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]

Dashonthedash wrote:
Richard,

Have you tried a martingale collar? It is a special kind of collar designed to act like a choke collar (i.e., it tightens when you pull the leash), but it is made of a soft material like cloth or nylon. It is commonly used for greyhounds, whose narrow head makes it easy to slip through a regular collar, but can't use a choke collar because of their thin skin.

No I haven't, I don't think I have seen one?

[Dixie_Flyer]

yankeeblue wrote:
Sarah is so sweet and kind looking...just like Sue! another female in the house! the girls rule in the Daniels house!
Best Wishes with your new addition. Will you be pursueing any ads for the owners of Sarah, in case someone is looking for her and doesn't know she has been hit by a car? Perhaps the couple that dropped her off were the car that did so and they wanted to help. In any event, I hope she ends up staying with you and your wonderful family!

I know I shouldn't judge anyone, especially when you don't know all of the facts and I certainly don't know all there is to know about Sarah and how she ended up on our kitchen floor near death after being run over. She was full of ticks and fleas, but she wan't malnourished. She acts as if she has been in a house before as she is very comfortable being inside. Saying all of that I am still reluctant to try and put her back with the folks that had her because of the situation she was in when she came to us.

Could be she came from a loving home and she just wandered off, Could be she escaped from a pen, could be just about anything you could imagine but the bottom line is she is now safe and happy. Having said all of that I am obligated to at least try and find out more of where she came from. If someone does come forward and they can pay her medical bills then I quess by rights she should go back to them. Anyway that is the way I feel about it whether its right or wrong. So I will make an effort to try and find her owner and hope I never do.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Sarah had a good night. She slept in her kennel cage and didn't have an accident. She went outside and took care of business and then came back in to eat her breakfast. She is doing very good and is happy with her new friends. She afraid of Suzie in the back yard as Suzie wants Sarah to run and play and Sarah just isn't up to it yet.

Sarah is now in the kitchen supervising Sue as she makes chicken with dumplings for lunch. Peaches and Suzie are in the back yard chasing who knows what, but I haven't heard any screaming yet so I quess they really haven't caught anything. It got a little cold here last night, down in the 30's. I hate to put a dog out in the cold that isn't up to par yet so Sarah is in the house where it is nice and warm.

On the 24th Sarah goes back to Dr. Jim to have her stitches out and to be spayed, after that we will see if someone wants to adopt her. She is shy right now about doing anything, I quess its because she is still sore from the beating she got in the accident. She is such a sweetheart and just goes along with just about anything.

Okay I have to go for now, talk with you later...

[yankeeblue]

Sarah is so sweet and kind looking...just like Sue! another female in the house! the girls rule in the Daniels house!
Best Wishes with your new addition. Will you be pursueing any ads for the owners of Sarah, in case someone is looking for her and doesn't know she has been hit by a car? Perhaps the couple that dropped her off were the car that did so and they wanted to help. In any event, I hope she ends up staying with you and your wonderful family!

[sisodals]

Richard & Sue,

I believe that Levi, Fella and charlie sent Sarah to you along with the Lord so that she would have a wonderful home and you have someone to fill the empty spot left by the losses of the lst year, a match made in Heaven and sent to Georgia.

[Dashonthedash]

Richard,

Have you tried a martingale collar? It is a special kind of collar designed to act like a choke collar (i.e., it tightens when you pull the leash), but it is made of a soft material like cloth or nylon. It is commonly used for greyhounds, whose narrow head makes it easy to slip through a regular collar, but can't use a choke collar because of their thin skin.

[chemisd]

I think it is funny that so many of us think she reminds us of Charlie. I think it is something in the eyes. Sarah looks a little lost and confused, but I think by week's end, she will have that grin on her face like that one picture you have of Charlie. She certainly is a sweetheart!

[W7SFO]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
I heard a big sigh and turned to look at last she was completely sound asleep with her eyes open. Never seen that in my life

Tia does that. Freaked me out the first time, but now I am used to it.

[Buzz-ette]

No matter how difficult and sad the world seems some times, Richard, you and Sue always give me hope. Sarah is a beautiful dog. Whether you and Sue keep her for your own or she finds her Forever Home through you, you know that God is going to bless you for all you do.

[ElBigDodgeO]

I'm glad Sarah passed the Izzy text. With those ears and being only 37 lbs, I'd bet she's a lab/beagle cross. Which means she probably has a wonderful personality that will start to show up as she heals and becomes more trusting and less fearful. Good luck with her.

Sandi

[Dixie_Flyer]

I heard a big sigh and turned to look at last she was completely sound asleep with her eyes open. Never seen that in my life

[ljr]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
In regards to the choke collar I had a sad experience one day when a frightened dog pulled backward and the collar slipped over its head and it ran into traffic and was killed.

I have the same fear but I solve it with a harness.

A coworker of mine left his dog in a cage wearing a choke collar. You can probably guess the rest. I haven't owned one since that happened. Probably ok if you are careful though.

[dturm]

Richard, I agree with you totally on the collar. Until you are sure about her, her behavior, you have control when needed. We always use a choke type collar on patients when walking them, we're strangers, it's a scarey situation and they tend to bolt. It's very easy to slip a collar.

Doug, DVM

[Dixie_Flyer]

Sarah weighs 36 pounds. In regards to the choke collar I had a sad experience one day when a frightened dog pulled backward and the collar slipped over its head and it ran into traffic and was killed. I have never trusted a collar like that again on a dog I don't know or a dog that will try and pulled backwards and have the collar slip over their head.

Sarah is on Tramadol one tablet per day.

[Gentle_Spirit]

I'm in love with Sarah - she is so beautiful. I also noticed those eyes, as have so many others. I wish I could pet her and give her love - but it looks like she is getting alot of love - even in prayers and well wishes from those of us far away.

I've been wondering - is she on any pain medication just to help with inflamation & pain for the next couple days? She's got to be pretty sore. Also, why not get rid of the choke collar - most trainers don't like them.

Sending love to Richard, Sue and Sarah, as well as the rest of the gang...