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

[sisodals]

Richard,


Great news on the voting results, and even better news on the finding and keeping of Charlie. I believe I see the influence of Old Fella on all these activities.

Ray & Helen Siso

[Hoops]

Richard that is good news. So glad to hear Charlie is fitting in so well. Will look forward to seeing the Highways article as well.

[E_Texan]

Great news Richard.

[kokosfriend]

Good News!!

Barb

[Dixie_Flyer]

Animal Shelter won overwhelmingly in every precinct according to the True Citizen.

Reporting this morning on their website the Waynesboro True Citizen newspaper reports that voters in Burke County voted overwhelmingly for an animal control shelter be funded by Burke County. Old Fella is making his foot prints seen across this community.

[joelbaker]

Lucky Charlie! Lucky Richard and Sue!

[kokosfriend]

I know haw the circle of life goes on. Willow has eased the very painful loss of Koko. What is meant to be had become.

Barb

[E_Texan]

That's great. He's a very lucky guy and glad he's eased the pain some.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Charlie is like a breath of fresh air. He has eased the pain we feel in the loss of Old Fella. I look at him and I can see and feel the spirit of Levi and Fella alive in him. What a blessing he is and how great the timing of his coming into our lives.

[LoneWolf17]

Dixie Flyer,

I am so happy you and your family with the new addition of Charlie.

[HighwaysEditor]

Just a heads up...Highways magazine will run a small article about Old Fella's legacy in our September issue.
Thanks!
John Sullaway
Editor
Highways

[mrskti]

Richard a friend of mine just lost her little dog and when she got his ashes back, they had done a plaster cast of his paw print, i think that was really cool. The print is a nice idea too.

[bonniesoo]

Wellll..... tears in my coffee cup have become the norm while I'm reading the Old Fella forum. What a sweet gesture for them to include the paw print picture. I would have loved to have that with our Bootie's ashes.

Little Suzie is a sneaky little girl isn't she!!! I'm glad everything is going good with the both of them and before you know it she will be just as attached to Charlie as she was to Old Fella.

[chemisd]

I am so relieved that Charlie now gets to stay! I also had been holding my breath!
I got a tear in my eye from Old Fella's paw print. That was a very nice thing to do.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Today has started out very well. Suzie and Charlie are getting along very good. Suzie has decided Charlies is okay after all. It was funny when we were camping and Suzie didn't know I was standing behind her. She turned toward Charlie and snarled her lips ready to take a swipe at him. The only way I could reach her was with my foot. She was so surprised that she took off running to hide some where. Being in the camper there is limited space and no where to hide.

She then came over to Charlie and kissed his face looking to me for approval. But I know her tiny little mind was at work. I'll just fool the old man and make him think I love this old bag of bones.

Yesterday they got along great and last night all three of us were playing in the house when Charlie for the first time barked! He had never barked until then but he was having the best time with Suzie and myself. He is a sweet old dog.