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]

Be Happy. They were having a lot of fun.

[RbarL]

It's been a long time since I posted or even came over to read this thread. I got my Good Sam mag and saw the story about Old Fella. I sure did shed me some tears. I see that his legacy is going strong and was glad for it. Thank you for continuing your rescue. All the dogs are blessed to live in your house. I lost my old Heeler dog last summer and we got two new pups last fall. They sure are keeping us busy. I was delighted to see the new Heeler "Peaches" on here. She's a cutie and sure landed in a great place.

[butterfly_girl]

AYE***!!!!!!!

[woodstick]

AYE!

[Hoops]

AYE!!!!!

[kokosfriend]

AYE!!

[CindyNRoger]

AYE!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Grillmeister]

AYE!!

[sisodals]

AYE!

[Dandy_Dan]

mistressofdistress wrote:
We expect you to tell us these things because
1. We wouldn't know what was going on.
2. We are interested in what is going on.
3. We love you and are here for you no matter what.

Motion to accept the above suggestions by Mistress of Distress is on the floor. All in Favor say AYE.........................

Rich, that is one big Jack Russell. This should be interesting as normally JR's are smaller and only have high gear in them. Still looking forward to getting to meet her and Charlie in October. Looks like Peaches may have some of that "Saturday Night Fuel" in her. YOu know, the stuff you were telling me about

[campingshadow]

Hmmmm.....I had to look twice at the picture of Peaches.....her face looks just like Heidi's. We do not know for sure what breeds are in Heidi's background, but it is the general consensus that she is mostly Rat Terrier. Wonder if Peaches is part Rat Terrier as well. As you can see, there heads are quite similar...even to the ears. (Everything changes at the body tho! *smile*)

[chemisd]

You know how you were trying to come up with a name for Charlie like the FOOFs? Since you now have Peaches, I think you should adopt one more and call it Charlie's Angels!

[Hoops]

Would love to see Suzie pull the bucket trick, LOL I can just picture it in my head. Glad they are all settling into a routine. I read some where in the pet forum a long time ago, that if you have 2 dogs adding one more won't make a difference. Now you will be able to tell us if that is true. You and Sue are such good people to do this for the sake of your daughter and the well being of Peaches.

[E_Texan]

Sweet looking dog. Charlie and Susie will have her trim in no time.

[Dixie_Flyer]

I can't believe how well today has gone with Peaches coming into the home. Suzie has been so good and Charlie loves the girls so he's happy with the arrangement. Peaches has picked up right where she left off when she lived here with Robin. She loves the back yard and wants to stay outside a lot. She and Suzie have played and chased squirrels all over the back yard. Suzie has shown Peaches her little water bucket trick, you know, dunking someone's head into the bucket while they are trying to get a drink of water....

Peaches didn't really mind but it surprised her and now she won't go near the water bucket if Suzie is around. We are at our limit now, now more dogs, three is enough.

Charlie is following Sue around since Peaches got here, as if he is claiming his territory. Suzie has been a surprise in that she hasn't been nasty toward Peaches at all. It will soon be bed time so I will let the three fur kids outside for a while and then put their treats on their respective beds so they will settle in for the night then we all can get a good night's sleep.