Adoption saves lives.

Shelly Blount saw a post about a dog that was about to be put down at Rowan County Animal Shelter, an overcrowded shelter in North Carolina, and immediately called the shelter to try and save the dog. Thankfully, someone else had already adopted the dog, but Shelly decided to ask if another dog was at risk.

The shelter said a 5-year-old Chocolate Labrador named Caleb was next on the list, so Shelly called a friend and they drove four hours from Virginia to save him. “I’ll be going tomorrow and getting him. ♥️ He is the ONLY one who hasn’t had a single inquiry. He is very sweet they said. Just walked past because he is almost 6,” she wrote.

When she arrived, she met two other dogs that were scheduled to be euthanized soon and could not leave them behind.

“I asked the limit on how many you could adopt. They said there wasn’t one. So I decided to get all three,” Shelly told The Dodo.

She had not intended on adopting all three but she loaded Caleb, Charisma, and Bella into her car for the journey home. “Caleb was sooo excited — kept giving kisses from the back seat, and his tail was wagging so fast,” Blount said. “Bella was so content being held so she sat in my friend’s lap and literally didn’t move. Charisma, my sweet little angel, was literally hugging me and slept the entire ride.”

Wanting the best life for all the dogs, she reached out to a friend who had a lab and they adopted Caleb. He is getting along great with his new sister, Kyra. He is described as a “76 pound lap dog” and the family could not be happier.

Bella found a home with Shelly’s boyfriend and the two are inseparable. She recently went to the groomer to get a fresh new look.

Charisma was rushed to the emergency vet because she was crying in pain. The vet said the sweet pup was pregnant and due the next week.

“She is super lethargic still but I’m thinking it’s normal due to being so pregnant. She is very clingy to me. Has to be touching me at all times,” posted Shelly. The pair formed a tight bond and Shelly was there to help deliver the puppies.

Charisma is now the proud mom to seven adorable puppies. Everyone is doing well and Shelly continues to post updates on mama and the pups. “So i figured it out. We have 4 boys and 3 little girls!”

She went to rescue one dog but ended up saving ten. Thank you for adopting and rescuing dogs from death row.

There are millions of dogs and cats in shelters waiting for someone to come adopt them. Please consider adopting a pet or two. They will show their gratitude with unconditional love and affection. Adopt don’t shop!

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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.