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

[SGTJOE]

Cooked or raw??

[Code2High]

Green beans will bulk things up slightly (proportional to the amount you give) but nothing runny should result.

I give Tinker half green beans and half canned dog food (EVO 95% meat) with her morning meal, and in the evening just some green beans when the puppy gets her dinner. Hally gets the evening green beans, but not the morning. Puppy gets more food proportionally, so she doesn't get the green beans. I didn't put Tink on them to get weight off, rather to keep her trim without her being so miserable. She's got the luxating patella issue, so no extra weight can be allowed on her tiny frame. And she may look like a chi, but her stomach is clearly lab. She'd eat twice her weight every day if she could. She is MUCH more satisfied since she's getting the veggies. I so do not miss the days of her constantly haunting the kitchen, eating bits of whatever (often not food) in corners around the house, always hungry.

They'll eat most anything but spinach, (plain at least, I'm sure they'd eat that mixed with food) but green beans are the most common since brussels sprouts (everyone's favorite including mine) are expensive and sometimes not available frozen. I can't keep up with fresh stuff, I've got that to deal with for the bunnies. I get a five pound bag of frozen green beans and that lasts a week or two for the lot of them. Including the youngest cat, who gets in on the evening snack.

Other people have cut out 25 to 50% of the dog's food and replaced it with green beans for weight loss. The french cut are a good place to start as they are finer and mix in better until your dog gets to liking them.

Friend of mine has two older dogs that had gotten to be picky eaters and fat, and boy it was NOT doing them any favors. You get those old stiff joints and add a few pounds and it ain't pretty. She cut their kibble in half and replaced it with veggies (green beans or brussels sprouts) mixed with a little canned food, and the next thing she knew they were eating better, melting like butter, and looking and feeling much better. To see her oldest one romping and playing again at age thirteen has been wonderful for her. It's really worth a try.

[SGTJOE]

Code2High wrote:
Losing weight is easy for dogs! I wish I was a dog. Someone would substitute green beans for part of my meal every day and next thing you know I'd be melting away like butter....

OK, what's this about green beans? For my Cookie, not me she needs to lose a few lbs. She's 18 lbs and should be about 15 for a full size Shih Tzu. I'm currently feeding her Blue Buffalo, chicken & brown rice, no table scraps and the only treats she gets are a milk bone every other day.

We are snow birding so I walk her and Rocky with bag dispensers, would the green beans cause the stools to become runny?

[Code2High]

Losing weight is easy for dogs! I wish I was a dog. Someone would substitute green beans for part of my meal every day and next thing you know I'd be melting away like butter....

[Dixie_Flyer]

Oh my gosh, what a wonderful day so far. There is a nice fire in the fireplace, just finished lunch, stuffed pork chops, green beans, sweet potato and biscuits along with a large glass of ice tea. Mama and Sue are going at it in the background with a lot of barking and growling going on, playful of course, but Mama makes it sound as if she is going to tear into somebody. I am on the computer with the Carolina Panthers playing the Houston Texans on the televisionin the behind me. The only thing I could want today is for Minnesota to beat the Saints so the Falcons can beat them again next week so the birds can make the playoffs. Wishful thinking, yep….

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning, I hope everyone had a restful evening. It was cold here this morning at twenty-seven degrees, but the girls were eager to go out anget their business done and get back inside to eat. I had to feed Hobo outside this morning to make sure everyone got their heart worm medicine. She stands over everyone's bowl to make sure she gets to clean up after them, but sometimes she will put her nose in before they are finished so I have to watch her and make sure she doesn't get away with that.

I need to start getting ready to go to church so I will leave for now and talk with you later

[dogdiva]

Maybe Mama can loose some weight.....EASIER SAID THAN DONE, RIGHT? I know that since i have gained weight, I find it harder to get around
Elizabeth had her knee surgery on Tuesday, they put in a metal plate and screws and I got to bring her home on THurs. She seems to be doing well but cant walk with out the support of the belly band, as the other knee is really bad. She finally ate a few bites of chicken this morning and we have therapy sessions, followed by ice pack. Getting her up and down the RV steps is a challenge but we are managing ok. Dont think a ramp would work as I have to lift her...
THe last time she had anesthetic she wouldnt eat for 19 days, so every bite of food she takes I am so thankful for.....
I am so glad Santa brought me a good credit card......

[Dixie_Flyer]

I check Mama regularly to see if she has any tender spots and any swelling in the joints. Her hips are the worst area where you can feel the roughness of the joints as they move. She never cries out in pain, just slow to get up and down and takes the steps one at a time.

I guess all in all it is time that has become her worse enemy. She is happy and eats well, loves attention and stills gets excited when it is time for a walk or when she thinks she is going for a ride. She is a very sweet girl and very obedient. She just reminds me of my own mortality, I am getting old also so I can relate to her condition. Yesterday I washed the toppers of the camper. I had to get the ten foot step ladder, which weighs a ton and move it around. My shoulder gives me a fit as the pain runs down my arm when I lift something heavy or reach out and stretch my arm out straight. So to compensate I am using my left arm more something that requires some thought for me. Habits are hard to break especially after seventy years of doing things a certain way.

Suzie was so cute this morning with her attention going to the breakfast table, looking for some people food to fall from the table into her mouth. She has so much personality, just a fun girl to have around. Today is supposed to be warm again with cloudy skies, but at least it is not freezing cold like it was last year this time. We are looking forward to Christmas and continued celebrating the season with family and good health. Have a blessed weekend and don’t forget to vote for Old Fella in the Pepsi Give Away.

[Code2High]

We definitely all get our ups and downs as we get older. But when I took Hally to a chiro for the first time, she had a slipped rib. I'd noticed she'd seemed just a little less rambunctious but didn't know why. For those who've never had a slipped rib, it hurts like blazes.... particularly when you take a breath. I think it had happened some time before.

So, a lot of things can happen. It is just one thing to check out. The two older dogs get periodic visits to the chiro now, and Wuzzy Bunny had his first on Weds. That agreed with him pretty well, I think. Since we've been seeing this chiro, I've had no more "screaming Chihuahua" incidents and that's worth a lot to me and to her as well, even if she does act like she's being killed when she gets adjusted. Sigh...

[Dashonthedash]

She will have her good days and her bad days; it's normal with age. Dash doesn't get around like he used to, and he is definitely showing signs of Degenerative Myelopathy, a spinal disease similar to MS and common in Shepherds. He is now 12 1/2 and I treasure each day I have with him.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Code2High wrote:
Has Mama ever seen a chiro?

No just the regular vet. Her arthritis is under control with meds and Joint Strong. Her energy level is not up to par.

[Code2High]

Has Mama ever seen a chiro?

[Dixie_Flyer]

Merry Christmas

[Dixie_Flyer]

I am getting worried about Mama. This afternoon on our evening walk she wouldn't play with Suzie when Suzie would act as if she was chasing something in the tall grass. Usually she would join in and act as if she were tracking something also. She just sat down and watched and at times she would lie down and wait to see if I would come to her. When she would walk it was always behind us bringing up the rear.

Her last exam was good with nothing going on, maybe she was just having an off day.

[Dandy_Dan]

Merry Christmas to all our FOOF friends and to the fur friends.