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]

Todd&Bonnie wrote:
Richard, I wonder if the doggie surprise has anything to do with Anna's sister?? That would be the only reason I could think of for Dramamine.:B:B:B:B:B This is actually Dandy Dan posting on Todd's computer as I can't seem to get a signal. Anna says hi to her first Daddy.
Dan

Me give up Suzie!!! Never in a million years!! Only if the compensation was right;). I like to kid about Suzie but she has found a place too deep in my heart to ever give her up. She has made a complete turn around since Anna's adoption. She has now become Daddy's little girl. She follows me where ever I go and is never more than two steps away. She loves to go with me in town but she still gets car sick.

I can't wait for her and Anna to see each other again to see their reaction to each other. How is Beau doing? I hope he is doing better and is getting around without pain. What about the East Coast Old Fella Rally in Rutherfordton, NC, think you could make it? I think that will be a lot of fun. Enjoy your weekend and I will talk with you later.

Richard

[Todd_Bonnie]

Richard, I wonder if the doggie surprise has anything to do with Anna's sister?? That would be the only reason I could think of for Dramamine.:B:B:B:B:B This is actually Dandy Dan posting on Todd's computer as I can't seem to get a signal. Anna says hi to her first Daddy.
Dan

[Dixie_Flyer]

This rally is going to be fun!

[mistressofdistr]

I am getting anxious!!!!!!

[Dixie_Flyer]

mistressofdistress wrote:
I think the dog is named Mokie.

As always you were right. I found her profile and then went back to see if she had registered for the rally and sure enough they have. That son of theirs is a very nice boy, well mannered and very polite.

[mistressofdistr]

I think the dog is named Mokie.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Does anyone remember this family from the rally in Branson? They are from Virginia. They changed their name on the forum and I can't remember what it is. They had expressed interest in the East Coast Rally in August and I am trying to follow up to see if they are coming. I think her name is Jill.

[bonniesoo]

Dandy Dan, Thanks so much for the invitation but unfortunately we are busy with the Heisey Glass Convention and friends and are flying back home today. We will be coming back up into this area in the end on July for about a month and will be in our MOHO so maybe we could meet up with some of you then if you are camping in the area.

Way to go Miss Suzie for alerting Dad to Mom's emergency. Sue I'm so glad you are feeling better and was able to recover so quickly. You are a real trooper.

Camper Carl, glad you are home and on the road to recovery as well. Please both of you take care of yourselves.

I'm also glad to hear that Levi is recovering from his problems...only bottled water for him in future camping trips huh?

We are headed out soon to do a little antiquing and then head to the airport...boy I miss traveling in our RV and I miss my pups terribly.

Everyone take care and talk to you soon.

Donna

[Dixie_Flyer]

DOTLDaddy wrote:

Dixie Flyer wrote:
....I would be honored to pen a few episodes.

How are you on outer space and evil alien:W stuff???

Well I have been an alien all my life, just waiting for a ride home.

[Dixie_Flyer]

When Mom looked out the camper door this is what she saw.

[DOTLDaddy]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
....I would be honored to pen a few episodes.

How are you on outer space and evil alien:W stuff???

[Dixie_Flyer]

DOTLDaddy wrote:
Richard,

The next time Nifty250 and I start up another DOTL saga, I would like you to pen a few episodes too!:):W

BTW, I just got the 8000th post in this topic!!! Do I win a box of mints???:B

If you come to the rally at Four Paws in August I will give you a nice doggie surprise! It requires Dramamine before every trip and then some...

I would be honored to pen a few episodes.

[DOTLDaddy]

Richard,

The next time Nifty250 and I start up another DOTL saga, I would like you to pen a few episodes too!:):W

BTW, I just got the 8000th post in this topic!!! Do I win a box of mints???:B

[Dixie_Flyer]

The story continues:

One day a camper pulled into site twenty and the family set up camp as Fella watched from a distance. Nice looking folks Fella thought, but I see they already have a dog so that must not be them. With that Fella wandered off and found shade under a picnic table, laid down and went to sleep. Then He heard this voice calling to him, “Hey there, are you okay?” The stranger got closer as he spoke. Fella decided he was close enough and he really didn’t know this guy and just what he was up to so he got up and walked into the woods. With that the man turned and walked away. Fella made a circle in the woods and came back to site twenty to investigate when he saw Levi the Couple’s Australian Shepherd. “Hey you” Fella called “what’s the deal with your folks?” he asked. “Well first who are you and why do you want to know?” Levi questioned. “I have my reason.” Fella replied. “They seem like nice folks and they seem to treat you well.’ Fella said. “I have the best home and humans a dog could ever ask for.” Levi said. “Well do you have any grub, you know food?” Fella asked. “I’ll call mom and she will fix you something.” With that Levi called out to mom. When she heard Levi barking she looked out the camper door to see what was going on, that is when she saw Fella for the first time. “Why you poor old dog, where did you come from?" As she looked at Fella's face with the fungus all over it and the bare ragged ears she felt sorrow for him. "Here let me fix you something to eat.” With that she went back inside and brought out some of Levi’s food and placed it before him. Fella didn’t hesitate and dove right into the bowl of food and inhaled it in no time. “You poor thing. You must be starving to death” Mom said.

As soon as Fella finished he lay under the camper until Levi’s Dad returned. Still not sure of this man’s intentions Fella once again avoided and contact and left. “Did you see that poor old dog outside?” Mom asked. “I saw an old black dog with an injured leg or foot a couple of campsites down from us. When I walked up to him he walked away from me.” Dad said. “I gave him some food a while ago and he ate like it was the only food he had seen in days.” With that Mom sat down to read her book. That evening Fella showed back up at camp but stayed in the edge of woods out of sight and watched. “I wonder if this is the man the Ancestors spoke of?” Fellow thought. How am I to know if this is the one who is to take me into his home?”

Over the next few days Fella visited the campsite often but was not sure if this was the family that he would some day belong to.

The family leaves without him

Continued:

[dogdiva]

I am so glad Sue is feeling better. Sometimes we get "warnings" that its time to pay attention to ourselves and rethink our priorities...