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

[Dashonthedash]

Izzie is apparently sending a message to Peaches, either for some perceived or prospective affront to his absolute power over the household.

Dash was much better last night, both in comfort and bowel control. It may have nothing to do with it, but I added a highly concentrated MSM supplement to his diet a couple of weeks ago, just before the accidents started. I have since read that, in concentrated doses, MSM can have a laxative effect which, combined with his already DM-weakened anal muscles, could explain the control issues. As a precaution, I have stopped all the supplements, other than his prescribed medications, until I can further gauge their effects.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning. It is cloudy and 51* here in Carolina. The high today is supposed to be 54* with rain. The low tonight will be 44* with rain. Mama is having a hard time of it this morning. She just wants to rest after eating her breakfast and being outside. I think that is a good thing for her.

Izzie is mad at Peaches for some reason and is chasing her slapping at her rear. Peaches is trying to stay out of the way of the swinging claw-paws and is keeping a low profile fo now. Suzie and Hobo are watching all of the goings on with the attitude. "I don't care which way the water flows as long as it doesn't flow over me."

It is getting very dark outside right now as if the heavy rain is moving in. Oh well I guess it will be a good day to stay inside and take a few naps.:Z

[Dixie_Flyer]

dturm wrote:

Dashonthedash wrote:

Dixie Flyer wrote:
The Braves lost in their play off game to the Cardinals.

Perhaps this is a silly question to ask an old Georgia boy, but what did you think of The Call?

I thought it was GREAT :B. No really, blown call, but it would have left bases loaded with one out. Not a guaranteed score.

Not much different that the home plate ump giving (incorrectly) time to the batter while Lohse was delivering the third strike. Next pitch was a home run.

The reason the Braves lost was THREE errors.

Go CARDS

I didn't watch the game. But what I saw on replay and heard on ESPN Sports Center the Umpire blew the call. Too bad, but with people involved in anything errors will happen.

[Code2High]

Dashonthedash wrote:
Thanks for the suggestions, guys, but there are more important issues to consider. Dash is still having difficulties with bowel control, and there was quite a mess to clean up in the middle of the night.

Zig was having a little issue for a couple of nights. Took two late-night clean-up sessions before I got smart and put down a layer of newspaper on my bedroom floor. Newspaper makes cleaning up a mess a LOT easier, I must say. I highly recommend this approach to anyone with a dog that is having that type of issue.

Interestingly enough, I am also at this moment teaching my dogs to use a splash pool full of straw (which they love to pee on) as a litter box. It's going well, but I don't think it would provide an instant solution for you and Dash.... it's taken me days of catching them when they can't hold it any more and getting them in there to get them to go.

Then again, I haven't got any GSDs.... you might just need to tell him what you want in German and he'd do it. GSDs are quite a different animal from chihuahuas and toodles and ratties.

[dturm]

Dashonthedash wrote:

Dixie Flyer wrote:
The Braves lost in their play off game to the Cardinals.

Perhaps this is a silly question to ask an old Georgia boy, but what did you think of The Call?

I thought it was GREAT :B. No really, blown call, but it would have left bases loaded with one out. Not a guaranteed score.

Not much different that the home plate ump giving (incorrectly) time to the batter while Lohse was delivering the third strike. Next pitch was a home run.

The reason the Braves lost was THREE errors.

Go CARDS

[Dashonthedash]

Thanks for the suggestions, guys, but there are more important issues to consider. Dash is still having difficulties with bowel control, and there was quite a mess to clean up in the middle of the night.

[SGTJOE]

Gary, just a thought. When I was in Dover, DE living in an apartment I bought one of those plastic kids pool at Walmart and a huge bag of kitty litter. Put it on the outside balcony and my dogs took to it right away. Now I don't know if it would work for your big guys, but my Chihuahua and poodle liked it.

Some old army blankets layed over the ice might work or even an old mattress.

[Dashonthedash]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
The Braves lost in their play off game to the Cardinals.

Perhaps this is a silly question to ask an old Georgia boy, but what did you think of The Call?

[Dandy_Dan]

Gary, We have been to Camp Dixie when it was in Georgia and also in the new Camp Dixie in S. Carolina. Camp hosts are fabulous, good hookups and the in-camp restaurant is wonderful :B:B It was nice to have playmates for Anna and Sarah. All in all I have to say this has been the best campground experience we have ever had. We hope to visit there again.

We have not had the white stuff that Colorado has had but it was about 38 this morning and we have had a couple of days that were frosty on the ground. Tonight is a "Freeze Warning" until 9 tomorrow morning.

Anna and Sarah are looking forward to going camping again for a long weekend this week. We are leaving on Thursday morning and coming back on Sunday. Will be nice as the campgrounds is only about 60 miles away and is having their Halloween weekend this weekend. The indoor pool should be nice also. Our darling daughter is going to take care of the house cats and our horses.

Hope all are having a good start ot fall. Hope to see a lot of you in June in Branson and possible some earlier than that.

[Dixie_Flyer]

This morning we had a thunderstorm with pouring rain. Maybe that will soak in the ant stuff I put out. The girls are doing well this morning with Mama a little more mobile. She doesn't seem to be in as much pain and she ate all of her food. Hobo of course was waiting on the sidelines to clean up all the bowls. The Braves lost in their play off game to the Cardinals. The Georgia Bull Dogs lost big to South Carolina. Florida State lost to NC State, Florida finally out lasted LSU and won that game and Clemson won their game against Georgia Tech. All in all it was an interesting day Saturday watching the football games.

Gary I have figured out you need to move to Florida and on the way stop by Camp Dixie in South Carolina and spend a few weeks. We have a great campsite with full hookups and we don't have as much snow and cold weather as you do. Besides that you will have wonderful neighbors that have four fur babies that can keep you busy.

[dogdiva]

Gary is there another door to the outside where there are no steps that freeze? Could you put something like sand or cat litter on the steps??? If you ut a blanket or rug on the steps you would have to take it up each nite so it wouldnt freeze......OR move to Texas NO ice or snow here

[Code2High]

Well.... it was a long shot. That ice/snow/stairs combo can be very unfun and with a big dog that much harder.

Need indoor plumbing for dogs!

[Dashonthedash]

Thanks for the suggestion, Susan, but my problem is not with frozen pipes, and cable heating is just not a good idea (read: fire hazard) with wood.

[Code2High]

Dashonthedash wrote:

Code2High wrote:
Is his digestion stabilized?

He has been fine. I am worried about the ice that built up around the steps that lead from the deck down to the yard. I am going to have to go out with him to make sure he doesn't fall. Using ice melt or chopping the ice will damage the wood. I can't use hot water because it is too cold and it will just freeze, making it much worse.

http://www.heatline.com

[Dixie_Flyer]

Hoops wrote:
Richard, I wonder if the cool or cold weather effects her more, so maybe on those days she just can't seem to make it the wagon might help. It does effect Missy in her joints, I start my chemo soon and I have heard cold will effect me more then too. So we are heading to TX soon. Making it better for me and Missy. Ha

I wish you well in the days ahead and hope all comes out as you desire.