One hot dog, now that weight is off
Welsh Corgi trots off scale as biggest loser in competiton at Redlands verterinary clinic
Amy Hamilton
Mayr 11, 2011
Grand Junction Daily Sentinel
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. – Mr. Beans didn't have to stand on a scale in spandex shorts with his fat rolls spilling out for the whole nation to see during regular weigh-ins. He wasn't subjected to sweat-dripping workouts by unrelenting physical trainer Bob Harper.
But, like some humans on the popular television show "The Biggest Loser," Mr. Beans , a 7-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi, recently was declared the winner of a fat-burning competition at Tiara Rado Animal Hospital, 2245 Broadway.
"And now I have to eat all the table scraps," Randy Walck joked on Tuesday while showing off his slimmed-down dog.
Mr. Beans - or Beans, for short - weighed 56.2 pounds in January when Randy and Cindi Walck decided to put him up to the challenge. Beans was given medication, Slentrol, and his owners cut back on portions of dog food and snacks, helping Beans slim down to 47.8 pounds. Cindi Walck said she will try to get Beans' weight down another 7 pounds.
"He had a low clearance," Cindi said of his before-and-after weight. "Now when you look down, he's got a little curve."
A dozen dog owners who are clients of the veterinarian clinic put their animals to the test. The winner was determined by the dog that lost the largest percentage of body weight, clinic manager Susan Kingsbury said.
The largest participating dog was a 208-pound mastiff, Kingsbury said.
Some dog owners chose to put their animals on weight-loss medication if it was acceptable for their dog's health.
"This was actually very impressive what Beans did," Kingsbury said.
Extra weight can put a strain on pets' bodies, causing the same kinds of negative effects, such as diabetes and joint problems, as it does in humans, Kingsbury said. Sadly, as humans are becoming more obese, the trend is carrying over to pets, she said.
Cindi Walck said she used to overfeed Beans, topping off his dog food measuring cup "because he always looked so hungry." Now, she measures out one cup a day for twice-daily feedings.
Beans also has a limp back leg, and the couple cannot walk him on cement.
The Walks noticed Beans has more energy since losing weight and more energetically plays with their other dog, Kona, also a corgi.
"I took him out yesterday, and he was a quarter-mile away," Randy Walck said of the walk. "It's noticeable that he feels better."
The Walks earned a $100 gift card or credit to the clinic for their efforts. They may spend the money on the next round of medication or a new collar for their dieting dog.
