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When March the homeless Pit Bull was first pulled from the streets, he was a mellow and happy-go-lucky fellow, writes ilovemydogsomuch

The staff at Philadelphia city shelter was confident that this handsome and well-behaved boy would find his forever home soon. But the shelter stay soon turned into a traumatizing nightmare for March.

March was not used to living in confined kennels surrounded by other scared animals waiting to be adopted. This took a mental toll on him and his spark began dwindling away. However, the biggest blow for him was getting rejected by a family that had promised to adopt him, just because he wasn’t as “playful” as they expected him to be.

March was destroyed when he learned that the family that picked him had eventually cancelled the adoption and returned him to the shelter. After finding himself back in his cold kennel, March looked visibly defeated and depressed. He stared miserably at the wall as he slouched to one corner and refused to interact with anyone.

When a local news reporter named Dawn Timmeney heard about March, she decided to share his heartbreaking story on social media. The haunting pictures of March’s downcast kennel stance garnered immense attention in the community – and that changed the life of this gloomy boy forever!

Within 3 days of Dawn’s social media endeavor, a rescue came forward to take in March before his kill list turn was due. It was a rare moment of triumph as March made his freedom run out of the shelter!

The new rescue is a no-kill organization that will take good care of March till he finds his forever family. While March’s story culminates on an optimistic note, there are millions of shelter dogs who get put down because they’re unable to adapt or find homes in time. Let’s do our part and become the voice for these unfortunate souls. Spread the word.

Click the video below to watch how March’s picture as a depressed dog bailed him out when he was too sad to face the world.

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.