When Gabe Castellanos, 38, woke up on the morning of his birthday, he had no idea that by the end of the day, he would be heralded as a hero in the media but that is exactly what happened.

Gabe was enjoying his outdoor birthday party near New York’s East River when a commotion from the water garnered his attention. He looked toward the noise and realized that a black and white dog was struggling to stay afloat in the water.

While horrified onlookers watched the poor dog struggle, Gabe sprung into action. He quickly headed toward the pier, shed his pants down to his underwear, and then put on a life jacket before jumping into the water.

He swam to the frightened dog and tried to grab her but when he did; she quickly turned and bit his face and hand. Ignoring his own blood and pain, he purposefully continued to push the dog until reaching the safety of the shore.

Onlookers cheered the two on and a helicopter is seen hovering above monitoring the dog rescue. Once ashore, the dog was eventually reunited with her owner and the back story of her terrible and eventful day came out.

Apparently the dog, whose name is Harper, escaped from her dog walker who was hit by a car. No one knows how she ended up in the river but she did and thankfully due to the bravery of Gabe, was saved from nearly drowning.

Gabe attributes his ability to save the dog to his ocean survival skills he learned in college. Even then, he did not escape injury. He has a bite on his hand, face, and the dog knocked him in the teeth so he now is undergoing dental repair.

We’re sorry Gabe got hurt but so happy that Harper is okay. Her owner is very grateful for all Gabe did that day and we’re sure that Harper is, too.

Please share this story with your family and friends.

Originally appeared on dogdispatch

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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.