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]

This morning I am watching Suzie and Diamond play in the back yard, they are having the best time together. Hobo is sitting under the Pecan tree watching for squirrels. Hobo is so afraid she is going to do something wrong and get punished. This morning there was some confusion as they came into the back room for feeding time. Hobo always eats in the back room so she won't get into the others food. Well Diamond's kennel crate is back there and she was having trouble with getting into Hobo's food and her's at the same time. So there was some correction going on, much against Hobo's timid nature. So once Diamond was in her crate and eating I out Hobo's food down and invited Mama out so she could go to the kitchen and eat. Mama didn't like leaving Hobo alone and refused to come out, so I had to talk to Mama to get her to the kitchen. Hobo takes all of this as trouble and refused to eat until I invited her into the kitchen with Mama, where she consumed her food in a New York minute.

Now the everyone is happy with Peaches on the couch, Mama lying on the floor and Hobo, Suzie and Diamond outside. Suzie has finally gotten someone who can measure up to the rough house play she hasn't gotten since Anna left. Anyway everyone is happy and doing well and I hope we are able to find a way to get Diamond to Gary.

So far everything we have tried has fallen short. Pilots and Paws has gaps in the route to Colorado and the land route breaks down between Alabama and Wichita. Maybe someting will work out soon and we will be able to get Diamond to Gary after Christmas.

[Dixie_Flyer]

I was just talking with Gary in a PM and was telling him what a great dog Diamond is. She is so eager to please and a very smart lady. She has only been her a few hours and already figued out the pecking order and knows to kennel up when she comes inside. She, Mama and Suzie have hit it off very well. I will post some pictures tomorrow of her with the fur gang

Jim and Mable Lora were here today and we toured the city taking in the Memorial at the park and went to see Old Fella's portrait at the library and this evening we went out to eat, they are very nice people, Sue and I enjoyed them very much.

Okay, I am going to bed, so everyone have blessed evening and God willing I will talk with you in the morning.

[Dashonthedash]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
This morning I brought Diamond home from the vet, what a sweetheart. She has gotten along great with the fur gang, she is very obedient and will kennel up without any hesitation. I will keep her in the kennel while she is in the house for a while until we all get use to each other.

Thanks so much, Richard and Sue, for taking her in, even though your house is full (but your hearts are too big to ever be full). As I mentioned in my PM, I will try some contacts on my end to see if we can make this work. Maybe you could talk to Sue Bray and Affinity Group and see if they can offer some help?

**Shouldn't post when I'm tired** :B

[Dixie_Flyer]

This morning I brought Diamond home from the vet, what a sweetheart. She has gotten along great with the fur gang, she is very obedient and will kennel up without any hesitation. I will keep her in the kennel while she is in the house for a while until we all get use to each other.

Jim and Mable Lor are visiting with us and went to the library and the city park today to see the portrait and the memorial.


Many have requested the bricks go back on sale, so for a short time bricks will be available for those who want one.

The new bricks will be added to the memorial at the base of the statue, which will be a great location. So if you want one PM me and I will tell you how to order your brick.

[Grillmeister]

Gary, thanks for the link to the walkway. Turned out pretty great.

Ditto.

That was really neat, nice story too, we got to see our brick!!:)

I doubt if we will ever be able to see it in person so thanks again.

Another Gary
🙂

[chrisnpat]

Thanks Gary for both links 🙂 The Bricks are very nice.......

Yeah Hoops I couldn't resist posting that, and that was not set up either, he did that on his own.

[Hoops]

Gary, thanks for the link to the walkway. Turned out pretty great.

[Hoops]

Chris, LOVE the picture of Dudley with Mickey Mouse. That is sooooo sweet.

[Dashonthedash]

If you would like to see more pictures of the walkway, the statue and the bricks, here's a link to the page on the Old Fella website:

Old Fella Memorial Walkway

[Dashonthedash]

chrisnpat wrote:
If You get a chance check out my thread and pictures, Almost Home in the Pet stop.

This is our first rescue, he's only been with us 2-days and we are already in luv. I'm not sure how to make a Link to it, perhaps someone can help!!

Almost Home

[chrisnpat]

If You get a chance check out my thread and pictures, Almost Home in the Pet stop.

This is our first rescue, he's only been with us 2-days and we are already in luv. I'm not sure how to make a Link to it, perhaps someone can help!!

