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]

After reading about Joint Strong I just ordered some for Mama. I am looking for a miracle and I hope I have found one.

[Dandy_Dan]

Demhelm, We will be looking forward to meeting you and the gang in Albuquerque. Glad you decided to join the group. We have fun.

Richard, Thoughts are coming your way for Mama from northwestern Ohio also. Sure hope she gets to feeling better.

[Code2High]

I found a supplement with glucosamine in it among other things, that just worked like a miracle on Tig. Its called Joint Strong from Animal Naturals. (www.an-nat.com) They also make an anti-aging supplement which she's on. The JS was so good, I decided to add the other! She's so dang perky now, its like we've turned back the clock a year or two. Waaaaaayyyy better than results I'd gotten on any other formulations.

[kokosfriend]

I given glyco flex III to BenBen and have for some time. It is a combination of things. Hannah got it along with metacam when she was older. BenBen has shown no signs, so it is preventative. Give it some time to help her. Prayers for her comfort.

Barb

[Dixie_Flyer]

SGTJOE wrote:
Richard, there is an over-the-counter supplement for Arthritis (?) that is called Glu--something, perhaps someone on here knows about it. Some people we met here in Yuma said it helps their dog and also people take the stiffness and pain away. What about it Dr. Doug??

It's called Glucosamine Chondroitin and I started her on it today. Old Fella was also on it for a long time. That with the Medacam helped Fella a lot.

[SGTJOE]

Richard, there is an over-the-counter supplement for Arthritis (?) that is called Glu--something, perhaps someone on here knows about it. Some people we met here in Yuma said it helps their dog and also people take the stiffness and pain away. What about it Dr. Doug??

[W7SFO]

Richard, for the last two years of our last Golden's life, we had to place carpets on all the tile and linoleum floors in the house. Trying to stay upright was causing him severe pain.

[CindyNRoger]

Prayers incoming from Ohio for Mama. Can't wait to see you all "soon!"

[dogdiva]

Perhaps Mama is just having a bad day.....give her some time to heal and dont over do the exercise on the hips. Try gentle massage, T TOuch all over her body to stimulate circulation
Prayers are going your way from here in Texas

[kokosfriend]

OH no. I hate to hear that. I hope she gets to feeling better. Prayer from Nashville.

Barb

[Missy120]

Sounds like there may be a very hard decision to make in the future. Hopefully it doesn't come to that and Mama will start feeling better with the medication! Will keep you all in our prayers!

[Dixie_Flyer]

I just got back from the vet and Mama isn't doing so well. She is in a lot of pain with her hips and nothing seems to bring her comfort. She is sleeping right now from the medication she was given so I hope the rest will help her for now.

[Dixie_Flyer]

I am starting to worry about Mama and her hips. Last night she panicked while she was in the kitchen on the linoleum floor. She was so unstable and unsure of herself she couldn't move. Finally with a little help she made it to the family room to the carpet. Then she was afraid to go through the bathroom on the tile floor so I got a large throw rug and put it in the bathroom for her to walk on.

After a good night's rest she seems better this morning with her balance but I can tell she is in a lot of pain with her hips. This morning I am going to Dr. Ford's and get some Metacam and start her on that. It did wonders for Old Fella and kept him going for a couple of years.

Peaches is now a three legged dog as she won't put any weight on her right rear leg, so it’s time to take her to the pain management Vet in Aiken, South Carolina.

Hobo, Suzie and Izzie are all doing well with Hobo improving in her confidence every day. Right now all the animals are resting after their morning sdventures and it's time for me to get going. By the way we have picked up another one for the rally in NM. Dernhelm from Las Vegas NV has joined the growing list.

[Dixie_Flyer]

det62 wrote:
The banner looks great !!!

How did your fur-babies react when you two came back home :@

They were in the back yard when we arrived home. They began to run to the fence barking wagging their tails. I found out they had been on the loose for a while as one of them had opened the gate. One of our neighbors was kind enough to round them up and lock the gate. I was surprised that Mama and Hobo didn't hit the road.

Mama and Hobo have been very close today as if they are afraid we are going to leave them again. Mama is such a sweet old girl as she reminds me a lot of Fella with her easy going style. What a blessing she is.

[Dernhelm]

I've been offline for awhile, enjoying getting caught up. Best to all the FOOFs and of course, congratulations Richard & Sue!