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]

[Buz2b]

Thanks for the update on Anna Richard. It looks like she's doing well enough to get up on the couch even.....oops! Ha!

[Dixie_Flyer]

Anna the Golden is doing great. She will be spayed in two weeks from today and then in a short time will be able to travel to the state of Washington to her new home.

[kokosfriend]

Richard - you need a weather radio. Then you get to wake up more often as storms come through!! However, it is worth it to get the info. We have one at home and travel with one in the MTRHM.

I so enjoy your stories and read them everyday. Looking forward to more Old Fella stories

Barb

[Dashonthedash]

Good to hear that you and the family are safe and escaped significant damage from the storms. My thoughts are with the people and families in the area that lost loved ones or homes due to the weather.

[Dandy_Dan]

Good Morning, We had a pretty good rain come through last nigh also. We were down at the neighbors and when we came back found Beau behind the recliner hiding from the storm. By this time it had let up a bit and was just pretty nice out. We had planned to watching the shuttle launch on March 15 but due to the hail that went through this past Monday, the shuttle was damaged enough that they have to roll it back in the building for a re-ferb. Beau is laying here snoozing and thinking about the fun he will have with Anna. glad to hear tht se is doing better on the car sickness. The warm weather is actually making Beau feel better and he has a little more bounce in his step. Have a wonderful day with the kids and a safe and a happy weekend.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Old Fella was restless as he looked around the house. You could tell something was going on with him. He would look at his Dad with those worried eyes of his as if he wanted to say something. He ambled about until he settled down on the floor in front of the couch. With each move the Dad made he would look up and then get to his feet and follow him where ever he went. The girls, Anna and Suzie were out side with Levi as they were enjoying the morning sun. Finally Dad reached for his coat and with that Fella sprang to his feet with his “Let’s go” voice. Mom let the girls and Levi in from the yard and put their leashes on while Dad put Fella’s bootie on. Soon they were out the door.

Old Fella always looked forward to his early morning walk through town with his family. He is so proud of his new life and especially his brother and sisters. The young pups are about grown now and very pretty. He watches them as they strut down the sidewalks as he feels this is heaven on earth, life is as great as it gets. He watches Anna, the chosen one and knows he is in the company of a very special pup. Anna will be leaving soon for her new home in Ohio to take a very important role in the life of her new family. She also will be taking with her that Southern charm that only comes from a real Southern lady. She will spread her sunshine where ever she goes and make a lasting impression on all those whose lives she will touch.

Soon Fella’s attention is drawn toward the street where he lives and starts down the sidewalk headed for home. Suzie and Levi are looking at the squirrels but it is Suzie that wants to give chase. Soon they are all back at the house and inside where they await their turn at the water bowls. Then they lay down panting from their morning jog about town.

Mom and Dad settle down at their computers and continue their work as the gang watches with sleepy eyes and soon doze off into Never Land where the grass is always green, the flowers are always in bloom and life is as great as it ever gets.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dashonthedash wrote:
How is Anna coming along with her motion sickness problem? If nothing else works, there is now a new medication available for dogs:

Carsick drug

I will have to try some of this with Suzie.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. It was a stormy night in Georgia. I will tell you about it a little later. Old Fella, Levi and the girls are safe as well as the rest of the family but it sure got exciting around here about 1:30 in the morning.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dashonthedash wrote:
How is Anna coming along with her motion sickness problem? If nothing else works, there is now a new medication available for dogs:

Carsick drug

The last couple of trips Anna has done fine.

[Dashonthedash]

How is Anna coming along with her motion sickness problem? If nothing else works, there is now a new medication available for dogs:

Carsick drug

[Dixie_Flyer]

Today has been a busy day. I spoke this morning to a woman's business group and had a very nice lunch.

I have been letting things sink in a little at a time so as not to get carried away with all the good news from yesterday and forget we still have animals that need care and the need for resources to continue. All of this pie in the sky stuff can get you off base and forget that there is still an immediate need that is very real. If we cannot get our animals veted then we are shut down, so we must continue to think of tomorrow and the obligations we have.

It's like playing baseball and hitting a triple with no one on base. You are excited that you hit the long ball but when it is all said and done you didn't make it to home plate. So if a run doesn't score what good did it do to hit the triple? We hit a triple yesterday, but we are still stuck on third base until someone can knock us in! In the mean time we have to keep swinging the bat and hoping for the best.

Old Fella sends you his best along with Levi, Anna and Suzie.

[leftnoright]

Richard,
Congratulations! You have been thru hell & back accomplishing this with all your own health problems plus all the new 'strays' you kept placing and the financial woes. Sue has been a saint sitting along side you.
Linda

[joelbaker]

The only bosses of our cats are our rabbits!

[Dashonthedash]

joelbaker wrote:
Sharon, that is awesomely funny! However, my cats have discovered that acquiescing to our guidance yeilds unlimited food and scritches, and the have given in entirely. At least that's what they have me believing!

I remember a cartoon that had been posted by a cat owner in our office area. It showed a scene where cats were walking around on their hind legs leading humans on leashes. One cat was talking to another, and I believe the caption was, "We had them completely fooled. They never saw it coming". :B