Some families that can’t afford to talk care of their sick and elderly dogs they decide to give them up. Suddenly, these dogs, who’ve had wonderful lives end up alone and scared in a shelter.

Can you imagine not knowing why you are being abandoned and living your final days all alone?

A retired nurse, named Nicola Coyne, decided she needed to do something about this and set up The Grey Muzzle Canine Hospice Project. She takes in dying dogs who’ve been abandoned by their owners and makes sure they spend the rest of their lives feeling loved.

Nicola, from Nottingham in the UK, goes to shelters in her area and adopts two ailing senior dogs at a time. In most cases, she tries to adopt dogs that have 6 months or less left on this earth. The longest she’s had a dog is around one year and the shortest was two weeks.

She also makes sure they “complete their bucket lists,” according to Metro. That means pup-parties, trips to the beach, delicious steak dinners, and ice cream from McDonald’s.

The Metro writes, “One charity she regularly helps said they ‘couldn’t be more grateful’ to Nicola, who has given some of their most desperate pets ‘love and care like they have never received.’” Nicola spends up to £500 ($610) on each dog, using her own money and any donations she receives through her nonprofit organization.

“It can be an utterly heartbreaking job, but someone has to do it,” Nicola says. “I’m a complete animal lover and I just can’t bear the thought of them spending their final days, weeks, or months without the love they deserve. It can be really tough, but ultimately it’s so rewarding when you can make those times special.”

When they pass away, she has them cremated and buried in a special plot at her Nottingham home. ‘It can be an utterly heartbreaking job, but someone has to do it,’ says Nicola.

Joanne Snaith, from Helping Yorkshire Poundies, says, “Nicola does an amazing job, taking in dogs when they’ve been kicked out by their owners right at the very end of their lives — giving them the love and care most have never received previously in their lives. I absolutely admire the work of The Grey Muzzle Project.”

Nicola estimates that she’s taken in about 30 dogs so far and helped them through the end of their lives.

Source:theanimalrescuesite

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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.