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]

Well it sure is cold this morning. It was 27* when we got up and let the fur babies out. Breakfast is over and all the girls are resting in their beds with flashes of treat bones dancing in their heads.

No, Sarah is not going to like the cold at first, but she will have a buddy with a thick fur coat to help keep her warm and I am sure Dan and Lori will have a nice warm coat for her when she goes outside.

Sue and I are going to meet Dan and Lori's daughter Jenni at Fort Chiswell, Virginia campground Friday sometime between 12:30 and 1: o'clock to hand off Sarah for her trip to her new home. What a Christmas she is going to have with her new family and she will be able to tell Anna how Suzie, Peaches and Izzie are doing. Just three weeks to Christmas Eve and we haven't finished decorating the house yet! Today Sue and I will go into overdrive to get things done so we can enjoy the Christmas season.

There will be some surprises yet to come in January with a big ceremony coming in the spring of 2009 followed by the Old Fella Rally in Ohio in June. The memorial is coming along but it has been postponed until sometime in January to coincide with other news worthy things that are happening. The portrait of Old Fella is on its way and will be a part of the memorial and will be on display at the Burke County Public Library. Old Fella will be in news this coming year with many events going on because of his life and what was accomplished in his name.

Sue and I look back at the past three years and see all that has happened because of one old black stray dog that stole everyone’s heart and changed a community as well as touching the heart of a Nation. This coming year will be Old Fella’s year, it’s too bad he didn’t live to see it. But for all of us who have fallen in love with him and all that he stood for will be proud of the coming year and what it will bring not only for him and his memory, but for every “Very Old Stray” that is still out there looking for a home.

This Christmas our family will be able to celebrate the joy of life and the miracle that has taken place in our hearts and in our communities and look forward to a bright future.

[dogdiva]

I dont think Sarah is going to like the cold .

[Dixie_Flyer]

Hoops wrote:
Is Suzie willing Sarah to go for the ball so she can grab it first???

That's her game! Suzie is a big tease.

[Hoops]

Is Suzie willing Sarah to go for the ball so she can grab it first???

[Dixie_Flyer]

[Dixie_Flyer]

[Dixie_Flyer]

Isn't that the face of an angel?

[Dixie_Flyer]

I'm so happy!!

[Dixie_Flyer]

Sarah is so easy going and so eager to please. She and Izzie are pals.

[Dixie_Flyer]

I like that a lot. If I didn't have dogs my house wouldn't smell like a vet's office and I would have room on the couch to sit. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

[fulltimegrams22]

I received this in an email, I changed just a couple of words because I cannot post the photos that came with it. This is the essence of what I got and I couldn't pass up posting it here. If you want the whole email then P.M. me. The photos are quite neat.


This is for Bart and all the other Barts in the world who are friends of Old Fella now and in the future.


If I Didn't Have a Dog...or Cat......

I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety.


My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated.


All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be
Free of hair.


When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like a kennel.


When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without
Wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there.


I could sit on the couch and my bed the way I wanted,
Without taking into consideration how much space
Several fur bodies would need to get comfortable.


I would have money and no guilt to go on a real vacation.


I would not be on a first-name basis with 6 veterinarians,
As I put their yet unborn grand kids through college.


The most used words in my vocabulary would not be:
"out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE".


My house would not be cordoned off into zones with
Baby gates or barriers. I would not talk baby talk like, "Eat your din din" or "Yummy yummy for the tummy"..


My house would not look like a day care center, toys
Everywhere.


My pockets would not contain things like poop bags,
Treats and an extra leash.


I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L,,
F-R-I-S-B-E- E, W-A-L-K,, T-R-E-A-T,, B-I-K-E,, G-O,,
R-I-D-E?


I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside.


I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE
Dog/cat ties them down too much.


I'd look forward to spring and the rainy season instead
Of dreading 'mud' season.


I would not have to answer the question 'Why do you have
So many animals?' from people who will never have the joy
in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by
Someone as close to an angel as they will ever get.


How EMPTY my life would be without all my angels!!!?


Angels can smell a good human from a mile away!!!!!!!!!!!!


Fulltimegrams22

[Dixie_Flyer]

Boy I don't know about Sarah and the cold country. She didn't want to go outside this morning in the cold. Now by Dixie standards it was cold at 32*, but that is a heat wave in Ohio. Sue was letting her out this morning and I had to come help as she was not going without me.

Peaches has become so sly lately. She is picking out her medications that I mix with her food and I find then on the floor each morning in a neat pile.

I don't know what Suzie did while she was at the vet's over Thanksgiving but she slept hard most of the day yesterday and last night she never moved from the spot she first lay in on the bed. Poor girl must have not slept at all while we were away.

The Old Fella Memorial is coming along and should be in place soon. I am excited to see it completed and standing in the new park. Sue has been busy lately with her work and everything else she does, I don't know how she finds the energy to do it all.

There was snow in Dixie last night in the North Georgia Mountains, kind of early for this so we may be getting a cold winter this year. Dan I am excited about Sarah coming to live with you, Lori and Anna and look forward to getting updates and pictures on her progress in getting use to the snow and cold. You may have to buy her some booties to keep her feet warm. All of her wounds have healed from the accident and the only thing going on with her now is the stitches from her being spayed will have to come out December 19th. Right now she is in her favorite spot, lying on her bed in front of the couch. You will have to get her one of those foam rubber beds to sleep on as she loves this one. It belonged to Fella and then Charlie, they both loved it also. I will be saving it for the next rescue that comes our way when the time comes.

This Christmas will be different without Fella as last Christmas was without Levi. They both will be missed greatly as I hang their collars on the tree. This year I have decided to hang pictures of all the rescues on the tree that have come through our home remembering them during this special time of year and hoping all of them are doing well. Okay I have to go for now, so I will close and talk with you later.

[dogdiva]

Carole
Baxter is at the Rainbow Bridge and you will surely miss him, my heart goes out to you

[Hoops]

Carole, sorry to hear about Baxter, but he knew he was loved, and knowing that is so very special to a human and animal.

[Scottiemom]

Carole, I am so sorry about Baxter. He was so loved and I am sure he felt your love around him. I hope that Wolfie understands his role now and you will be able to find a solution to his problems. I am praying for you, Baxter and Wolfie.

Dale