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

[chemisd]

Ditto...ditto....ditto....
Depression is tough. Especially when the rest of the world thinks all is well.. Love to you Richard and Sue for all you do and are willing to put up with.

[Dixie_Flyer]

mistressofdistress wrote:
I think that bonniesoo has just stated how the forum feels about you and Old Fella. Even though we don't see each other on a regular basis I feel I can count on you as one of my best friends and hope that you feel the same about me. I am not ashamed to tell you that I love you, your family and your pets. I feel honored to have met you, your family, your pets and what you stand for.

You are surely honored to have a friendship base as large as this forum, and this forum is surely honored to be affiliated with it.

You are definitely a person that is loved by many.

The kindness and love I have experienced from being a part of this thread sometimes is over whelming. I have met some wonderful people in person and on the thread that has given me a wonderful vision of what real love is all about. Real love is pure and is a love that is unconditional, forgiven before you ask. Old Fella has taught me a lot about that kind of love and the people on this thread have also shown me what real compassion is all about responding to each crisis with their prayers and support.

In the book of my life I am turning a new page and writing a new chapter that I don't know the ending of. I just know that I am looking at the future through a clouded glass trusting that each step I take is the right one. I hope and pray that when it is all said and done that it can be said of my life that I was a Godly man and treated all with kindness and compassion. The hope of any man is that he is remembered that way. Thank you for your kindness and your prayers. I love each and everyone of you.

[Dandy_Dan]

Richard, I don't know what could be added other than "ditto" to Donna and Mary's responses. You definately have a large family base on this thread and around the country.
9150 posts and over 356,000 hits proves the size of the family.

[mistressofdistr]

I think that bonniesoo has just stated how the forum feels about you and Old Fella. Even though we don't see each other on a regular basis I feel I can count on you as one of my best friends and hope that you feel the same about me. I am not ashamed to tell you that I love you, your family and your pets. I feel honored to have met you, your family, your pets and what you stand for.

You are surely honored to have a friendship base as large as this forum, and this forum is surely honored to be affiliated with it.

You are definitely a person that is loved by many.

[bonniesoo]

Richard....wonderful story about Bart.

Please always remember your faith will always get you through whatever obstacles are placed in your way. You also have made many new friends here and we all care about your health and welfare as we would a family member. As someone said earlier...we will always be here for you to talk to or vent to or whatever. Sometimes we feel down and unloved....if you ever feel that way just look at that picture of Old Fella looking at you and there is no way you could feel unloved. He is truly an amazing dog that has touched the lives of so many people. I know that someday he will leave this world but I know that I am a better person by just knowing him through you and also you through his love. Please take care....Donna

[TomW2]

Wow! That is some story. Bart just needed to find out that he was not the master. As a pack animal he respected the new alpha "dog".

[Dixie_Flyer]

That next weekend Ava brought Bart to Waynesboro. This was his second visit to the Daniels, the first being when he was yet a puppy. Dressed in a red bandanna he spent most of the day outside enjoying the big back yard. There was shade under Hydrangea bushes and it was a cool spot to relax when not roaming the yard. Bart didn’t seem to mind when Ave said her good byes, he just sat and watch as she walked away. It was easy to tell he didn’t care for his new Dad as he would bristle up and snarl at times if things didn’t go his way. On two occasions Sue had to come let Richard in to the house as Bart stood guard at the door with his flashing white teeth. Bart didn’t have his required shots so an appointment was made for a visit to the local veterinarian Dr. Jim Alexander. Richard didn’t want Bart to be a surprise to Dr. Jim so he first made a visit to explain Bart’s behavior. Once Richard explained to Dr. Jim about Bart’s aggressiveness Dr. Jim replied. “Richard those dogs are bad on their home turf, but here he will coward down and be okay.”

