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

[Martyn]

Starfire5 wrote:
And it appears that we bought the motorhome just in the nick of time! We just found out that our daughter in Colorado is going to have her first baby in October! We are going to be grandparents for the first time, so I see many trips to Colorado in our future! LOL

Congratulations! If you are coming to Colorado be sure to check with Gary or me for good campsites! :):)

[Starfire5]

Thanks, Gary! We'd love to meet up with you! Maybe things will work out that we could make it to Branson, then head out to Denver. We'll have to see how our business schedule looks at that time. Looking forward to doing some camping in Colorado. So much to look forward to now that we FINALLY got our motorhome!

[Dashonthedash]

Congratulations on the upcoming grandchild. Look me up when you come to Colorado, and I'll introduce you to the best camping spots in the state (in other words, the best in the country). Great Sand Dunes NP is now taking reservations, so I'll be going there for the first time after the Branson rally, and I'll report on my visit. GSD is one of the few National Parks that allow pets on at least some of the trails. It looks like they have added restrictions recently, however, keeping pets out of the Park backcountry.

[Starfire5]

Thanks for the advice, Richard! I was thinking that some yummy treats for a very food-motivated boy might be the way to go! 😉 If not, we'll have to address the ramp issue. I know you advised me on that once before.

Congratulations on the new grandbaby. I see a lot of trips to Colorado in your future plans.

Yep, that's precisely why we bought the Outlook. Can't believe the timing! We really lucked out! LOL

[Dixie_Flyer]

To de-winterize your camper all you have to do is run fresh water through the fresh water system and when that is done turn the valve on the hot water heater to the “Normal” position and you let water into the hot water system and you are done.
Getting Reilly into the motor-home may take some tom foolery. I would start out by letting him see the other gang go in and out of the camper and then try to entice him in by offering treats placed on the steps in front of him and maybe a helping hand from you and your husband by lifting him up on the first step and then encouraging him to climb the other steps on his own.

If that doesn’t work used the Old Fella technique. Place a towel under his front legs, supporting his chest and another towel under him in front of his hind legs and lift him into the motor-home. You may have to do this a time or two but he will soon get the idea. I don’t know how steep your steps are going into the motor-home but you may need to consider a ramp of some sort. Fella had a bad joint in one of his rear legs and a club foot on the other which made it difficult for him to negotiate steep steps. We got a folding step ramp that really helped him a lot. But there were time he needed additional help climbing steps so we used the towel technique.

Congratulations on the new grandbaby. I see a lot of trips to Colorado in your future plans.

[Starfire5]

Richard, you're so lucky to be going out camping this weekend! Our new Outlook is still sitting in the horse pasture winterized. Since DH is in Colorado all week, it will be next week at the earliest that we can take it to Camping World to be de-winterized.

On a related note, any ideas on how to get our stubborn old male golden, Reilly, into the motorhome? We got almost 10 year old Bianca to go up in it and little 2 year old Jameson jumps right up in there, but Reilly digs in his heels and refuses to budge! Ugh! Help?

And it appears that we bought the motorhome just in the nick of time! We just found out that our daughter in Colorado is going to have her first baby in October! We are going to be grandparents for the first time, so I see many trips to Colorado in our future! LOL

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning. Well today is going to be busy with preparations under way for a weekend camping trip. Mama will be waiting with baited breath hoping she can climb into the truck for a long ride. She will hear the truck start up in the driveway as I hook up the camper and that will get her excited. She will wait by the door and when she hears me climbing the wooden steps coming into the house from the garage she will be sitting there saying, “Is it time yet?” Little does she know it will be tomorrow before we leave, but that doesn’t matter to her because for the moment she believes she is about to leave in the truck with camper in tow heading out for a new adventure.

The only one who could rival her in that department would be Levi and then Fella. Both of them loved to travel and camp. Suzie likes the idea of traveling but when she gets into the truck you can see that look on her face of “I really don’t want to be here.” Suzie is getting better about not being car sick as I have learned what to do for her so she can travel in comfort. Peaches is always ready to ride but she isn’t as excited about the truck as Mama. Peaches loves the car, it’s more her size. She rides in the front seat of the car looking out the window enjoying the wind in her face. Her favorite thing is looking for the UPS truck so she can bark at it. There is something about the UPS trucks that drives her crazy.

Okay, I am going to get ready to face the day, have a good one, talk with you later.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Things are really beginning to look like spring here in the Deep South. I am looking forward to getting out this weekend with the camper. The park we are going to is on a lake and is a beautiful campground. It has large paved sites along with paved roads. If you like water and a place just to get away, this is it. If you are ever in the area look up Calhoun Falls State Park and give it a try. Loop two is the best because it is the newest section. Of course if you are ever around Modoc South Carolina you must stop at the Corp of Engineers campground there as it was Old Fella’s stomping grounds. This also is a nice campground with large campsite right on the water.

I dreamed about Levi the other night and it was so real. He was such a wonderful companion and the most loving dog we have ever had. He and Fella were the best of friends and got along so well with each other. It is amazing how well Mama, Hobo, Peaches, Suzie and Izzie get along. There is never a fit, fuss or disagreement between them. Okay I am going to get ready to face the day. I hope everyone has a blessed day, talk with you later.

[Hoops]

Remember it is only Fedurary, don't get too fooled! Ha

[Dixie_Flyer]

Grass in the yard is starting to turn green, a sure sign of spring. The warm nights are a blessing as you can sit outside without a heavy jacket and enjoy the evening sunset on the patio with a cup of coffee.

We are planning on a weekend camping trip Friday, going to Calhoun Falls State Park. It has all paved sites and paved roads and large campsites. I hope we ejoy our stay. I hope everyone has a blessed day and all of your wishes and dreams come true.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Once again It is a great morning with sunshine and warm temperatures. It will be great to go outside with the fur gang for a walk this morning and enjoy the great outdoors.

I am hoping we can go camping this weekend and take advantage of the nice weather. April we will be going back to Modoc for a weekend and visit Old Fella's campground. Everytime we go back there I can just see Old Fella walking down the road with Levi and their playing in the water enjoying life. I miss both of them so much.

I wish everyone a blessed day and give your fur babies a hug for me.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dandy Dan wrote:
Gee, I was trying to get used to a little warmer temps and the report for today is a winter storm advisory. Saying possible 1-2" snow mixed with rain, freezing rain and sleet and ice. Yipee 😞 Hopefully they are wrong. We are back in the 20's with highs not likely to hit 40 for the next 5 days. Other than that, everything is great.

My advise to you is to come south and enjoy the nice warm weather and sunshine.Bring your camper and I will set you up in the back yard with a view of the pond. You can fish all you want as long as you clean what you catch.

[Dandy_Dan]

Gee, I was trying to get used to a little warmer temps and the report for today is a winter storm advisory. Saying possible 1-2" snow mixed with rain, freezing rain and sleet and ice. Yipee 😞 Hopefully they are wrong. We are back in the 20's with highs not likely to hit 40 for the next 5 days. Other than that, everything is great.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. All is well here in the Deep South and we are expecting another day of beautiful waether. I can't wait to go camping and being outside,

[Dixie_Flyer]

Sue and I along with the fur gang will have to make a business trip to Deerfield Beach Florida in May. Looking at the campground reviews there isn't much to choose from. I hope to be able to stop by and see Jim and Maple if they haven't gone back home.

We had another great day today, just beautiful weather. Getting outside and walking in the warm sunshine has been good for me. I hope to get the camper back soon so we can make plans for a short camping weekend. Okay, I am going to call it a day, talkw with you later.