Content Staffs
When dogs arrive at a shelter, they always have a story to tell, writes ilovemydogsomuch
Volunteers and shelter workers do their best to try and accommodate what they can but so many dogs that suffer from trauma are mislabeled as aggressive. This is what happened to Eliza.
Eliza arrived at a shelter in a great deal of pain. She was petrified and anxious. Her behavior was understandable yet she was labeled ‘aggressive’ which made things more complicated for her. Besides being physically injured, Eliza was terrified of humans.
When Eliza arrived at Annie’s house, she had to be carried inside. She was too afraid to even walk from the car into Annie’s home. Annie lifted her onto the couch and she just kind of sunk into it as if she finally found a safe spot. Because the animal shelter is so loud and traumatic, Eliza hadn’t gotten much sleep. Now that she was with Annie, she slept for 24 hours straight. Which was exactly what she needed!
It was as if Annie knew exactly what to do to improve Eliza’s spirit. She allowed her to take the time to settle in and sat with her for reassurance. Annie took things slow. She knew a dog like Eliza needed to do things on her own time. When Eliza ate her first treat, it was as if her whole spirit lit up! She loved it.
Three days later, the most magical thing happened. It may not seem like a big deal to us but for a dog like Eliza, it certainly was. Annie reached her hand out to pet the pup and Eliza gave Annie her first kisses. Annie knew, for sure, right there and then, that this dog was transforming into who she was meant to be!
As much as Eliza was improving, she still had some major setbacks. Annie realized that the pup had a severe fear of collars and leashes. She wasn’t sure why but Annie knew this was something she needed to work on in order to get her used to being a “real dog.” The first time Annie managed to get a leash and collar on Eliza, she just laid down for an entire 30 minutes and refused to move.
But Annie wasn’t going to give up. However, even when she managed to get Eliza to stand up, with the collar on, she would cringe the moment Annie tried to touch her. Something terrible had happened to this dog and her foster mom wanted to try anything and everything she could to help her.
Day 10 was amazing. Annie woke up and went downstairs and Eliza normally just laid in her bed, unmoved. But this time, she got up, despite her bad hip, and greeted Annie with a full-body wag. It made Annie so happy. This was why fostering was all worth it!
What follows in this incredible story is too fantastic to miss. The shelter had basically given up on Eliza and deemed her unadoptable but that couldn’t have been further from the truth. Thanks to The Dodo, you get to experience Eliza’s full story below. We couldn’t be more grateful to fosters like Annie for all the work they do to help animals in need.
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.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings