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]

Hi Gary. When Sue and I got back from Alabama we had to unload in the bright sun light. The wind was blowing a gentle 10-15 MPH and the temp was bout 75. It was so hard to come inside and leave the nice breeze and sunshine, but we had things to do inside.

Ever wonder why we live in the deep south? Snow in May??? Somebody must have made the Big weather man mad for it to snow in May. My gosh man I've never heard of such! Wait a minute, I just remembered we were at Lyman Wyoming July 4th 1975 and got snow during the night. Yep, I like to visit the Colorado Rockies in the summer time but when it comes to winter and spring, well there is no place like Georgia. See you in a few weeks at Colorado Springs.

[Dashonthedash]

I left this past Friday for my first camping weekend of the season, a 350+ mile (each way) trip to Dead Horse Point State Park (near Moab, Utah), usually my favorite campground. This year, they even upgraded their electric service from 20 amps to 30/50 amps. When I arrived, it was cloudy, but still kind of nice. It soon got colder and started raining, and never got warmer than the 40's the rest of the weekend. We even got an inch of snow Saturday morning, but that was quickly melted...by the rain! I did manage to hike the 4 miles round-trip to the Point on Sunday, when the rain subsided a little; unfortunately the wind picked up and it was still in the 40's, so I left the dogs in the warm motorhome while I trekked the arctic tundra for 2 1/2 hours. It finally cleared up Monday morning and showed signs of being a glorious day...just in time for my departure for home. The biggest surprise was waiting for me there, though. Saturday, we had 12 inches of wet snow and, although the roads had been plowed, and most of the snow had melted, there were a couple inches in the driveway with roughly the weight and consistency of wet concrete. I parked the motorhome in the street and started to clear the driveway. The huge monster snowblower couldn't handle the stuff, so I started to shovel in a cold, wet rain that threatened to turn to snow at any time. Finally, I had to ask my neighbor to help me finish and I got the motorhome parked in the driveway. After I finally finished unloading in the rain, took the dogs for a walk, reset all my clocks (There had been a 3-hour outage while I was away), ate dinner, checked my mail and almost 200 emails (and, of course, this thread), and washed my clothes, I was ready to call it a day. It felt more like a week...:E

Glad to hear that Sue is feeling better, and Anna II is progressing on her trek. Now Sam and Irene will need a new dog to foster...keep up the good work:B

[chemisd]

Glad Sue is doing better. Tell her to take it easy for a few days. That stuff went around the school back in Feb. and boy it knocked both teachers and children back for almost a week.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Charlie AKA Snowball has been visiting



Old Fella has had a guest since Sunday. He is really a handful. But Suzie is teaching some of the tricks of her trade. Levi has been acting like a young puppy chasing Charlie all over the back yard wanting to play. Levi was so tired last night he hardly moved at all. Charlie needs some training on basic commands like, "Charlie come here. Charlie no! Charlie don't do that! No Charlie. Charlie come here." Other than that he is a good boy. At night he sleeps well not making too much noise. He olny howls about once in the morning from about 2:AM to about 3:AM THen all goes quiet.

When it gets that quiet I want to go check on him just to make sure he is okay, but I don't dare because he will start again.

Sue is doing much better this morning and on the mend. Thanks for the prayers and kind thoughts. Now I need to check on Anna II to see how she and Code2High are doing.

[Dixie_Flyer]

It has been a very busy day today with Sue being sick and having to take her to Augusta to see her doctor. She is resting comfortably now and has eaten her first meal in two days. Hopefully tomorrow she will be able to be her cheerful self again. Exciting things are taking place with Anna's journey with the attention she is getting from the news media and a new emphasis has been placed on the Old Fella story. There is now new interest in the book that Susan Fogle wrote about Old Fella.

There has been so many changes that have come about since Old Fella was rescued that has changed mine and Sue's life for the good. We have been involved in the rescue effort so deeply that it has become a living part of us and who would have ever thought we would be going to Colorado Springs for an Old Fella Rally in June. We have met so many nice people and have been involved in so many exciting things since he came into our lives that one must consider that all of this was a destined by some great being with a purpose in mind. Now that I am hooked I am along for the ride to see where it is going to take us. Yesterday I was a retired man with little ambition of doing much else, today I am the keeper of an extra ordinary dog named Old Fella that is taking me on the journey of my life.

[Dixie_Flyer]

CindyNRoger wrote:
Let me tell you that it was a PLEASURE meeting Anna. What a beautiful, loving dog! She gave me several gentle kisses. :B

Anna will always be in my heart as the {puppy}love of my life. She was always the pick of the girls from the very beginning. She has such an easy going nature and loves to be cuddled and have that tummy rub. I know she will make Dan and Lori very happy and I know they will in turn make Anna very happy. It is the best of both worlds for Anna. She will have a lot attention given her that she will enjoy very much.

[CindyNRoger]

Let me tell you that it was a PLEASURE meeting Anna. What a beautiful, loving dog! She gave me several gentle kisses. :B

[joelbaker]

Glad to hear that Sue is getting better!

[Dixie_Flyer]

CindyNRoger wrote:
Still hoping to see you ALL this summer.

I think that would be nice..

[CindyNRoger]

Glad to hear that they figured it out and she's on the mend. Please give our best to Sue. Still hoping to see you ALL this summer.

[Dixie_Flyer]

We just got back from Augusta where Sue went to see her doctor. Sue is suffering from a reaction to sulphur given to her at the hospital emergency room. Doc says as soon as it gets out of her system she will be fine. Now back to the Old Fella Story.

[Camper_Carl]

Richard,
Candles and prayers from Pattie and I. Hope that Sue get better soon.

Carl

[joelbaker]

Best wishes from CA for Sue!

[kokosfriend]

Prayers for Sue. How horrible it is to feel that way!!!
Barb

[chrisnpat]

Same here Richard, my DH ended up in the hospital from severe dehydration. So have her drink lots of fluids. Please!!!! Prayers to both of you.