Good going Woody!
It’s a happy outcome for paunchy rescue dog
Careful diet control and exercise has paid off A re-homed dog has discovered he can now walk five miles and chase his tail after being put on a strict diet.
This time two months ago, chocolate Labrador Woody weighed 42 KILOS and resembled a tired Christmas pudding.
The two year-old pooch came to Perthshire Abandoned Dogs Society (PADS), when his owners were unable to cope.
The friendly lab was destructive when left alone, but his main problem being seriously overweight - something his previous owners didn’t recognise.
Fortunately the Forteviot kennels found him a new home and now handsome Woody is a whopping six kilogrammes lighter and living near Blairgowrie.
“Woody was a gigantic 42 kilograms when he arrived, he was desperate to play but couldn’t because he was out of breath easily and there was a risk he could hurt himself - cruciate ligament injuries are highly likely in severely overweight dogs,” explained Joanna High, assistant manager at PADS.
“Luckily for Woody, Sandy and Paula Logan spotted him on the website and came straight down to see him.
“Having lost both of their elderly Labs in the last few months, they were longing for another and big handsome Woody was hard to resist.
“Sandy and Paula’s own vet in Blairgowrie confirmed that their last dogs were in great condition and had always been a healthy weight and so the vets offered to help with a diet management programme for Woody.”
And so, in the two months he’s been in his new home he’s steadily and safely been losing weight and building up his exercise routine.
Joanna added: “I’m delighted to report that he’s lost six kilos already, with another couple of kilos to go, and he’s now walking around five miles a day.
“We just had a visit from his new family and it’s clear this dog is really loving life, lots of walks, opening all doors and gates (whether he’s meant to or not), chumming Dad to work and now that he’s lost all that weight, he’s discovered that he can chase his tail!”
Paula said: “Woody is a delight to have. He’s intelligent, full of character and quite wilful. He makes you smile.”
She hopes in time to get him a companion, explaining: “We’d probably go down the rescue route again. It takes time and understanding, but it’s very rewarding.”
“Dog obesity is a massive problem,” added Joanna.
She continued: “We are very grateful to Woody’s new owners for helping him get in good shape, it’s really improved his quality of life. Woody is very lucky and we couldn’t be more delighted for him.” Woody as he arrived at PADS