For 85-year-old Shirley Moore, the terrifying pandemic experience was made bearable only due to the comforting presence of her loyal mini Fox Terrier, Lily. But a month ago, the 16-year-old pooch died of old age, leaving Shirley feeling empty and hopeless, writes ilovemydogsomuch

The grieving woman decided to adopt a new dog, but this turned out to be harder than she had expected.

As Shirley reached out to every local shelter, she realized getting a pet during the pandemic was almost impossible. Many greedy locals had adopted shelter pets only to sell them for high prices, so the workers were wary about allowing random adoptions. Moreover, Shirley’s age was another issue, as it made her incompatible with many dogs who required plenty of exercise and maintenance.

In a desperate last ditch attempt, Shirley reached out to the local radio and shared her fruitless search for a furry companion in her twilight years. The poor woman was clearly traumatized by the void left by Lily’s death, and her radio plea tugged at the hearts of the entire community.

When the staff at Australian National K9 Rescue learned about Shirley’s situation, they immediately thought of Tia Maria, the 4-year-old Tenterfield Terrier. Tia was surrendered to the shelter in a hurry because her owner’s health had declined rapidly. However, no one was interested in adopting this lonely girl as she was a laidback “homebody”.

The rescue wasted no time and contacted Shirley. The moment the elderly woman met Tia, the staff knew it was meant to be! The adoption followed instantly, and the duo seamlessly settled in each other’s company. Now that Shirley finally has a buddy of her own, she feels motivated to get out of bed every day. She is immensely grateful to the community for spreading her story and bailing her out from one of the lowest points in her life!

Source: ilovemydogsomuch.tv

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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.