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

[joelbaker]

I've held off a bit on this post, with Richard's and Dan's surgery. Richard, what are the prospects for your vision?
I underwent a robotic radical prostatectomy last Thursday for early stage prostate cancer. There were a couple problems and the surgery lasted over 8 hours instead of the normal 3-4 hours. After 5 nights in the hospital I came home on Tuesday and am continuing my recovery here in differing states of comfort/discomfort. The good news is that the prostate was successfully removed and I will recover. My dogs have been a very special comfort during my recovery. I missed them as much as the other members of my family and can't imagine not having them around to pet and cuddle. Dan, I hope you have an easy and successful recovery, and Richard, I hope that you will get the use of your eye back.

[chrisnpat]

chrisnpat wrote:
Happy to hear Dan is doing well, as Richard said Lori you have to take care of you too.

Same goes for you Richard!!!!!

[chrisnpat]

Happy to hear Dan is doing well, as Richard said Lori you have to take care of you too.

[Hoops]

Thanks for the update on Dan, so glad he is doing so well.

[dogdiva]

RIchard, you have so much going on, best to take a few days and sit around and read or do nothing but cuddle with the furbabies

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. This morning I am dealing with elevated blood sugar and blood pressure, which is out of control. I don’t know what is wrong but I will see the doctor sometime today. I met with the City yesterday and work on the Memorial Walkway will begin next week. Right now I am so exhausted I want to go back to bed, but I know better than to do that. I will keep you posted as to what is going on later today.

Prayers for Dan and Lori in that they get to go home very soon.

[dogdiva]

Glad to hear Dan is up and about....Hang in there lori, every day will be better than the last day

[Dixie_Flyer]

Glad to hear that Dan is doing well and that Anna and Sarah are minding the house and their manners. Lori I hope you are getting your rest so you will be prepared when Dan comes home.

I wish we lived closer so we could visit. Dan take care and don't sweat the small stuff, just take it one day at the time.

[Javanut]

Hi All,

Dan's doing quite well after his hip surgery. His IV went bad so that's out and he's on all oral meds & a regular diet. He is up walking with his walker but still needs two people to help him in & out of bed. The Physical Therapist is doing a wonderful job. Old Fella should be proud of one of his first rescues as Anna is here at home keeping Sarah & all the cats in line and protecting our home and looking forward to Dan's return. No accidents in the house and yesterday I was gone over 12 hrs. during the surgery and time after. Lori

[maltese-lover2]

Hope things are going well with the eye Richard. Dan and Lori, be sure and keep us in the loop as to how things are going. Prayers to all and remember not only RR but we have dropped to 10th on the other voting site. Be sure and vote to get us up to at least 9th.

[Kfancii]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
Be sure and vote for Old Fella in the Rachael Ray contest.


Rachael Ray Mutt Madness Contest

Done! So glad to see Old Fella still in the running! Would love to see Richard on the RR Show!

[Dixie_Flyer]

There is so much going on right now I don't know where to begin. Sue's business is taking a life of its own and it is looking as if she is going to be very busy for a while. I guess I will be the step and fetch it guy, but that's okay.

Last night Mama let me know I wasn’t giving her enough attention. She had been acting kind of funny all day and last night she wanted to be close to me. I was sitting on the couch with Izzie and Peaches when Peaches decided she wanted to go outside. So I let Peaches, Hobo and Suzie out, but Mama stayed behind. When I approached the couch Mama came running and climbed on the couch and waited for me to sit down, she then crawled up and put her head in my lap, let out a long deep sigh and immediately went to sleep.

I began to think about Christmas this year as were celebrate the birth of Christ and thought that this will be Mama and Hobo’s first Christmas with us. I began to think about decorating the house and putting up a tree and the special ornaments we have saved with Fella, Levi and Charlie’s memories attached to them. Life is so short when you really stop to think about it. Both of my parents as well as my brother are gone, but what wonderful memories I have of them.

Last night I was thinking about my Grandmother and her making dresses for the grandchildren. She would go the general store where they sold all kinds of feed and seed for farming and she would carefully pick each bag with different designs on them. She would take the bags home and when the chicken feed was emptied out of them she would take the cloth bag and make a dress out of it for the girls and herself. I remember her sitting at a table for hours cutting patterns and sewing the cloth together with her old Singer Sewing machine driven by a foot pedal. Granny had a dog, I can’t remember his name, but he was such a part of the family. The dog was really one of the children’s, but you know how that goes, Granny did all of the feeding and taking care of it. So many memories packed into such a short life time, yet so rich and meaningful. Old Fella will always live in our hearts and his gift to us was the fact that he loved so much his second chance at life. Love goes a long way toward making life meaningful for those around us, what we share and give just by being a part of people’s lives.

There will be changes in the next few months that will touch those around us, I just hope that when these changes come Old Fella’s legacy will continue to be a big part of this community. Mine and Sue’s health is playing a big part in this decision that is coming about, I just hope that it will bring family closer together. I have to go for now, talk with you later.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Lori called and reported that Dan's surgery went as expected and he is now recovering in a room at the hospital.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Be sure and vote for Old Fella in the Rachael Ray contest.


Rachael Ray Mutt Madness Contest

[ljr]

I notice we've advanced another bracket in the Rachel Ray contest.