An irresponsible backyard breeder enabled the birth of a Corgi Pitbull-Terrier-mix litter, but two of the puppies from the litter were extremely feeble. While Pablo the puppy was only generally weak, his brother, Picasso, was born with a facial deformity that gave him a crooked jaw, writes ilovemydogsomuch

The breeder was appalled to see Picasso’s “obnoxious” face, and immediately dumped him at a kill shelter alongside Pablo. Although Picasso had no health issues, it was especially clear that a repulsive-looking dog like him would have no takers. But the poor dog still hoped that someone would look past his deformity and accept his pure, loving heart.

Just when Picasso and Pablo were about to be put down due to their “unadoptability”, a woman named Liesl Wilhardt came forward to rescue them! Liesl runs a small rescue called “Luvable Dog Rescue”, and is passionate toward helping dogs with disabilities.

Picasso and Pablo began living in their new home with 9 other rescue dogs. But just as they settled into their happy lives, Pablo suffered a brain aneurysm and passed away. This tragedy pushed Picasso into a state of depression for months, leaving Liesl worried about her grieving dog.

Picasso found his strength again in the form of his training as a therapy dog for the disabled. The dog turned out to be naturally gifted as a therapy dog. After getting his certification, Picasso totally immersed himself into providing services to sad and disabled humans.

Today, Picasso has come a long way from his days as an abandoned puppy. He found his tribe, lost a loved one, and rediscovered his life purpose as a therapy dog. Picasso has overpowered every obstacle like a true survivor, and has truly become the beacon of flight that shines on people on their darkest days!

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.