Obie the obese Dachshund is on a mission to start over. After spending the first five years of his life with aging owners who spoiled him with food, Obie is starting a new life with new owners who have vowed to help him lose 40 pounds.
According to his Facebook page, Obie was picked up from his former home in Washington state and delivered to his new home in Portland, Ore. Nora, his new owner, was shocked at what she saw. Obie weighed 77 pounds. Nora, a certified veterinary technician, graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Animal Science, and is educated in nutrition and animal behavior. She put her new dog on a special diet that she hopes will result in a weight of 30 pounds, still large for a Dachshund, but a significant improvement.
In addition to a diet, Nora also plans to put Obie on a strict workout regimen that includes swim therapy and treadmill work once he loses a bit of weight. She anticipates that he may have to have excess skin surgically removed as well. She hopes that Obie will be an inspiration to any person or animal trying to lose weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.
