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]

Good morning. It is another cold start to a spring day here in the Deep South. Yesterday it was cool but not cold, today will be another cool day. The girls are doing okay having had their breakfast and now resting waiting on me. I have a Doctor's appointment this morning at 8:30 so our walk will have to wait until I get back.

I hope everyone is well this morning and that you have a blessed day.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Toolguy5 wrote:
Izzy is a cutie! Glad she is doing better. And you too! The driving range is a good way to exercise your shoulders and arms. I was told if you don't use it...you'll lose it! Which is why I am glad I have a treadmill. lol Anyway getting excited about going to the Old Fella rally. We pick up our new 5er May 3. We will use it for first time Memorial weekend nearby. The rally will be first long trip. Our pom Maddy is doing better....she had some tummy and liver issues...meds seemed to have helped. Hope to make it to Branson!
Patty

Be sure and post pictures of the new camper.

[Toolguy5]

Izzy is a cutie! Glad she is doing better. And you too! The driving range is a good way to exercise your shoulders and arms. I was told if you don't use it...you'll lose it! Which is why I am glad I have a treadmill. lol Anyway getting excited about going to the Old Fella rally. We pick up our new 5er May 3. We will use it for first time Memorial weekend nearby. The rally will be first long trip. Our pom Maddy is doing better....she had some tummy and liver issues...meds seemed to have helped. Hope to make it to Branson!
Patty

[Dixie_Flyer]

This is Izzy.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Grillmeister wrote:

Dixie Flyer wrote:
She has such a pretty face with big brown eyes.

We need pictures!

Okay. I will get one for you.

[Grillmeister]

Dixie Flyer wrote:
She has such a pretty face with big brown eyes.

We need pictures!

[Dixie_Flyer]

It has turned cold again here in the Deep South. It was 42 outside this morning when I got up. The high today will be in the mid to low 60's so it will be cool all day. The rain settles the pollen dust so maybe that issue will be better.

The girls are doing well this morning waiting on me to get dressed and go for a walk. Exercise has done wonders for my upper body. I was having a lot of pain in my shoulders and upper arms, but since I have been going to the driving range and hitting golf balls I have noticed the pain is going away. There was a time I couldn't reach anything above my head for the pain in my arms, now I can easily reach up without hurting.

Allison's Izzy is doing well. Whatever her problem, it has healed by itself. Izzy is such a sweet dog. She had a very bad beginning and by the time Allison got her she was a mess. Her coat was matted and she didn't know what it was for her feet to touch the floor nor to be outside on green grass. She was so shy and trembled whenever someone came near her. She took to me right away. The first time I saw her she ran to me and begged me to pick her up and hold her in my arms. Even now when I go over there she greets me at the door dancing around and around in circles until I acknowledge her or pick her up. She has such a pretty face with big brown eyes. I am glad she is doing better.

Okay I need to go and get ready to face the day. Talk with you later and have a blessed day.

[Code2High]

Odd about Izzy.... it's always hard when they get older.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning. I hope all is well with everyone this morning. It is supposed to rain today and tonight the mountains will see frost. I was cleaning the Carafe to make coffee and it broke in my hands, strange that it did that. But I managed to make coffee anyway. So I will make a trip to Bed Bath and Beyond to buy another one.

Mama is acting strange this morning. She refused to go out even after breakfast, She ate well and seems to be getting around okay. May be that she just doesn’t want to go out and that is it. The other girls are doing well and Allison’s Izzy is eating and moving around okay since last night. So whatever was happening with her seems to have passed.

I am going to get ready to face the day so we can take our walk. Everyone have a blessed day and I will talk with you later.

[Dashonthedash]

Shadow is doing fine and is settling in nicely. He is very affectionate and likes to give kisses, but he is a little timid in the house towards strangers. Yesterday, he was trying out his new crate which I hope to use in the motorhome for him this summer:

[Dixie_Flyer]

It sure has been quiet around here lately. Gary how is your new addition doing? What else is going on out there? Allison called last night to tell us her Poodle mix Izzy who is 13 years old has taken a sudden turn for the worse. She will take her to the vet's office this morning to see what is happening with her. She can’t keep anything down and is weak in her rear so that she cannot climb steps plus she isn’t eating. Izzy is a rescue that Allison took in about six years ago that has been the most darling girl you have ever seen. She has such a pretty face and loves to cuddle. When I go over to the house Izzy meets me at the door and wants me to pick her up and carry her in my arms. I hope it is nothing serious.

Mama continues to do okay. She has slowed down a lot on our walks so I just let her walk at the pace she is comfortable with. My legs are so sore from being at the golf range every day this week. Last night after church I came home and crashed into my chair until bed time and then went to bed and slept like a log all night. This morning Suzie was up in the bed trying to get me up so she could outside. This started Peaches to start whining and barking and then Mama came to the bedside and started pulling on the covers while Hobo paced back and forth by the door that leads to the patio and then to the backyard. As soon as my feet hit the floor all of them ran to the door trying to be the first one out.

By now they have all been fed and waiting for me to go for a walk so I will go for now and head out the door for an adventure out in the fields next to the hiuse.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning everyone. Ready for a beautiful day? It is so nice outside this morning. The giris are all doing well. Gary how is your new addition? Just a few more weeks until we gather at Branson for teh Old Fella Rally. Sue and I are looking forward to see everyone.

I hope you have a blessed day and enjoy your fur babies.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Gary just think how much activity you could add to your life with a puppy. I was surprised yesterday when I went to the golf driving range. I wasn't that bad. The irons need a little work but the driver was on the money, I went to the putting green and that wasn't that bad either, so there is hope.

The girls are all doing fine. Mama is losing weight and it seems to be helping her. She wants more food and begs every time we sit at the table and it is hard to refuse her but we know it is for the best.

This morning it is cool and cloudy with a chance of rain but clearing this afternoon with more spring weather on tap. Remember those injured in Boston yesterday. Many were injured and so far they are reporting two deaths. Prayer is all we can do at this point while officials work to solve this case.

[Dashonthedash]

The GSD puppy has been postponed indefinitely. By some odd quirk of fate, the puppy application apparently got lost in the web somewhere, or I might not now have Shadow.

[CA_POPPY]

Dashonthedash wrote:

As I write this, Shadow is laying next to me with his head on my foot. There are just some dogs that are meant to be foster failures, and I am so lucky I got this one.

I think maybe we saw this one coming? :W Do you still have a GSD puppy ordered for in the fall? That would be fun and he'll have a lot of mentors.