[Dashonthedash]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
Next year will bring more changes in all of our lives, I hope for the good. As I think of being named Rver of the Year by the Good Sam’s Club and the highlights of the event in Albuquerque, New Mexico last April I thank God for an old black stray dog that caught my eye and captured my heart and brought so many animals into my life. Mama, Hobo, Suzie, Peaches, Izzie and so many others have left their print in my heart and I am so grateful to have been blessed by them.

Merry Christmas to all and a blessed New Year to you as well.

And don't forget Charlie, for the short time he graced your house.

All of my dear furred companions have had an impact on my life, and I remember them all, even the little black-and-white mongrel named Chip that I barely remember from the time I was 8. There was my first German Shepherd, Shep the Rin-Tin-Tin look-alike, who I grew up with; there was Nookie, the foundling Malamute, who we could never keep from wandering off; there was Geoff the German Shepherd, who had so many physical problems, but who still lived to the age of 12, and who left my mother crying when he passed; There was Max, my Heart German Shepherd, the first dog I ever raised from a pup by myself, who I can never forget; there was Max's longtime companion Willow, my Heart Greyhound (and first rescue), Bonnie to Max's Clyde, Roadrunner to Max's Coyote; there was greyhound Dot, sweet and affectionate, who helped Max through his last months of life, and who died much too young at 7; there was Allan, my Greyhound clown, who never failed to make me laugh, until he got that dreaded disease, bone cancer; of course, there is Dash, who attached himself as a puppy to old Max in the last 3 months of Max's life, and whose adolescence almost caused me to swear off dogs, but who has become one of the sweetest and greatest dogs of all in his senior years; and there is my little black-and-white greyhound Lily, whose sweet and loving disposition and big brown eyes cannot be ignored; and, if everything works out, Diamond will join that chain of companions.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all, your families, skin and fur, and to all your Bridgekids as well.

[Hoops]

Richard, there is no doubt in anyones mind that an old stray black dog changed your quiet life into one of serving the lost and homeless animals of this area and busied you life. God Bless you and Sue for your open hearts and home. Merry Christmas to you as well. May the joys of the season and the reason fill your lives.

[Dixie_Flyer]

many things have happened it’s hard to keep it all straight. We have made new friends and lost some old ones along the way. I can’t help but think of Levi and Fella with their Christmas antler and Christmas caps on their heads and taking it all in stride. So much change and so little time left it seems to me to complete all the missions that lay ahead.

So many friends have gone on to their reward, both human and pets I wonder why sometimes why I am still around? I lost a good friend last week at 72 years old, she was so much a part of my past. Her father was one of those people you never forget for his kindness and gentle ways and she was much like him and yet different. In high school she was one of the popular girls on the cheer leader squad and went off to college and married a preacher. She went to be with the Lord last Friday two years after losing her husband and best friend. Her children and grandchildren came home for the funeral, a bitter sweet reunion.

Sue’s brother is very sick with cancer and the doctors gave him eight to twelve months to live, but he seems to be making the best of it and enjoying the Christmas season. So much to be thankful for and so much to be sad about, but that’s life isn’t it? What beautiful memories we make along the way and can reach back anytime we like and remember those who have touched out lives for the good, Old Fella brought so much joy to all of us and when I look at the memorial in the City Park I am humbled to know that I had a part of the joy he had in the last three years of his life. I look at Mama and the joy she has in her life, knowing she is about at the end at ten to twelve years old. But she is so happy and content, no regrets, no sorrow over past events, just happy to be alive and well in a home that has been provided for her. Last night she kept close to me always watching to see if I was going to move to another room or go outside. All she wants is to feel the soft touch of the hand of the one she loves and to hear the soothing voice telling her she is a good girl.

Next year will bring more changes in all of our lives, I hope for the good. As I think of being named Rver of the Year by the Good Sam’s Club and the highlights of the event in Albuquerque, New Mexico last April I thank God for an old black stray dog that caught my eye and captured my heart and brought so many animals into my life. Mama, Hobo, Suzie, Peaches, Izzie and so many others have left their print in my heart and I am so grateful to have been blessed by them.

Merry Christmas to all and a blessed New Year to you as well.

[Dashonthedash]

I'll let Richard handle it and, if I'm needed to fill in anything at the end, I'll be here.

By the way, anyone hear anything recently from Walter? There is a new recruit anxiously waiting for her induction into the DOTL.