This obese dog lost over 25lbs and is looking better than ever

Strudel was in the worst of situations. The seven-year-old dog found herself homeless and in a shelter when her elderly owner passed away. The dog was severely obese, had several undiagnosed medical conditions, and she was depressed waiting in a small shelter space day after day. Then Hearts for Hounds, a rescue in Virginia Beach, stepped in and changed Strudel's entire life.
Hearts for Hounds pulled Strudel from the shelter and immediately took her to a veterinarian. Aside from her dangerously overweight condition, Strudel had joint inflammation and a thyroid condition. It would take a significant amount of dedication and diligence to give Strudel a chance to live a healthy, happy life.
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The rescue posted Strudel's story on their Facebook page, and they received an overwhelming response. Not only did a family step in to foster Strudel, but the owners of a local canine agility center, Zoom Room Virginia Beach, offered to help Strudel lose the excess weight safely and for no charge.
With the help of a veterinarian, a meal plan was designed for Strudel, and the owners at Zoom Room Virginia Beach constructed an agility course designed specifically for the dog's medical needs. With teamwork like this, it was only a matter of time before Strudel would be strutting her stuff!
Strudel weighed eighty-one pounds, and the Zoom Room Virginia Beach owners didn't know how she would take to the introduction of regular exercise into her daily life, but the dog took to it right away.
"We motivate dogs with treats, toys and praise but Strudel was actually easy, it’s almost like she knew what she had to do,” said Kristy Cotthaus, owner of Zoom Room Virginia Beach. “We didn’t have to use any treats at all because she was motivated to do the agility [course] with just lots of praise.”
Strudel began to lose the weight and eventually lost twenty-five pounds! She began to chase the cat at her foster family's home, so she was transferred to foster care with Kristen Horton, a Hearts for Hounds volunteer. Horton said, "Strudel is the sweetest animal we have ever met. She is calm, friendly, loves to play, snuggle, and walk, and is well-trained … Think gentle giant (though not so giant anymore!!).”
Strudel continued to lose weight, recently clocking in at a very fit fifty-four pounds! And even better, Strudel has found her forever home with a family where she will get plenty of exercise every day.
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Congratulations Strudel, and thank you to every person who helped this exceptional dog enjoy living life again! Share this amazing story with your friends and family on Facebook.