The day of the appointment Richard made sure the front office was clear of people before Bart was brought in. So far so good thought Richard, but when Richard and Bart walked into the examining room all heck broke loose. Bart went into attack mode and chased Dr. Jim and his assistant out of the room. The only way Richard could control Bart was to straddle him holding him by the neck making him sit while all of Richard’s weight was brought to bare to hold him. Once Bart was calmed down Richard picked up the ninety pound dog and placed him on the table. “Okay Doc, you can come in now.” Richard said. Doc upon entering the room looked at Richard and said. “What you have here is very vicious dog that some day is going to turn on you and tear you to bits. My suggestion to you is to put him down now before you or one of your family members is hurt.” Richard looked at Dr. Alexandra and said, “I can’t do that, He hasn’t had a chance yet Doc. But I will make you this promise. If I haven’t seen a turn around in this dog in thirty days I will bring him back and we will do what we have to do.”

With Richard holding Bart to the table Dr. Alexandra did the best exam he could under the circumstances, gave him his shots and told Richard he wished him good luck. Several days later Bart was looking for his chance to make a statement to Richard of just how little he appreciated him. It all started in the family room when Richard was down on all fours cleaning the hard wood floor between the carpet and the wall when he felt something hot and wet hitting him on his back. Suddenly he realized that Bart had just hiked his leg on him and urine was running down his back. All of a sudden Richard’s anger was kindled to the boiling point and with out thinking he came up swinging as Bart retaliated with his teeth trying to get a hold on Richard.

By some miracle Richard was able to body slam Bart to the floor and grab him by the back of the neck and manhandled him into the foyer onto the hardwood floor where he got on top of Bart and choked him down. By this time Sue rushed in to see who was killing who. When it was all over and Bart stopped struggling Richard left Bart on the floor and went to the family room and fell into the recliner. Exhausted, weakened and blooded by the ordeal Richard lay stretched out trying to catch his breath. It was about that time Bart entered the room and stood looking at Richard as he lay helpless against another attack from Bart. Out of the corner of his eyes Richard could see Bart looking at him with those cold black eyes and thought “That dog is going to tear my throat out and there is nothing I can do about it.” At that point Bart lay down by Richard’s chair and from that day forward Bart became Richard’s most faithful dog. There is no doubt that Bart would have died for Richard had it been necessary.

Continued:

[Dixie_Flyer]

The trip to Cherokee was the third one for Fella and Levi couldn’t count the times he had been there. Levi had been a traveling dog ever since he came to live with Richard and Sue. His was a sad story, one of separation and confusion. It all started in April 1996 when he was born. At the age of eight weeks Levi was picked up by his new Mom and Dad the McMillans. At that time there was only one child named Joshua who was then three years old. Levi found the home to be very nice and there was plenty of love to go around. His dad Jeff was very proud of Levi and showed him off every chance he got. There were trips to the lake where he would swim and fetch the ball or stick thrown in the water and he especially loved to swim with the family. When Levi first met Richard it was love at first sight. When Richard would visit the home Levi would always want to come in to see him. He would stay at the back door and bark until someone let him in. Levi loved to get in Richard’s lap or lay at his feet just so he could get a pat on the head or some word from this man he had come to know and love.

Then in March of 1997 Levi would be smitten by a new love, one that he would always hold dear to his heart. Allison gave birth to a little girl named Holly. Levi was so in love with Holly he could not stand for her to be out his sight. He lay by her crib and watched over her. Where ever she was Levi was sure to be found right by her side. It was easy to see that Holly was Levi’s very heart that beat inside of him, hei couldn’t be happier and enjoy life anymore. Then came the crushing news that his family was moving to Greenville, SC and would not be able to keep Levi with them as they would be living in an apartment for at least one or maybe two years while they established themselves. Levi had no idea his life was about to change dramatically.

It was hard for Jeff and Allison to give Levi away even if he was going to Allison’s parents. Richard and Sue had just suffered the loss of their beloved Bart a few months earlier and it seemed to Jeff and Allison a perfect fit. Levi would help Richard and Sue overcome their grief and Levi would find a perfect home and they would still be able to see him on their visits.

Bart was one of those once in a life time dogs. Bart was a Doberman that had come to live with them when he was nine months old. He belonged to Ava another one of the daughters of Richard and Sue. As a puppy he was cute and cuddly but at nine months he weighed ninety pounds and was without discipline of any kind. The only thing going for Bart was his intelligence. He was above the average for a dog but along with that he had a nasty side to him. Bart being left in an apartment all day while Ave was attending college and then working in the evenings didn’t make a nice home place for him so at nine months he was totally out of control. One morning when Ava was going outside with Bart from her second story apartment they met a man on the stairwell and Bart attacked him. Ava was unable to restrain Bart until he had done his damage. Crying Ava called her dad and asked if Bart could come live with them as she explained what had happened. The agreement was made but with the condition that if Bart cold be taught to behave he could stay, if not he would have to be put down. It was upon those conditions that Bart found his new home, but there was a problem from the very beginning, Bart didn’t care for his new dad.


