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Former 'World's Fattest Sausage Dog' loses four stone and releases 2015 calendar
Two years ago Obie the porky sausage dog tipped the scales at a whopping 5 stone 7lbs, and needed a special harness to protect his bulging belly
A massively obese daschund who shed almost four stone is releasing a 2015 calendar showing off his new slimline frame.
Two years ago Obie the porky sausage dog tipped the scales at a whopping 5 stone 7lbs, and needed a special harness to protect his bulging belly.
But after being adopted by former veterinary technician Nora Vanatta in August 2012, he was put on a strict diet and exercise regime.
After two years of hard work and surgery to remove excess skin, the svelte seven-year-old now weighs a healthy 1st 9lbs.
Now the previously dumpy daschund's new owner has released an inspirational calendar for 2015 to help motivate other podgy pets shed their pounds.
HERE WAS OBIE JUST BEFORE HIS DIET STARTED TWO YEARS AGO:
Nora, from Portland, Oregon, said: 'I feel blessed to be involved in Obie's rehab and hope he can be an inspiration to any person or animal trying to lose weight.
'It is so important to introduce pups and kids to a healthy lifestyle and food choices as early as possible.'
Daschunds normally weigh 32lbs, but at 77lbs a five-year-old Obie weighed more than twice that and was dubbed the World's Fattest Sausage Dog.
Before he was adopted by Nora, he had been cared for by an elderly couple who fed him whatever he wanted and couldn't exercise due to their ill health.
He had to wear a special harness to stop his stomach rubbing against the floor, leading to painful chaffing.
Nora, who has a degree in Animal Science said: 'He was obviously loved and his elderly owners just couldn't say no to those big brown eyes.
'I was thrilled to be able to help him with his new life.
'Now I want his journey to inspire other big animals and maybe even their owners to get healthy in the new year.'
When Nora adopted him she put him on a strict diet to lose some of his belly before walking him on a treadmill and taking him for a swim.
After losing a whopping 40lbs, he had to have cosmetic surgery to remove several pounds of excess skin.
