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

[Gentle_Spirit]

What a sad story about Diamond. She is beautiful. I sent the photos to my mother, maybe she'll take her. It is scary to think that the shelter did not have a chip reader, nor bothered to look at the tattoo. It does make one wonder if dogs who have chips that are lost get put down when their family is looking for them. Very sad. I always think - MY dog doesn't get lost, MY dog never runs away, etc...it can't happen to ME! But then the other night I went into the garage and left the door open and Wolfie disappeared. He might have chased something, I don't know. It was after dark and cold and windy, I called and looked around for a few minutes, but finally went in the house and waited. He was gone about 1/2 an hour. We live in a very rural mountain area where homes are on acreage, and I take him for walks/hikes off leash around here alot, so he knows where he is. I just don't like him wandering unsupervised.

[Wanderlost]

Oh, my, Diamond is gorgeous.

[Dixie_Flyer]

This is Diamond

[chrisnpat]

Awe poor Diamond, I was hoping her story wasn't going to end up this way. Hopefully she will find a forever home. I'm wondering if she ran away from the other people, trying to go back home. How sad..........

I wish I could afford it, I would take in and love, every animal out there that needs it. Unfortunately, that isn't reality.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Update on German Shepherd:

The lady who owned the German Shepherd cannot take her back as they are moving. The dog’s name is Diamond and she is a registered five year old GP. She tested negative for heart worms and has been treated for other worms this morning.

This is her story as related to me today:
In October the owner’s house was broken into and robbed. Diamond was taken at the same time and was missing until she showed up at the City Shelter, where I found her. Old Fella Rescue has now taken her in and Monday she will be ready to find a home.

[Uppercrust]

That is great news for the shepard.

[Dixie_Flyer]

SGTJOE wrote:
"The dog had a Tatto in its ear and was chipped."

Wow, it appears your city pound doesn't check for chips or they don't have a wand. Wonder how many pets have been put down that were chipped. Looks like you might have another project on your hands, getting readers for the local pounds.

Did you save the pups, silly question, of course you did. We just need to hear it.

All four of the pups are safe and being cared for. All four had mange and will have to be treated, a very expensive process that goes on for three months. One bottle of medicine will cost $70.00 and each pup will have to have a dose each day, anyone want to help out? I don't have any idea how long a bottle will last but I am sure they will go through several before its over.

[Dashonthedash]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
I called the city to have her delivered to Dr. Ford and when she got there they recognized the dog. The dog had a Tatto in its ear and was chipped. We have no idea where she was for two months, but that is how long she had been missing. To my understanding she dissapeared from the people's back yard.

Sounds like she was either stolen from the yard, or jumped the fence and was picked up by someone, then either ran off or was abandoned and picked up by the pound. In any case, this was certainly a happy ending for the dog and her family.

[SGTJOE]

"The dog had a Tatto in its ear and was chipped."

Wow, it appears your city pound doesn't check for chips or they don't have a wand. Wonder how many pets have been put down that were chipped. Looks like you might have another project on your hands, getting readers for the local pounds.

Did you save the pups, silly question, of course you did. We just need to hear it.

[Hoops]

Oh a happy ending for the shepherd, and for his family. What happened to the puppies???

[Dixie_Flyer]

SGTJOE wrote:
Richard, once again you have rescued one of Gods creatures. How was Dr. Fords office able to ID the dog? Did they know the dog? Or was the dog chipped? This is the first time I've heard of you going to the pound. What made you do it and especially in time to save this dog. I think you have given us all a FANTASTIC Christmas story with this. In fact you have really made Christmas come true for this dog and the family that was missing their beloved pet. God Bless you for all that you do. You truely are the appointed Guardian Angel for Gods creatures in Waynsboro.

Last night I received a call that four small puppies had been dropped off at the city pound and I knew they would not survive the weekend so I went to save the puppies, that is when I saw this magnificent looking Shepherd. At first I left the dog there until Monday, but couldn't stand the thoughts of her staying there any longer.

I called the city to have her delivered to Dr. Ford and when she got there they recognized the dog. The dog had a Tatto in its ear and was chipped. We have no idea where she was for two months, but that is how long she had been missing. To my understanding she dissapeared from the people's back yard.

[SGTJOE]

Richard, once again you have rescued one of Gods creatures. How was Dr. Fords office able to ID the dog? Did they know the dog? Or was the dog chipped? This is the first time I've heard of you going to the pound. What made you do it and especially in time to save this dog. I think you have given us all a FANTASTIC Christmas story with this. In fact you have really made Christmas come true for this dog and the family that was missing their beloved pet. God Bless you for all that you do. You truely are the appointed Guardian Angel for Gods creatures in Waynsboro.

[Dashonthedash]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
The German Shepherd was identified by Dr. Ford's office and the owner was notified, found out she had been missing for two months. Good news for a family that will have a great Christmas present tonight.

Great news for the dog and the family! Good work, Richard!

[Dixie_Flyer]

I was told I could post a Christmas story on a different thread that relates to the Holidays. I just need to figure out which one it is...

[Dixie_Flyer]

The German Shepherd was identified by Dr. Ford's office and the owner was notified, found out she had been missing for two months. Good news for a family that will have a great Christmas present tonight.