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]

maltese-lover2 wrote:
Congratulations on Claire. I really really hope she can adjust to her new home. Did you call Animal Control or the Humane Society for the other little guy? If you found him out roaming around, could you take him to the vet even though you know who he belongs to? I feel so sad for him. Good luck Richard, and again congratulations on a job well done.

Gigi

We are working on another approach to that situation.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Sue and I were commenting today about Claire and Izzie and how much they had bonded together. There were times you could see Izzie and Claire lying together and there were times Izzie could be seen grooming Claire's coat. Izzie is now lying on Claire's bed cushion. Mama tried to move Izzie off of it, but Izzie wouldn't give it up. I think Claire had bonded with the other aniamls more than Sue and I thought.

No Claire didn't take anything with her to remind her of home. I didn't think of it when we left and it didn't cross my mind until it was mentioned here on the forum. I don't know how much more of this my heart can take. Everytime one of our fur children leave home for a forever home they take a little piece of us with them. I know the rewards are great in the long term and in the big scheme of things each one brings so much joy to the homes they go to and in time they soon forget about us and become adjusted to their new life. So that is what Sue and I have to focus on and give thanks that we have played a small part in the lives of those who have passed our way.

[CA_POPPY]

Richard, did Claire get to take anything from your house with her? I am thinking that if everything smells and looks "foreign" to her, it might make her adjustment more difficult. Maybe somebody could take her old bed, a toy or something familiar over to the new family. It would probably need to be someone other than you or Sue, as that could be confusing to Claire. I hope she adjusts soon.

[maltese-lover2]

Congratulations on Claire. I really really hope she can adjust to her new home. Did you call Animal Control or the Humane Society for the other little guy? If you found him out roaming around, could you take him to the vet even though you know who he belongs to? I feel so sad for him. Good luck Richard, and again congratulations on a job well done.

Gigi

[Hoops]

Hey Dan, why does Sarah get booties but Anna doesn't? Think I know the answer but want to hear what you say.

Becky

PS (Think it's because Anna won't keep them on)

[butterfly_girl]

[Dandy_Dan]

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO ALL US FURKIDS AND OUR HOOMINSIt is snowing here at our home in Ohio but we are happy to have a home. We are keeping our paws crossed that Claire enjoys her new home and can be as happy as possible. Well-gotta go play in the snow for now.


Love to all,
Sarah and Anna

[SGTJOE]

Good news on Claire's forever home. So sorry that Mama is taking it so hard to see her gone. It had to be hard for you and Sue to part with one of your "children" as well.
Anything on the injured dog? I feel so bad about it.
If you ever have a need to transport a furbaby through Utah, I'd be happy to help.

[Hoops]

Give her time to adjust. She just misses her friends. She will form new friends, and be just as happy with her new family.

[Dixie_Flyer]

This morning I called to check on Claire. Mr. Long informed me she was depressed and whined a lot last night. She hasn't eaten this morning as she is not interested in her food I sent along with her.

She is getting along with the rest of the family as far as being social, but not wanting to do much but lay around. I hope she starts feeling better about her new home.

[Ron___Shirley]

Very good news. Good job.

Shirley

[wmshaw55]

What great news for Claire! Homes as fine as that one are harder to find these days. Good job, Richard & Sue!

[Dashonthedash]

Great news about Claire. Another good deed for the Daniels and another good home for a deserving dog. Keep up the good work!

Mama is apparently true to her name, and has taken it upon herself to watch over her "babies". She'll be concerned about Claire for a while, but she will adjust.

[Dixie_Flyer]

When I came home from taking Claire to her new home I took her kennel down and put her bed aside in the family room. Mama came over to it after a while and sniffed it and then sat there staring at it as if to ask where is Claire. The next thing I knew Mama had taken the bed and dragged it over to one of the beds in the family room and laid down spreading her body over both of them.

Tonight when all the fur babies went outside before going to bed Mama went through the house as if she was looking for something or someone. Finally she went outside with Suzie, Peaches and Hobo. When she came back inside I had moved her and Hobo's bed into our room. Mama went and got Claire's bed and brought it to the bedroom and placed it in the spot where the kennel used to be, then she laid down for a while. Then she got up and made a walk through the house, room by room before she came back to our room to lay down. Mama is not sure where Claire is, but she knows she is missing.

[Hoops]

Fantastic for Claire, I hope she will be happy with all the one on one she will get. It is always nice to hear they have found a forever home and no more moving around.