Bubby the Pit Bull was just a puppy when he was being used as a bait dog by a dog fighting ring. By the time he was rescued, he was physically and emotionally traumatized. He was terrified as his emaciated body was punctured and infected all over, writes ilovemydogsomuch

His wounds emanated a rotten stench and he was extremely shut down. These discouraging factors eventually pushed him up on the kill list.

Bubby was saved from euthanization at the last moment, but his troubles were far from over. He spent the next 2 months locked in a garage like a worthless piece of trash. Finally, a woman heard about his plight and adopted him without a moment’s thought. Bubby was depressed and confused as he sat in his savior’s car, not knowing his life was about to change forever.

Bubby was touched as he received love and care for the first time from his new mom. She gave him enough space to overcome his shyness and fears at his own pace. Over the months, he impressed everyone by making an unbelievable physical and mental recovery. He grew especially attached to the woman who saved him, which ended up manifesting as acute separation anxiety (it is quite understandable considering what he has been through).

Bubby’s owner decided to crate train him to give him a sense of security and stability when she was not around. It was during this crate training that Bubby recognized a newfound feeling of comfort in blankets! Every morning, he would step out of his crate with his blanket and parade around the house snorting happily and wagging his tail away!

Bubby’s blanket became a safety shield for him that assured him that everything was alright. His traumas and nightmares dwindled away little by little, but his sacred “blankie routine” remained pretty much intact. With time, he developed similar devotion to his pillows, toys, and just about anything that felt like home!

Bubby received the best gift from his family when they adopted another rescue Pit Bull named Simon to keep him company. They thought Bubby would finally lose his blanket obsession, but that never happened. As Simon deeply adored and looked up to Bubby, it was only a matter of time that he copied his brother’s blanket love without inhibitions! Aww! Pit Bulls are such adorable sweethearts!

Click the video below to watch Bubby learning to cope with his past traumas with the help of his infallible blanket.

Source: ilovemydogsomuch.com

---------

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.