Obese dachshund Obie, once 35kg, loses impressive 23kg after year of diet, treadmill and cosmetic surgery

A MORBIDLY obese dachshund who once tipped the scales at 35 kilograms has lost 23 kilograms after a year of strict diet and exercise.

A MORBIDLY obese dachshund who once tipped the scales at 35 kilograms has lost 23 kilograms after a year of dieting and exercise

Obie, who lives in Portland, Oregon is showing off his healthy makeover thanks to his new owner Nora Vanatta.

The five-year-old dog became an internet sensation last year when photos of him looking sad and lying on his back, with his massive belly chaffed from dragging on the ground went viral.

Ms Vanatta, who has a degree in animal science and works as a veterinary technician, was forced to develop a special harness to keep Obie's swollen stomach from touching the ground as he struggled to walk.

Obie previously was owned by an elderly couple with poor health who overfed him, while keeping him indoors with almost no exercise.

“The aging owners with failing health were simply loving him with food. They just couldn’t say “no” to those big brown eyes” Ms Vanatta wrote on his Facebook page.

“But we are thrilled to be able to help him, and now moving on with his new life.”

After adopting Obie, Ms Vanatta immediately put the portly pooch on a strict diet that saw him shed an impressive 18 pounds initially.

Because of his obesity, Obie had difficulty walking at first, but eventually incorporated walking on a treadmill and water therapy into his exercise regime. Now, he enjoys running and playing on the beach and hikes in the words like any other dog.

“He is extremely sweet and loving. He was obviously loved and is a joy to work with,” Ms Vanatta said.

Obie then underwent plastic surgery, with vets removing kilograms of loose skin from his belly.

His fitness regime was documented on his Facebook page One Dog Journey, which has 117,000 followers cheering him on.

“My hope is that he can be an inspiration to any person or animal trying to lose weight,” Ms Vanatta said. “It is so important to introduce pups and kids to a healthy lifestyle and food choices as early as possible. Prevention is the key!”