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

[smittyjr]

I go to Destin 2 or 3 times a year to play golf and always stay there love it

[Dixie_Flyer]

It is the start of another beautiful day here on the Gulf Coast. The campground continues to win me over. These are very nice people and you couldn't ask for a better view of the ocean. The sites are large where we are and the Wifi works great. Our neighbors left this morning heading for Orlando, Florida. We have one more day left before we start home on Sunday.

The girls are having a good time, enjoying their walks around the park. There is a County law regarding dogs walking on the beach. No dogs allowed unless you live on the beach and then there are certain hours set aside for them. So we cannot go on the beach with the girls, but that is okay there are plenty of other places for them to walk.

Sue has taken Hobo and Suzie for a walk while I get ready to face the day. Mama and Peaches are waiting their turn. Okay, I need to get moving, talk with you later

[Uppercrust]

Richard you brought tears to my eyes having gone through this a couple times. Lady was ready to go at age 17 & I could see it in her eyes the love she had for us. Diesel fought it he was only 2, he was the hardest syaing goodbye to since he was still full of life. They sure do get into our hearts & become a big part of the family no matter how long you have them for.

[Dashonthedash]

The Shelter Challenge is on again. Please make sure you go to the shelter challenge website and vote daily for Old Fella:

Shelter Challenge

If you can vote more than once (different computer, smart phone, etc), please send a vote to Colorado Greyhound Adoption

Old Fella is currently 17th in Georgia and 700th overall. CGA is currently 10th in Colorado and 379th overall.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. After a whole lot of rain last night today we are to have clear skies and 75*, a good day to walk on the beach. Having had many older fur kids I have come to realize as they become older they are subject to many things that take away their quality of life. Many of these things can be managed with the proper meds and diet, but there is one thing you cannot stop and that is the aging factor. As Doc has mentioned, they cannot tell you when they started hurting, or why. They just look at us with those soft eyes asking for help. The vet who was helping us with Fella the night he died made a statement that I have never forgotten. Fella couldn't walk without help as his left front shoulder was broken where the cancer had eaten away the bone, yet he would struggle to get up and walk just to be with Sue and I. Lying on the table, looking up at me with those trusting eyes he wanted to get up and go home. This is when the Vet said, "Their love is so strong all they want to do is please, even if it causes them pain in the process." The Vet asked me if I wanted his collar and I told her I did. When I reached to take it off he struggled to get off the table as he thought we were leaving to go home. I watched as the last breath left his body and his eyes glazed over knowing I had lost one of the best friends I have ever had. His last days were painful for him and I know now I kept him around too long, I just couldn't let him go.

I have said all of this to remind everyone, these precious lives are trusting us for their care and well being. We do the best we can with the resources we have and hope it is good enough. Their love and trust is beyond anything we can truly understand, but they demonstrate it every day as they look up at us as if to say, "I love and trust you with all of my being and that is enough."

[Hoops]

Mary Lou we are in the RVG, just 7 miles north of Mexico. Not to sound selfish, wish you were here too Doug. Then you could be her doctor. LOL I heard it was 60* in Indy. And our high on Sat will be 65*. Have a feeling come February and March, IN is going to pay for all this good weather. Thanks so much for all your advice. Doctor was suppose to email me the xrays, so far nothing,

[dturm]

I just hate these types of situations, you crank on every joint flexing, extending and twishing as far as it will go and the dog looks at you like: OK what's next?? Then they hold the leg up and won't put full weight on it. The only thing worse is one that screams BEFORE you even touch them.

Makes you wish they could say, "I did it when I was running after my ball and I slipped a little and now it aches all the time, or it hurts when I do this..." or some such thing.

As far as diagnosing arthritis, often times it is present for a long time before it becomes enough of a problem that we diagnose it. A Bichon of 7 is still a pretty young dog, but earlier joint sprains can lead to arthritis at that age. Also many of that breed are genetically programed to have crooked legs that lead to increased incidence of joint issues and early arthritis. An example of what I'm talking about is the leg of a "normal" dachshund, not a straight line from paw to shoulder or hip.

I wish we were in TX, even though our Indiana weather right now is more like Tennessee or norther Georgia.

