A chance encounter with an injured bird in an Australian park has lead to an unusual animal friendship that is touching hearts around the globe. One day, while taking Milo for a walk, the Israili family and their dog Milo found an injured bird in a Melbourne park. The galah had a broken wing so Abdul and his daughter Charlotte brought the bird home to care for it. Milo, a Staffordshire Terrier Blue Heeler mix, was instantly mesmerized with the bird and would sit by the bird’s cage as his wing healed, writes reshareworthy.

The family opened up the bird’s cage after his wing healed so that he could return to the wild, but the bird opted to stay and they named him ‘Cracker’. Cracker began to climb down to the bottom of the cage so he could be closer to the attentive Milo. And Milo would try and lick Cracker through the cage. Eventually Cracker climbed down the outside of his cage so he could be by Milo’s side on the floor. Charlotte closely monitored their interactions but the two were gentle and loving with each other. The two quickly became inseparable, sharing beds and following each other around the house.

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.

“Two weeks later we saw the Facebook post and we were like, ‘there’s no way we’re gonna find our galah’. There’s just so many in Australia, they all look the same,” Charlotte said.

But it was Cracker and when he came home and reunited with Milo it was a very happy reunion!

“Milo was smiling from ear to ear for hours and (they were) just licking each other and Cracker was doing his little kissy noises to Milo,” said Charlotte. “It was just so cute.”

Watch their heartwarming story of friendship in the video below:

Now that the pair of BFFs are reunited, Cracker will squawk whenever Milo is out of sight. Milo is fine with that and is very content to have Cracker by his side, always.

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A post shared by Cracker & Milo (@crackerandmilo)

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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.