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]

Okay, I had discounted this one because of the cost, but now it has become one to consider, so which one? Both are made of bronze..

[Hoops]

Very nice

[W7SFO]

AWESOME! 🙂

[Dixie_Flyer]

I now have enough money for the memorial. This is the bronze statue that will sit on a marble base. There will be a bronze plaque that reads,"In memory of Old Fella".

[Dashonthedash]

One of the ways dogs differ from us is that they never live in the past, nor in the future, but always in the moment, the "now". Every day is special and new, a new life, a new opportunity, a new journey. Perhaps we can learn something from that.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Uppercrust wrote:
Nice letter in the Highways magazine Richard. It is truly amazing what one dog did in his short life with you.

When I look back at the pictures of Old Fella from the beginning to the end and see the transformation that took place I am reminded that inside of him was this gentle loving old dog that got passed over for five years by the campers that visited the campground. What a blessing he was to all of us because he taught us some valuable lessons about life. Never give up and never give in, always live with the hope that with the dawning if a new day, there is always hope.

Old Fella lived with the hope that someday his turn would come for a better life and with it he would also give joy to those who helped save him. What I did was nothing great, the greatness came from Fella's example of what life is all about. Love is always a better way to deal with life's journey and the hardships that come than to life in bitterness of what might have been if....

There was so much love in that old dog just waiting for someone to find him and give him a chance. The blessing came not from what I did, but from what he was inside and gave back to all of us.

[Uppercrust]

Nice letter in the Highways magazine Richard. It is truly amazing what one dog did in his short life with you.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour this weekend! What a difference the weight loss has made for Peaches. She is now able to jump up on the bed by herself, I don’t know if that is good or bad. But anyway she is becoming more mobile and energetic . She has lost about seven pounds so far and needs to lose about another three pounds and then she will be at a weight that will be healthy for her. The Science Diet WD weight control sure has worked for her and just like Charlie her coat has really turned soft and the shedding has stopped, well not completely but a big difference.

After the first of the year I am going to complete the plans for the memorial for Old Fella and set a date for the memorial service. The Portrait will be finished soon and will hang in the Burke County Public Library. Win lose or draw in the election for County Commissioner, I feel I have made some inroads in having an animal shelter in Burke County. The County Commissioners realize now this is a real issue that is not going away. Next Tuesday’s election will send a message to our County Government one way or another. When I think what one old black dog has accomplished in the last years of his life it is amazing.

I want to thank all of the people who have become so much a part of this wonderful journey and adventure in helping to bring to the attention of people across this land the plight of older dogs who languished in shelters across this nation without much hope of finding a forever home. Now with your effort and support these animals have more of a chance than ever before. Yes, most older dogs come with baggage and special needs, but they still have so much to give. I think of Charlie and his last two months of life, if he hadn’t been taken from the city dog pound he would have not known the love and excitement he experienced with us. He got to go camping, swimming in the lake, the warmth of his own bed at night inside the house and to think of all the lost balls he found that were in the back yard. He was such a joy and yes it was sad when we lost him, but look at it from his point of view, what a wonderful life he had even if it was for a very short time and yes, I would do it all over again.

So the next time you are looking for a pet, don’t pass over the older dogs just because their time with you is shorter and may require some medical attention, just look into those eyes and see all of the love that is just waiting to be given unconditionally. This forum has given me a new view of life, one that has become more precious with each day. Old Fella’s legacy lives on and will continue to bring hope to everyone who comes to read this thread and yes the next dog we adopt will be an older dog just like Fella and Charlie. God bless you and may you have a wonderful and blessed day

[chemisd]

You know...the fact that the Old Fella Shelter is in 75th place today says something too....

[dogdiva]

Richard and Sue
You have definitely brought joy, compassion and caring to all our lives and have inspired all of us, especially me. GOd BLess you

[kokosfriend]

Richard - you are accomplishing a purpose filled life. Keep on keeping on living this way for many more years. I think each time we pet the dogs or feed the birds, or are kind to others, we are doing God's purpose for us.

Barb

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. Soon October will be history and November will be bringing in the holiday seasons. Snow has already began to fall in some of the northern states and I have seen Christmas decorations in the stores already. Sue and I will soon be putting up a Christmas tree and celebrating the birth of Christ. This past year has gone by in such a hurry and with it many changes have come about.

Every day I am reminded of Old Fella, Levi and Charlie and the joy they brought into our lives. The Old Fella thread continues and keeps the Old Fella legacy alive. Sue and I have made so many good friends because of Fella and we now have a large family that reaches across this great nation. As I picture Sue, Levi, Fella, Charlie and myself walking on the beach of time leaving our footprints I realize how fleeting life is and how we must cherish every moment. I ask myself, what impression will I leave upon this world when I am gone, did I have compassion and did I love much, laugh often and encourage others along the way? I hope the life I have lived has brought hope to others and encouraged them to try the impossible. Look at the mountains and the valleys that are before us and know that God will always make a way for each of us to accomplish our daily tasks.

[Dandy_Dan]

12,227 posts. What an accoomplishment and a tribute to an old black Dog and his wonderful parents.

[Dixie_Flyer]

mikhen wrote:
First off, I don't follow this thread because I'm too busy to keep up with it. But I have checked in on it every so often. I just read read in Highways that Old Fella passed away. My condolences to you, as late as they may be. We lost 3 dogs in 4 months this year so I know what it's like. You have done a wonderful thing and should be proud.

Thank you

[Hoops]

Thank you for the kind words and prayers. They are appreciated.

Becky