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]

Hi everyone. We have had a good day and all is well. The wind is blowing here like something is on the way. Mama is doing well, just a little anxious about Sue and I being gone. Our daughter Robin is staying at our home with Hobo and Mama so they don't have the stress of being in a strange place.

New Mexico is a beautiful place and very different from Georgia. I met with Sue Bray this afternoon and finally got to see her in person, great lady. Watching the weather they say it may snow in the Northern part of New Mexico tomorrow and the weather looks as if it may be cold here. Suzie has been great, not one time did sge get sick on the trip here. Yesterday and today in her travels she received no medications for car sickness and did great. Matbe she has finally gotten over being sick while traveling. Peaches has really enjoyed the trip and has been a little lady. Anna and Suzie have been seeing each other and Anna loves it, Suzie, well Suzie is bieng Suzie.

Tomorrow is going to be busy so I am going to call it a day. Talk with you later...

[Gentle_Spirit]

I sure hope Momma is okay. Did she have to go somewhere else, or is she home?

Things came up and it looks like we won't make it to Albuquerque 😞 I'm disappointed, but that's the way it goes.

Wolfie is still having the Urine leak problem and the medicine the vet perscribed can cause seizures and death, so don't want that. He feels great and we've been hiking everyday. I just put him on a pad in the house or he has to be in the kitchen, so we'll have to learn to live with it.

Hope all in New Mexico have a great time....just waiting for pictures......

[CindyNRoger]

Glad you made it safe and sound! Safe travels to the rest of you heading that way. We will be there with you in spirit!!!!!!!

Dan - I expect lots of pictures. :B

[kokosfriend]

Glad Richard and Sue, Dan and Lori are safely there. I hope Mama is getting better! She may be just missing you. Prayers for Mama.

Barb

[Hoops]

Richard, be sure and let us know what is going one with Mama, hope it is just homesickness for her family. Glad you made it to NM safely.

[Dashonthedash]

Sorry to hear about the tires, and hope Mama will be OK. It's just like worrying about your kids, isn't it? I am almost ready, and will be leaving in the morning. I plan to stay Wednesday night near Santa Fe so I can be at the Festival Park Thursday morning. Looking forward to seeing you and the other FOOFs.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Hi everyone. We made it to Albuquerque and met up with Dan and Lori. Found out tonight I have two tires about to blow so first thing in the morning I have to find a tire store and replace them.

Suzie has done well on the trip and hasn't been sick at all. Word from home is Mama is having some problems. I hope to talk with Robin tonight to find out exactly what is going on.

I hope all is well with everyone and I will post some news tomorrow.

[dogdiva]

OHHHH i am so missing seeing you all. I am glad you had a safe trip and shall look forward to hearing all the details
I have a very sick doggie, so I have been out of my mind trying to get her to eat. Been to 3 vets, long story but will add at a later time
I know you all will have a wonderful time, be well and be safe

[Dandy_Dan]

Good Day All you FOOF's
We are in Alb at the Central Alb KOA for the evening. As we pulled in I looked just ahead of me and there was Richard and Sue. We are both here and happy.

[whimstock]

Gentle Spirit wrote:
I really think that there is a "magic" to the old fella legacy...

Yes, the Old Fella legacy, and the caring efforts of a special lady.
🙂
How wonderful!

[Dandy_Dan]

We are in Ruidoso NM about 180 miles from Alb. and today is quite nice. It was 68* today and bright sunshine. Alb is to be around mid 70's tomorrow and possible rain Wednesday but not much else for the rest of the week. So far we have had such a wonderful trip comiing out here it is going to be different going home. Looking forward to seeing all you folks at the Rally in Alb. on Wednesday or Thursday. Our 5er is somewhat different from the norm as it is not white. So, look for a 2 tone gray one with a horse on the nose and side and that will be us. Stop and say hi. I want to try to meed as many of the FOOF's as possible.(we will be beside Richard and Sue)

[SGTJOE]

Don't forget to cast your vote for the Old Fella shelter, it starts today and if we all pull together maybe we can help our RV'er of the Year save some more furbabies.

[Missy120]

Wow how wonderful that all of Cy's cats are being rescued. Also great news Gentle Spirit about butterfly girls cats.

Dixie Flyer the statue of Old Fella is beautiful!

[Gentle_Spirit]

I really think that there is a "magic" to the old fella legacy. I read about Butterflygirl's cats and sent an email to every cat lover I knew - (with the help of Old Fella's spirit) a friend of mine who works in a grocery store talked to a customer about it and it turns out that he and his wife will take the cats. I'm writing this as my 13 yr old kitty "kneads dough" on my stomach, purring away. Maybe it's something special about older animals and the spirit of Old Fella that always seems to bring a happy ending - or maybe it's just the love of all these animal lovers on this sight sending good thoughts and prayers - whatever it is - it works! Thanks everyone - 2 more lives saved and being sent to a good home.

[Dandy_Dan]

Gigi, We are camping at around 6500 feet. Hopefully with Albuquerque being in a valley it will be warmer.

Only 2 more days until we actually start cqamping at the Rally. We are meeting Richard and Sue tomorrow afternoon at the Central Alb KOA so we can get together over to the caming area. We are still in te Ruidoso area as we want to go to a couple of places prior to leaving and also do some laundry. We went to a place yesterday that was at 12,000' and had a nice snow cap. It really helped that we had a tour guide. We had met up with a fella who had worked at the same department that I was at.