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

[MNSmurf]

We free feed Max....he'll snack a little in the morning before we leave for work and a little in the afternoon when I get home, but he doesn't really eat until 7:30-8 at night, sometimes later.

[joelbaker]

When we first got Rocky he would pick at his food and often not eat when it was put out, so we let him set his schedule. We then noticed that he was most comfortable eating in his crate. So after the morning outing to the backyard he goes to his crate (on his own) and we put in the food. At first he still wouldn't eat but we would give him about 10-15 minutes and then take the food away. He learned pretty quickly to eat when fed! When he's done he goes back outside and usually does his 'thing' then, helping with the house training as well.

[Dashonthedash]

I have the same problem with Dash and Lily. Lily is a slow eater, and doesn't have much of an appetite first thing in the morning, so I have to watch them to make sure she has eaten all she wants before I take it away, since she often likes to go back to her food after visiting the yard. Dash gobbles his up quickly, and then looks for hers. Like Neal, Dash tends to gain weight easily, and will eat anything, which is not a good thing, especially at his age.

[Scottiemom]

When I had issues with my newly adopted Scottish Terror, the animal behaviorist told me to set out the food (I feed 1/2, twice a day), give Bailey a reasonable time to eat, then pick it up. Don't put it out again till feeding time in the evening. I realize that Suzie seems to be having some other issues with Fella and Charlie not around, but I'm just telling you what worked for me. Now with two, Neal is like Peaches. . . he finishes his, then looks to Bailey's bowl. So I have to pick it up. It's funny, because if Bailey is done with what he wants, he doesn't care if Neal eats what's left. But Neal can't afford any more weight.

Good luck,

Dale

[campingshadow]

Heidi is on free feed as the dry kibble is always available. I only need to fill the small bowl about twice a week. She eats very little food, yet has healthy stools at least twice a day. People think she is very well fed as she is quite stocky (but not fat at all). I used to worry that she was not eating enough, but if it is always there and she chooses not to eat, I guess she is following what her own body wants. Since she is very healthy, I suppose there is no need to fuss. (Wish I had so little interest in food!!)

[Hoops]

Missy will not eat her food until evening as well (there is no one else here to swipe it, so no worries about leaving it down all day) But she usually doesn't do more than smell it in the morning, and will usually eat most of it at night. There are times she will eat only a little bit of it in 2 days. She is healthy and not over weight nor under weight so guess it isn't hurting her.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. Just ten more days until Christmas with "all the stocking hung out with care in hopes that Saint Nicholas will soon be there."

Suzie sent Santa a letter and asked for a new diet. It seems as if she isn't happy with her food lately as she lets it sit until late evening before she will eat. She sits guard over it all day however just to make sure Peaches doesn't get any of it. This morning I gave her a can of wet food to see if she would eat that, she didn't even touch it, so it will sit there all day and either she will eat it or it will get dumped later today.

Peaches will eat all of her food and then try to sneak a look at Suzie's to see if she can grab a bite before she is discovered. So I have to put Suzie's food out of reach until she tells me she is ready to eat. This has been going on ever since Fella and Charlie left us. She eats when she wants to and not before. She isn't losing any weight and seems to be getting her fill, but not like I would perfer she would because it leaves food out that is tempting for Peaches to get into so we have to watch the food all day to make sure Suzie and not Peaches eats it.

I believe I will try this to see if it works. Put Suzie's food out and if she doesn't eat it, then dump it until she gets hungry enough to eat in the mornings. But what a waste of food and that doesn't set will with me as there are animals out there starving to death that would love to have that bowl of food.

I have a lot of errands to run today so I had better get started. I will talk with you later, have a blessed day.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Grillmeister wrote:

Dixie Flyer wrote:
This is Bullet. His owner died and he has no where to go. He is ten years old and is a house dog. Up to date on his shots and ready for adoption.

How is Bullet doing? :@

Bullet is quietly waiting for a home.

