A beautiful puppy found dumped at a landfill has a long, happy life to look forward to thanks to a rescuer’s daily routine.

Finding dogs at the local landfill is an almost daily occurrence for animal rescuer Takis Proestakis. In fact, it was his rescue of one abandoned dog at the garbage dump that lead him to establish Takis Shelter.

Unwanted dogs are often thrown out like trash at the garbage dump on Greece’s island of Crete. As the landfill is en route to Takis Shelter, Takis inevitably drives home with another dog. That’s what happened on this particular day, when Takis spots Samu.

Samu almost blended into his surroundings – his white fur the same color as the mattress he was hiding behind.

“Here we are again,” says Takis in the rescue video (see below), as he lets his dog Zoe out of his car. Takis hopes that Zoe will help lure the puppy to him and it works.

As soon as the pup is safely in his car, Takis can’t help but admire the puppy. “Look at this beautiful face,” he says, noting this particular puppy still has a blue collar on.

Takis takes Samu back to his shelter, which is nestled on a mountainside amidst an olive grove. At any given time the shelter is home to 300 dogs.

Samu was shy at first, but the puppy soon relaxes around the other animals and begins to play with the other dogs at the shelter.

It doesn’t take long for Samu to catch the eye of a foreign visitor, who fosters dogs for Takis in her home in Finland. Samu is soon in Finland and befriends two other dogs rescued from Takis Shelter. He is on his way to having the happiest life!

Watch until the end of the video to see the heartwarming update on Samu!

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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.