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

[Dashonthedash]

SgtJoe, thanks to you and Pat and Al for rescuing Sandy and finding her a home. I hope the puppies also find homes when they arrive. There are sure good people on this Forum.

Thanks to all who wished Dash and me good luck in the award selection. If I do win, it will be accepted in honor of all the Animal Heroes everywhere, and in recognition of the special relationship we have with our animal companions.

[SGTJOE]

They took Sandy into a Vet to see if she had a chip. She doesn't. She has really taken to the mgr. It's for sure she prefers women over men. We stopped over to see her tonite and Pat came out to us and Sandy was whinning for her from the porch. They are going to keep her for sure until the pups are born, after that they will decide if they want to keep her forever. So, for now she has a caring home. I'll keep you all informed and perhaps some of you might want to adopt a pup. BTW, the place she was digging at was flooded today for irrigation, so we got her out of there just in time.

[dogdiva]

Sgt Joe
Thanks for sharing your story about Sandy. The spirit of Old Fella has lodged in our hearts thanks to Richard and Sue
Please keep us posted about Sandy \

Thanks for caring and sharing

Dan glad to hear Sarah is doing so well, Keep up the good care of your new hip....You will be doing the Texas Two Step by summer

[Hoops]

Joe, what a great story. So you think the manager will keep her?

Dan so glad to hear your hip (and Sarah's hip) are doing so well. I am sure the cold weather does help.

[chrisnpat]

I wish it was 41 here, 🙂

Very cool Gary, my fingers are crossed for Dash,Im chanting "Dash will win"......

Glad things are going good with you Dan, hip surgery can be very complicated sometimes, sounds like all is going to be well.

SGTJOE.......kuddos to you for helping Sandy and her pups to come, at least now they will have a fighting chance.

All is Good.......Happy New Year.

[Dandy_Dan]

dogdiva wrote:
Dan How are you doing ??? Bet you are not shovelling that snow yet...
How is Sarahs hip. Is she going to have surgery to correct it???

Thanks for asking, Hip is coming along fairly well. Have gone from a walker to a cane and around the house am starting to try not using it.
Sarah's hip is doing fine. After haviing it put back in 4 times, we just thought we would wait and see what happens. Talked to Dr. Doug and also local vet and they said that the initial dislocate is the time of pain. both doctors said the next step would be to have the hip ball cut off and let the muscle hold it in place. Well, that is what it is doing except we have not had the ball cut off. Sarah runs around, jumps off the porch and appears to be appy and pain free as she doesn't seem to show that the hip is out. Sarah appears to be acting as any healhy happy dog should act. We are thankful for that.

[Kfancii]

What a great story Sgt. Joe! Thanks so much for getting Sandy the care she needs! Now we just need pictures of her and those little pups when the arrive!!

[Dixie_Flyer]

This is what makes this thread so wonderful. I do hope the puppies are okay when they come and they find forever homes. After the pups arrive and they are adopted consider having her spayed. Keep us posted about your new adventure, I look forward to hearing more.

[karen_Lee]

Sgt Joe thanks so much for helping this poor dog. I love reading stories of this nature. God bless Sandy and her coming pups may they all find loving and caring homes.

[SGTJOE]

Sorry it's so cold where most of you are, so I won't bore you with our current weather in Yuma, AZ. I do have a good story and would like to share with you all.
A few days ago I was walking my dogs along the canal road and noticed a large dog down the road loose. I turned around and walked back to the RV park with my little guys. We ran into a friend with his dogs and I told him about the dog. The next morning we saw the dog again. We took our dogs back to the rv's, and took some treats to the dog. She was really scared, but eventually she came a little closer so we could toss the treats to her. It appeared that she was digging a burrow to lay in and then we noticed that she was pregnant.
A lady walking by stopped and talked to the dog, so it became apparent that she trusted women over men. We went back and my friend Nat got his wife Linda and some dog food and a leash. We were able to get the leash on her but she did not want to leave the area. The park maintenance guy showed up with his cart and the dog climbed in when Linda did. So she was given a nice safe area, food, water and a carrier with blankets in the maint. shed. But not for long, as the park manager, Pat and her husband Al, took her in their trailer where it appears she may have found a forever home. The local SPCA was contacted to see if the dog has been reported lost, but they had no calls. She appears to be a Yellow Lab under two years and well taken care of so we will be looking for her owner. In the meantime the Park has adopted her and we are all waiting for the new arrivals.
I just wanted to share this with you all. Richard, prior to reading and following this thread I would not have been so willing to assist in this rescue, thank you for making me a more caring individual.
She didn't have a collar or any tattoos in her ears, we are looking for a wand to see if she is chipped. I'll keep you all posted when the pups arrive. The Yuma shelter only keeps strays 5 days and then they put them down, she isn't going there. We are calling her Sandy, after the RV park Arizonz Sands.

[Ron___Shirley]

and so the tale of old fella picks up speed and continues on. What a wonderful group of support and Friends this has become. Very much like a Family.

Everyone have a wonderful day and continue on. I myself have become more of a lurker but I do indeed lurk everyday only jumping in when I have something worthwhile to say or encourage a "family member".

Gary good luck on winning but even if you don't Dash has gotten the recognition he deserves and he is already a winner in your heart where it counts.

Shirley (the lurker :W )

[dogdiva]

Dan How are you doing ??? Bet you are not shovelling that snow yet...
How is Sarahs hip. Is she going to have surgery to correct it???

[Dandy_Dan]

Good Morning from the warm North.:B:B we are at a wonderful 21* with a wind chill of around 6. Richard, It sounds like you are eating a little crow sayin you are glad you are there and not in Grand Rapids area. Yes, I did forget to shut the door and keep the cool weather up here.Sorry:B:B We got a little more snow overnight. It looks pretty and also disgusting at the same time. Anna loves the snow and comes in looking like a bulldozer. She sticks her head down and plows. Sarah on the other hand can take it or leave it but mostly leave it.

Good Luck to Gary and Dash.....

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dashonthedash wrote:
You remember when I posted here back in July about how Dash saved me from possibly being bitten by a rattlesnake while hiking in Colorado? Well, I submitted the story as a nomination for the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter's Animal Hero of the Year award. The nomination was accepted and I will know later this month whether Dash wins.

Richard, I'd love to see a high in the lower 40's. We haven't been that warm in weeks. This season, Evergreen Lake opened to skating unusually early, and I still have ice on my driveway from several storms ago. Doesn't look like I'm getting the RV out anytime soon for a mid-winter tune-up.

Good luck Gary on the Animal Hero of the Year, hope Dash wims. I guess being from such warm cilmate the lower and mid 40's seems cold. According to the Weather man, this is the coldest winter so far in twenty five years. The forcast keeps changing for Thursday from snow to no snow, I don't think they know what its going to do.

[Hoops]

Gee Gary that is exciting. Please keep us informed.