Update 11/17/03: Last night was a bad night for Old Fella.  He was up, panting, salivating puddles, and just couldn't relax.  Scott and I took turns laying on the floor with him, but he would stay for a brief time and get back up. I went and sat in the living room. He would come over for comforting, but soon move on. He was constantly pacing; he had a very rapid heart rate and pulse with elevated temperature - we were very worried! We knew he had not eaten anything he should not have, we thought maybe he was hurting from overdoing it on Saturday. We began to wonder if his time with us was coming to a close. Finally, we broke down and gave him a Rimadyl and a 1/2 a tab of Ace, so he would relax -  since nothing else we did seemed to help.  What neither Scott or I realized is that there were storms in the area, but Old Fella sure knew it!  We have now discovered he is extremely thunderphobic. Guess we cannot blame him since we have no way to know how often he was left out in bad storms/weather prior to him coming to us.  Gad, we have had dogs with thunderphob before, but NOTHING compared to this. Praise the Lord, Old Fella's back to his old self this morning!

Update 11/28/03: Old Fella had his "first" Thanksgiving with us yesterday. Along with the others, he had a taste of turkey, dressing, potatoes, yams, green beans - well, a little bit of leftovers from our family's celebration. Needless to say, Old Fella did not need Scott to help him clean that plate of food! Since taking Old Fella to the Show 'n Tail at PETCO, this guy thinks our van is his personal limo; Scott, his personal chauffeur; and I, his personal handler! Every time we leave the house, Old Fella makes it his mission to block the door so we can't leave or until we know he fully intends to go along! Just is not easy telling this special guy that he cannot go everywhere with us, although we do take him along as much as we can. We took Old Fella to the vet for a brief check-up on Wednesday, 11/26/03. He has gained another pound; he is just shy of 60 pounds now. We still have a long way to go, many more pounds to gain, but Old Fella has come so far. From not being able to stand or walk, to trotting around the dog yard and managing steps albeit gingerly, how wonderful to watch Old Fella continue to improve day by day. His desire to eat has increased, as Scott does not have to hand feed him every day, just maybe every other day - and at this point, I think it is more "spoiled dog" than real need! Old Fella still likes Scott to sit by and encourage him. After much discussion, we have decided not to go through with Old Fella's surgery to close up his three fistulas. Old Fella is eating fine; we just need to make sure the fistulas are cleaned out, so as not to cause problems. The vet says the surgery is very painful, and we are just not sure about putting Old Fella through that kind of pain at this stage of his life.

Another milestone:  Old Fella RAN today. It was not a 45 MPH full-out sprint around the yard, but it sure was not his usual slow trot! Old Fella was outside, following his nose, when all of a sudden he realized he was the only one outside. (I was watching him from the deck.) I gave a little whistle, his ears perked up, he looked around, and through the yard he ran to reach the deck steps to go inside with the others. When Old Fella got to the top of the stairs, he came trotting over to me with the biggest grin on his face. He was so proud of himself! Wish I had the camera handy!

Update 12-18-03: Well, guess Old Fella is feeling much better, as he has developed into quite the old curmudgeon! He runs the household and keeps the other Greyhounds in line with a quick "woof". We have to be careful what we say when it is potty time. If Scott or I just say "it's time to go", Old Fella thinks its car ride time and he bounces up, trots out of the house, goes down the steps and stands by the gate waiting to go for a ride in the van! With the weather turning cooler, Old Fella spends much of his time sleeping in front of the fireplace.

During this Holiday Season, Old Fella and H.O.T. want to thank everyone who has helped with his on-going recovery since being found. Without the prayers, white light and positive thoughts, Old Fella would not have thrived quite as well as he has. Old Fella shares the following pictures of finery he has received from some of his friends in the Greyhound community. Thanks to one and all, and God's Blessing in the New Year.

Old Fella says "THANKS!" to his Auntie Laurie Drew, and her senior boy, Argus, who sent him a lovely warm blanket and yummy Snausages! Old Fella's Auntie Joyce, who works for Hill's Science Diet, sent him two beautiful Holiday Bandannas and toys! Doesn't he look gorgeous!

Old Fella's staying warm and toasty thanks to the Snugglers from his Auntie Suzanne Palmer and Suzie Q Designs! Auntie Suzanne sent Old Fella three Snugglers, but Old Fella shared one with his senior Greyfriend, Farrah, who is moving to Oklahoma soon and who needs to keep warm!

Old Fella is the best dressed Greyhound in the house thanks to his Auntie Diane (Burpdog Biscuits), his Auntie Lisa, his Auntie Michelle, his Auntie Anne and Majestic Collars!