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

[Dernhelm]

Heading tomorrow out on a 3 week round trip to pick up the new puppy. Can't wait to meet him in person! Hope you're all doing well. Looks like a lot of RVs are hitting the road this week. Be safe out there.

[2_many_2]

MetalGator wrote:
Dr Doug

I know this is off topic and I can send you a PM if necessary but my little Chihuahua is having anal gland issues again. He had a ruptured anal gland 6-8 weeks ago and my vet put him under so he could clean his glands. He was doing much better and now he is back to licking his rear and he doesn't want to poop anymore unless I walk him outside on a lease for a long time. The last time this happened he turned very "needy" and had to be by your side at all times and he is doing it again now. Is there anything I can do to prevent his glands from getting impacted? He has never had issues with this until recently.

Burch

I see Dr. Doug has reached out to you already. I just wanted to share my experience. We had a Chihuahua Dachshund mix (Cheweenie) 16 pounds, at about nine years old he started having anal gland issues.

It started with monthly expressions at the Vets office. Eventually progressed to impacted glands that had to be cleaned with surgery under anesthesia (twice), after that he had an anal prolapse $$$$.

In desperation we tried all kinds of supplements for the diet and a very special and expensive hand made food recommended by the Vet. Nothing we tried made any improvement, after much research we found a new food to try. HERE

We chose this variety HERE This dehydrated variety is great for RV travel.

The transformation was immediate, his stools became completely normal and good sized, he no longer needed any anal expressions. He lived for another five years to the age of 16 and had no more anal problems for the rest of his life.

We started our Beagle on this food at the same time, she was about two years old then and started to need anal expressions also. She is now ten years old and has never had any anal issues since on this food.

So for us, the food was the seemingly magic solution, we got lucky. Hope you find a solution for your little guy soon.

[dturm]

Sent PM

BTW, I'm happy to provide any of you with information based on my experiences, so don't be shy about PMing me.

[MetalGator]

Dr Doug

I know this is off topic and I can send you a PM if necessary but my little Chihuahua is having anal gland issues again. He had a ruptured anal gland 6-8 weeks ago and my vet put him under so he could clean his glands. He was doing much better and now he is back to licking his rear and he doesn't want to poop anymore unless I walk him outside on a lease for a long time. The last time this happened he turned very "needy" and had to be by your side at all times and he is doing it again now. Is there anything I can do to prevent his glands from getting impacted? He has never had issues with this until recently.

Burch

[dturm]

Good luck to Dan and Patty. Looks like Ohio residents who have been vaccinated are entered in a 1 Million dollar lottery. Nice inducement to get vaccinated!!!

[MetalGator]

Richard, thanks for checking in. Hopefully your Dr can figure out what is going on.

Burch

[Dixie_Flyer]

Hi folks I don't seem to be doing that well. I went to therapy today and it was a flop. I go tomorrow for a brain scan to see how much damage has been done by the stroke and Parkinson. My therapist said today it looks as I amgoing backwards instead of forward. I needed to go see my doctor right away for an evaluation. Maybe tomorrow WE will get the answers we are looking for when I have thebrain scan. This is not what I had planned for my golden years. I had hopes of camping and traveling until the final breath was taken. Now I am bound at home with my driving repledges taken away. No camper no truck broke with the coctors and hospitals getting all of our money. Oh well it is what it is, Mat God bless you and may you have great camping trips. Be sure to give the fur babies a hug for me and be sure to tell someone you love them. When you top the next hill in the road look for Sue and I along with Suzie and Dixie, we might be just beyond the next hill from you, you never know what the future will hold.

[MetalGator]

Wanderlost wrote:
He posted a few hours ago on Facebook. Saw a weasel in his yard last night.

Thank you for the update. I tried to find Richard on Facebook after the last rally but didn't know what his Facebook name was.

Glad to know he is doing OK.

Burch

[Wanderlost]

He posted a few hours ago on Facebook. Saw a weasel in his yard last night.

[MetalGator]

Has anyone heard from Richard? He hasn't posted in some time.

Burch

[riah]

Happy belated birthday Richard! Hope you had a great birthday!

[Toolguy5]

Happy belated birthday Richard.

[Martyn]

Happy Birthday, Richard!

[2_many_2]

Scottiemom wrote:
Happy Birthday, Richard!

X2

[Scottiemom]

Happy Birthday, Richard!

Dale