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]

And a Merry Christmas from the old man himself.

[Dixie_Flyer]

From Rainbow Bridge Levi wishes everyone a Merry Christmas

[Dixie_Flyer]

Merry Christmas from the Daniels family

[Dixie_Flyer]

Sue's brother John and his wife Sandra as they visited last weekend.

[Dixie_Flyer]

No antics to report this morning, Suzie is on her best behavior. She heard Santa Claus is coming soon so she wants to make sure she gets her Christmas wish.

It rained most of the night and there is still a light mist outside right now, what a blessing! Sue is geting ready to face the day while I am looking at the forum. She will be down soon and give me the evil eye that says, "Why aren't you dressed?" So I had better go for now and talk with you later.

[chemisd]

The boys and I came home yesterday to find one strand of lights off the tree. My quick intake of breath caused Allie to squat and pee. (Sammi was in her kennel) It is so funny to see a huge german shepherd that most people are scared of doing the squat like that. She knew she wasn't supposed to mess with the tree. I really think it was an accident. We have only lost the one ornament so far this year. The funny thing is it is the same type that they kept chewing last year too. The wooden kind where you pull the string and it makes the arms and legs move. Only five more days to keep the tree looking nice.....

[Dixie_Flyer]

I found the string of lights that was broken. I wonder now if Izzie didn't get shocked last night when the light socket broke on one of the lights. Izzie made it all the way to the top of the tree with Suzie standing on the floor acting like she has just treed a squirrel or a racoon. She was barking and carrying on as Izzie was clinging to the angel at the top of the tree. Maybe Izzie thought that lighted angel could somehow help?

Getting Izzie down was a project in its self. But with a lot of help and some talking Izzie finally let go of the angel and I was able to get him down. I then put Suzie in time out for a while in her kennel cage.

Suzie has brought a lot of life to the house, it hasn't been the same since she has been here. She is a lot of fun..

[Ron___Shirley]

You need to tell Suzie that "Santa Claus is watching her". That should do it. :B

Shirley

[TomW2]

Richard,

You need to tell Suzie to tone it down for a while. I've got some type of cold that includes some coughing so that laughing at her antics makes my side hurt.

Merry Christmas, everyone.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone.

Suzie, Old Fella and Izzie are up to their old tricks. Suzie is pestering Old Fella and Izzie trying to get them to play with her. Old Fella just lays there and takes the antics and playfulness while Izzie raises a paw trying to swipe Suzie across the snout. Then Suzie will take off running with Izzie in hot pursuit. Suzie chased Izzie up the Christmas tree last night and as a result the Christmas tree lights are not working. Its never a dull moment around here.

Hope everyone has a blessed day.

[ElBigDodgeO]

I camped at Hunting Island years ago when the Hale-Bopp comet was in the sky. Anyone remember that? It's been a while. Back then it was just me, my young dog Copper (now 12 years old), and a tent. It was magical to walk on the beach at night and look up toward land, and there was that huge light in the sky, with its ragged tail, and it looked absolutely still.

The sense of awe that I felt kind of made me understand how certain shepherds felt so long ago to see a Star of Wonder, know what I mean?

Let's keep that awe and joy in our hearts as we gather with family and friends in the next week. Best wishes, everyone!

Sandi

[dogdiva]

I hope Fellas hips are doing better. Are you going to see Dr Jim before you leave? Take Fellas meds with you. Have a blessed trip and Christmas with your loved ones

[sisodals]

The true definition of unconditional Love.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Uppercrust wrote:
Those pictures look like they need to be framed & hung somewhere proudly.

These pictures are so precious to me as they remind me of happy days with the family. Levi is hung on the wall of my heart for as long as I live. These pictures will always be a part of our lives and memories that God has blessed us with. When ever I think of any living creature that has demonstrated to me a love that is pure and unstained Levi comes to my mind. What a perfect example of what love should be. I thank him for the beautiful memories he has left us with.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning Sandi and Matt. It sure was hot at Four Paws in August. 105* is hard on everybody and everything. Coats and sweaters look good now however with winter settling in.

We have friends at Hunting Island this week and they report the place is about empty, unusual for that place. We wish you could come join us for the week after Christmas, it would be nice to have friends from the forum to come and visit. It is always a nice time of year for camping there in December. It has been cold there some years, but for the most part it has been very warm and comfortable during the day with a cooling down at night just enough to make the campfire cozy.

The December of 1999 it was so cold the water froze in the hose and did not thaw out until I brought the hose inside the camper. Then I had to take a hair blow dyer to thaw out the hydrant. Then on New Year's day it started snowing so we headed home driving in the snow. By the time it was over we had about two inches on the ground.

But for the most part we have had wonderful camping weather there in December. If any of you want to come join us maybe it's not too late to get a campsite.