[Grillmeister]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
This is Bullet. His owner died and he has no where to go. He is ten years old and is a house dog. Up to date on his shots and ready for adoption.

How is Bullet doing? :@

[chemisd]

We ended at 66, although they said results were not necessarily finalized. I guess that is kind of like the political elections! One in Columbus OH was just finalized recently. The good thing about this is that more attention was brought to the plight of animals, just like Old Fella.
Off and running on a typical Monday......Have a good day, FOOFs.
Jana

[chemisd]

My last vote was today....still at 65 and proud of all the votes received. Being second in the state of georgia is something!!!

[Dixie_Flyer]

Suzie, Peaches, Izzie and Dixie Flyer are saying good night to every one. Have a blessed night and a blessed day tomorrow.

[CindyNRoger]

I'm looking forward to hearing about the BIG SURPRISE in January too. It's like a Christmas present for everyone! Looking forward to your post Richard!

[Dixie_Flyer]

My dad was a big quail hunter and had several nice bird dogs through out the years. One of which was named Bob that came from a line of championship English setters. Bob was always in the front of the pack, dad usually had three dogs on the ground at one time. I remember one evening we were on the way back to the barn and it was a bitter cold day and the hunting had been good. The dogs were on the ground hunting their way back to warmth and food when we missed Bob. Dad said we had better turn back and find him as he may be on a point. It was getting dark when we finally found him almost belly deep in water pointing at a clump of ground just ahead of him. He had been on point for a long time and was shivering from the wet and cold. Dad flush the birds and when the covey rose into the air the sound of gunfire echoed in the late evening dusk. I remember my dad walking over to Bob, picking him up in his arms and proudly carried him back to the dog box that was in the Jeep. As he put Bob into the box he remarked, "Money can't buy a dog like this."

Dad loved his bird dogs but they were never a part of the family as they were working dogs and he didn’t want them pampered. As I grew into adulthood I too followed in his footsteps except I fell in love with Brittany Spaniels who were loyal family dogs as well as hunting dogs. The first time dad saw my Brittany named Sailor he laughed and said he would never keep up with his far ranging dogs. But as the day went on Sailor proved his worth by staying close and finding the single birds and would always be the first to find the birds that were down.

One day while hunting, a bird was shot and fell into a swollen creek, Sailor jumped into the raging water he was quickly swept away downstream to a cut in the bank in the bend of the creek. There were a lot of vines that snared Sailor and he disappeared under the water. I threw down my gun and jumped into the water, grabbed Sailor and threw him up on the bank. I was getting out when Sailor jumped back into water and disappeared once again. I reached under the bank and caught him by the collar and pulled him out again dislodging the bird. Sailor saw the bird from the bank and jumped back into the water this time catching his prize and arriving at a shallow place in the creek he managed to climb up on the sandbar looking as proud as could be. I turned to my dad and said, “Money can’t buy a dog like that.”

Sailor was a member of the family for many years and was always ready for a hunt or a walk in the woods. One day as we were walking he disappeared, never to be seen again. I have often thought about him and wondered what happened that day. I know if he were able to get back to me he would have. Maybe someone picked him up, maybe a gator got him, I don’t know, but one thing I do know is he was one of the finest companion hunting dogs I have ever had.

[Dixie_Flyer]

chemisd wrote:
I hope that Bullet finds a home with someone like he lost. Didn't you say he lived with an elderly gentleman? Is there anyone out like that? It reminds me of the story you wrote last year around Christmas.....
I voted today, and guess tomorrow will be the last day. We are at 65. At first a little disappointing, but when I looked at New Rattitude which is in the number one spot in GA, I found that there were several New Rattitudes. Their position was in the THOUSANDS!! So to think that Old Fella is in number 65 is pretty darn amazing!!! We may not win the $10,000 but we all know its a winner in our hearts!

Can't wait for January to come....