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Traumatized Dog Can’t Stop Clinging To Her Rescuers

Natalie Olivieri had rescued enough dogs to know Harper had been horribly abused – and that she was traumatized, writes heavenofanimals

Olivieri, vice president of Furever Bully Love Rescue, an Orlando-based rescue group, found Harper in a big field in Redland, Florida (commonly called “The Redlands”) – a place known for having a high stray dog population.

“The place is pretty much a dumping ground of dogs,” Olivieri told The Dodo. “People just leave them there.”

Another organization called Redland Rock Pit Abandoned Dog Project visits The Redlands every day to feed the homeless dogs there. It goes through about 350 pounds of kibble to feed approximately 100 dogs, Jessie Pena, vice president of the group, told The Dodo.

However, there are more dogs than it can help, Pena explained.

“There are thousands of dogs out there,” Pena said. “We only cover a small area. Redland is huge.”

This February, Furever Bully Love Rescue teamed up with Redland Rock Pit to raise money for dog food, but also to rescue a few dogs in the area. Olivieri, as well as three other volunteers from Furever Bully Love Rescue, traveled to The Redlands to meet volunteers from the other group.

For Olivieri, it was an experience she’ll never forget.

“We pulled onto this dirt road, it was all remote,” Olivieri said. “You would never find it on your own.”

When volunteers from Redland Rock Pit started putting out food, dogs started to appear. That’s when rescuers spotted Harper, a 1-year-old hound mix. The volunteers had seen her before on previous visits to The Redlands – they believed she’d lived in the field for about four or five months.

“Harper came out with about five other dogs,” Olivieri said. “As soon as Harper approached us and we met, she just completely fell on the ground in fear.”

Besides clearly being terrified of people, Olivieri noticed Harper had scars on her head and back.

“She was definitely abused and neglected,” Olivieri said. “There was no way we were going to leave her there.”

Rescuers managed to slip a lead around Harper’s neck, but when they tried to take her back to the truck, Harper refused to move.

“We had to pick Harper up,” Olivieri said. “We didn’t even put her in a crate at this point, so we put a blanket on the floor.”

When Olivieri and the other Furever Bully Love Rescue volunteers arrived back in Orlando, they took Harper (and two other dogs from The Redlands) to the vet for a checkup, where Harper was treated for anemia, worms and a tooth infection.

But Harper’s fear issues would take a lot longer to heal.

“For about three days, she never stood up,” Olivieri said.

And when anyone picked up Harper, she clung to them like her life depended on it.

“I had never had a dog hold onto me so tight,” Jennifer Adorno, the president of Furever Bully Love Rescue, told The Dodo.

“It could be a comfort thing, or it could be that she’s holding on so she doesn’t fall,” Olivieri said. “It’s hard to say with abused dogs like that.”

Since Furever Bully Love rescue doesn’t have a physical shelter, Harper went straight into foster care with a woman name Cheryl Kessler. Harper’s only been with Kessler for a few weeks, but Kessler’s already seeing a huge change in her.

“She leaves her crate and runs around outside,” Kessler told The Dodo. “She’s doing donuts in the backyard, and just being a very normal, typical dog. I love seeing her come out of her shell, and her personality come through.”

“Every day she does better and better,” Olivieri said. “She’s becoming more of a dog – she’s learning that she’s going to get food every day, and that she’s going to get love every day.”

Harper will be up for adoption in about five months. If you’d like to adopt her, or one of Furever Bully Love Rescue’s other dogs, get in touch with them. Redland Rock Pit Abandoned Dog Project also has plenty of homeless dogs who need homes available on its website.

Source: heavenofanimals.com

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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.

What do you think?

Written by davelovesdogs

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