Facility

[fulltimegrams22]

Dandy Dan wrote:
Just a Dog
From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend", "just a sunrise" or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog", but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog", but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog", just smile, because they "just don't understand."

Beautiful and worthy of a poster on the walls of all the rescue organizations around the world. Imagine it in all languages of the world. Thanks for the "dog food for thought"

Fulltimegrams22

[CindyNRoger]

Amen Dan!

[Grillmeister]

"just a dog"

That's one of the best ones I have ever read.

[Dandy_Dan]

Just a Dog
From time to time, people tell me, "lighten up, it's just a dog," or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog." They don't understand the distance traveled, the time spent, or the costs involved for "just a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with "just a dog." Many hours have passed and my only company was "just a dog," but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by "just a dog," and in those days of darkness, the gentle touch of "just a dog" gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog," then you will probably understand phrases like "just a friend", "just a sunrise" or "just a promise." "Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy. "Just a dog" brings out the compassion and patience that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog", I will rise early, take long walks and look longingly to the future. So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog", but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams of the future, the fond memories of the past, and the pure joy of the moment. "Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and diverts my thoughts away from myself and the worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that it's not "just a dog", but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps me from being "just a human."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog", just smile, because they "just don't understand."

[Dixie_Flyer]

chrisnpat wrote:

Dixie Flyer wrote:
WAGT CHANNEL 26 NBC AUGUSTA


The inmates working at the shelter made the news tonight.

Very Cool Richard..........Is that Tail Wagging Blondie, Charlie?:)

That's Charlie.

[chrisnpat]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
WAGT CHANNEL 26 NBC AUGUSTA


The inmates working at the shelter made the news tonight.

Very Cool Richard..........Is that Tail Wagging Blondie, Charlie?:)

[GizmosMom]

Have fun, Sue, Richard, Charlie, Suzie and is the Puppy going?

I was able to view the entire video. I should have realized you had a southern accent, Richard, but I just didn't put it together. You were born to be on TV!