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]

It is just amazing how Charlie has fit in with his new family. He is so loving and gentle. You should see him with the puppy, it's like he's the daddy taking care of his little girl. He let's her crawl all over him and never complains, even Suzie is coming around.

We will leave this afternoon for a South Carolina camping trip to a lake that borders with North Carolina. We have never been there before so we are looking froward to something different. Charlies seems to like the camper as he went in it yesterday with me and just looked around. We won't need the steps that we used for Fella as he is able to climb in without a problem.

We sure do miss Fella, but Charlie is making it easier to deal with the loss. I put Charlie on Rimadyl yesterday and what a difference it has made. He acts like a young dog chasing after the ball and running after Suzie. Oh yeah, they are making friends and he loves it.

I will take lots of pictures this weekend and post them when we get back. I talked with Ashley Campbell at Channel 26 news about the video and she said they will fix it and also correct the typing error. Okay everyone have a great weekend and I will talk with you later.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dashonthedash wrote:
"Overgrown brush piles are now clear and there’s fresh pain inside and outside. "

Not a pretty picture... :O:O:B

That should read "fresh paint inside and out" not "pain"

There is something wrong with the video and I hope they fix it so you can see the whole interview.

[woodstick]

Richard, so very happy to hear that all is going so well! Continued prayers from Canada.

[Dashonthedash]

"Overgrown brush piles are now clear and there’s fresh pain inside and outside. "

Not a pretty picture... :O:O:B

[Hoops]

Thanks for the link, very cool.

[Dixie_Flyer]

WAGT CHANNEL 26 NBC AUGUSTA


The inmates working at the shelter made the news tonight.

[campingshadow]

Boy...if I had to be an old dog that had been turned into a shelter (for whatever reason)....I sure would want to end up in the Daniel's home. Charlie is a lucky pooch. I am so happy he found a home with you and obviously so is he.

Makes sense he fell in love with you (we all have). You rescued him from hell and brought him straight to heaven on earth. I think it is so great he will have a loving home where he can live out his days.

[Dixie_Flyer]

GizmosMom wrote:
Both Gizmo and Smudge had a cat box craving. I thought of that when I read that fur was in his stool. Any chance he is getting at Izzie's box?

Just a thought....

No he hasn't been up stairs. We put all of Izzie's food and cat box upstairs away from Suzie. Dogs aren't allow up stairs. Today he has fallen in love and he has been my shadow. He has stuck to me tighter than Levi ever thought about. He has so many traits like Fella and Levi that he reminds me of them. Right now he is asleep at my feet as I type this post. For the first time he followed me into the bathroom today.

I am really looking forward to this camping trip as I believe we will have a lot of fun together. Suzie is warming up to him a little more, tomorrow the ride in the truck for three hours will tell a lot about how they will get along in tight quarters.

I am so glad we were able to take him in, he deserves a nice home with some TLC.

[GizmosMom]

Both Gizmo and Smudge had a cat box craving. I thought of that when I read that fur was in his stool. Any chance he is getting at Izzie's box?

Just a thought....

[Dixie_Flyer]

mrskti wrote:
You have a Charlie, maybe Lucy would be a good name for the little one....She's very cute.

That's a thought.

[mrskti]

You have a Charlie, maybe Lucy would be a good name for the little one....She's very cute.

[Dixie_Flyer]

newk wrote:

Dixie Flyer wrote:

I don't know what he had eaten but big clobs of fur were coming out with the stool. Today it looks a lot better.

Uh-oh. Have you seen Izzie lately? :E

Let me go check her kennel crate!

[newk]

Dixie Flyer wrote:

I don't know what he had eaten but big clobs of fur were coming out with the stool. Today it looks a lot better.

Uh-oh. Have you seen Izzie lately? :E

[maltese-lover2]

So happy for you and Sue with your new permanent addition of Charlie. He is a beauty. Little Blackie is a cutie and am sure you won't have a problem finding a permanent home for her/him (?). I'm sure Fella is smiling down on you and don't worry---he'll help you through any problems or concerns you might have with Charlie (however it doesn't sound like he is going to be a problem at all). Charlie is one lucky dog.

[Dixie_Flyer]

This morning I carried Charlie with me when I went to City shelter and the inmates couldn't believe the change in just two days. I had Charlie sitting while I threw a stick and made him hold until I gave the command to fetch. He would then run get it and bring it back. I didn't tell them he already knew how to do that.