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

[joelbaker]

I like the top one, Richard. That cock of the head looks like Old Fella in everyone's favorite picture.

[Ron___Shirley]

Possibly you could have a picture of the real Old Fella put on the accompanying plaque. On my parents headstone we have their picture and it has been there since 1992 when Dad died and it still looks like new.

Just another suggestion. Then either statue would work.

Shirley

[joang]

I agree! Going by the pictures, I like the top one. I like the look on his face. However, you knew him best and we will love whatever you chose!

[dogdiva]

You will make a good choice have no fear. Personally I like the black one but you knew Fella best and what ever you choose will be great

[Dixie_Flyer]

I will make the decision today between one of these.

[Dandy_Dan]

Good Morning FOOFS.........My clock may be set back but my head is still on DST. Hope everyone is happy and healthy and is going to have a wonderful rest of the weekend.

[lviars50]

I really liked the life size dog IMHO thats the best so far
Lois

agteacher wrote:
This would be nice if it came in bronze

Lifesize dog

A couple bronze ones

Sitting dog

Not sure what the difference between them is (except the price):

Another sitting one

[chemisd]

Personally, I like the first one that agteacher has listed. I never met Old Fella, but I always loved the one of him looking at Richard. The black dog looks so lifelike and is looking up at someone. I realize that at that price, it probably won't last like the other ones made of bronze.
I agree that on the other ones that Richard has listed, the first looked too furry, and the second looked like a panther.
Ultimately though Richard, you are the one who lived with Old Fella and know what he looked like. I guess like Agteacher we could all try and do google searches and see what we find. They now have tombstones that utilize actual pictures. What about something along those lines? I have no idea of cost. It may be cheaper in different parts of the country also, and with our widespread group of pet people, we might be able to find a good deal and have help with the transporting......
We are still without actual internet so may not make it back here for a few days.....

[agteacher]

This would be nice if it came in bronze

Lifesize dog

A couple bronze ones

Sitting dog

Not sure what the difference between them is (except the price):

Another sitting one

[mpj]

There is no ONE statue that will look exactly like Old Fella, unless it is a special order and that's where the big bucks are. Since Dixie Flyer does not have the big bucks, go for the one that looks the most like him as far as the way he carried himself and his facial expression. Since I never met Old Fella in person, and only know him through photos, Dixie Flyer - pick the one that tells you that this is Old Fella in spirit. You could hang pictures of the real Old Fella in the lobby of the shelter - especially the one of Old Fella and you - where Old Fella is looking up at you. My vote is for the one you feel is best. Just listen to your heart - not your wallet. Whenever you have needed $$ most, they have come. Best of luck in your decision.
Thanks for listening.

[Gentle_Spirit]

I have to say that I really like the sitting dog - the length of hair, size, intelligent face - really depict old fella. I still like the love in the face of the first one, but it is true that the hair is too long. The sitting one shows a strong, stunning dog in his prime! Very striking and a nice tribute to Old Fella.

I also thought the black one looked cat-like.

[Gentle_Spirit]

ElBigDodgeO wrote:
I like the first memorial statue. It has a low-key ambiance about it that I like.

Old Fella was such a great dog. I only met him once, but I remember how he looked at me so intently, kind of out of the corner of his eye, like he was sizing me up. In a friendly but steady way, like he knew he was not just "any" dog.

Two weeks after dear Enya passed, we found out that Copper, also 12 years old, has a mast cell tumor on her rear leg. She is having surgery Wednesday. Please pray for her. She is the first dog I raised from a baby puppy. I know I will lose her soon because it's God's will, but it will be very hard. 12 years is such a short time. People with children who never cherished dogs and say to us "it's only a dog" don't understand that it's harder to love dogs because you know that they will not be with you for long, but we do it anyway knowing we face certain heartache.

It's been a rough month............

S.

I'm so sorry. Last summer I lost my baby whom I raised from 5 weeks old - I told the boy I got her from that she was too little to take from her mother and he said "If you don't take her someone else will!" I had her - the most loving dog I ever had - 13 years and lost her to bladder cancer. Of course, I still have 2 others - but that special one really is alot closer. It's heartless for dog-less people to make rude comments and it always makes me mad - but just think anyone who would say such a thing has never experienced the wonderful devoted love we are privledged to enjoy. Bless you and enjoy the time you have left with your baby. Love & prayers, Carole

[Dixie_Flyer]

Okay the black statue is out because of cost as I have found a bronze sitting down statue for much less that first quoted. The first Bronze statue is still in the running also because it is much less than the bronze sitting down statue (by $500.00). We still have to buy the base (Granite or marble) and the bronze plaque. DW Sue says she will pay the difference between the statues if I want the one sitting down, but then I have to consider the other expense of base and plaque. So if I go with the first one there is enough money to do it all with Sue's help.

[E_Texan]

The first one gets my vote. The face looks more like Old Fellas.

[Dobermanlover]

Here is my vote for what it is worth! # 1 has a beautiful face that looks more like Old Fella (from his picture as unfortunately I never met him) # 2 looks like a panther and as mentioned before the tail would be an invitation for someone to break it. # 3 is beautiful also and the body looks more like the picture of Old Fella and the sitting dog would probably look better in the park and should hold up better also. However, the decision should be your's and Sue's as you were the ones who loved him the most! I think everyone would want you to make the final decision. How much more $$ for # 3 ?