Harleigh the Chihuahua was being shamelessly abused by a puppy mill for multiple litters. The unlucky girl had lived all her life in a wire cage and no human had ever showed her any love.

She was over 3 years old when she was rescued by “National Mill Dog Rescue”, writes ilovemydogsomuch

Harleigh was in a shock through the entire rescue. She cowered in a corner whenever any rescuer reached out to her. It took a lot of effort, but they were finally able to bring her back to the safety of their shelter!

Back at the shelter, the bright and strange atmosphere at the shelter caused her to panic. The shelter realized that Harleigh’s traumatic scars run deep. They decided to take is easy with her and let her get accustomed to her new life.

One of the shelter’s volunteers took it upon himself to break Harleigh’s shell of fears. He would visit her kennel each day, hoping that she would come to him or let him pet her. However, the terrified pooch would reject the rescuer every time, and go back to cowering in a corner.

One fine day, Harleigh mustered up some courage and approached the man on her own.

One fine day, Harleigh mustered up some courage and approached the man on her own. The shelter staff watched in awe as she let him hold her and stroke her for the first time! Everyone had to hold back tears when she melted in the rescuer’s arms! But after the man left for the day, Harleigh was back to her old scared self.

The man kept persevering with Harleigh and transformed her into a loving pet after months of efforts. She was soon adopted by the Merenda family, who renamed her Mindy. Her new family says she’s a trusting, confident pooch who adores them and her Chihuahua sister, Missy! What a heartwarming happy ending for Mindy!

Source: ilovemydogsomuch.tv

---------

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.