Doug

[Javanut]

Anna has done this with her left front leg, then it went away after a day or 2. Then it came back a few months later and lasted several days so we took her to her vet. The x-rays showed nothing and he did an extensive evaluation. He twisted and manuvered each joint from each toe up to & including her shoulder. He had us try Tramadol even though she did not yelp or wince. This is the same identical pill I take for arthritis & fibromyalgia. We gave her a few doses and we limited her activity. It did not seem to make a difference she still limped. We had scheduled for a more extensive exam under anesthesia but she stopped limping before the procedure. The last episode has been nearly a year ago and she has had no problem since. If I remenber right Anna & Richard's Susie will be 6 in June. If the Rimadyl does no good try to get off it ASAP due to side effects.

[dogdiva]

Where in Texas are you///The vet school at Texas A&M is fantastic.....Its in College Station/Bryan Texas

[Hoops]

Richard, Missy will be 7 in April, which is young for a Bichon I am told. I started the joint strong about 6 days ago, and so far doesn't seem to help. This is her second day on rimadyl and that too hasn't had any effect. Missy has never or I should say her vet has never suggested she had arthritis so this was a surprise to me. He also said she had an old injury, and she has never hurt herself as far as I remember. We have had since she was 6 months old. I am reluctant to get a second opinion from a vet I don't know now. We are in TX for 6 months. Most of my friends who live down here go to him, but nothing has ever been wrong with their dogs, just for shots. Thanks so much for the help.

[agteacher]

Take Missy to see Doug and tell him he recommendeded that you get a second opinion so you took him up on his offer. Seriously, I would check with another vet to be sure.

[dturm]

You can get an acute flare up of a chronic condition (arthritis) that happens overnight. I would have expected to see improvement in a very short time (one dose) of the rimadyl. The laser treatments can be effective if relieving pain, but I'd hesitate without a firm diagnosis.

Doug, DVM

[Dixie_Flyer]

Hoops wrote:
Need some help here. About 2 weeks ago Missy started limping on her front right leg. Took her to a vet and $300 later and prescription for rimadyl we came home. The rimadyl hasn't seemed to help (after 2 days) Correct me if I am wrong but if it was arthritis wouldn't she have displayed symptoms of some kind sooner and not over night? I saw the xrays and didn't quite see what the doctor saw (not a professional) and I didn't think arthritis happens overnight. What I am afraid of is, we are over looking something wrong with her. She doesn't seem to be in pain and we can touch and twist and etc and she doesn't complain. We are not at home at her regular vet. The doctor wanted to do laser treatments and I don't know, just don't seem comfortable with what he came up with. Have checked her for other things like toenails, cuts, burrs etc and haven't found anything. Any help will be appreciated, thank you.

First how old is Missy? With Charlie and Levi the symptoms that they had a problem with arthritis wasn't such a gradual thing or else I was asleep at the wheel. Sometimes spurs can come up on joints that can cause pain. Old Fella's symptoms were slow in developing, but we knew from the start with him there was going to be a problem. Give the rimadyl a chance to work. The miracle drug I have found is Joint Strong, amazing stuff. It has kept Peaches and Mama going without a lot of pain. Peaches is pain free and acts like a much younger dog. Mama still has her bad days, but without the Joint Strong she wouldn't be able to get around as well as she does.

A second opinion is always good advice when in doubt.

[dogdiva]

can you get another opinion?

[Hoops]

Need some help here. About 2 weeks ago Missy started limping on her front right leg. Took her to a vet and $300 later and prescription for rimadyl we came home. The rimadyl hasn't seemed to help (after 2 days) Correct me if I am wrong but if it was arthritis wouldn't she have displayed symptoms of some kind sooner and not over night? I saw the xrays and didn't quite see what the doctor saw (not a professional) and I didn't think arthritis happens overnight. What I am afraid of is, we are over looking something wrong with her. She doesn't seem to be in pain and we can touch and twist and etc and she doesn't complain. We are not at home at her regular vet. The doctor wanted to do laser treatments and I don't know, just don't seem comfortable with what he came up with. Have checked her for other things like toenails, cuts, burrs etc and haven't found anything. Any help will be appreciated, thank you.