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

[Code2High]

It's very hard, I think especially when you have an older one that's failing and then the younger ones that are able to do so much more. You just have to do the best you can. Do you still have the wagon?

[Dixie_Flyer]

Every morning I watch a willing heart give way to a tired and aching body as Mama struggles to keep up on our walk. I wait for her to catch up so she doesn’t feel left behind and the love in her eyes says “I’m coming”. Her limp was more pronounced this morning in her front shoulder or leg. It’s hard to know which is bothering her the most.

Each morning she is the first to say “Let’s go” and out the door. Then she is the last one up the steps to come inside when we get back. I remember Old Fella in his last days as he struggled to walk and yet he wanted so much to go. The day he left us he was in Ava’s front yard watching Suzie playing. He was so content and just lay there with a smile on his face. As I walked to him he wagged his tail and rolled over on his side for me to comfort him. This is the hard part of having an aging pet. Yet it is rewarding to know you are making it easier for them to deal with the problems of old age.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Good morning. Yesterday I asked for it and I almost got it! Mama had her toy and as usual I watched her give it tender care. I knelt down and reached for it to give it a tug and Mama growled grabbed my hand as if to bite. However she didn't put any pressure on it. Then the look on her face, Oh my gosh what have I done? She was so ashamed at what she had done that she dropped the toy at my knees as I knelt there looking at her. When I made no attempt to pick it up she nudged it toward me. Still I made no attempt to pick it up. She then picked up the toy and placed it in my lap and waited for my response.

I didn't say a word to her, I picked up the toy and gave it a hug and offered it back to her but she wouldn't take it. She went to her bed and lay down with her head between her paws. I have never seen a dog say "I am so sorry" before in my life without first being reprimanded. I went to her and gave her a big hug and then everything was alright again. Now tell me, can a dog reason? Can a dog show remorse over a situation? Can a dog love a human so much that they can say I am sorry without saying a word? What a wonderful gift God has given us in the form of a canine that has unconditional love. What a lesson for the day.

[TugCE]

Thank You so very much for all of your kind welcomes.

It is so truly amazing how our fur babies can sense our feeling. There are days where my back is so bad I just do not want to move but one of the kids will come to me and give me one of those looks and all of a sudden the pain just is not so bad.

I look forward to reading about all of your Fur Babies and I am sure that I will be posting some of my stories.

[Dandy_Dan]

SGTJOE wrote:
Welcome Tug, I started reading this a few years ago and became hooked like a lot of the rest. My computer has been trained to go straight to this thread as soon as the on button has been hit. There should be a disclaimer on this thread. WARNING-This tread may cause smiles, laughter and tears. Also, it has been known to become addictive which will cause hugging your fur babies more closely.

I am looking forward to the Old Fella Rally and finally meeting these great folks and their fur kids in person in June. Think about it.

I too am looking forward to the Old Fella Rally in Branson. The DW and I have only missed 2 Rallys since its inception. Have met some great people and hope to continue to meet more new ones. Richard and Sue sure have a big family.

[Hoops]

Welcome Tug to the forum. Hope you enjoy it and the people on here as much as I have.

Hoops (Becky)

[Dashonthedash]

WARNING: This thread may be habit-forming. Possible side effects may include sudden and unexplained attacks of laughter and/or tears, notable withdrawal symptoms when unable to connect, increased desire to adopt furry companions, and loss of social life. If you have a reading session on this thread lasting longer than four hours, please consult your doctor. He may want to join it, too.

[SGTJOE]

Welcome Tug, I started reading this a few years ago and became hooked like a lot of the rest. My computer has been trained to go straight to this thread as soon as the on button has been hit. There should be a disclaimer on this thread. WARNING-This tread may cause smiles, laughter and tears. Also, it has been known to become addictive which will cause hugging your fur babies more closely.

I am looking forward to the Old Fella Rally and finally meeting these great folks and their fur kids in person in June. Think about it.

[kokosfriend]

Welcome, Tug! This group has the most caring and loving people you would ever want to be around!

Barb

[Dixie_Flyer]

Yesterday we had a misty rain all day. Last night the geavy stuff moved in with some high winds in some areas. This morning everything is under water with more raiin coming down. The girls didn't wastes any time doing business and coming back in.

Gary I am sorry to hear about Dash's condition. It is sad to watch a friend go down slowly and knowing there isn't much you can do except be a comfort to them. All of us who have had pets over the years have experienced this process and it doesn't get easier. Each day I watch Mama go through her struggles and try to keep her as comfortable as I can. She still has the heart of a younger dog but her body is wearing out fast. Each morning she is so eager to go outside for a walk, but once outside she lags behind and sometimes when she has had enough she will sit and wait for us to come back toward the house. Then when we get close she will jump up and do the dance and join us on our final leg of the walk.

Sue bought some stuffed toys for the girls yesterday. Mama has taken hers and carries it everywhere she goes, even to bed with her last night. She is such a care giver and watches over all the family just like a mother would watch over her children.

I don't know how we are going to get along without her, but I know that day is coming soon, So until then we will love her and care for her and thank God every day that she has been such a wonderful part of our lives.

[Dandy_Dan]

Welcome TugCE to the Old Fella Family. My DW and I are the proud guardians of one of the first litter that Richard rescued. We also have a yellow lab that Richard took care of.
This is Anna one of the first rescued when she was about 8 weeks old.
This is Sarah: She had been struck by a motor vehicle and left along the road for dead.

[Dixie_Flyer]

Welcome Tug from Leesburg, Florida. This thread has been a big part of my life since Old Fella came into out lives. As said we look forward to reading your posts as you and your fur baby venture into the realm of life. The many friends that have come here to read and post are a huge part of mine and Sue's life, and also Mama, Hobo, Suzie, Peaches and Izzie.

This is the first thing I do every morning and the last thing I do at night. I am so greatful for the many friends we have made over the years and for the ones we have yet to meet.

[dogdiva]

Tug, welcome to our family here, I shall be looking forward to reading your posts about your furbabies Its amazing what Richard and Old Fella have accomplished.....

[Grillmeister]

TugCE

Welcome to the FOOF'S

[Dashonthedash]

A big furry welcome to TugCE, DW, Macy and Sandi. We are just one big Family here, and now you are officially part of it. As for not having a life, I don't think you come close to what I saw today. While in downtown Denver, I stopped at the main branch of the Denver Public Library and used one of their public computers to check email and, of course, this Forum. I happened to glance briefly at the fellow on the computer next to me, and what do you think he was doing? Playing Solitaire. On a Library computer.

It's funny, though, that you mention that final act of Love. My 13-year-old German Shepherd, Dash, has Degenerative Myelopathy, or DM, a form of canine Multiple Sclerosis that eventually leads to paralysis. He is starting to lose bowel control, so I know the time I have with him is short. It was his habit of climbing onto the dashboard of my motor home that lead to my username; now, I must talk to the vet about how to make his last days more comfortable.