Next; a frightful night and a clearing out of the Vet’s office.
Continued:

[MrsKottfam6wi]

Richard, it saddens me to hear about you dealing with depression. I think you should be proud of what you've accomplished since Fella came into your life. I know Old Fella is proud of you. I can see it in his eyes in the pictures you post of him. I'm sure when his time comes, he will go to the Rainbow Bridge and tell all those who went before him what you have done for canine and feline kind not to mention human kind. You have given him the kind of life that all animals must dream about. To think of where he came from and where he is now, it's such a miracle. He came into your life for a reason. I think you needed him as much as he needed you. He is an old dog and will be dealing with old dog problems, but with you by his side seeing to his needs, he is one lucky guy.

[dogdiva]

Richard. We all get those feelings and we know the Lord is always there for us, just take it a day at a time.
Fella will do good, you know you are doing all that can be done, and Fella is happy. and Susie may NOT eat anything valuable tomorrow.............

[Ron___Shirley]

Richard,
Being a Care Giver whether the loved one is human or a furchild can be very trying on us physically and mentally. You are experiencing what many of us have gone through when a loved one has required sometimes more out of us than we ever thought we could give. I often refer back to the saying "The Lord never gives us more than we can handle but I just wish he didn't trust me so much".

You are at a time in your life when you and Sue have a "window of opportunity" (age/health) for anything you have always wanted to do. Whether this means travel fulltime in an RV, sitting on the bank of a Lake fishing or starting another rescue center in another town. Remember this window can slam shut pretty fast. If you have plans for you and Sue put your life in perspective. If Sue were to be gone tomorrow what would you have wanted to spend your final days/years doing?

Just some thoughts........
Shirley

[Dixie_Flyer]

Things have gotten a little brighter today. Thanks for the prayers they are helping. Fella is doing better with his leg, Suzie hasn't eaten anything that is valuable and I have stayed out of trouble so far.

[joelbaker]

Richard,
Fella is one lucky dog! Not only is he here because of all you have done, but you are still with him, helping him through his golden years. I am sure everything will be done to insure his comfort. The fact that he is loved and admired, as are you, will provide you both with much comfort as time moves on.
For yourself, it is easy sometimes to get distracted by the things that we haven't yet accomplished, and to lose site of what we have accomplished. Remember, without you, Old Fella would not have touched so many lives around the country, including mine. Without your actions there would be no Old Fella Burke County Rescue, and Anna, Suzie, Tia, and many others would not be able to touch the lives that they touch.
You have done well. Focus on the good, work to do what you wish to do, and remember that YOU have helped many, two-legged and four-legged, and take pleasure in that.
Feel better,
Joel

[Dixie_Flyer]

CindyNRoger wrote:
Hang in there Richard. We are ALL there for you, Fella and the rest of the family. Things will work out - you know that in your heart. If you need to talk, we are here to listen. Please keep us posted and give Fella a hug from me.

I had a nice visit with Anna this weekend. She is such a loving girl. I always enjoy seeing her. :B

Anna always will be dear to my heart no matter where she is. Dr. Jim told me this morning the joint in Fella's leg is getting deformed by arthritis and it is just a matter of time before it fails. He gave Fella a shot in the joint and put him on some pills to bring down the swelling. Dr. Jim reminded me that Old Fella is here today because of what has been done for him. He has had the best of care and is very healthy other than his arthritis.

Now to deal with the rest of the day..

[CindyNRoger]

Hang in there Richard. We are ALL there for you, Fella and the rest of the family. Things will work out - you know that in your heart. If you need to talk, we are here to listen. Please keep us posted and give Fella a hug from me.

I had a nice visit with Anna this weekend. She is such a loving girl. I always enjoy seeing her. :B