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

[mikhen]

First off, I don't follow this thread because I'm too busy to keep up with it. But I have checked in on it every so often. I just read read in Highways that Old Fella passed away. My condolences to you, as late as they may be. We lost 3 dogs in 4 months this year so I know what it's like. You have done a wonderful thing and should be proud.

[chemisd]

We have had no internet for the last 3 weeks. We can occasionally get dial-up to work, but we have limited hours....I had to get on here at work although we really aren't suppose to. Hope all is well. I now need to go check out the Old Fella shelter and see how we are doing...

[Dandy_Dan]

Becky, We will be thinking of yo and your hubby. May he quickly recover happy and healthy.

[kokosfriend]

Becky - I am sorry to hear about what your husband is going through and you too. Hope all goes well and keep us posted. Prayers for you and hubby.

Barb

[Dixie_Flyer]

Hoops wrote:
We just got home from a trip to Chicago for my granddaughters 6th birthday, my husband is going in for surgery, cancer of the prostate, and I haven't had much time to visit here or post. The thread might be quiet but my life isn't, LOL.
Have a great day this beautiful crisp fall morning.

Becky

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Sue and I will be praying for your husband's speedy recovery.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Here is the Peach waiting for me to say "Let's go". Then she will spring to her feet, run for the door and wait for her leash to be on. But for now, she will catch some extra shut eye.

[Hoops]

We just got home from a trip to Chicago for my granddaughters 6th birthday, my husband is going in for surgery, cancer of the prostate, and I haven't had much time to visit here or post. The thread might be quiet but my life isn't, LOL.
Have a great day this beautiful crisp fall morning.

Becky

[Dixie_Flyer]

I full tummy, a nice warm, cozy spot to lay your head, what more could a girl want on a cold fall morning?

[fulltimegrams22]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
It sure has been quiet over here lately.

We are all hunkering down with the coldfront. he he he... I am trying to save my plants from the freezing air..The wind has frozen them all and Annie my cat is having problems since her teeth cleaning last Tuesday. You can see my post in Petstop-Cats..Annie is in trouble.

I am glad you had a great trip. Fulltimegrams22

[Dixie_Flyer]

It sure has been quiet over here lately.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Last night the temp went to 37* so I guess winter is beginning to settle in here in the Deep South. Suzie and Peaches were eager to get outside this morning as they seem to like the cold mornings. If any of you are looking for a nice get away trip after Christmas come join us at Hunting Island State Park. We will be there for a week beginning December 28th. It is always such a nice place to be after the Christmas rush.

Things have changed a lot since last Christmas, but I guess change is inevitable as nothing stays the same for long. We get older and the young folks come along and take over where we leave off. Our pets leave us far too soon as we are reminded of the unavoidable truth that our own frail bodies are growing older. I have often wondered what happened to Cockerdodger. I sent him a PM last March but he never read it. The last time I remember seeing him was at Branson during the first Old Fella Rally. If anyone knows where he is or what has happened to him I would like to know.

Walter, had any Spam lately? Boy you sure stirred the pot with that post. Suzie is running around with her toy Pheasant in her mouth looking for someone to play with while Peaches is guarding her spot next to my feet. Peaches is turning into a very nice little dog with a patch of Velcro on her as she is turning into my Velcro dog. She follows me around the house and wants to go with me when I go somewhere. Suzie thinks she wants to go until she gets into the truck without her motion sickness pill and starts foaming at the mouth. We have to plan Suzie’s trip in advance to avoid her getting car sick. If she eats anything, or drinks water she will get car sick. She has done very well on her last outings with us and has not been sick, but once again it takes planning ahead for her.

I have to get dressed and go to the Waynesboro Animal Shelter and see what is happening there and what dogs have been brought in over the weekend, maybe there is another Charlie waiting for me?

[mpj]

I know what you mean. I am glad someone else does what we do when we camp - 2 dogs and 2 cats and me all scrunched up so that no pet gets left out. Don't know how it will go this winter as Jake is longer (by 8 ")than our Bailey (to Rainbow Bridge July, 2007). Hopefully he will sleep in his cage. It was so nice stretching out last winter. We have a king bed at home and a queen short in the RV. BIG difference!!!

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. We had a great time over the weekend but it was nice to get home. Izzie was gald to see us and wanted attention from Sue. He followed her around until she sat down and then he jumped into her lap. He is such a nice kitty and hasn't been a problem since his melt down a while back.

Sue and I were laughing the other day thinking about Fella when he wanted attention from me. I would be sitting at my desk and he would walk over and start pulling papers off my desk until I started talking to him and walked away from the computer and got down on the floor with him and rubbed his belly. He was such a happy dog and loved his family. Sue and I sure do miss him a lot and thought Charlie would fill the void and he did, but his life was cut too short and his stay wasn't long enough. Charlie was a blessing even if he wasn't able to be with us for only a couple of months. His presence will always be remembered as a vist from Levi and Fella as he reminded us so much of the both of them.

Suzie and Peaches are doing well and get along like two peas in a pod. Peaches has lost a lot of weight and is getting around much better. She is very smart and catches on to things fast. When we go camping Peaches likes to get into the bed with us, but it gets crowded so we have to boot her off. Have you ever seen a dog with Velcro feet? She can cling onto the bed covers until they are pulled off with her and before you can get them straight she is back in the bed. She loves to snuggle under the covers with her head sticking out then she will lay very still afraid she is going to get the boot again. Get the picture of me and Peaches sleeping with both our heads on the pillow and Suzie asleep at the foot of the bed because she doesn't want to get left out. So Sue sleeps with her feet drawn up and me sharing the pillow with Peaches, what a cozy family we make.

[Dixie_Flyer]

We had a wonderful time after the rain left. Saturday was beautiful and warm. Suzie and Peaches were a lot of fun and behaved themselves. It had been eleven years since we camped there and it was just as we remembered it. The park is beautiful and well managed. The sites are spacious and easy to back into. There is no TV reception in the park and no cable so carry plenty of wood and build a fire and spend the evening with family.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Sue with Suzie and Peaches. We stayed at Unicoi State Park in Helen, Ga.





Walking along the mountain stream on our way to Anna Ruby Falls



Pausing for a picture



Anna Ruby Falls