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]

sue.t wrote:
Richard ... our Elkhound also learned that she got cookies as reward and one of the rewards was for her bedtime pee. And she frequently got cookies anytime she came in. Soon, she was asking to go out ... she'd go down the stairs and promptly turn around and come back up and ask to come in. Then she'd run to the cookie jar! Sounds like she and Fella would have made a good pair! Too smart, those canines!

I also taught her to sing for a treat. She learned to let out a soulful howl that was just too funny. And for reward, she'd get a cookie. Well, soon she was singing day and night! Nothing like being woken up in the middle of the night by a singing Elkhound!

That is so funny! Sounds as if you and I could share a little training information of what not to do.

[sue_t]

Richard ... our Elkhound also learned that she got cookies as reward and one of the rewards was for her bedtime pee. And she frequently got cookies anytime she came in. Soon, she was asking to go out ... she'd go down the stairs and promptly turn around and come back up and ask to come in. Then she'd run to the cookie jar! Sounds like she and Fella would have made a good pair! Too smart, those canines!

I also taught her to sing for a treat. She learned to let out a soulful howl that was just too funny. And for reward, she'd get a cookie. Well, soon she was singing day and night! Nothing like being woken up in the middle of the night by a singing Elkhound!

[Dixie_Flyer]

Highway Magazine's May issue may be delivered to some subscribers as early as next week April 17-21. So look in your mail box and let us know when you get yours!

[Dixie_Flyer]

BCSnob wrote:
Try adding green beans to help fill him up.

http://www.completepetmart.com/articles/Lose%20weight.pdf

Mark

Okay, that looks promising.

[BCSnob]

Try adding green beans to help fill him up.

http://www.completepetmart.com/articles/Lose%20weight.pdf

Mark

[Dixie_Flyer]

Well Old Fella had me up most of the night complaining about his empty stomach. He doesn't like the diet. Woof, woof, woof. So I thought he wanted to go outside to take care of business. But I didn't realize what he was up to until it was too late. Changing diets sometimes changes bowel habits so I figure he has to go. Finally at 4:30 in the morning after letting him outside twice to do business and listening to him grunting and whining in his bed I finally figured it out. You see Fella knows after he goes outside in the mornings he gets fed. By the time I realized I had been had it was almost time to get up. So to get some sleep I gave him his breakfast. He went back to bed happy and I went back to bed wiser but sleepless. I guess I will have to admit to all of you that dog is smarter than I am.

[Dixie_Flyer]

gemini1968 wrote:
I just read this thread for the first time and it has made my day!! I wish there were more people like you in this world. What a beautiful fella he is!

Can you come to the Rally in Branson, Missouri??

Old Fella Rally

[gemini1968]

I just read this thread for the first time and it has made my day!! I wish there were more people like you in this world. What a beautiful fella he is!

[Code2High]

You might cast around and see if there are any chiropractors or acupuncturists in the area who treat dogs. Sometimes you'd be surprised at who's in the area. The laws are really annoying in CA but possibly not where you are and you might find a sympathetic chiro or acu nearby.

Probably the hip problem is a result of the compensation for the foot problem. This happens a lot, an injury in one area manifests as a problem in another. Swimming is probably a really good exercise for him as it will allow all his limbs to function as they should, even with the foot injury, and help to bring him back into balance a little. So if you have a body of water available to him, that's something to use as often as is practical for you. Its something they do in physical therapy for dogs as well as injured people.

Each ounce he loses will help, too.

There are some tapes (vhs) I believe about doggy massage, and that might help also.

[Dixie_Flyer]

TazFord wrote:
Hello Dixie Flyer, This is my first to read your wonderful story. Definitely a Disney story. Being that there are 216 pages, the last I read O.F. was having trouble climbing a ramp into the camper. Have you looked into a Physical Therapist that specializes in prosthetics for our four-legged friends. Surely something can be designed to increase O.F.'s mobility without leading to back or other joint problems.

We have devised a way for Fella to get into the camper with his cooperation. The ramp is placed on the steps, he then steps up on the ramp and waits for me to lift the back end of it to make it level. Then Fella walks into the camper without any problem.

Old Fella also has a hip problem as well as a foot and leg problem. For whatever reason his hip on the side of the injured leg is weaker and smaller than the other hip. Daily walking seems to help to a point but when he gets tired he gives into the hip easily which makes it hard for him to climb steps or a steep grade. The extra weight has not helped the situation either.

Living in a small rual area we have limited resources as far as animal health care is concerned. I will have to check into a Physical Therapist for aimals, but I doubt that there will be any in our area.

Maybe someone who has medical experience in this area of Pet Health can offer some suggestions as to what could be done if anything at all. Thanks for the concern and advise.

[TazFord]

Hello Dixie Flyer, This is my first to read your wonderful story. Definitely a Disney story. Being that there are 216 pages, the last I read O.F. was having trouble climbing a ramp into the camper. Have you looked into a Physical Therapist that specializes in prosthetics for our four-legged friends. Surely something can be designed to increase O.F.'s mobility without leading to back or other joint problems.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Before Sue, Levi, Izzie, Old Fella and myself go to bed tonight I want to pause and say thanks for all the blessing we have received from the folks of this forum.

Tonight as we rest we can be thankful that our lives have been changed for the better. Because of you and and your generosity we have experienced a most wonderful seven months anyone could ever hope for. My life has been touched by people I have never met except through this forum. Some of you I hope to see in Branson, Missouri, but most I will never have the opportunity to personally say thank you for what you have done. So tonight let me say thank you for showing what a great caring nation we are. If anywhere there has been an outpouring of love and charity it has been here. Everytime I look at Old Fella I am reminded of your kindness.

Fella has a new life and he has found his soul mate to finish his journey here in this life with. He is so gentle and loving that I know beyond the shadow of a doubt that it was meant for Sue and I to find him and make him a part of our lives. It was your encourgement that inspired this beautiful story. Old Fella thanks you, Sue and I thank you and may this story continue to give hope to others.

[LeroyR]

Growlin' Hair Formula?

[Dixie_Flyer]

sue.t wrote:
Oh, yeah. Life is tough! Is it just my imagination, or has some of the grey left OF's face? I see some grey still, but no where near as much as before?

It does seem as if he has gotten less grey than he had before.

[sue_t]

Oh, yeah. Life is tough! Is it just my imagination, or has some of the grey left OF's face? I see some grey still, but no where near as much as before?