Obese dachshund turns life around and releases inspiring weight loss calendar
YOUR summer #thinspiration has arrived, and his name is Obie. The formerly obese dachshund is now a fully-fledged dog supermodel. Work it, Obie!
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A FORMERLY obese dachshund who lost over 25 kilograms and had a tummy tuck has now released an inspirational calendar for animal weight loss.
Just over two years ago, Obie the porky pup tipped the scales at a whopping 35 kilograms and needed to wear a special harness to prevent injury to his bulging belly.
However, after being adopted by former veterinary technician Nora Vanatta in August 2012, he was put on a strict diet and exercise regimen.
After two years of hard work and surgery to remove excess skin, the svelte seven-year-old now weighs a healthy 17 kilograms.
Now the previously dumpy dachshund new owner has released an inspirational calendar for 2015 to help motivate other podgy pets shed their pounds.
Nora, from Portland, Oregon, said: “I feel blessed to be involved in Obie’s rehab and hope he can be an inspiration to any person or animal trying to lose weight.
“It is so important to introduce pups and kids to a healthy lifestyle and food choices as early as possible.”
Daschunds normally weigh around 14kgs, but at 35kgs a five-year-old Obie weighed more than twice that and was dubbed the World’s Fattest Sausage Dog.
Before he was adopted by Nora, he had been cared for by an elderly couple who fed him whatever he wanted and couldn’t exercise due to their ill health.
He had to wear a special harness to stop his stomach rubbing against the floor, leading to painful chaffing.
Nora, who has a degree in Animal Science said: “He was obviously loved and his elderly owners just couldn’t say no to those big brown eyes.
“I was thrilled to be able to help him with his new life.
“Now I want his journey to inspire other big animals and maybe even their owners to get healthy in the new year.”
When Nora adopted him she put him on a strict diet to lose some of his belly before walking him on a treadmill and taking him for a swim.
After losing 18kgs, he had to have cosmetic surgery to remove several pounds of excess skin.
Originally published as Obese dachshund turns life around and releases inspiring weight loss calendar
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