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

[sue_t]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
Izzie has been the surprise. He will actually go and groom Fella's hair and paws and he loves to groom Fella's face.

I'm thinking it might be the "Izzie Spit" that is removing the grey from Old Fella's face! There might be a marketing opportunity here ... you can bottle some of that "Izzie Spit" to folk wishing to rejuvenate their locks.

Very sorry to hear about OF's foot. I understand the roller coaster ride ... we're on our own ride with Chaos' cancer. Each day brings new challenges. We figure there's a reason we were chosen to have him ... he's preparing us for something in our futures, I think. Either that, or he's with us because we've already been prepared for the challenge of having a cancer-dog.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Code2High wrote:
Richard have you been doing betadine soaks? Or you can do epsom salts... did you ask the doc about it?

Doc gave me a solution called Nolvasan Disinfectant to soak the foot twice a day for ten minutes.

Nolvasan

[Dixie_Flyer]

CockerDodger wrote:
.

What was the outcome of Sue's 200# packages? She must be shipping Volkwagen engines! The best to her on that venture, hope there wasn't any damage other then the packing.

Get well Old Fella! We're praying for you.
Chuck

Sue's shipment is a total loss. When I got to the warehouse and saw the destruction I told Sue call the insurance adjuster there is no need for you and I to do anything further. How in the world could a freight company destroy a whole shipment on three different pallets I will never know, but they did just that! Now we are out of a lot of money until the freight company settles the claim which will be months.

[Dixie_Flyer]

CA POPPY wrote:
If amputation becomes necessary, we'll just do the cart thing, right? Did you say the vet had one ordered just in case? Better to lose the foot than have a blood infection go through his whole body. You're doing great with OF's weight. It is so difficult during a period of forced inactivity. You sure have a lot on your own mind right now. Remember.....one day at a time. We're all here with you.

Someone sent me a PM about a cart they had for a Lab that has gone to Rainbow Bridge . I will have to go back and look through the PM's and see who that was and get them to send it as it looks like a strong possibility we may need it in the not so distant future. I am trying everything I can to save the foot because I don't think he will be able to get up and down with just three legs as the other leg isn't that well either. Even now I have to help him get up sometimes. He knows that I will help him so he will sit up and bark for me to come help him. I will stand over him and put my hands under his belly and pick up his rear and then he will go where he wants and do what he wants and then lay down again.

He understands that I am his helper and will do anything I can for him. It is getting so that I can't leave him as he gets anxious and frets until I get back. Sue says he whimpers or cries when I leave and waits by the door for the sound of the truck coming in the driveway, then he starts barking and wagging that tail. It's a shame I can't take him with me but I am afraid of injuring that leg with so much climbing in and out of the truck. There are going to be better days and I know it. Fella is so happy and content with us you can see the joy in his eyes and feel the excitement when he is wagging that tail telling me how glad he is to see me when I come home. Just keep praying for healing and we will give God the praise when it happens.

[Lisaren]

I have followed Old Fella's story from the beginning, but this is my first post. Richard - Thank you for letting me into your life and this wonderful story. I have had Old Fella in my prayers throughout this tale and will continue to do so. I could not let another day go by without at least letting you know there is at least one as yet unheard from poster following this story and adding additional prayers.

Good luck with the foot - I hope you can get it cured before further amputation is necessary.

[mpj]

Dixie Flyer wrote:



See the beautiful flowers in the background, well they are all cut down. The city came and cut all the azalea bushes down to the ground.

What a great looking pair! (You and OF). The flowers sure were pretty; too bad they were cut down.

[agteacher]

I used to have a neighbor that used Blu - Kote for everything (both on the cattle and on herself). She lived to be almost 100 years old. I have seen that stuff heal deep gaping wounds. She also swore by sassafras tea. She would take and boil some roots to make a strong tea. Once it had cooled and had been strained, she poured it into a deep wound (you can also soak the wound in it). Goal is to get it into all parts of the wound. Once the wound had been cleaned, put on the blu-kote. I used this on a chicken that had a 3" wing wound with bones showing and maggots in it and the wound healed within a week. Couldn't even tell where the wound had been later. I used the sassafras tea on a wound for my cat after the vet told me there was nothing he could do. The vet said I could try it since the sassafras would act as an antiseptic. Cat is still alive 2 years later and the wound quickly healed. Vet was surprised, but admitted that sometimes the old timers were knowledgable and herbal treatments are effective.

Here's a link to information about Blu-Kote
http://www.americanlivestock.com/showLabelInfo.jsp?productFamilyId=99

[CockerDodger]

What a setback! Poor guy, his life has truly been a hard and difficult one. Thanks be to God, and you, that he has friends that care about him. He does seem to take all the setbacks in good spirit. I can't help but to sadly think making him a three legged dog might be the answer. I have seen some and they do quite well. I know that he will still be loved and helped.

What was the outcome of Sue's 200# packages? She must be shipping Volkwagen engines! The best to her on that venture, hope there wasn't any damage other then the packing.

Get well Old Fella! We're praying for you.
Chuck

[Code2High]

Richard have you been doing betadine soaks? Or you can do epsom salts... did you ask the doc about it?

[CA_POPPY]

If amputation becomes necessary, we'll just do the cart thing, right? Did you say the vet had one ordered just in case? Better to lose the foot than have a blood infection go through his whole body. You're doing great with OF's weight. It is so difficult during a period of forced inactivity. You sure have a lot on your own mind right now. Remember.....one day at a time. We're all here with you.

[Keredd]

Dixie Flyer wrote:


Have you used the product and if you have what was your experience with it?

Yes, it's quite amazing. I have had a problem with a deep infection. Caused quite a lot of damage in my feet and legs. Actually left holes in my skin down to the muscle. Had option of doing skin grafting, but decided to wait on that. Went the normal route of using antibiotic ointments and covering the wounds. Healed to a degree, but was real slow.

Read about Mattherma and gave it a try. Healing was greatly accelerated. Could actually see difference in skin growing back every day. It also eliminated any of the ***** discharge that was quite bothersome.

It's kinda hard to find, even though there are several online sources. They always seem to be back ordered. Just have to contact each source to see if they have it in stock.

Wish I had read about this turn of events sooner so could have cued you in on this product that much sooner.

There is another product that's easy to get. It's called Dermawound, but I would avoid that one. That sucker burns. It's not supposed to, but it does in my case. It's also messy to work with. The Mattherma is a lot easier to use because it's an ointment. The Dermawound is granular.

I just ordered more from JMS's Vitamin World. It's actually made by another online company called Young Again but they can barely keep it in stock themselves. Give Young Again a call to see if they have it in stock again.

[Dixie_Flyer]

needsomefun wrote:
Hang in there Fella we are all rooting for you!!!

Why did the city cut your Azaleas???

I haven't a clue as to why they cut the Azaleas.

[needsomefun]

Hang in there Fella we are all rooting for you!!!

Why did the city cut your Azaleas???

[DOTLDaddy]

Dixie Flyer wrote:

See the beautiful flowers in the background, well they are all cut down. The city came and cut all the azalea bushes down to the ground.

Why in the heck did they do that??? 😛

[Dixie_Flyer]

See the beautiful flowers in the background, well they are all cut down. The city came and cut all the azalea bushes down to the ground.