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A stray dog saves her dying puppy’s life by bringing her to the veterinarian in Istanbul

A dog's motherly instinct and trust in humans saved a puppy's life

A stray dog brought her lifeless puppy to the doorstep of a local veterinarian clinic, saving its life.

In the Beylikdüzü district in Istanbul, security camera footage showed a stray dog holding a puppy in its mouth and bringing it to the doorstep of a local veterinary clinic. The veterinarian that answered the door found the puppy lifeless and took it in while the pup’s mother followed.

The puppy received emergency treatment, as it was dying from a slow heartbeat due to the cold outside. Throughout the treatment, the mother dog stayed at her puppy’s side. Thanks to quick action and care, the puppy survived and is being cared for at the clinic alongside its mother. This puppy turned out to be related to another puppy that was brought in by other animal lovers beforehand, with the belief that it was the sole survivor of its litter.

"We thought all of them had died. It turns out there was one sibling that survived,” said veterinarian and clinic owner, Baturalp Oğhan in an interview. “When our technician noticed the situation, he brought it inside. We realized the puppy's heart was beating. We placed it in intensive care. It is currently continuing treatment with its sibling."


A veterinarian treating a puppy on a table in a clinic as a mother dog watches nearbyThe puppy's mother stayed with her child as the veterinarian administered treatment.@beylikduzu_alfa_veteriner


While it is unfortunate that the rest of the litter had passed, this mother dog’s actions not only saved one of her pups but had reunited her with another one.

According to World Population Review, there is a pet dog in 30% of all households globally. There are 90 million pet dogs housed in the United States alone. Bear in mind, that is counting the dogs that are housed and cared for by humans. Just imagine how many dogs are still out there like that mother dog, along with the number of dogs that sadly didn’t make it like that lucky puppy.

Two puppies eating out of a bowlThe puppy is recovering nicely alongside its sibling.@beylikduzu_alfa_veteriner


While it is remarkable that this mother dog, out of memory, instinct, desperation, or a combination of those traits took her puppy to the clinic, the onus cannot be on dogs themselves to receive the help and care they need. Fortunately, there are several animal shelters and clinics that can help care for these animals, but they still need to find ways to get there. Not all of them have smart dog mothers that can get them to a helpful human vet.

Puppy sleeping against a mother dogThe puppy lives thanks to its mother's quick action and trust in local veterinarians.@beylikduzu_alfa_veteriner

If you wish to help out a stray animal, such as a dog or cat, there are some steps you can take to be prepared if the situation presents itself. The Humane Society has a bunch of quality tips, such as keeping your car with supplies like fresh water, bowls, pet food, heavy blankets,and such to keep the animal comfortable while waiting for animal control to arrive at the scene or if you choose to transport them yourself to a nearby shelter. Before you stock up, you should research to see if there are any state or local laws regarding housing lost or stray animals to make sure you’re following the legal methods.

We share a lot of space with “man’s best friend” and the least we can do is be a best friend back to them, especially when they’re in need.

Joy

Vet's hilarious impersonations of different pet breeds that visit her office are so spot-on

“I ate some socks the other day, like 12 of them…but I really do feel fine!”

Representative Image from Canva

Every pet is unique, but certain breeds do have their own personalities.

We like to think that our fur babies have their own completely unique and individual personality. But just ask any veterinarian that spends all day interacting with a variety of animals—and they’ll tell you that each breed tends to have its own set of quirks.

Just take it from Dr. Molly Brinkmann, who is delighting viewers on TikTok with her spot-on impressions of the different pet breeds that check into her office on a regular basis. She not only nailed the stereotypical attitude of each breed, but what they are most likely going to need a vet visit for in the first place.

Brinkmann began with common dog breeds.

First, there’s always upbeat, if not a little derpy Labrador or Golden Retriever who comes in without a care in the world. These dogs are most likely in for eating something they should have. In this pretend dog’s case, it’s socks.

“I ate some socks the other day, like 12 of them…but I really do feel fine!” Brinkmann says.

The nervous German Shepard, on the other hand, is having a “butt problem.” Yup that checks out.

Meanwhile an Aussie who bursts through the door has been running for 45 miles a day, and can’t stop despite having an injury. “I need to know how I can fix this ASAP.”

