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

[Dashonthedash]

Richard,

You commented about all dogs coming to you being special. I have had 10 dogs in my lifetime (Chip, Shep, Nookie, Geoff, Max, Willow, Dot, Dash, Allan and Lily), and all have been special, unique and one-of-a-kind. I would not have missed any of them, even though I miss all of them that have gone to the Bridge. Those of us who have known the love of a companion animal have known the special bond that transcends the differences between how we look, act, think or feel; the bond that requires no voice to convey, just the eyes that see us with undying love and trust.

[Dashonthedash]

Carole, my deepest condolences on the loss of Baxter. You are right, it never gets easier; it isn't supposed to for those of us who love, and are loved by, our companion animals. Go ahead and have a good cry, and know that Baxter is now free of pain, and running at the Bridge with Fella, Levi and Charlie, along with my Max, Willow, Dot, Allan and all our beloved furkids. You will meet again and, in the meanwhile enjoy this simple poem I wrote in honor of my funny blue greyhound clown, Allan, who is probably racing with Baxter right now:

The hurt will surely go away,
but the memories will always stay.
We may now be far apart,
but you'll be always in my heart.
Through my soul you'll always run,
You and I, forever one.

You were always there for me
When I needed you to be
Like a friend that's tried and true
I could always count on you
Though your days on Earth are done
We will be forever one.

Now you're running young and free
But still watching over me
One thing ever will be true
So long as I remember you
Through my soul you'll always run,
You and I, forever one.


Rest in Peace, Baxter

[Dandy_Dan]

Dixie Flyer wrote:

This week Sue and I will be taking Sarah to Virginia to meet up with her transportation to Findlay, Ohio to start a new life. Anna will meet her with wagging tail welcoming her into the family. I hope in some way Sarah will be able to know that Suzie and Anna are true sisters and Anna will be able to show Sarah the routine and rules just as Suzie did. Sarah watched Peaches and Suzie and followed their lead and it didn't take her long to figure out just what was expected of her.

I just hope that Sarah does not learn all the things from Anna, like going out in the cold weather with her coat on and think that a dip in the creek is fine, or take off after a bunny, mole, bird or anything else that moves that Anna feels might be fun.:B:B:B With Sarah being a Lab mix and Anna having Hound in her, it could be quite a time convincing both of them not to go on a hunting spree.

[Dandy_Dan]

Carole, Have you ever thought of having Wolfie live with the horses? When we first got Beau, he lived in a dog house in the yard in the good weather and then lived in the barn in a stall we put another dog house surrounded by straw. He could stay quite warm in the winter and he thought he was a horse. This was the arrangement until our beagle Frisky passed to the Rainbow Bridge, then Beau made the transition to the inside. This was a new experience for him as he thought the horses were his to take care of. We would still let Beau out during the day. When the horses were in the pasture, Beau would go lay under a tree and watch them. If they changed pastures, he would change also. If they were in the front pasture and it was time for the horses to eat, we could tell Beau to go get the horses and he would run to the front and bark at the horses and herd them to the barn for dinner. I hope Wolfie will be able to make the transition and possibly be a buddy to the "big" 4 legged dogs.

[CindyNRoger]

Gentle Spirit - We send our sincere sympathies your way. We too are in tears for you, as it brings back the babies we've lost. I'm sure all our departed fur babies met Baxter as The Bridge today and will keep him company until you arrive.

[Dixie_Flyer]

chrisnpat wrote:
Im sorry for your loss Gentle Spirit, it never get easy, try to take comfort in knowing Baxter is no longer in pain.


What a perfect choice for Sarah Richard, she will be Happy ever after.:)

I just knew Sarah was destined for something special the first time I saw her even in the bloody mess she was in lying in the middle of our kitchen floor fighting for her life. She deserves a special home and she has found one with Dan and Lori. God is good!

[Dixie_Flyer]

Gentle Spirit I am so sorry to hear of your lose. We too have lost three dogs, all in one year. First it was Levi, then Old Fella and then Charlie. It is never easy and I still shed tears over all of them. I will always remember Fella as the biggest treasure find of my life.

May God bless you and may you find comfort in the days ahead remembering the joy you had with Baxter.

[chrisnpat]

Im sorry for your loss Gentle Spirit, it never get easy, try to take comfort in knowing Baxter is no longer in pain.


What a perfect choice for Sarah Richard, she will be Happy ever after.:)

[Gentle_Spirit]

My Baxter boy was put to sleep today. When we got home, my husband carried him into the yard where we'd already dug a grave and Wolfie ran up and licked Baxter's head to say good-bye. Then he laid down and watched us bury him. Baxter was a therapy dog with the "Love on a Leash" foundation - he visitedd people in convalescent homes and gave them his unconditional love. He was my baby-sitter, always there to comfort a stray or one of our other dogs. He also would come and rest his head in my lap and listen to any problems I had. I've buried a dog a year the last 3 years - it doesn't get any easier. Now I have one left and might not be able to keep him. In order to take Baxter to the vet we had to get the neighbor to bring her dog over to stay with Wolfie while we were gone. My husband said we'll just take it a day at a time - but if we can't go anywhere because Wolfie tears up the place or digs out and is loose, we won't be able to keep him. He's attacked other dogs before and I can't take a chance of him getting loose when we're not home. Since he was a abused stray and I got him as an adult, I don't know why he'd be agressive to other dogs. He's okay in the yard or the garage with a companion, but not alone. I don't know what I'll do, for now just crying seems to be about all I can handle.

[chemisd]

Gentle Spirit......just wondering what the vet had to say......

[Dixie_Flyer]

Folks must think all the dogs that come to us are special to hear me tell it. But it seems every animal that passes through our home has a special tale to tell and in many ways they are special. I look back over the last three years at all of the puppies and adult dogs that we have taken in and have adopted out to forever homes and what they have been through it makes you wonder if for some reason we have have been chosen for these sweet girls and boys that we have nurtured, brought back to health and even those who like Charlie that went on to Rainbow Bridge.

I love what Sue and I do for the fur babies and the reward is great in knowing we have in some small way made a difference bringing a little sunshine into the lives of the helpless animals. Our home has become more than a place to eat, sleep and pass the time of day as we look at the pictures of all the puppies and adult dogs that have been given a second chance at life.

Old Fella I hope is proud of what he started on that Labor Day weekend in 2005 when he wandered into our campsite and made friends with Levi. Little did I know the journey that old dog would take Sue and on.

This week Sue and I will be taking Sarah to Virginia to meet up with her transportation to Findlay, Ohio to start a new life. Anna will meet her with wagging tail welcoming her into the family. I hope in some way Sarah will be able to know that Suzie and Anna are true sisters and Anna will be able to show Sarah the routine and rules just as Suzie did. Sarah watched Peaches and Suzie and followed their lead and it didn't take her long to figure out just what was expected of her.

I look at Sarah as she sleeps on her bed while Peaches is close to her. Both are just as content as they can be feeling safe and warm with full tummies with all of their needs being met. I guess if I could make one statement about being involved in the rescue effort it would be, in spite of all the pain and tears we have shed we would be honored to do it all over again just to share in the joy that comes to a life that has been brought from the depths of dispair to the heights that only love can attain.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Hoops wrote:
Richard, how did Susie handle the kennel stay while you were gone???

She was glad to see me she rushed to the door and said, "Lets Go Home---NOW!

[Hoops]

Richard, how did Susie handle the kennel stay while you were gone???

[Dixie_Flyer]

[Dixie_Flyer]

Sarah and Izzie