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

[Toolguy5]

dturm wrote:
Dale, sounds like a perfect match!!

We agree sounds like a great choice.


Our first Pomaranian was an older dog. I believe she was around 8 or 9 when we adopted her. She was rescued from a woman that had over 50 dogs. The poor girl only had 1 eye and a broken rear leg that was never set and healed the wrong way. She took to my wife immediately. She was so loving.

[Toolguy5]

dturm wrote:
We beat you by a couple of weeks, we had our first on Oct 18. But, it was less than yours, just enough to put a slick cover on leaves. Enough that I ended up on my rear 🙂 I've forgotten how to walk on snow.

I'm not looking forward to being in this stuff all winter. Hope you get the warmer weather we're supposed to have the rest of the week (up to 70 for a high by Sat).

We did get the warmer weather. Yesterday was the 4th day in a row we hit 70. It looks like we will have highs in the 70's through Tuesday.

[dturm]

Dale, sounds like a perfect match!!

[Scottiemom]

I have so enjoyed this thread, Richard, and what you have done for animals. I am looking to adopt a dog and really wanted a Scottie, which is what Terry wanted. But yesterday I saw a flyer at our park for a long haired dachshund whose elderly owner had died. She's in foster care but can't stay there. She is 13 but has no health issues at the present. I know that makes her an old dog, but she needs a home. And our standard Doxie we had at home lived to be 18! So I have decided to call about her.

God bless you Richard for all you have done for dogs.

Dale

[SGTJOE]

I really wish I had met you in person. Your posts over these many years have not only encouraged me to be more attentive to stray pets it has also done the same for many more. Sending prayers and best wishes for feeling better. God Bless you Richard

[Dixie_Flyer]

this is going to be my last post for a while. IT's getting hard for me to see and type. I get confused easily and it becomes frustrating trying to make senses of everything going on. SO keep the Old Fella thread going as long as you can, This keeps Fella's spirit alive. IT's been a long run and a very good one. Walter you and Garland take care and thanks for your support through the years. Dr. Doug thanks for always being there when we needed your help and advice. Thank you Sandy for all that you have contributed to the Old Fella cause. Thank you Dan and Lori for giving your heart and home to one of the rescues . Anna was my favorite. Thank you for attending the Old Fella rallies and supporting the cause by traveling across these United States with us for all the rallies in the far out of the way places. And to Charles and Charlotte for all of you support. So many people have made this such an enjoyable adventure. Thanks for all that everyone has done. Here is wishing you a blessed day. Be ure to give the fur babies a hug for me and be sure to tell someone you love them. SO long for a while: Dixie Flyer

[Dixie_Flyer]

no snow and no cold weather either. it's still warm like spring weather here. NO frost, the leaves are not turning color. Saving on fire wood haven't needed a fire in the fireplace far. Today has not been a good day. I haven't felt good this whole day. I had 397 emails in my junk. I didn't look at them all to see what was what and deleted all of them at one time. There was an important email from Walmart pharmacy that I should have looked at, but didn't get so much junk mail. OH well I need o get moving so I will close for now wishing everyone a blessed day. BE sure to give the fur babies a hug for me and be sure to tell someone you love them.

[dturm]

We beat you by a couple of weeks, we had our first on Oct 18. But, it was less than yours, just enough to put a slick cover on leaves. Enough that I ended up on my rear 🙂 I've forgotten how to walk on snow.

I'm not looking forward to being in this stuff all winter. Hope you get the warmer weather we're supposed to have the rest of the week (up to 70 for a high by Sat).

[Toolguy5]

We had a first snow of the season yesterday. Not much but it was coming down. All the roof tops where snow covered this morning.

[Dixie_Flyer]

mY thinking is becoming erratic. I think I can do things that a much younger man might think of doing. Sue says she is becoming afraid of what I might do next Especially when she is not home to reign me in. OH well God is my co pilot where ever I go. I will just trust He will take care of me.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. I can't seem to operate the computer anymore. I have a hard time typing as I can't see that well. THe Parkinson is taking it's toll. I am not able to get up in the mornings. I am forgetful and get confused easily. I am still driving, but maybe not for long. I did manage to take a few turns on the Greenville Pickens Speed way the other day. didn't do too bad. it's a half mile track I turned five laps at 66.8 mph. The track record was set by David Pearson back in 1972 at 72,mph. So I didn't do that bad. I was driving a modified chevy with a 350 engine. Won't do that any more. Been told by my doctor I had a death wish. and if I continued with this wild behavior I could find another doctor to pick up the pieces. Oh well I just want to enjoy life as much as I can while I am still abe to do some things. I am going to close now wishing everyone blessed day. Be sure to give the fur babies a hug for me andbe sure to tell someone you love them. good bye for now, talk with your again soon, Dixie FLyer.

[Scottiemom]

That's pretty cool, Burch. Your dogs are stars!

I'm doing okay. Trying to get the big motorhome emptied so I can put it up for sale. Everyone sales coach, especially older ones in good shape, are hot items right now. Sure hope so. Contemplating selling the toad as well.

Dale

[MetalGator]

I just went through the calendar again and saw where Lola made it in the December page. Can't believe I missed it the first time through. Then, I flipped the calendar over and saw more pictures on the back. Monty has his picture there! The only dog that didn't make the calendar was Pinto.

[MetalGator]

Not much posting here lately. I hope everyone is doing OK.

Our exterminator service made some calendars and the profits go to the local animal shelter. The calendars are full of pet pictures. They asked us to send in some pictures of our dogs. My two Jack Russells (both now at the rainbow bridge) are in the calendar! We sent pictures of all our dogs but the Jacks won out. Donna bought $100 worth of calendars (10 of them) and will be giving them out to family and friends.

Burch

[Scottiemom]

Thank you Richard. Terry told the nurse hours before his death that he had fought the good fight. He told me he just couldn't go on like this anymore. He was tired and wanted to sleep.

He had developed peritonitis and then went into septic shock. There was no coming back.

I hope the medicines they are giving you will help with your Parkinson's. There are still fun things you and Sue can do that don't involve an RV. God bless you and take care of yourself.

Dale