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]

Six months to stop shedding???? Well Sue and I have a lot to look forward to. If I can think of it next time I will take a picture of the hair I comb from Mama.

[Dashonthedash]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
Yesterday I brushed Mama with that comb that pulls shedding hair from the undercoat and as usual I got enough hair to almost stuff a mattress. Then I went back later and brushed some more with the same results.

Between the two of us, we could open a mattress store. I was told that Shepherds blow their coat twice a year. What I wasn't told was that each time it takes 6 months...

If we couldn't make enough money from the fur mattress store, we could definitely market the dog hair as the best all-purpose glue that ever existed. Without fail, it will stick to:

1) Skin, especially fingers
2) Clothes, especially anything black or dark blue
3) Carpeting, especially in corners and along edges
4) Furniture, especially underneath
5) Appliances, ditto
6) Other dogs
7) Everything else

[maltese-lover2]

Come on everyone. VOTE!!. Old Fella is down to #9.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Yesterday I brushed Mama with that comb that pulls shedding hair from the undercoat and as usual I got enough hair to almost stuff a mattress. Then I went back later and brushed some more with the same results. I have never seen a dog shed so much hair in my life. Hobo doesn't like to be brushed, but yeaterday she allowed me to do so without too much trouble. Suzie and Peaches stood in line and waited their turn with joy, they love it.

It is suppose to rain today and already it is very dark outside with heavy clouds hanging over us ready to drop their cargo. Sue was working in the yard yesterday when she discovered a Yellow Jacket nest in the ground close to where she was digging. I don't know what kept her from being attacked by these nasty tempered little insects, but she was very fortunate indeed. Last night in the cover of darkness I covered the door to their nest with Seven Dust and that should take care of them. They will dig their way out through the Dust and then carry it back to the nest which will get rid of them.

I was about ten years ago when Bart, our Dobbie was in the back yard and went under a Hydrangea bush looking for some shade from the summer heat when he disturbed a huge nest of Yellow Jackets. I heard him crying running through the yard and saw he was covered over much of his body with the stinging little varmits. When I reached him I began to rack the Yellow Jackets off of his body as they clung with their stinger embedded into his skin, there were to many to count. I took him inside and tried to call Dr. Jim, but could not reach him as it was after hours. The only thing I could do was make him as comfortable as possible and give him Benedryl and hope for the best. He finally recovered after a few hours, but the poor thing was so weak and scared he could hardly move.

The neighbor and I dug up the nest and it was huge, I could not believe that such a dangerous thing was outside in my back yard so close to the house. After that Bart never went close to the Hydrangea bushes again.

Okay I have to go for now, talk with you later.

[lynno62]

I voted, will vote every day until contest is done

[Dashonthedash]

Welcome back, Lynn. It's good to hear from you again! 🙂

[Dixie_Flyer]

lynno62 wrote:
ok, I have been gone a long while but would love to vote. More Info please.

Welcome back Lynn, yes you have been gone a long time, too long, we have missed you a lot. Go back to the pervious page to my post where there is a link Shelter Challenge and click on that and vote for Old Fella. The winner will receive money for helping out with the rescue effort.

[dogdiva]

GOsh, Richard, you better keep your self in good shape, you dont need to be fainting anymore
Slow down and smell the roses.......

[lynno62]

ok, I have been gone a long while but would love to vote. More Info please.

[Gentle_Spirit]

It's sad that so many people pass by the old dogs in the shelters, when it's the older dogs that are the greatest. Richard has shown us that the devotion of an older dog doesn't come from years of raising him or her, it's there once they know they can trust us.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. I hope you had a great day yesterday and looking forward to a better one today. All of the fur gang are doing well as we enjoy our unusual warm weather for this time of year. Yesterday when I got home from serving on the Grand Jury Mama was waiting for her walk. Even through she had gone with Sue she still wanted her Dad to go with her, so we went for a stroll about town.

She reminds me of Old Fella in many ways. You can tell she is so grateful to be living with us and her love and devotion is very deep. She always lets me know she is around if I need someone to love on and to talk with. It is a given now that when I go somewhere she is ready and willing to go with me. When I pick up the keys for the truck no matter where she is in the house she comes running to the door wagging her tail saying "Im' ready, lets go."

What a wonderful blessing older dogs are as they become such close companions. I am glad things worked out for Mama and Hobo to stay with us as each day they show just how much they enjoy life. Suzie has made some big changes since they have been here in that she allows Mama and Hobo to participate in all the pats without becoming jealous. Peaches goes along with just about anything accepting whatever comes her way as part of family life. In the mornings Peaches will jump on the bed when Sue lets her out of the kennel and snuggles just as close as she can get. She and Mama doesn't go out on the first call, only Suzie and Hobo. Mama can't get on the bed, thank goodness but will lie down next to the bed and wait for me to get up, then she is ready to go outside. She wants to be sure I am okay before she leaves the room.

I fainted last week while we were in Cherokee, It was low blood sugar. When I fell to the floor in the camper, Mama came over and was trying to protect me. Sue had a hard time getting to me with Mama standing guard. Mama wasn't goning to let Sue attend to me until she finally convienced Mama she was only trying to help. When I came back around there was Mama licking my face trying to let me know she was there. What great love she has for her family.

Okay I have to go for now, talk with you later

[Kfancii]

Me too! Now we are #9

[Dandy_Dan]

Me Too.........

[Hoops]

Everyday

[kokosfriend]

I've been voting!!

Barb