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

[kokosfriend]

Good morning FOOF's. Hope everybody and their furkids are having a good day. Especially how are Rcihard and Sue and their Peaches, Suzie and the new furry one!!

Barb

[Uppercrust]

That was so neat. All my furkids picked me.

[Missy120]

butterfly girl wrote:
I just got this in and Email....thought I would share it with you all....


I Rescued A Human Today



Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.

Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

How beautiful! I love it! Brought tears to my eyes. My babies all rescued me! How fortunate I am!!!

[butterfly_girl]

I just got this in and Email....thought I would share it with you all....


I Rescued A Human Today



Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her. I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn't be afraid.

As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn't want her to know that I hadn't been walked today. Sometimes the shelter keepers get too busy and I didn't want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn't feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone's life. She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her.

Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes. I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven't walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

[Hoops]

Dogdiva, yes he just started the shots, so will take a while to desensitize him.
And he can't go on being sick until that happens. The doctor doesn't want him on an antihistamine just yet, as that would help too.

[dogdiva]

Hoops
THere are desensitizing shots your son could take for the allergy, Ck it out
Build up his immunity to TOby

[Hoops]

I am feeling so sad tonight and thought I would share here as I know you all will understand.

My oldest son just found out he is highly allergic to their newest rescued kitten. They adopted him in June and my son has been sick since July. Just found out the cause last week. Toby is so cute, friendly, cuddly, mischievous, and playful. Their fist cat, also a rescue, that they have had for 4 years is more aloof than Toby. He doesn't get on the bed, or cuddle like Toby does so I think that is why he doesn't have that much trouble with Sushi, either that or the addition of Toby caused overload. They are going to have to return him to the shelter. I told him we would take him even though I am allergic to cats, but we are down in TX until April so that won't work ( they live in Chicago). My daughter-in-law and my 6 year old granddaughter just fell in love with Toby and are so attached, as is my son. I just feel so bad for my son who has to tell my granddaughter that Toby has to go back. And I am so sad for Toby. Such a sweet little guy.

Thanks for listening.

Becky

[whimstock]

dogdiva wrote:
Claire is so pretty, looks like some St Bernard perhaps?

That was my thought, too. And yes, she's adorable! 🙂

[dogdiva]

Claire is so pretty, looks like some St Bernard perhaps?

[chrisnpat]

Dixie Flyer wrote:

chrisnpat wrote:
Clairs a big puppy, have any idea what breed (breeds) she is? Shes pretty with that black muzzle.

The vet seemed to think she had some Chow in her. She is a real sweet girl and loves attention.

I thought she looked like she had some chow (with the black spot on her tongue). My son had a Chow mix that looks just like Clair. I'm glad she is trainable, that will make a big difference when she is ready to be adopted. Sounds like she just needs a little structure and lots of TLC. 🙂

[Dixie_Flyer]

chrisnpat wrote:
Clairs a big puppy, have any idea what breed (breeds) she is? Shes pretty with that black muzzle.

The vet seemed to think she had some Chow in her. She is a real sweet girl and loves attention.

[Dixie_Flyer]

What we have are two dominant female dogs, Suzie and Claire. There has been a lot of posturing going on in the back yard between the two of them. When I first saw what was going on I put Claire on her side and let Suzie come and stand over her and I held her down until she was submissive. That lasted about an hour and so I had to go through the process over again. Claire has found out she can bully Peaches so I had to take that matter in hand as well.
This morning I put the shock collar on Claire and every time she would try to dominate Peaches I would activate the buzzer on the collar which caused her to back off. I won’t use the shock unless it becomes absolutely necessary. Claire is starved for affection and wants all of my attention and is jealous of Peaches and Suzie, but in time it will all work out.
Now for the surprise, Claire is house broken and is used to having her way about the house. She lets me know when she needs to go outside and loves the bed in the back bedroom. She will jump on the bed and position the pillows until she is satisfied and then she lies down with them surrounding her. She spent the night in the kennel cage without a whimper and was ready to go out this morning with the other girls. Once business was taken care of they all came back in for breakfast. Kibble and Bits seems to be to her liking. I have been buying an expensive dog food for Suzie and she hasn’t been very fond of it, so this morning I gave her Kibbles and Bits and she loved it, go figure….

Claire is a nice dog and I hope she will find a great home. She is so attentive to what is happening around her and looks for approval with every move. She follows me about the house touching my hand with her nose just so I will know she is there. I cannot tell you the joy that comes from fostering a beautiful companion dog and they are all beautiful in their own way.

[Dixie_Flyer]

The pictures make her look bigger than she is. She weighs 47 pounds and is just a bit taller than Suzie, its the fur coat that makes her look large.

[chemisd]

Claire is a beauty!

[joelbaker]

Claire looks like a big shed-o-matic! I bet she will make a wonderful pet for a lucky family! Looks like she's got some Chow in her.