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

[Hoops]

My money for a brick will be on its way by the end of next week.

Becky

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. It’s cloudy this morning with a light rain and warm temperatures. We have neighbors two houses down the street that are happy to watch over the house. The house next door is empty and the one next to that belongs a single gentleman who has family come over every weekend for the swimming pool, so I guess we will be okay?

"Drama Mama", that describes her to a tee! Last night she wanted the bed Hobo was in so she hung around the opening of the kennel crate until Hobo decided to give in. Hobo so graciously got up and allowed Mama to go in and make herself comfortable, then she went to the other crate and settled in for the night. Hobo and Mama have some kind of communication thing that I have noticed in that Mama sends the message and Hobo responds. Hobo will hand around Mama at meal time as she has gobbled down her food and then waits to see what Mama leaves behind so she can clean the bowl. Mama will always leave Hobo something in the bottom of the bowl no matter what.

I have watched Mama take a treat in her mouth and walk over to Hobo and drop it in front of her and dare Peaches or Suzie to touch it. Mama loves Hobo so much and the feeling is the same with Hobo. Those two would be lost without each other.

Mama is doing so much better with her health issues. She is full of energy and loves to go for our morning walks about town. She will follow me around the house when I come out of the shower barking and dancing around in circles and going to the laundry room where the leashes are kept waiting for someone to say "Let's go."

Suzie was very naughty yesterday while we were walking as she pulled away from Sue and chased a small kitten into some bushes behind a building. Sue and I ran after her and finally caught her only after she had caught the kitten in her mouth. Suzie got the scolding of her life for being disobedient. We inspected the kitten to find it was shaken but not injured. Today I have to concentrate on the Memorial Walkway at the park now that I have the list of materials needed and come up with a cost. As of today we have About 38 bricks and we need 70-75 if I remember correctly. Okay I have to run, talk with you later.

[dogdiva]

Do you have neighbors that can keep an eye on your house while you are camping>>

[Code2High]

Drama Mama! She surely has you snookered, doesn't she?

Here's hoping your weekend is as relaxing as it needs to be.

[Dixie_Flyer]

I cannot thank the people on this forum enough for the encouragement I have received to stay the course until this thing is finished. It has been hard to realize the depth of some people's hardness of heart. This has really been an experience I will never forget.

Sometimes I have seen on television some pretty terrible things happening to animals, but I just never thought I would see it here in my home county. Sue and I will be taking another camping trip this weekend going back to Modoc, maybe we can relax and forget about this for a few days.

Mama was so pitiful today that I had to take her with me to get the oil changed on the truck today. She saw me get the keys to the truck so she beat it to the door and waited for me to open it to go out of the house. As I was leaving I told Sue I was taking Mama with me. The folks at the Ford Dealership treated Mama like a queen and made a big fuss over her. Of course she ate it all up with her charm and good looks. She reminds me so much of Fella with her liking people and loving the attention she gets. She will be a big hit at the Branson Rally next Summer with everyone now that she has realized she isn't going to be given away. When she looks at me sometimes, it is with that look Fella used to give me that just melts your heart. What a great girl she is and a wonderful companion.

[Dashonthedash]

Richard,

You always have a way of getting attention on the problems of companion animals. Keep up the good work!

[lviars50]

I'm so happy to hear this...I really really got bent out of shape over these dogs..Couldn't sleep i really got MAD i would have went into this guy like ugly on ape if i had been there....
Lois

Dixie Flyer wrote:

SGTJOE wrote:
Was the call about the dogs?

Yes. There is more help on the way than I expected.

[Code2High]

I am so glad to hear that you're getting some serious back-up. They say that ninety percent of life is showing up... I think at least five more is just refusing to go away when things get hard. It is a horrific situation, but still it is truly amazing how resources will show up when you commit to a course of action.

[chrisnpat]

Great News, Richard. Without you doing what you have for the past four years the loss of these 13 furbabies would have gone unreported. You truely are a hero to me and a Guardian Angel to our pets. God Bless you.

Joe, Cookie and Rocky
________________________________________

This is worth repeating, I couldn't have said it better Joe.

[SGTJOE]

Great News, Richard. Without you doing what you have for the past four years the loss of these 13 furbabies would have gone unreported. You truely are a hero to me and a Guardian Angel to our pets. God Bless you.

Joe, Cookie and Rocky

[Dixie_Flyer]

SGTJOE wrote:
Was the call about the dogs?

Yes. There is more help on the way than I expected.

[colliehauler]

Richard I just caught up on the OFT and what I read made my blood boil. I hope they prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law. In KS animal cruelty is a felony. Most serial killers get there start by abusing animals. I hope this gets lots of media attention so they will have to do something and not sweep it under the rug. Thanks again Richard and Sue for being a voice for those who cannot speak.

[SGTJOE]

Was the call about the dogs?

[Dixie_Flyer]

I just got a phone call from Atlanta, things are looking better, much better!

[maltese-lover2]

Have a great day Richard. You and Sue deserve it.