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

[Terrydactile]

I sure hope everything goes great with the move and Izzie finds the new place comfy and securing. Cats can be so funny about change. God Bless.

[Hoops]

The hardiest part of moving (IMHO) is the unpacking and putting away. Safe moving day and let us know how the fur gang did. (and you and Sue)

[dogdiva]

I dont know anything about cats but i am concerned for Izzy
With all the activity and people and confusion, perhaps Izzy could stay at the old house for a nite, then bring him , one on one, to the new house when all the confusion and activity has slowed down...and let him get used to it

[Dixie_Flyer]

Well Gary it looks like you are getting a lot of support from the gang, that's good. Tomorrow is the big day as we finish packing today and move tomorrow. We will still have the house in Waynesboro with enough furniture to make it livable so we can come back for visits and check on the Old Fella Rescue group.

We have a lot of help with the kids and grandchildren helping out. Ave and Allison are excited about us moving so close to them. Sue and I have missed a lot of watching the grandkids grow up so maybe we can sort of catch up on some things. Holly, our youngest is now 5'/ 7" and just 14 years old. She is going to be tall as well as very smart. She has a 3.4 grade average. Her brother Joshua is 6' and is also very smart with a grade average of 3.8. They didn't get it from me, that's for sure. I just did make it out of high school and I think they felt sorry for me in seminary.

Okay I have to go and pretend to be doing something helpful, talk with you later.

[Code2High]

I would not encourage her to eat... not eating is usually an indication that a dog is overfed, anyway... and this one needs to lose weight. I'd let her eat until she walks away and then remove the bowl without comment. You'll have to find your own way, of course, but that is where I'd start. I assume you have some sort of behavior they are each required to do before they eat.

It becomes clear what the problem was in her former home. Overfed, under worked, and probably a distinct lack of structure. The tendency we all have is to want to make the newcomer "feel at home" but that is really not what she needs just yet. You definitely want to get control of her dominant tendencies in a hurry and I would consider an NILIF type approach, really making her work for every single thing she gets for a while. I'd also probably take very decisive action with the growling around the other two. I think your obedience idea is a good one, that will help on several levels.

A nice long group hike on the weekend might be really helpful, too. Walking forms that pack bond. I've also found that group long downs can be a good bonding experience. When I say long, I mean an hour or so... and no dog gets released unless asleep or at least calm.

[Dixie_Flyer]

The thermometer just went to 106*. Keeping the fur babies inside as much as possible, only going out to take care of business. Welcome to July in the Deep South.

[Dixie_Flyer]

There is no where to hide and the house is being torn apart. The outside temp is 103.8 right now so the only comfort is in the house or the camper with the A/C running wide open. We have been busy packing and taking pictures off the wall, emptying drawers and wrapping dishes and glasses. Poor Hobo cannot find a place where she feels safe. All the kennel crates have been taken down and the beds are just lying on the floor. She doesn't care for that as the crate makes her feel safe and secure. Mama, Peaches and Suzie are moving from one room to the next trying to find a place where there isn't any activity.

I think I am going to sneak out and go some where I cannot be found.

[Dashonthedash]

It's supposed to be in the 70's today after a cool, wet day yesterday. Susan, I took the food away immediately after the tussle, and have been encouraging her to eat it right away. So far, she seems to be doing much better, although she finishes the food (about 1 1/2-1 3/4 cups twice a day, as much as Dash), and then looks for more. She does love to eat, which explains the fact that she is somewhat overweight. The biggest problem right now is she tends to growl at the dogs when they get near her, which is especially odd for Lily, who is not dominant and has done nothing but try to be friendly. I think it's the Husky part of her; it only happens around the house, and she is trying to establish dominance, a trait I encountered before with a Malamute. She needs to learn quickly that I am the pack leader and I make the rules. Probably, a little training, even a refresher obedience course, would be helpful in this regard.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Gary I hope all is well with you and your fur gang and I hope is cooler in Colorado than it is here. Today we are expecting a high of 102* so I am going to get an early start with Mama, Hobo, Peaches and Suzie with our walk before it gets too hot.

Today we are packing up things to take to Camp Dixie and will have a lot of help from family before days end. Here's wishing everyone a blessed day.

[dogdiva]

Maybe Mama needs a ck up, I know how very busy you are with the move but better safe than sorry...She is definitely telling you something is going on.

[Code2High]

Glad to hear that everything turned out okay last night. You'll need to do some work on feeding rituals/rules with her and the others, but I'm sure you expected that given her history. I would probably tend to pick up her bowl myself if she walks away, and not return it until next meal... so she learns to stay put and not wander off. Young Marines are trained in a similar way............. when they look up, they're done. They learn fast and they aren't even GSDs!

[Dashonthedash]

There was a bit of an incident last night. Molly was hanging around apparently looking for more food, so I gave her some (first mistake). She walked away from it, and Dash took that as an invitation to take the food for himself (second mistake). Molly went after Dash, but it looked far worse than it was; neither dog was hurt, and it quickly broke up. Molly spent today at Doggie Day Care, where she played with the staff, made some new friends and had a good time. She is so smart, it took her no time at all to figure out how to open the gate inside the office. Tonight, she seems much more affectionate and has been hanging around me. She is right now lying at my feet as I write this. Tomorrow, we leave for the weekend at a nearby state park, her first camping experience. It will be interesting to see how she does on the trip.

Oh, one more thing. Her medical records list her birthday as July 20, 2003, so she is about to have her 7th birthday. Lily will be 8 this Saturday, while Dash was 11 June 11.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Mama had a spell this morning while we were on our walk. We hadn't gone too far when she lay down and didn't want to go any further. We let her rest and then came back home. She has been acting like she doesn't feel well, but she is still active and interested in what is going on. It is so hot here and the humidity is very high which makes it seem hotter than it actually is. Tomorrow it is suppose to be one of the hottest days we have had this summer at 101 degrees. We will get an early start in the morning while it is still cool so maybe she will do better.

Tonight will be the last night that will be normal here as tomorrow we really start packing up and we will have family here helping us with the move. I hope all goes well with the fur gang, especially Izzie.

Gary I hope all is going well with Molly, Dash and Lily as they get adjusted to each other. Maybe we will get to meet Molly next summer at the Old Fella Rally. It looks as if we will be going back to Branson for next years rally. You can't beat the $12.00 per night fee in a resort campground in down town Branson. The campground is absolutely beautiful and very well maintained besides being close to everything in Branson. Sue and I are thinking we will leave Branson and head west to Northern California before going home. It is all in the planning stage right now, so plans could change. We will wait and see what the future holds.

Okay, its time to call it a day. Good night everyone, have a blessed night.

[Gentle_Spirit]

Yay for Gary! Thank you for opening your heart and home to Molly. I'm sure all will be fine. Keep us posted!

[chrisnpat]

Im happy Molly is home with you Gary, it took our Dudley about two weeks before he finally stopped looking for his Foster Mom. Lots of new things for her to adjust to. You are home Molly.......