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

[kokosfriend]

Gary - you are not alone in this. All our hearts are with you.

Barb

[TugCE]

Gary, I know that this is a really tough time for you as it would and will be for all of us. I truly sucks that our Furry Kids are only with us for a short time. They give us so much unconditional love.

My Prayers are with you and I am sure you will know when the time has come to put him to rest.

Jim

[Dixie_Flyer]

Do the best you can Gary that is all you can do. I don't know how many options you have left. No one can tell you what to do so you have to decide when enough is enough. Dash knows you love him and trusts you to do the right thing for him.

[Dashonthedash]

What a mess he made! On top of everything else, he has diarrhea. I've been spending the last 2 hours cleaning up. I don't know what I'm going to do now. 😞

[ngraef]

Gary so sorry to hear that 😞

[chrisnpat]

Gary Hugs for you and Dash, cherish every moment.

[Code2High]

So sorry Gary... I know you'll spend this last week with him well.

[Dashonthedash]

Maybe I should Paws to reflect on that...:B

I kinda like "Yugo on the dash" :B:B

[Dixie_Flyer]

Dashonthedash wrote:
I plan on training a new recruit next year. He will have big paws to fill.

Maybe you should name him "Paws on the Dash" and call him Paws.

[Dashonthedash]

I have been been blessed with all my dogs, especially Dash. Dash was my "Feng Shui Dog" because of his destruction of my sectional sofa bed when he was just 1. He apparently is much happier with the leather sofa I replaced it with, as it is still here. Dash has graced my life for longer than any dog since Shep, my first GSD, who grew up with me and also lived 13 1/2 years, from 1957 until December of 1970. He was a gorgeous black-and-cream, the spitting image of the TV star Rin-Tin-Tin. Shep accompanied me everywhere and cemented my love of the breed. Since then, I have enjoyed the company and protection of Geoff, Max and Dash and, perhaps next year..."Yugo?"

[dogdiva]

Gary My heart hurts for what you are going thru Love on Dash and talk to him about all the wonderful times you have had and tell him how thankful you are that he has been with you

[Dashonthedash]

Thanks for all of the thoughts and prayers for Dash. I still remember his first night here, when he kept me up the entire night crying to be let out of the laundry room, before he tore the insulation out of the wall. He spent the next night, and most of the next 13+ years sleeping in my bedroom. All he has ever asked for is a warm bed, a couple of meals, and to be close to me. Walter, I plan on training a new recruit next year. He will have big paws to fill.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Last night the lights went out on the Christmas tree and I had to take all the lights off and start over. It doesn't look as good as Sue's work but we have lights that work.

Izzie tried to help but I kept stepping on his tail making him scream with excitement. I don't think it was a joyful scream but rather. "Hey stupid you're standing in my tail", kind of noise. It reminds me of a hunting trip a long time ago.

It was a cold rainy day and my Friend Sonny Bell and i were hunting quail in Columbia County, Georgia. It was lunch time so we decided to go to Dewey Moore's store to find warmth and something to eat. The store was right out of the 40's with a large pot belly wood burning stove in the middle of the store. Sonny found an old wooden chair and propped back with his feet resting on the stove. I walked over to the counter and asked Mr. Moore for something to eat. It was then I heard this screaming that sounded like a cat in distress. I looked at Mr. Moore and asked. "Is that a cat screaming?" Mr. Moore looked at me and with a slow southern drawl said, "You're standing on his tail." With my cold wet feet I couldn't feel the cat's tail under my foot so I stepped back from the counter and could see the cat leaving in a hurry. It was about that time I heard Sonny screaming and dancing across the wooden floor of the store trying to come out of his boots. He too had wet, cold feet and didn't feel the heat building up in the boots until they started to steam.

I am sure when we left the store that day they had many a laugh remembering the time two flatlanders wandered into the store and made fools of themselves.

[Dandy_Dan]

Gary, I know the feeling you are going through. It is not fun but hopefully in time the pain will ease and you can just remember the good and fun times you and "Dash on the Dash" have had together. We will be thinking of you and Dash and hope the transition to the Rainbow Bridge goes as smooth as possible. May God Bless.

[DOTLDaddy]

We, here at Camp Canine, are thinking of Col. Dash. The DOTL fought many successful battles against Darkness and Evil, and in no small part those successes hinged on Col. Dash's courage under fire. There are battles yet to be fought, and the elite, Rainbow Division will surely be thankful to have Col. Dash in the forefront.

Good luck, and Godspeed in your journey, Col. Dash.