Then, a poor little anxious Doodle comes in with an emotional support toy while coming in for itchy ears, followed by a prim and proper Cavalier who requests that the vet not mess up their freshly done hair while getting their “anal glands expressed.”

Lastly a French Bulldog comes in with all the problems— itchy skin, a sore back leg, watery eyes and quite possibly a urinary tract infection. This dog comes to the vet so often that it gets a frequent flier card.

@drmollysays Part 2 Coming but leave your dog or cat breed requests below #funny #funnyreel #vethumor #vetmemes #drmollysays #dogs #dog #dogmomsoftiktok ♬ Mozart Turkish March (1120879) - arachang

All in all, pet parents felt like Brinkmann’s impressions were flawlessly accurate. Not to mention hilarious.

“My golden ate an entire pan of brownie and we had to get his stomach pumped. He was thrilled and cheerful through the whole ordeal,” one person wrote.

“If you don’t like having money, get a bulldog!” chimed another.

For round two, Brinkmann got even further into character as she portrayed everything from a snippy Chihuahua who’s miffed to be waiting for three minutes to a forgetful Bernese Mountain Dog who cannot get it together as they rummage through their purse for an insurance card (not sure is Brinkmann is making a point about Bernese Mountain Dogs here, or Bernese Mountain Dog owners).

And yes, she finally threw a “spicy cat” into the mix. Complete with shades, knife, and attitude.

@drmollysays Part 3 up next! Who else have I forgotten? #dogs #dogbreeds #vetmed #veterinary #veterinarian #doghumor #dogmoms #dogtok ♬ Famous Mozart's Turkish March(872150) - East Valley Music

In fact, Brinkmann did yet another follow-up video focused solely on her cat patients.

There’s the Tuxedo cat who can’t sit still, the male orange cat who acts like he owns the place and constantly flirts, the Persian with resting frown face, the hot-tempered Tortie who trusts no one and the forever-kitten Bengal who has no idea how to use its inside voice.

@drmollysays Which cats should we do next? #cat #cats #cattok #catsoftiktok #catmom #catmoms #catmomtok #catvet #veterinary #vettok ♬ Mozart Turkish March (1120879) - arachang

Looks like Brinkmann has been having fun with vet impressions for a while now. Her TikTok account is filled with videos showing how different breeds act at Christmas parties, amusement parks, getting groomed, greeting their owners at the door, you name it. And while there is a lot of dog content, she doesn't leave the kitties out. And it’s clear she has equal love for every breed she impersonates.

For more adorable pet impressions, you can find Brinkmann’s TikTok here.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Lisa Lippman
True

Chloe Lippman might just be the happiest dog in New York City.

The 11-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback belongs to Dr. Lisa Lippman, a veterinarian with an expansive social media following who specializes in teaching pet owners how to spark joy in their furry friends.


With autumn fully underway, Dr. Lippman is sharing her top tips on how to keep pets happy, healthy, and frolicking with gusto, along with the importance of protection against fleas and ticks during this fall and winter season!

Know their cold tolerance and limits. Certain breeds have a lower tolerance to cold temperatures than others, which is important to keep in mind as the temperatures plummet. For example, Chloe has a short coat, and starts to shiver around 40 degrees. Other breeds—like huskies—are literally made for snow, so you may not need to worry about their body warmth as much.

Keeping our animals warm while outdoors begs the question of those adorable canine sweaters and coats: should we go with fashion, or function? Dr. Lippman says BOTH!

“Winter clothing is definitely a good idea for short hairs and some of the smaller breeds, since they have less insulation against the cold. And of course, isn’t it insanely cute to match? So we enjoy our outings without worrying about bringing any pests home with us, I also make sure Chloe has her Seresto® collar to help kill and repel fleas and ticks through contact (so my sweet Chloe doesn’t need to be bitten first to be protected),” says Dr. Lippman.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Lisa Lippman

Ticks and fleas are a major killjoy. It’s really important to make sure you have flea and tick protection covered heading into the winter season. Many pet owners might not realize that several species of ticks, including the ones that cause Lyme disease, can remain active in fall and winter months. It’s a common misconception that once the air gets cold, pets are safe from fleas and ticks - this is definitely false!

