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

[Code2High]

Wow, really?

[Dashonthedash]

This is the 15,000th post (including the original). The next will be the 15,000th reply!!!!!!!:B

[Dashonthedash]

Dandy Dan wrote:
Sounds great Gary, Code to High, I liked your also.
Page 1501 and counting..........:B:B:B:B
OOPS my bad.........

I just added one line to Susan's wonderful tribute.

[Dandy_Dan]

Sounds great Gary, Code to High, I liked your also.
Page 1501 and counting..........:B:B:B:B
OOPS my bad.........

[Code2High]

Awesome, Gary.

[Dashonthedash]

1 To the Thirteen we could not save
2 And to all the unnamed others
3 Please know that we tried
4 Please know that we cared
5 Please know that for you
6 people everywhere have cried
7 your suffering will not be forgotten
8 it will not be in vain
9 though you were abused
10 and so badly neglected
11 you were loved
12 and you will be
13 always remembered

[Code2High]

There will surely be other animals that deserve recognition, but this particular situation, unfolding during the planning of the walkway, seems to be very appropriate both in timing and significance, to add to the walkway. I think including something that will let people know and remind people and make people who see it more aware of the issues at hand... that is a good thing.

What is significant about those dogs, besides the horrible abuse they suffered, is that this will be the first attempt (successful, we hope!) at prosecution. It is what we hope will be the beginning of the end of just allowing animal abuse to go unchallenged and unpunished in Burke County. That being said, I think it would not be a bad idea to include a date somewhere on the bricks dedicated to those dogs.

[lviars50]

ok link to vote..... please

Dixie Flyer wrote:
Okay, I just voted.

I have been thinking about the thirteen animals that died due to abuse here in Burke County and have come up with a way to remember them in the Old Fella Memorial Walkway and still keep it the way it was designed.

Folks can buy a brick with one star representing the life of an animal that has died from abuse. The wording on the brick can read




Always
Remembered


How about that???

[colliehauler]

The only trouble with only honoring the 13 is the fact there will sadly be more that deserve recognition as well. This will be an on going fight to open peoples eyes.

[SGTJOE]

Hey, we just went over 1500 pages, oops I mean hit 1500

[chrisnpat]

lviars50 wrote:
I also think that would be really good to put on the bricks....
Lois

Code2High wrote:
1 To the Thirteen we could not save
2 Please know that we tried
3 Please know that we cared
4 Please know that for you
5 people everywhere have cried
6 your suffering will not be forgotten
7 it will not be in vain
8 though you were abused
9 and so badly neglected
10 you were loved
11 and you will be
12 always remembered

Outstanding.........

[lviars50]

I also think that would be really good to put on the bricks....
Lois

Code2High wrote:
1 To the Thirteen we could not save
2 Please know that we tried
3 Please know that we cared
4 Please know that for you
5 people everywhere have cried
6 your suffering will not be forgotten
7 it will not be in vain
8 though you were abused
9 and so badly neglected
10 you were loved
11 and you will be
12 always remembered

[SGTJOE]

That is what I had in mind. How touching, thanks Code2High

[Code2High]

1 To the Thirteen we could not save
2 Please know that we tried
3 Please know that we cared
4 Please know that for you
5 people everywhere have cried
6 your suffering will not be forgotten
7 it will not be in vain
8 though you were abused
9 and so badly neglected
10 you were loved
11 and you will be
12 always remembered

[dogdiva]

Perhaps the 13 bricks could be a slightly different color.....designating abused but never forgotten

I would love to have bricks for my 9 furbabies that are at the rainbow bridge
but right now is a terrible time for me... I have to take Elizabeth to Texas A&M vet school to find out what is causing her horrible itching....She is mutilating herself and so far 4 vets have not figured out why..

Any news about little lost Jewel?????Prayers are coming from Texas