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]

Lost Dog Bed & Breakfast

[Dashonthedash]

Be careful, people may think your home is an actual B&B. :B

[Dixie_Flyer]

Wanderlost wrote:
Glad Max got back home. So when will you be putting up the Lost Dog B&B sign?

I am checking on it now. It will be a sign we can take camping as well as placing it in the yard.

[Wanderlost]

Glad Max got back home. So when will you be putting up the Lost Dog B&B sign?

[Dixie_Flyer]

His name is Max and he is now home with his family. A friend of ours recognized the dog and notified the owners. One of our daughters said we were the Lost Dog Bed and Breakfast.

[Scottiemom]

He certainly looks like he's been cared for. . . I hope you find his owner.

Dale

[Scottiemom]

Perhaps he got separated from his family and is traveling to find them. . . ?????? Doesn't really look like a dog that's been on the lam for a long time. Hope you find his owner. Beautiful dog and looks so gentle. How is it they know the right door to go to? I think that is divine intervention. I believe someone somewhere is praying that he stay safe.


Dale

[Dixie_Flyer]

Either this dog is sick or exhausted. He is still asleep. I will wake him in a little while and take him outside before we go to bed.

[Dixie_Flyer]

He is not interested in Dixie nor Suzie. All he wants to do is sleep, wonder if something is wrong. He is limping on his left front leg.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Here he is

[Dixie_Flyer]

This afternoon a very tired, wet, dirty Golden Lab showed up at our house and asked for asylum. We gladly took him in and brushed him, fed him and looked him over for any signs of indentifcation. Found nothing. Right now he is asleep and has been so for hours.

[ro_sie]

MetalGator, I loved your pics. Thanks so much for posting them. My youngest daughters whole family is on a cruise this week. My daughter, Marla, husband John, their 3 daughters and spouses and all their children. I think they departed from that same port. So, I really loved your pics! THANKS!

[MetalGator]

Scottiemom wrote:
We went there several weeks ago when we were in Florida, but they wouldn't let us in to look at the campground. That's okay, I understand. But I really appreciate your pictures because I didn't know if we could even fit in there.

Thanks, Burch!

Dale

There are several 45' motorhomes here. The sites are all different so some are small and some are large. Our motorhome is 37' and you could easily put a 45' on our site. The port owns the park and there have been rumors that they want to sell it so I am going to enjoy it while I can. It's really a jewel and I wish I didn't have to go back tomorrow. We are going to get on the gambling boat today. I don't mind it so much as I am not a gamber but at least on the boat I can enjoy the boat ride and sit outside and enjoy the nice weather. Can't do that inside a smokey casino. My wife is the gambler of the family.

Burch

[Scottiemom]

We went there several weeks ago when we were in Florida, but they wouldn't let us in to look at the campground. That's okay, I understand. But I really appreciate your pictures because I didn't know if we could even fit in there.

Thanks, Burch!

Dale

[MetalGator]

Here are a few more pictures.

This is when you walk through the east gate of the campground. Right on the beach.



When you walk out the north gate, you are on the shipping channel.



On the far side of the channel, there is a scrolling sign that tells you about launch info from the Kennedy Space site. It's only a few miles north of Jetty Park and this is probably the best place to watch a launch outside of being at Kennedy. A Falcon 9 rocket launched a few days ago.



This is the north gate going back into the campground. On the channel side, there is a large park with pavilions you can rent. This keeps non campers out of the campground.



Burch