Obese dachshund loses 20 kilos after cutting out pizza and burgers
Dennis the dachshund is a brand new dog.
Less than two years ago, the miniature dachshund weighed a whopping 25 kilos. His diet consisted of pizza and burgers, and unsurprisingly, it quickly took its toll on the six-year-old dog. He was so obese the poor dog couldn’t move a few feet without losing his breath.
When nursing student Brooke Burton first laid eyes on Dennis, who belonged to her uncle, she was devastated over his condition. She persuaded her relative to let her adopt the pooch.
Brooke’s dedication to Dennis’s new diet of dry food and a strict walking regimen has meant Dennis is now a slim and trim 6-kilo dog.
“We should not be feeding dogs people food and overfeeding them and giving them excessive amount of treats. And just like humans they need proper diet and exercise to live a good healthy life,” Brooke told WSYX.
And finally, Dennis can live the life of a healthy young dog. He can now run freely, chase squirrels and get plenty of belly rubs from dedicated owner Burton.
“In the beginning, you could tell he was very depressed, that he really didn't feel good at all,” Brooke said, adding, “He didn't have much of a personality. After he lost weight, this bossy little demanding man popped out. He's into everything, he wants to play with everybody.”
To draw attention to the growing problem of obese and overweight pets, Brooke set up a Facebook page to document Dennis’s weight-loss journey. She hopes that Dennis’s story will show other dog owners the dangerous reality of overfeeding their pets.
“I show him I love him through taking proper care of him,” she said, “not through White Castle burgers and pizza.”
Image credits: Dennis' Odyssey: Health, Wellness, Awareness & Education Facebook
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