Epic walkies saved 19st Ron

A RESCUE pup has helped his obese owner lose four stone, reverse his diabetes – and mend his broken heart.

Ron Lightfoot, 59, was 19 stone when his marriage broke down last year and he retired from his job as a firefighter due to poor health.

Feeling lonely and unwell, he adopted lovable lurcher Charlie and says it was “the best decision” he ever made, racking up daily ten-mile walks with the puppy by his side.

Ron said: “The back end of 2017 was not a good time for me. My state of mind suffered after a bereavement and relationship breakdown. I had no reason to get up or get out of the house.

“I’ve suffered from type 2 diabetes since 2011 and my doctor urged me to do something about my diet and activity levels to try to reverse it.

“Getting a dog had been mentioned but until I retired I wasn’t really in a position to commit to it.”

After leaving his job at the Ministry of Defence Porton Down science base in Wiltshire, Ron decided to take a trip

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Petplanuk. to the Dogs Trust rehoming centre. There he fell in love with the first dog he saw – eight-month-old Charlie.

Ron, from Salisbury, said: “Adopting Charlie has been the best decision I have ever made – he has given me years of my life back.

“We walk for around ten miles a day. I’ve always liked the idea of walking to improve my health but the thought of doing it alone never appealed to me.

“That all changed the day I got Charlie because I knew that no matter what, he needed exercise. Little did I know that he would have quite such a profound impact on my life.”

The walkies helped him quickly shift the weight, reversing his diabetes.

Ron said: “Without a shadow of a doubt, he has done wonders for my physical health. Having a reason to get out of bed has improved my state of mind too. He is a cheeky chappy and makes me laugh every day.

“He loves meeting people so when we are out walking I chat to people I would’ve usually walked past. Now my days are full of walking and talking.

“He’s genuinely helped my soul.” I HAVE had to bottle feed my new kitten. How long should I be doing this for? She is only five weeks old and still very small.

Soul

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