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

[mrskti]

wow, this one heck of a thread....Good job Rich.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Old Fella is going on his first camping trip with us October 21st. We are going to Cherokee KOA in Cherokee, NC. This is our annual trip we make with the kids and grandkids. I feel confident he will be fine as he has adapted so quickly. He is a gentleman on the leash, he likes the camper and he travels well. So if any are going to be in Cherokee, NC that weekend be sure and look us up.

He is becoming more and more sociable everyday. He is now seeking my company and he wants his belly rubs. He is beginning to come when he is called, but I don't trust him off the leash just yet. But there is one thing for sure,when he looks at me now there is that I love you look in his eyes. We will stay at the campground thru Sunday and go home on Monday. So be sure to come by and say hello.

[whimstock]

Happy and Jeanie are also two years old--Happy, born on New Year's Eve, and Jeanie right around Valentine's Day.

We're subscribed, too! Pictures are always good!!!!

[pasco1215]

Hoping all our good lookers can meet at the "Old Fella Rally" next summer. Pasco is a marshmallow. The girls will be able to push him around, no problem. He is just a stud puppy at young age of 2 yrs old. But his eye is on Dixie Dew and the girls Happy and Jeanie.
Rich, the article that Susanne wrote is wonderful. The thread may be slowing down some, but most of us have subscribed to it and won't miss any new information. Take care. You and your wife are very special. You have done what many of us just think we should do when we see a stray.

[whimstock]

DIXIESMAMA wrote:
Ouch!! Whimstock, that hurt. No one on this thread would brag about their dogs.

Dixie Dew is not worried about competition no matter how adorable the other fur-babies are. (Each of the dogs are so cute.) Anyway, she has been eyeing Pasco's photo recently.

Glad to see that Old Fella is doing well. He seems to be very content in those photos. You are doing a great job, Rich.

DIXIESMAMA

:B Oh...I must have forgotten for a moment, there.

I agree.....oooops, I mean "Happy and Jeanie agree" (wouldn't want anyone to think I was a stage Mom :B :B :B, there are lots of great looking guys and gals. Pasco does look a bit macho there driving! :W

Yes, one thing we can all agree on....Rich, you are a special man.

[DIXIESMAMA]

Ouch!! Whimstock, that hurt. No one on this thread would brag about their dogs.

Dixie Dew is not worried about competition no matter how adorable the other fur-babies are. (Each of the dogs are so cute.) Anyway, she has been eyeing Pasco's photo recently.

Glad to see that Old Fella is doing well. He seems to be very content in those photos. You are doing a great job, Rich.

DIXIESMAMA

[butterfly_girl]

My tears are flowing again too...What a story ...Makes your heart sing with happiness and love...

[E_Texan]

Oh my, I'm crying again. It just keeps getting better and better.

[Happytraveler]

Just got back from vacation and just catching up. I'm so happy everything is going so well. What a great article. It sounds like to me that's one happy family.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Writing the book of Old Fella's journey will take good detective work and I believe Susanne is going to find out more than we ever thought. It seems the people of Modoc are remembering more about Old Fella than any of us thought. Nina was telling me about people seeing him crossing the railroad tracks and stopping to check to see if anything was coming and doing the same at the busy highway. The town of Modoc is close to the campground but it is still about 1/2 mile or a little more. It seems Old Fella had some following around the general store there and he had some other places he visited. The old boy had a hard life, but he had figured out how to get around and find food and shelter. It is strange however that no one ever tried to take him in. It seems he wanted it that way as he would shy away if anyone made a move to touch him.

When I came along I think he was getting worn down, because of age, health and the bad foot and was trying to find someone he felt he could trust. When he came to our campsite those days we were there in Modoc, it was as if he was asking me to take him out of the mess he was in. Those eyes were so haunting and so tired looking. I think he knew he would never survive the coming winter.

When I came home and began to write in the forum he had already found a place in my heart. I could not stand the thought of him spending another winter there and perhaps dying there when he was already buried so deep in my heart. Susanne was right with her insight to my plight. I was hoping someone would talk me out of going back to get him. As I write this, with him laying at my feet sound asleep, I cannot imagine life now without him. I am sure he will teach me many things in the time we have left together. My hope is I will be a good student. Life has many roads and intersections in which we must make decisions on which pathway we will take. I am so grateful that I chose to journey down the road in which Old Fella became a part of my life. This forum has been a major part of that journey and for that I am truly grateful.

I wish everyone a good Night and a heart felt thanks.
Dixie Flyer

[DrBob]

Great effort Susanne. However, unless you are a wordsmith like Dickens or Melville it would be difficult to make a full book out of this. As one of the original contributors (and the one from Hawaii) I would be happy to help with your effort.

[Pauls_lady]

Well done Susanne! I like how you made the folks on RV.net sound like the peanut gallery! Let us know if you get any feedback on your column.

Pamela

[kimette]

what a beautiful story. I just starting reading this story today, several hours l and a box or two of kleenex later... I am just thrilled with the happy ending. Bless you all for being so postive and supportive. I joined this group to learn more about RVing and have learned so much more than that. Someone I met on a walk with my fosters said to me "there is a special place in heaven for people like you" The words touched me as did (does) this story.

Thank you all for being such wonderful and caring people. It touches my heart to know there are so many people out there who care so much.

[MrsSoCalToolGuy]

Thankyou Susanne for sharing your column with us.I'm sure your readers will enjoy this wonderful story, as much as all of us have. I've got a feeling that Old Fella's fan club will expand and there will be a lot more folks joining us here at RV.Net, on this thread.:)..Barb

[Mickey_T]

Brava, Susanne! Bravisima!!

And another big bravo to the Daniels!

Mickey