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

[lviars50]

Oh YES wouldnt that be GREAT

Gentle Spirit wrote:
Instead of a statue - what about a mural on a wall or side of a building of that great photo of Richard and Old Fella???

That might be interesting....

[Caseydon]

I too have been afraid to speak against the force to buy a ready-made statue which can only be a poor likeness of our fine Old Fella. Knowing that at least some of you have reservations too, makes me bolder.

The best likenesses and most of our memories of Old Fella come from the the fine photographs Richard and Sue have taken. A few days ago one of you -- I can't locate the post just now -- wrote of a photo that had been made part of her parents' grave marker, quite some years ago. I've seen these done in a way that seems to be quite permanent.

I would hope that one of Richard's photos could be reproduced and inlaid in a stone base, showing Old Fella with his loving eyes, and could perhaps even leave some money left over to benefit a few other Fellas looking for homes.

[Grillmeister]

After seeing the wonderful photos of Old Fella - I don't like either statue! Maybe an artist could make something from one of the photos? I don't know out of what or which photo - but it's just a shame that neither bronze really captures our beloved Old Fella. Maybe there's an art school or institute that would do it as a project and donate it??? That would save money as well as be a real statue of Old Fella himself rather than just finding one that will due. Any thoughts or comments????

Instead of a statue - what about a mural on a wall or side of a building of that great photo of Richard and Old Fella???

That might be interesting....

I was thinking the same thing but I was afraid to say anything.

[Gentle_Spirit]

Instead of a statue - what about a mural on a wall or side of a building of that great photo of Richard and Old Fella???

That might be interesting....

[Gentle_Spirit]

After seeing the wonderful photos of Old Fella - I don't like either statue! Maybe an artist could make something from one of the photos? I don't know out of what or which photo - but it's just a shame that neither bronze really captures our beloved Old Fella. Maybe there's an art school or institute that would do it as a project and donate it??? That would save money as well as be a real statue of Old Fella himself rather than just finding one that will due. Any thoughts or comments????

[joelbaker]

TO: GOD

FROM: THE DOG

Dear God: Is it on purpose our names are the same, only reversed?
Dear God: Why do humans smell the flowers, but seldom, if ever, smell one another?
Dear God: When we get to heaven, can we sit on your couch? Or is it still the same old story?
Dear God: Why are there cars named after the jaguar, the cougar, the mustang, the colt, the stingray, and the rabbit, but not ONE named for a Dog? How often do you see a cougar riding around? We do love a nice ride! Would it be so hard to rename the 'C hrysler Eagle' the 'Chrysler Beagle'?
Dear God: If a Dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad Dog?
Dear God: We Dogs can understand human verbal instructions, hand signals, whistles, horns, clickers, beepers, scent ID's, electromagnetic energy fields, and Frisbee flight paths. What do humans understand?
Dear God: More meatballs, less spaghetti, please.
Dear God: Are there mailmen in Heaven? If there are, will I have to apologize?
Dear God: Let me give you a list of just some of the things I must remember to be a good Dog.
1. I will not eat the cats' food before they eat it or after they throw it up.
2. I will not roll on dead seagulls, fish, crabs, etc., just because I like the way they smell.
3. The Litter Box is not a cookie jar.
4. The sofa is not a 'face towel'.
5. The garbage collector is not stealing our stuff.
6. I will not play tug-of-war with Dad's underwear when he's on the toilet.
7. Sticking my nose into someone's crotch is an unacceptable way of saying 'hello'.
8. I don't need to suddenly stand straight up when I'm under the coffee table .
9. I must shake the rainwater out of my fur before entering the house - not after.
10. I will not come in from outside and immediately drag my butt.
11. I will not sit in the middle of the living room and lick my crotch.
12. The cat is not a 'squeaky toy' so when I play with him and he makes that noise, it's usually not a good thing.
P.S. Dear God: When I get to Heaven may I have my testicles back?

[Dixie_Flyer]

We are about to leave for Hunting Island. There is no computer service there so I won't be able to post anything until we get back. Have a great day and don't forget about Old Fella.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Sue and I will be leaving Monday morning going to Hunting Island for a couple of days. When I get back I will make the decision of which statue will be the one for the memorial. I appreciate the in put so keep it coming.

[Hoops]

Ohhhhhhhhhhhh, hard choice, glad I don't have to decide. And Gary you are right, never noticed the ears before. Fella has such a great face, happy, proud, thankful. Just how do you put all those attributes in a statue. I like the 2nd one. But I don't have to make the decision. Again Richard we look to you and your right decisions. (and Sue's)

[Dashonthedash]

None of those statues have Fella's distinctive ears. He definitely did not have Lab ears, but maybe a little Chow-like; in fact, that 4th picture definitely highlighted the Chow in him, IMO.

[yankeeblue]

I like the sitting down one...reminds me more of Ole Fella somehow..

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
I will make the decision today between one of these.

Okay, here they are

[Dixie_Flyer]

[Dixie_Flyer]

[Hoops]

I think the amount of hair on the first one will give everyone who didn't know Fella the impression Fella was a Golden rather than a Lab. Everyone is going for the face. Richard post of picture of Fella looking at the camera, then post the statues. Then Go from there.

JMHO