cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

A very old stray {The Old Fella Story}

Dixie_Flyer
Explorer II
Explorer II
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
2016 Ford F250 King Ranch Crew Cab 6.7 Power Stroke
2015 Montana Model 3611 with 4400 Pullrite Hitch.

Wife Sue
Pets: Rainbow Bridge: Bart, Old Fella, Levi, Charlie, Mama, Hobo, Izzie, Peaches. Others Suzie, Dixie.

Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue
32,309 REPLIES 32,309

Dixie_Flyer
Explorer II
Explorer II
Good morning everyone. The girls are being fed twice a day and loving the green beans and carrots. I decided to give them all some because they just stand around looking at Hobo wondering where is theirs. Anyway for now it seems to be doing okay. I am hoping Peaches will stop grazing like a cow when she goes outside and perhaps she will stop looking for poo in the yard.

Mama is doing well for her age and keeps everyone in line. When Suzie breaks out into a joyful run through the yard Mama always wants to butt in, I guess she thinks Suzie is having too much fun.

I am amazed at Peaches. She is eleven years old and acts and looks like a much younger dog. I know how old she is because I remember the year Robin got her. Robin was living with us in a camper in the back yard. It was 2002 and Peaches was a year old when she came to live with us. Levi couldn't be more pleased. He loved that little girl and couldn't wait to get outside each morning to greet her. They would run through the yard barking and rolling around with each other until they were worn out.

When Robin moved away and took Peaches with her Levi was saddened to lose his friend and went out each morning hoping to find her. Peaches stayed with Robin for five years before coming back to be with us. Peaches was locked up in the apartment five days a week for about ten hours. When she would get out she wanted to play and sniff instead of taking care of business. This irritated Robin when she was on a tight schedule every morning trying to get to work on time and like some people she wanted her sleep and would wait until the last minute to get up and start moving.

Robin had a cat and would leave the cats food out and for a while Peaches would eat the catโ€™s food, She got so fat she looked deformed. There was this very small head on a body that was weighing sixty-pounds when we got her. Now she weighs thirty-eight pounds and is very healthy. I look back now and wonder why I didnโ€™t take Peaches before we did. She was not happy living in the apartment with nowhere to run and play off leash. There was an instant turn around for her when she got to Waynesboro and was able to play in the back yard again. The sad thing was her friend Levi was gone and she couldnโ€™t understand where he was. She was the Queen once again with Suzie her under study. Then came Mama and Hobo which took away some of the attention Peaches was getting, But she really didnโ€™t mind and adjusted to life with three other girls and so we have this big happy family that loves each other and gets along great. When we go on a trip the girls have their own place in the truck with Mama and Suzie on the back seat and Hobo on the floor. Peaches rides on the front seat between Sue and myself. She will look up at me as if to say โ€œ Iโ€™m still the Queenโ€.
2016 Ford F250 King Ranch Crew Cab 6.7 Power Stroke
2015 Montana Model 3611 with 4400 Pullrite Hitch.

Wife Sue
Pets: Rainbow Bridge: Bart, Old Fella, Levi, Charlie, Mama, Hobo, Izzie, Peaches. Others Suzie, Dixie.

Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue

Hoops
Explorer
Explorer
Missy is back to limping. Nothing seems to help. We are in Tx for the winter, sure will be glad to get her back to her own vet.
The Hoops. ED and Becky
Missy our little Bichon
2004 F350 V10
2005 Jayco Legacy 38RDQS

Dixie_Flyer
Explorer II
Explorer II
Good morning everyone. We are off to a start cold start and red skies. โ€œRed at dawn sailors be warned. Red at night sailorโ€™s delight.โ€ So I guess we will have a stormy day at some point. The girls are doing well as is Izzie and Sue. A sure sign of spring is evident outside with trees starting to bud. Today is to be windy and cool with a chance of rain. I am going to have the oil changed on the truck this morning and get that out of the way. Our next planned trip is not until April so we will be able to get some yard work done.
I hope you have a blessed day and all goes well for you.
2016 Ford F250 King Ranch Crew Cab 6.7 Power Stroke
2015 Montana Model 3611 with 4400 Pullrite Hitch.

Wife Sue
Pets: Rainbow Bridge: Bart, Old Fella, Levi, Charlie, Mama, Hobo, Izzie, Peaches. Others Suzie, Dixie.

Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue

Dixie_Flyer
Explorer II
Explorer II
Yesterday afternoon Sue went out in the cold rain and brought in firewood while I walked the girls. When I got back she had everything prepared for a fire. While the rain continued into the night we sat around a nice fire and watched movies. Mansfield Park was a good family movie that I enjoyed very much. The girls lay around the fire place soaking in the warmth while the soft glow of the fire filled the room, what a wonderful evening.

I got word yesterday that my lifelong friend Sydney Gilliam's wife has been diagnosed with terminal cancer and there is no hope of recovery. Sydney and I grew up together in Waynesboro and had a lot of adventures together. Sydney had a 1950 Ford that was a rust bucket. The floorboard was rusted out and when he drove down the dirt roads of Burke County dust from the road would fill the car. One night the car turned over in a field as Sydney missed judged his speed in a curve. There were four of us in the car. The car ended up on its side so we simply pushed the car back onto its wheels and took off again.

