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]

When Levi passed it was so sudden I hardly had time to think about anything. Then when Fella passed it was in an emergency clinic and there wasn't time to catch my breath let alone think of anyone or anything else. When Charlie passed I was so distraught once again I couldn’t think about anything else but him.

Izzie missed Levi and went from room to room looking for him for days. Fella in his own way grieved over his buddy for about a week. Suzie and Peaches acted as if nothing was different.

[Dashonthedash]

Summer (gamersredneckwife) used to be pretty active on the Forum, especially in ATC, but she hasn't posted since August. Walter, you used to parry with her (all in good fun, of course). Do you know where she is, and whether she is just lurking or has left the Forum?

[Uppercrust]

We took Daisy with us when we put Diesel to sleep. She is now afraid to ride in our car, the truck is fine & she is terrified of gong to the vets. I think Daisy knew what was going on cause she gave him a lick (kiss) as he was leaving us.

[Hoops]

It is becoming clear to the experts that animals grieve also, and it is easier for them to accept the death if they are allowed to be with the animal that has passed. I have never been in that situation so just not sure if this is right, would be interesting to know for sure.

[Dashonthedash]

Dash was at the vet (and only 5 months old) when Max was euthanized. He was in the bedroom when Dot died in her sleep. He was again at the vet when Allan was euthanized. I thought it would be easier than just having his companions go away and never come back, but now I wonder. The loss of a friend and pack member can be as hard on a dog as it is on us.

[Wanderlost]

Gary, our cat Alex has seen four companions go to the Bridge. He only saw two of the bodies, his best buddy that we buried on our property, and one who died with Alex sitting right there; the other two went away in the cat carrier and never returned-they were cremated. After the fourth death, he became very afraid of the cat carrier, as though he thinks he'll go off in it and not come home.

When we moved into the RV, we hid the cat carrier in the motorcycle trailer, and bought him a travel cage. He did fine. When we moved into this house, and took him to his new vet, he panicked in the carrier. We wound up buying a new carrier, and he's ok with it. Even when he stayed at the vet with pneumonia, he seemed to know he'd come home with us. Just took a new cat carrier to reassure him.

Animals' psyche is an odd thing, ain't it?

[Dashonthedash]

Whenever I pay too much attention to Molly, I get vocal complaints from Dash. He then comes over for assurance. I have had German Shepherds most of my life, but I have never had one as insecure as he is, although I love him anyway. I have no great insight into the psyche of dogs, but he has seen 3 other dogs (Max, Dot and Allan) go to the Bridge.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Uppercrust wrote:
When we bought our 5'er we had no tp holder. I was told it was because this way you can install it were you want it.

I was told the same thing. The hand towel rack was the same way.

[Uppercrust]

When we bought our 5'er we had no tp holder. I was told it was because this way you can install it were you want it.

[Dandy_Dan]

Gee, I wonder if they don't want you to use the throne?:B:B:B:B

[joelbaker]

Dashonthedash wrote:
I checked all the cabinets and couldn't find a toilet paper holder.

Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

[Dashonthedash]

I checked all the cabinets and couldn't find a toilet paper holder.

[joelbaker]

Gary:
Check inside the cabinet doors in the bathroom opposite the toilet. I've seen TP holders placed in there before since there's no room in the throne room itself.

Good luck!
Joel

Dashonthedash wrote:
I took the new coach out for a short drive and some gas. It was the first time I've had to back up the unit, and it went OK, although the big iron bars that protect the chassis from bottoming out did pick up a little dirt. There were a few things shifting during the trip, so I checked to make sure the fridge was empty and found the plastic spool for the toilet paper inside the fridge. I thought it would be better off in the bathroom, so I took it back there. There was no place to put it. They hadn't put it a toilet paper holder, and both the dealer and I had missed it.

[Dashonthedash]

I took the new coach out for a short drive and some gas. It was the first time I've had to back up the unit, and it went OK, although the big iron bars that protect the chassis from bottoming out did pick up a little dirt. There were a few things shifting during the trip, so I checked to make sure the fridge was empty and found the plastic spool for the toilet paper inside the fridge. I thought it would be better off in the bathroom, so I took it back there. There was no place to put it. They hadn't put it a toilet paper holder, and both the dealer and I had missed it.

[kokosfriend]

Hannah dog had to use a medicine called carafate or something like that spelling. It coated her stomach and she took it a half hour I think ahead of her amoxicillin. It is cheap and really protects the stomach. I had to take it myself at one point.

Barb