Alfie, an eight-year-old collie cross, weighed 6st 6lb (41kg) when he was taken into a Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Glasgow six weeks agoA morbidly obese dog which weighed the same as a 12-year-old child is on a mission to lose almost half his body weight, it was revealed today.
Alfie, an eight-year-old collie cross, weighed 6st 6lb (41kg) when he was taken into a Dogs Trust rehoming centre in Glasgow six weeks ago.
He was suffering from pressure sores and had trouble walking as a consequence of his weight.
Staff at the centre put him on a high-fibre, low-calorie diet and introduced him to an exercise regime
He has already lost an average of 2.2lb (1kg) a week, but has to shed another 22lb (10kg) before reaching his target weight.
Sandra Downie, manager of the charity's Glasgow centre, said: 'Alfie's special calorie-controlled diet includes lots of fibre to make him feel fuller for longer and he has started very gentle exercise.
'Sadly, due to his weight when he came to us, he had difficulty walking and even had pressure sores on his elbows.
With Sandra Downie's help Alfie has has already lost an average of 2.2lb (1kg) a week, but has to shed another 22lb (10kg) before reaching his target weight
Sandra Downie said: 'If he had continued like this he would have been at great risk of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and even organ failure.'
'If he had continued like this he would have been at great risk of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and even organ failure.'
Alfie was recently rehomed with Falkirk residents Joy Seery and Ian Nish, who have vowed to help him lose the remaining weight.
Dogs Trust said it is helping cover the cost of his special diet food and has offered his new owners ongoing help and advice.
Ms Seery said: 'My friends at work laughed when they saw photos of him, but Alfie is an absolute sweetheart.
'He currently weighs 35kg (5st 7lb) so he still has another 10kg to lose until he reaches his target weight, but with every kilo he loses you can see the difference in his energy levels.
'He can jump up on the sofa now and no longer pants heavily when he walks. He loves his ball so we're looking forward to the day when he can play a proper game of fetch like any other dog.'
source :dailymail
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