Then there was the night we were riding around in Sydneyโ€™s Grandmotherโ€™s new 57 Chevy when a shotgun was discovered lying on the floor behind the front seat. Bernard Ellis picked it up and pointed it toward the ceiling and asked if it was loaded as he pulled the trigger and blew a hole in the roof of the car where the dome light used to be. Yes we survived, grew up and had children, God forbid!

Okay, everyone have a blessed day, talk with you later.
2016 Ford F250 King Ranch Crew Cab 6.7 Power Stroke
2015 Montana Model 3611 with 4400 Pullrite Hitch.

Wife Sue
Pets: Rainbow Bridge: Bart, Old Fella, Levi, Charlie, Mama, Hobo, Izzie, Peaches. Others Suzie, Dixie.

Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue

Uppercrust
Explorer
Explorer
I always give my furbabies a hug in the morning & before bedtime.
2012 F250 CC,FX4, Metallic blue/Silver
2012 Cruiser Patriot 345RF ๐Ÿ™‚ campers mom, dad
19 yr. old son
22 yr. old daughter
Diesel R.I.P.
Lady lab mix 16 R.I.P
Daisy beagle/collie
Misty shepard/husky
Camper's Have Smore Fun
14.5 Rallies
sleepovers 3

Dixie_Flyer
Explorer II
Explorer II
Sue's sister sent me a video called "Tuff Guy". It is about a small dog barking at a cat while the cat is watching from a distance, Suddenly the cat lunges at the dog and he takes off in terror jumping on the couch. All the time he is crying like someone or something is killing him. Everytime I play this it upsets Mama so bad she starts barking and looking for the source of trouble. This gets Hobo and the other girls barking and running around tryiing to find the little guy who is trouble so they can help him out. I wish I had the URL link so I could post it for you, so funny.

All is well here at Camp Dixie. It is raining and mild this morning. According to the weather forecast we will have mild spring like days for the next week, how nice. By the way, we can officially call this Camp Dixie now for very soon I will have one full hook up in the back yard over looking the pond. You are welcome to come for a visit, just let me know in time so I can make arrangments for you. The sewer hook up will be complete by March 10th.

I hope you have a blessed day and you have time to spend with family and friends. Give you fur gang a hug for me and will do the same on this end.
2016 Ford F250 King Ranch Crew Cab 6.7 Power Stroke
2015 Montana Model 3611 with 4400 Pullrite Hitch.

Wife Sue
Pets: Rainbow Bridge: Bart, Old Fella, Levi, Charlie, Mama, Hobo, Izzie, Peaches. Others Suzie, Dixie.

Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue

Javanut
Explorer
Explorer
I tried Anna on the green beans. She seemed OK for several weeks and then started throwing up her whole meal (undigested) about three to four hours after eating. It was several more weeks after green beans were stopped that she got back to normal. We even took her to the vet. She actually gained weight. We now give her 3 "snacks" a day-- 1/3 cup of her Urinary SO and 1/4 cup of wet food each feeding. Her urinary ph is now 7.7 (the best it has been since her stone removal). Her concentration is normal and she now drinks more water. Her next appt. will be in June so we'll see about the weight and ph/concentration. Maybe we'll just have to put her on a water diet.
Javanut@tds.net
Lori Branson
RV.Net Ohio Rally Member
Dandy Dan's ball & chain --
Sarah's and Anna's Mom
GO STEELERS --

Dixie_Flyer
Explorer II
Explorer II
Good morning all. Well the first thing I have noticed with Hobbo is a loose stool this morning. She loved the green beans and wanted more. This morning I didn;t give her green beans just the same old stuff she has been eating but less of it. This afternoon she will get another feeding with the beans and dry food.

It is so beautiful here this morning, just like a spring day. It is already 68* and getting warmer by the minute. The camper is calling me, "Are we going somewhere?"

This morning Suzie, Mama and Peaches were naughty. Suzie saw a rabbit and took off after it with Mama and Peaches right behind her. They soon gave up when the rabbit went into the little swamp area next to the pond. They came right back as if nothing happened, looking innocent and angelic. Suzie has that look about her that says it all. "I am a sweet girl and proud of it".
2016 Ford F250 King Ranch Crew Cab 6.7 Power Stroke
2015 Montana Model 3611 with 4400 Pullrite Hitch.

Wife Sue
Pets: Rainbow Bridge: Bart, Old Fella, Levi, Charlie, Mama, Hobo, Izzie, Peaches. Others Suzie, Dixie.

Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue

Hoops
Explorer
Explorer
Missy didn't lose any weight either. Just made her want human food more.
The Hoops. ED and Becky
Missy our little Bichon
2004 F350 V10
2005 Jayco Legacy 38RDQS

Dashonthedash
Explorer
Explorer
Molly's on the green beans and reduced rations, but so far my Honey Badger hasn't lost any weight.
Gary Shapiro
Shadow - 7-year-old Greyhound (aka Shadow Ninja)
Hannah - 4-year-old GSD rescue (aka the Canine Tornado)
Max, Dash (GSDs), Willow, Dot, Allan, Lily (Greyhounds), and Molly(GSD Mix), at the Bridge and in my heart forever
2011 G'town 280DS Class A

Code2High
Explorer
Explorer
Keep us posted, Richard. Mine all love the green beans. Frozen, thawed, or cooked, it doesn't seem to matter. Matters to two of the cats, but the youngest one will eat them just like the dogs do. They're sort of God's Gift to canine weight control in my book.
susan

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a wabbit, Fuzzy Wuzzy had a dandelion habit! RIP little Wuz... don't go far.

Dixie_Flyer
Explorer II
Explorer II
Hobo got her first green beans this afternoon and she loved them! We will be feeding her twice a day from a while just to see how it goes.
2016 Ford F250 King Ranch Crew Cab 6.7 Power Stroke
2015 Montana Model 3611 with 4400 Pullrite Hitch.

Wife Sue
Pets: Rainbow Bridge: Bart, Old Fella, Levi, Charlie, Mama, Hobo, Izzie, Peaches. Others Suzie, Dixie.

Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue

dogdiva
Explorer
Explorer
I have always feed my dogs twice a day and i now rotate the flavor, from chicken, fish, venison kibble from Wysong. THEY ALSO GET a supplement of something i cook, like organic rice and chicken or liver. I have noticed that they some time get loose stools fdrom the chicken livers and heard that by soaking them in milk, it pulls the toxic stuff out of the liver. i AM TRYING TO FIND FREE RANGE CHICKENS that dont have all the chemicles in them but in this little town gotta depend on the grocery stores and their meat and chicken is full of chemicles
Elizabeth had her 10 week post op CKUP AT TEXAS A&M and her knee surgery is doing great...She needs the other knee done but i gotta pay off the first one....
Elizabeth and Henry..... rescues

Crickett, Beau, Lady, Dixie, Batman, Penny, Bonnie Colleen, SouiX C, George, Willie, Pierre, Shandi. Honey, Patches ,Gumby...WAITING at the Rainbow Bridge

Dixie_Flyer
Explorer II
Explorer II
Peaches and Hobo are on the same diet and both have the same thing going on. Now that I think about it you make a lot of sense. Peaches has been on Pepsid for a while and that seems to have helped her. So, maybe feeding once a day is not the thing to do for either of them. Suzie and Mama seem to do okay with once a day feeding. Suzie now weighs 50 pounds but she is as solid as a rock while Mama has lost some weight and seems to be doing okay. I was afraid for Mama that she would have a problem carrying extra weight at her age so that was the reason for her being put on a diet. Mama's dry food is different from Hobo and Peaches. Mama and Suzie eat "Great Life Raw Kibble Buffalo dry food while Hobo and Peaches eats WD Science Diet dry food. All food is mixed with a can of wet divided four ways.

This has seemed to work as far as weight control and keeping them looking healthy and fit. Suzie and Hobo are full of energy, even eleven year old Peaches has her moments of running and playing while Mama seems to have a lot of spirit and energy as well.

They can't tell you how they feel so it is a look and see how well they are acting and getting around. Happy dogs are usually healthy dogs and all four are happy dogs. I watched Levi and Fella as they went down and depression was a player in their illness. Levi was more evident as he slowed down a lot in his last days but it still was a surprise when we got the final diagnoses that he was that sick.

Raising animals is an education in itself. You learn to be part doctor and parent at the same time, much llike raising children. The only thing the children can tell you when they are not doing well. With the dogs and cats you have to pay attention to their daily activities and their mood swings. That's why living with your pets in the house has its advantages.

Anyway thanks for the advice and will try feeding both Peaches and Hobo twice a day and will try the green beans as a filler.
2016 Ford F250 King Ranch Crew Cab 6.7 Power Stroke
2015 Montana Model 3611 with 4400 Pullrite Hitch.

Wife Sue
Pets: Rainbow Bridge: Bart, Old Fella, Levi, Charlie, Mama, Hobo, Izzie, Peaches. Others Suzie, Dixie.

Old Fella Burke County Animal Rescue

Code2High
Explorer
Explorer
It might be worth a try. Discuss it with the vet, of course.... they may have other concerns. But that can be a work-around for dogs that aren't doing well on a once-a-day feeding.

You can always add the "enhanced green bean diet" (green beans slow cooked with a smoked ham hock) if you want those meals to seem bigger. Now that I'm cooking the green beans with ham hocks, I've even got three cats eating them happily!

Of course between me, the dogs, and the cats, I am going through a lot of green beans, and sometimes I don't have enough on hand for my bowl of sinless comfort food.
susan

Fuzzy Wuzzy was a wabbit, Fuzzy Wuzzy had a dandelion habit! RIP little Wuz... don't go far.