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]

I have been watching Suzie and Peaches play with their toys, having the best time finding the spot to squeeze to make the noise. Its like having children all over again except this time around they don't talk back to you and want to borrow the car.

Dan called this morning to tell us Sarah was having a good time and they were enjoying her as well. It's turning cold outside but not as cold as it is up North of us in the snow country. I am about to go and fix me a bowl of hot oatmeal to warm the bones so I am going for now and I will talk with you later.

[maltese-lover2]

Well said Richard. What a talent you have with words. Yes, it is hard being a foster parent. That's how we started and since we are failures, we now have six.

Carole, so sorry to hear of your loss of Baxter. Unfortunately, it never gets easier.

The painting of Old Fella is absolutely beautiful.

gigi

[dogdiva]

That picture of Fella is just wonderful. Many thanks to the great artist and Dr DOug

[Dixie_Flyer]

When I see pictures like the one with Lori and Sarah it lets me know that all of what we go through is worth all the effort and money spent. Sarah was left to die on a Georgia highway, discarded like a piece of trash after being run over by a vehicle. Some kind hearted people stopped to help her and and that is how Sarah came to us.

Sue and I labored most of all Friday night keeping her alive and out of pain. Saturday morning she was taken to Dr. Jim who reset her hip and leg and stitched up her wounds. She then came back to us for healing and the love and trust she gave was infectious as Sue and I fell in love with her.

Then we had to give her up for adoption when the right family answered the call to Sarah's needs. Being a foster is hard, but it is so rewarding everytime one of these helpless souls pass through your arms on to the ones who will always be there for them. As I look back over the years at all of the babies and adult fur children that have graced our home I thank God for the opportunity to have been blessed and to be a blessing to those that get another chance at life.

The hard part is remembering that if you keep everyone of those poor souls, soon you won't be able to help the countless others that would be in need of help. That is why Sarah, even as special as she is went on to be adopted by Dan and Lori. Now Sarah has opened the door for others of her kind to receive the same help she was given. Sue and I will continued to be blessed by others who will pass our way and then find families of their own. Just think of it this way, We have children scatterd all over the United States that once passed through and touched our lives. What a blessing!

[Dixie_Flyer]

Well, there are two happy souls.

[fulltimegrams22]

Poor Suzie....

Sounds like a trip to see Sarah is in order for Suzie so that she knows Sarah is okay and she knows not all dogs go completely away and she still has access to them. Sorry to hear about Suzie's sadness....

Who said animals never felt emotion???? Could have made me believe it if I wasn't so close to my own..

Fulltimegrams22

[Dixie_Flyer]

I got word from Dan this morning that Sarah is doing well. The unexpected turn of events is Suzie. Suzie knew we left with Sarah and came back without her. This morning Suzie was looking over Sarah's kennel cage and smelling the bedding and now she is acting depressed. Another one of her friends is gone and maybe she is wondering if she going to be next? She really doesn't have anything to worry about as she has been rejected by so many homes as a puppy, word is out about her so she is safe.

Besides life without Suzie would be such a bore and we would miss her too much. Sue has a lot for me to do this morning so I had better get moving. Merry Christmas everyone and Dan give Sarah a hug from Sue and I.

[chemisd]

We are at 61 this morning.....only 8 more days of voting....

[Mymaize]

how did Sarah do on the trip "home"? How is she doing there?

Don't forget to vote everyone!!!!!!!!!!

bette

[woodstick]

Sarah is a lucky girl and even though you know she is going to have a wonderful life with her new family, it surely would not be easy to say goodbye, God Bless you and Sue for all you do.
Congratulations to Dan and Lori, thanks to Jenni for making the trip, God Bless you all.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Today Sue and I said goodbye to Sarah as Dan and Lori's daughter Jenni took her to her new home in Ohio. I have to admit that there were tears in my eyes when we left.

[Martyn]

Having had the privilege of meeting Old Fella here in Colorado last year, I too can attest to how wonderful the painting is. Just wonderful! 🙂

[joelbaker]

That is a beautiful painting, and it really seems to capture Old Fella's spirit. What a difference that old dog has made! You too, Richard! You are both special souls indeed.

[dturm]

Dan, I never had the opportunity to meet Old Fella in person, only through the pictures and words shared by Richard and the rest of you. It immediately became obvious that he was a special soul. His story and life will continue to aid forgotten and abandoned animals. Those of you who devote your time, emotions and/or money share in maintaining his legacy.

Doug

[kokosfriend]

I too think the addition of the bandage is VERY important. It is a beautiful painting of a wonderful friend. I am so happy to see it. We have a painting of Koko as a pu and it means a lot.

Carole, when Koko passed I contacted the breeder expecting to get on a list for a pup. However, she had a 6 month old that she decided not to keep to show. Because we had to return to KS for a funeral and be within 100 miles of the breeder as opposed to over 600 miles, I decided to take her. Everything seemed right. Still, I took several weeks to warm up to her and I was not truly ready. That being said, I now love her and do NOT regret getting her. She is Koko's cousin and Hannah's great granddaughter. We also has Hannah when she retired from the breeding program. These are all very special dogs

Anyway my point is, take your time, but if something comes up, you will do OK - it just make take a while for the dog to get into your heart, but they do!!

On Wolfie, have you tried using a furminator comb? It removes a lot of the loose undercoat and makes them more comfortable. Does he have an outdoor

Barb doghouse to keep warm in? He could do better with the winter weather even with less coat.