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]

Code2High wrote:
I don't know if you've made any progress on the acupuncture issue, but I'd pursue that, and I'd also see about a chiropractor in your area that might treat Fella. His front end may be weak and painful from being out of alignment... which would be caused by such things as his constantly having to favor his bad rear paw, or by any falls he's taken. Acupuncture could also help with the side effects of the treatment, and that would be a helpful thing, I'm sure.

We live in an area that has just caught up to the 70's. By the time we have access to a dog chiropractor or someone close that does acupuncture your grandchildren will be buying tickets for a weekend trip to the moon and back. The closest doctor that I can find that does acupunture is 170 miles away in Stone Mountain, Georgia. She wants him to come once a week for treatment and possibly twice a week in the beginning. Right now that is not a possibility and Columbia, SC is only 90 miles away but no one there will see him until mid June. So we are stuck between a rock and a hard place.

We got the brace for his rear leg today and have seen a big difference. The harness we bought to help him walk and align his shoulder, he refuses to get up with it on. He just lays there and looks at me as if to say,"If you think I am going to walk around with this thing on you have another thought coming."

[Code2High]

I don't know if you've made any progress on the acupuncture issue, but I'd pursue that, and I'd also see about a chiropractor in your area that might treat Fella. His front end may be weak and painful from being out of alignment... which would be caused by such things as his constantly having to favor his bad rear paw, or by any falls he's taken. Acupuncture could also help with the side effects of the treatment, and that would be a helpful thing, I'm sure.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Here is the Fella

[Dixie_Flyer]

kokosfriend wrote:
OF still looks pretty happy to be where he is!!!
Barb

He is still happy!

[kokosfriend]

OF still looks pretty happy to be where he is!!!
Barb

[Dixie_Flyer]

Hunting Island


These are pictures I made during our trip to Hunting Island. Notice the deer that came up into the campground every evening. Old Fella's pictures were taken while he was laying down, sorry about that, he hardly stands any more

[Dixie_Flyer]

Susee wrote:
Saw this on the Today Show this morning, Richard Old Fella might need this in the future to help him walk

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24698170/

Sandy

The wheeled cart supporting the rear legs is great, but the dog needs to have two good front legs to walk on and pull himself along and Fella doesn't have them.

His left rear leg is too weak to support him and his right front leg is {Totally} gone.

[kokosfriend]

Richard, Hannah had frequent trouble with gastritis and we finally had to give her a med called carafate or something like that before she ate or had her meds. It is a chalky like pill that protects the stomach. I hope Dr Ford can find something to help his stomach. It was a little tricky, but we were able to treat her with good results.

Prayers
Barb

[Susee]

Saw this on the Today Show this morning, Richard Old Fella might need this in the future to help him walk

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24698170/

Sandy

[Dashonthedash]

Speaking of carsickness, Lily (with the aid of her meclazine and ginger root, and Dash's calming presence), just travelled over 1200 miles by car, and didn't get sick once. This is a first for her (she usually is OK in the RV, but she travels in her crate there), and I am so proud of her! We were in Kanab, Utah, at the annual Greyhound Gathering, and both dogs behaved wonderfully. Dash had to spend some time in a crate, since most of the events are meant for greyhounds (they can be so elitist), and we stayed in a hotel. Lily almost passed her CGC (Canine Good Citizen) test while at the Gathering, even with no preparation or practice. The CGC is a series of 10 tests designed to demonstrate that a dog can behave responsibly among other people and dogs, and is a minimum requirement for therapy and other service dogs. The only reason she didn't pass was she was unwilling to sit (some greyhounds have trouble with sitting), but she passed everything else, including distractions and supervised separation.

I'm leaving for my Branson trip (making several stops on the way) this Saturday. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

[bonniesoo]

Old Fella is such a fighter but recovery for him I fear is going to be really slow. I hope Dr. Ford has another idea for him regarding pain meds. Good luck today and keep us posted.

[Dixie_Flyer]

I tried again this morning to resize the pictures in photobucket so I could post them and every time I try I get an MSN error message. So I guess I won't be posting any pictures until they get their error fixed.

Fella had another episode last night while was talking with Dan. This vomiting is not getting any better so this morning he goes back to see Dr. Ford. He is still in pain this morning when he walks, but he went outside and made his rounds in the back yard checking to see if anything had changed since last night. So he is still determined to stay on his feet as much as he can.

Suzie finally caught a squirrel yesterday, now she will be more determined than ever. She is sitting in her chair looking out the window as I make this post wanting to go in the back yard.

His trip to the beach wasn't as much fun for him as I had hoped. I really don't know what I expected, maybe I thought we would see a miracle and he would jump to his feet and run out on the beach as he has done many times before with Levi. I guess I was hoping for something that just isn't going to happen ever again.

[Dixie_Flyer]

We got back this afternoon from Hunting Island. Unlike Ryan's weather we had a very nice weekend. The temperature was 73* with a wind blowing right off the ocean, kind of chilly with the wind blowing. I tried to post some pictures but I am having trouble with Photo bucket down sizing the photos, so will post them later.

Old Fella could not go for a walk on the beach. The best he could do was about 50 yards and then he would fall down from exhaustion. He is not able to help us climb into the camper, Sue and I have to lift him up into the camper, that is a back bracking job.

We tried putting Fella on the floor leaving the small section {jump seat} down for Suzie and that worked vert well. Fella was more comfortable with the padded floor and had more room to move around in. Suzie got sick going to the island but did okay on the trip home. She enjoyed her walks on the beach and when she was let off the leash she didn't run off but stayed close and was very obedient.

Sue and I something unusual at the campground. Six young mothers from Columbia, SC joined up for a weekend camping leaving the dad's baby sitting. This was their first weekend camping but said it won't be their last. They had a blast and enjoyed the beach and being able to get away. Those husbands must be some great guys to let their wives have the weekend off like that.

We have two weeks to get ready for Branson. I am praying that Fella will make a great recovery by then. I think he went a little backward this weekend. Apparently he is having a problem with the Deramaxx making his stomach upset so he will have to come off that. I put him back on the Metacam tonight until I can talk with Dr. Ford tomorrow.

Okay that is all for now, have a good evening and I will talk with you later.

[Dandy_Dan]

15 more days til we leave to see Old Fella and the Daniels clan.:B:B:B

[W7SFO]

One hot topic last night here at the RV.NET Northwest Spring Rally was Old Fella @ Tia's adventures. Both are stars in this group!