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

[bonniesoo]

Richard....I agree with everyone above...Old Fella will tell you when he is ready to give up and cross over to the Rainbow Bridge. We have all prayed for his recovery on more than one occasion and this time I'm sure will be no different. YOU have always done what is best for him and YOU will continue to do so no matter what that might be. We are all sort of selfish when it comes to him as he has been such an inspiration for us in so many ways but as I shed tears for him this afternoon I want him to be free of pain and happy again. I still hope that will be here with us but if it must be at the Rainbow Bridge then so be it. God Bless you Richard and be sure and tell Old Fella we all love him. Donna

[kokosfriend]

I am so sorry that you are going through this with him. Hannah's cancer spread and she was in pain that we could no longer control. Then we knew it was time. May you know if it is indeed time to let his suffering end. God bless you all.
Barb

[joang]

Dixie Flyer wrote:

I would like to have one more night with Fella before he leaves us, so I will wait until tomorrow.

Take lots of pictures for us, and tell him how much we all love him!

[Dashonthedash]

Richard,

There are several emergency vet clinics in Augusta if you need help immediately.
Here is a partial search list:

St Francis Animal Hospital
2647 Perimeter Parkway
Augusta, GA 30909
27.9 mi.
706-860-6617

Augusta Animal Emergency
208 Hudson Trce
Augusta, GA 30907
29.8 mi.
706-262-7458

[Dixie_Flyer]

joang wrote:
Does he have an after hours number? I think he might make a house call for such a special client if you needed him too. Poor Old Fella. He's been holding it together for all of us for so long! He's going to be so happy to be able to run and play with Levi again!

I would like to have one more night with Fella before he leaves us, so I will wait until tomorrow.

[joang]

Does he have an after hours number? I think he might make a house call for such a special client if you needed him too. Poor Old Fella. He's been holding it together for all of us for so long! He's going to be so happy to be able to run and play with Levi again!

[needsomefun]

Fella's journey turned into such a beautiful thing. God bless you and Fella.

[Dashonthedash]

Whatever, and whenever you decide, Richard, we are all behind you. When Max's time came, it helped me, and comforted me greatly afterwards, to know that he would be joining his friend Willow, as they had been together almost ten years, and he grieved her loss deeply. Levi will be waiting for his friend, and perhaps others he knew from his previous life, and our furcompanions will welcome him as well.

Good luck, Richard. We are all praying for you and Old Fella.

[campingshadow]

Richard...you will know what to do when the time comes.....Old Fella will tell you and you will do what is right for him. That is the wonderful thing we can do for these fur babies we love. Let them enjoy life to the fullest, cherish every moment with them and ease their passing with love and compassion. Old Fella is so blessed to have found you. You have made his last years so happy. Whatever time he has left will be spent in the arms of love. No one can ask for more.

I hope the pain will ease for him and he can stay with us a lot longer....but if it is his time......what a lucky dog he will be to have you there by his side at the end. And how lucky we are that this old dog has brought you into our lives. We are all so much richer for knowing you.

[campincandice]

Richard, I'm so sorry. My prayers are with all of you tonight.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Old Fella's right rear leg just gave out. His ankle joint is just dangling and he cannot support himself at all. Dr. Ford is closed on Wednesday afternoon so I can't do anything until tomorrow except give him enough pain pills to keep him out of misery. Unless there is a miracle tonight it is over.

[searchnk9]

Well that is unfortunate that he hasn't gotten back to you. I must admit I'm not used to such problems, my vet competes and trains with me often and in general most of her clients are the local agility folks. So I guess there is a different mentality.

I understand about going to Stone Mountain it's quite a drive. Doing the 70 or so miles to Canton from south of Douglasville can be quite taxing. Only you can decide what is best for him and I don't think anyone is expecting anything else. You will do what's best. I just wanted you to know of additional options if you might be interested. I suspect the vet in Stone Mountain is Loving Hands and they are very good. She did Chiropractic work on Chandi a month ago at a agility trial and was really good with her.

I don't know off hand of any in Columbia but I can check around for you.

[campincandice]

joang wrote:
Dixie Flyer,
I know many of us here feel like Old Fella is OUR dog and we are aching right there with you both as he suffers through this. However, we all also know that he is YOUR dog and you ultimately have the final say in how his health is managed. Please do not worry about the rally or what we may be thinking or wanting for him, do what is right for him and for you. I do hope and pray that this medicine starts to work soon, but I also know that this may be our last days with him. Know that we all support you and trust you as you guide him through this hard time!

Richard, I absolutely agree with this. For those of us second-guessing, know it is out of our love for your whole family! And we can all take comfort in knowing that Levi is waiting at the Bridge for Fella when the time comes.

Now please don't second guess yourself. Just like Levi, Fella will tell you when it is time. As hard as it is, isn't it great that we are able to help our animals get released from their suffering!

[joang]

Dixie Flyer,
I know many of us here feel like Old Fella is OUR dog and we are aching right there with you both as he suffers through this. However, we all also know that he is YOUR dog and you ultimately have the final say in how his health is managed. Please do not worry about the rally or what we may be thinking or wanting for him, do what is right for him and for you. I do hope and pray that this medicine starts to work soon, but I also know that this may be our last days with him. Know that we all support you and trust you as you guide him through this hard time!

[Dixie_Flyer]

searchnk9 wrote:
Richard please consider contacting the acupuncturist. It can make a significant difference in pain and comfort levels. There is real science behind it. I'ver seen it make big differences when added to traditional pain management.

The closest one to us in in Washington, Georgia. He has not returned my phone calls. His answering machine has a message on it that says he is running ten days to two weeks behind.

The next one is in Stone Mountain, Georgia which is 160 miles away. Your first visit is for consultation. Then you come back for treatment once a week for six weeks. As much as I love that old dog I don't know if I can do that. I am hoping maybe to find something in Columbia, SC.