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

[chemisd]

There are so many stories out there. Thanks for all who share them with us.
Hope all are having a great time this Memorial Weekend.

Cindy - how's the new coaster at Cedar Point? We are going end of June.

Richard - hugs to Old Fella, Suzie, Levi and the gang!

[DIXIESMAMA]

Thank you for taking those little guys into your home and giving them the love they deserved.

DIXIESMAMA

[dogdiva]

Thank YOu for sharing your lovely story, and thank you for being so brave and loving and caring.....

[Camper_Carl]

stfnwuf wrote:
The stories of Old Fella and Anna II have really touched me. All my pets have been rescues. It is truly rewarding. 14 years ago our first was a 9 month old beagle boy we named Dewar's. We were his 4th home. Took 5 months for him to calm down and realize he was staying. That sure was a trying time.

Talk about a touching story. Yours sure hit home. THank you for being there for a couple of old dogs that had better longer happier years because of you and your family.

Pattie

[stfnwuf]

The stories of Old Fella and Anna II have really touched me. All my pets have been rescues. It is truly rewarding. 14 years ago our first was a 9 month old beagle boy we named Dewar's. We were his 4th home. Took 5 months for him to calm down and realize he was staying. That sure was a trying time.

When Dewar's was 5 we took in a 9 year old mini-poodle named Sadie. Her nick name was Feeder-Pup and she certainly had poodle attitude. LOL She was with us for several years before passing to the Bridge.

Shortly after Sadie passed, I decided I wanted a second beagle. In searching the Northern CA Beagle Rescue site, I kept seeing a 11 year old that needed a new home. I finally talked my husband into letting me adopt her. I had called him at home from my work and asked for the contact number. He then informed me another 11 y/o female beagle was at the shelter in Berkeley and perhaps I should call about her. Next thing I know I am telling the shelter staff to hold her and I'll be right there. 🙂 I left work early, piled the kids and Dewar's in the car and headed to 40 miles to Berkeley. That is when I met Michelle. She was an owner surrender and was so hurt and sad that she would not look at anyone. That changed when we got her in the car to drive home. What a spunky dog! She and Dewar's hit it off and Michelle fell in love with my DH. Something about the brush out and shower. 😉 That dog loved her baths!

Two weeks after Michelle came into our lives, I received a call from NCBR asking me to foster a dog. It turned out the original 11 y/o I'd been watching needed to be rehomed ASAP. Once again, I hop in the car with kids in tow and drive 45 miles get this dog. The only thing is that DH was working and had no idea...until he got home. That sweet bundle of beagle was Sherlock. She was a wreck of a dog-separation anxiety and scared of everything. I knew it was best if she stayed with us. She'd have companions. Sherlock eventually became a happy, relaxed dog. She never completely got over her SA, but to see her happy and no longer scared was worth it. She and Michelle were good pals.

When Sherlock passed to the Bridge in late 2005 at age 15, Michelle greatly mourned her loss. That's when Corkie the Beagle came to live with us. A 4 year old bundle of energy. Michelle loved her and they became pals.

Michelle passed almost a year after Sherlock and we now only have two dogs. Dewar's is still with us and is 14. He is known as our "Best First Dog, Ever." Except for the habit of eating underwear, he has been an exceptional dog. He is now going senile, is deaf and barks at everything he sees or smells. But he is still the "Best First Dog, Ever." Corkie, at age 7 is still a bundle of energy and reminds me every day how lucky I have been to have had these dogs in my life.

[butterfly_girl]

here is the latest on Ally our neww liyttle rescue....

The Vet said that she is between 2-3 years of age...looks like she has been spayed..

only problem she see with her is she is very thin....need to gain a 1-- 2 pounds

we will wait a little to get her shots to put on some of the weight...she got a shot for her tape worms and has granules to put in her food for 3 days..
here is what she was living in when we caught her...

[Dandy_Dan]

May all of you who are traveling this holiday weekend do so with safety and happiness. Also, while we are giving thanks and asking for those who are overseas to be watched over, we should remember the canine forces that are used to protect us here and abroad and also remember those who have gone to the Rainbow Bridge while trying to protect our freedom. There are a lot of canine used in Law Enforcement, Drug Enforcement, and for Rescue efforts.

[DIXIESMAMA]

Wow. Amazing.

DIXIESMAMA

[campingchris]

Have a safe and RELAXING trip,(you deserve it)!!!!!

[CindyNRoger]

Safe travels all!!!!!!!! We are going to Cedar Point for the weekend. Can't wait to ride the new roller coaster!

[dogdiva]

I hope you have a great weekend and be careful with all the holiday traffic

[Dixie_Flyer]

Hi folks. Sue and I will be leaving after lunch for a weekend camping trip. It sure has been exciting here lately. Everyone have a great weekend and I will be back on Monday.

Dixie Flyer

[Uppercrust]

That is great news!! What a difference a little love can make in an old fella's life. Hard to believe that is the same dog in those pictures.

[Mickey_T]

Cool! My first brush with someone famous...and it's a dog!
😉

[Camper_Carl]

Hi All,
The meeting with Jay Leno and his staff went very well. Looks like that it will be a go more for the Anna 2 story then Old Fella but we will have Richard and some of the folk from the Anna 2 rescue to her new home. We do not have taping date as of yet, we should have something in a week or so. Jay was very taken back by the Anna 2 story. For all that helped out you may be on TV if you want. Also, the NBC Station in Seattle has 1st rights to the story so that may bring a wait time in for us in Burbank. There is a big shout out to Jay wife. She went thru a lot of the site and read a lot of the post and was really pleased with everything she saw and read.

Thanks all for your time,

Pattie