Dr. Lippman says that the best flea and tick preventative is the one you use consistently and correctly. Dogs and cats are very susceptible to fleas and ticks during this time of year no matter where they live or spend their time. She finds Seresto® collars work well for pets because of its ease of application, the assurance that comes from eight continuous months of long-lasting protection, and because it’s affordable and widely available. Chloe barely notices hers—and that’s a good thing!

Wipe their paws after outdoor walks. This is the equivalent of taking off wet socks after you come in from playing in the snow: very, very important! Frostbite is definitely a possibility even after the walk is over, and if they’ve been walking on shoveled sidewalks, the salt can irritate their skin which can lead to infection and pain. This is also a good time to check between their toes for any irritation or tiny wounds. Side note: some pets love being dried off with a hair dryer on a low-heat setting!

Make sure their collar is fitted and ID is current. Winter months are especially tough on pets that like to roam or play a game of hide-and-seek that you didn’t know you were playing! Dogs can lose their scent track in the snow more easily, so make sure their information is up to date, they are microchipped, and they’re wearing their pet ID tag. These steps will make it much easier to be reunited with your pet if you are separated.

Photo courtesy of Dr. Lisa Lippman

Remember, holiday gatherings can be overwhelming. Noise, strange people, loud music, and “scary” trick-or-treaters are all things that might terrify or over-excite your pet. They have no idea what’s going on, so it’s sometimes best to keep them in a quiet, safe room away from the festivities to help keep them calm. And with house guests continuously opening the door, it may allow pets an opportunity to slip out unnoticed.

Ensuring your pet is protected against fleas and ticks is also critical for holiday gatherings, as flea infestation can be detrimental to pets and their families and removal can take months, disrupting holiday fun. Arming your pet with a Seresto® collar allows for more joy together with loved ones during the holiday season and removes the risk of any pest invasions.

Dr. Lippman says her favorite things to do with Chloe during the fall and winter season are being able to enjoy some “petflix and chill” time indoors with cuddly blankets and special dog treats or going on seasonal outings to pet-friendly places with friends. After all, that’s what pets are for—companionship! Protecting our pet’s joy and health is the gift that keeps on giving, including against fleas and ticks that are still a threat during the fall and winter seasons.

To learn about Dr. Lippman’s tips for a joy-filled fall with your pet, including the benefits of a Seresto® collar for eight months of continuous protection against pests, visit FallPetList.com.

Seresto is a trademark of Elanco or its affiliates. ©2022 Elanco or its affiliates. PM-US-22-2399.


Tracy Lee Richardson/Facebook, Marliese Streefland on Unsplash

Many animal-loving kids grow up thinking they want to be veterinarians, imagining that working with cute and cuddly critters all day long must be a dream job.

But the reality of being a vet isn't a whole lot different than the reality of being a doctor for humans. You have to have about the same amount of schooling, but you have to know about the biology of many different species. And while helping animals can certainly be rewarding, the truth is that a lot of a vet's job isn't all cuddles and cuteness.

Veterinarian Tracy Lee Richardson shared a story from particularly hard day on Facebook to help people understand what vets go through.


"I always post pictures of puppies," she wrote. "So many of you might think that my job is all rainbows and butterflies. However in reality, it can be the exact opposite.

Today I had to euthanize a very sick dog. During the process, the owner had his son on FaceTime who started to sing a song that he had written for the dog. It was absolutely beautiful. Tears immediately ran down my face, almost in sync with his guitar. I sat in the room with the other family members and just cried my heart out with them.

Unfortunately, that's not the hard part. I had to eventually leave the room, finish crying in the bathroom and then recompose myself to head into the next exam room. I was praying for my next patient to be a new puppy to brighten my spirits, but it was another sick dog on the brink of euthanasia as well.

This is a HUGE reason the suicide rate is extremely high in my profession. So please always be kind to your veterinarian and veterinary staff. Our jobs are much harder than we give off.

I absolutely love my job. I do not regret becoming a veterinarian, but there are just some days it sucks."

Many people may not realize that the suicide rate for veterinarians is high. In fact, female vets are about 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Some of it is the depressing nature of the euthanasia aspect of the job. But in addition to compassion fatigue, vets are also often mistreated by their patients' owners. People don't like having to pay for medications or services for animals, and vets report consistently being asked to have fees waived. When you're dealing with huge medical school debt and then have customers get angry because they don't want to pay you, it's rough.

So be kind to your vet and their staff. They're likely dealing with a lot more stress than we realize.