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For a police officer in Novo Horizonte, Brazil, the morning of Tuesday, January 31 started out like any other. He was about to drive his kid to school when he observed a dog in the neighborhood going among the garbage.

The officer initially thought the dog had discovered a dead cat, but upon closer inspection, he discovered that it was a tiny newborn puppy that was still alive, writes doginspiration.com.

He tried to take the puppy away from the dog, but she barked angrily, so the officer let her keep an eye on it while he called for help. He reached out to Marco Antonio Rodrigues, a local pet sitter and animal rescuer, who gladly accepted the puppy, dubbing it Charlie Chaplin after the actor’s small black mustache.

Rodrigues started a Facebook campaign right once to find a nursing mommy dog who would accept the abandoned puppy as her own. Lupi, a Chihuahua mix who lived across town, had just given birth to Charlie a few days before he was discovered. Her owners offered to assist provided Lupi agreed to take the dog.

Lupi, fortunately, took to the sad little orphan right away. Charlie has begun to regain his strength and thrive as an adoptive member of Lupi’s litter, thanks to a combination of fresh milk and antibiotics!

The person who abandoned the helpless puppy like rubbish has not been apprehended, but the wonderful compassion displayed by the two dogs who saved him much outweighs his or her heartless indifference.

He would never have had a chance if it hadn’t been for one dog finding him and the other adopting him as her own. Another example of a dog’s incredible capacity for empathy!

*NOTE: Although we don’t know the name of the dog who found Charlie, she is owned and her family and community have lauded her as a hero – much like Lupi!

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10 Common Dog Health Problems

Some health problems are specific to certain breeds, such as breathing complications for flat-faced dogs. But several other canine health issues can affect any dog. Here are 10 typical health conditions you need to watch out for in your four-legged best friend:

Top 10 Common Dog Health Problems

Skin Problems

One of the most obvious signs that your dog has a skin condition is itching. Other symptoms that may suggest that your dog has a skin problem include rashes, redness, dry skin, lumps, bumps, skin sores, dandruff, and hair loss.

Ear Diseases

Approximately 20 percent of dogs suffer from ear disease. It’s particularly common in breeds with floppy ears like cocker spaniels and basset hounds. It’s common to see wax buildup or discharge in their ear canal. But others may experience pain, itchiness, redness, swelling, and crusting in the ears.

Urinary Tract Infections

Simply known as UTI, this condition can make it uncomfortable for your beloved companion to pass urine. Signs of urinary tract infection include drinking water more than usual and passing urine more often than usual. Your dog may also only pass a small amount or lose bladder control. Additionally, you may see blood in their urine or notice a strong smell to it.

Vomiting

There are countless reasons why your pet may throw up. You don’t need to visit the vet each time your dog vomits. But it’s also not something you can just ignore. Don’t try to guess. If the vomiting persists or occurs with other symptoms like diarrhea or lethargy, you need to rush to the vet. It could be a sign of severe health problems, such as poisoning or gastrointestinal blockage.

Diarrhea

This symptom may occur on its own or be accompanied by vomiting. Its potential causes are similar to vomiting. One or two episodes of diarrhea may not be a pet emergency. But recurring diarrhea can result in dehydration.

Parasites

At some point in their lives, your pet may have to deal with discomfort due to internal or external parasites. Symptoms of parasites generally vary, depending on a few factors. These include the kind of parasite that has plagued your pet, where it lives, and how severe its infestation is.

Dental Issues

Like us, your dog can develop canine dental diseases due to high levels of plaque buildup. Several signs indicate that your pet may have dental disease. These include difficulty eating, bleeding of the gums or teeth, loose teeth, and bad breath.

Obesity

Nearly 30 percent of the general dog population is considered obese. Several factors contribute to a pet’s risk. These include age, genetic predisposition, lack of exercise, and overfeeding, among others.

Arthritis

This joint problem can restrict your dog’s mobility. Bring Fido to the vet if you see your dog slow down or limp before and after walks. Other signs include licking or chewing on tender areas and behavioral changes.

Poisoning

Symptoms of dog poisoning vary widely, depending on the kind of toxin a pet has been exposed to. The signs can range from vomiting to drooling, breathing difficulties, seizures, or worse, coma. Some of the most common poisonous substances are human foods like chocolates, grapes, raisins, onions, and caffeine. Other known culprits are human medications, household cleaning products, pesticides, and some plants.