Little Neville is obsessed with his food bowl; he brings it with him wherever he goes and sleeps with it in his bed every night.

At first glance, it seems cute that the little pup has chosen a food bowl as his “security blanket”, but sadly, the cause of Neville’s obsession is deeply upsetting.

The little pup may be living in safety and comfort now, but that’s not always been the case.

For a long time, Neville was living as a stray and never knew when he would get to eat next.

He had to fight for every scrap and had to starve when he couldn’t get a hold of enough food.

But eventually, Neville was rescued from the streets, and when a woman named Susanne saw his picture on a rescue shelter webpage, she knew she had to adopt him.

Susanne already had a rescue pup, but something about Neville told her that she had no choice but to make him part of her family.

Susanne queued outside the rescue centre for three long hours just to make sure that she would be the first person to ask to adopt Neville.

That’s how strongly she felt about the little pup who she hadn’t even met yet.

Susanne was allowed to adopt Neville, and she happily brought the little pup home with here.

There, she began noticing the effects Neville’s difficult life had had on his mental state; he refused to eat out of his own bowl, and instead chose to eat off the floor. He also tried fighting Susanne’s other pup for his food.

On the streets, Neville had clearly had to fight for every piece of food, and it was difficult for him to realize that he no longer had to fear going hungry.

But Susanne did her best to show Neville that he was finally safe and loved and that he’d never have to go without food ever again.

It took several months, but after a while, Neville began eating out of his own bowl. At this point, Neville developed his obsession with the bowl.

It became his most precious possession, and now, two years after being adopted by Susanne, he still brings it with him wherever he goes.

After all those times he’s had to starve or fight for his food, the safety of having his own food bowl must feel like heaven.

As heartbreaking as Neville’s story is, it’s also heartwarming to know that he’s finally found a family who loves him and that he’s able to find comfort and solace in something as simple as a food bowl.

Neville is in fantastic hands and with Susanne’s help, he’ll no doubt keep growing his confidence and sense of security.

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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.