Heartless Owner Demands Overweight Retriever Be Put Down, Vet Finds Him A New Loving Home
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Taking care of a pet is never an easy task. Sadly, grooming, socializing them, taking care of nutrition, making sure their health is good, and many other things can get a bit overwhelming for some dog owners. So instead of getting help or simply trying harder for their pets, some people resort to placing their pets in animal shelters or even worse. This is exactly what happened to Kai – a beautiful and friendly golden retriever who had put on a lot of weight while living with his owner, who then decided that Kai is too much trouble and decided that dog euthanasia was a way to go.
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However, once the obese dog was taken to the clinic, the vet refused to euthanize him. Instead, the vet called Misfits of Alberta Animal Rescue, which helped Kai with dog adoption.
This is how he met his rescuer Pam Heggie. When she took him home, Kai was huge. “I could not believe my eyes. His size was staggering. The pictures don’t do justice to how huge he was, and how difficult even a few steps was for him,” Pam told Bored Panda.
The pooch weighed 173 pounds and had to lose more than half of his weight. Being this overweight, it took Kai 20 minutes to climb a small set of stairs so he could enter Pam’s house.
The new owner knew that it would be a long and tough process for Kai to lose excess weight and get back to his normal life. But unlike Kai’s previous owner, Pam refused to give up on him.
Despite everything, Pam doesn’t blame his past owners. “I do not know anything about Kai’s previous owners and quite honestly, I prefer it that way. I don’t believe in shaming people so I’m not sure blame is the right word. I do believe that as animal caretakers, our job is to help animals be as healthy as possible. We owe them that much. I believe educating people in how to care for their animals is more powerful than shaming or blaming,” she said.
Kai was put on a strict doggy diet and started water therapy to strengthen his legs and build stamina. Pam started taking him for a walk three times a day. “At first, he could only go a few steps before resting or lying down. So we went three times a day for very short distances.” But Kai didn’t give up either.
Eventually, he was able to walk further and further, climb stairs, and even started running in the park. The progress was stunning.
“It was more exciting to watch him regain his freedom than watching the numbers change. I never dreamed he would be an active dog able to run, play, and enjoy life as he does now. Kai was 10 when he was surrendered, so he is now 11 and full of life,” Pam explained how she felt when Kai started losing weight.
It took almost a year, but he managed to lose 100 pounds and become a normal, healthy, and happy dog. While at first, Pam was just fostering him, she eventually made a decision adopting the dog.
After all, he’s clearly not an ordinary dog, but a true fighter. “Kai exemplifies what we all find the good in this world- an indelible spirit and unconditional love. He could have chosen to lament his past and give up, but instead, he chose to embrace the chance to be better. We all need to believe we can be better. He is a very grateful soul, and I am extremely lucky to have him in my life. I am now his adopted mom, and he will live out his life with me. I am the lucky one.”
Here’s how people reacted to Kai’s story
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So you overfeed the dog and don't exercise him, until he is morbidly obese and then you decide to kill him because HE's too much trouble? I know who I would be euthanizing in this scenario and it wouldn't be the dog. I'm so glad he's healthy now and has a loving home.
You know your stuff
Yes, he should put himself to sleep!
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Wdym cuz if u mean what I think u mean, ur an awful person
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"I don’t believe in shaming people so I’m not sure blame is the right word." We don't know the previous owners situation. Maybe the dog was the kids', they kids moved out. The parent was disabled in some way. And did not know how to fix the problem. Euthanasia is *sometimes* the kindest thing. .. not this time of course., But they have misunderstood that.
The quote is from the new owner.
I'm I the process of losing weight for health reasons. I have diabetes. if Kai can do it, I can too. definite motivation pick me up I need.
Good Luck! Take it one day at a time and you'll get there!
Way to go, Lisa!
Dogs are great for weight loss :) I've lost 35 lb since I adopted mine last year and she appointed herself as my medical alert dog.
You can do it. Diet and exercise. Just like Kai.
The swimming is also a good idea --- but sometimes hard for humans to dare, living through others' eyes and worrying about remarks and looks real or imagined. But live for yourself and your dearest, and good luck.
You can do it!
That poor dog! The previous owner should be banned from ever having any pets - totally their fault that the dog was overweight. Beautiful animal - so glad that he was given the opportunity at enjoying the rest of his life. ♥ Bless you Kai - be happy.
Not to be an alarmist but I'm pretty sure this counts as animal abuse. Pet owners are responsible for the health and well being of their pets. Over feeding your pet to the point the poor animal is obese is no different than being so negligent that your pet is underweight and malnourished. They should be reported to the local SPCA.
A dog doesn't get to be THAT weight without some SERIOUS over feeding.
Sadly the animal protection people are under resourced and this would be seen as Less-Urgent-than-worse cases.
I can hardly believe the degree of neglect on display here. Not just to let him get overweight, but then to try to have him put down because of it? I'm not usually quick to place blame, but yeah, absolutely this person should have a lifetime ban from pet ownership.
So you overfeed the dog and don't exercise him, until he is morbidly obese and then you decide to kill him because HE's too much trouble? I know who I would be euthanizing in this scenario and it wouldn't be the dog. I'm so glad he's healthy now and has a loving home.
You know your stuff
Yes, he should put himself to sleep!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Wdym cuz if u mean what I think u mean, ur an awful person
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
"I don’t believe in shaming people so I’m not sure blame is the right word." We don't know the previous owners situation. Maybe the dog was the kids', they kids moved out. The parent was disabled in some way. And did not know how to fix the problem. Euthanasia is *sometimes* the kindest thing. .. not this time of course., But they have misunderstood that.
The quote is from the new owner.
I'm I the process of losing weight for health reasons. I have diabetes. if Kai can do it, I can too. definite motivation pick me up I need.
Good Luck! Take it one day at a time and you'll get there!
Way to go, Lisa!
Dogs are great for weight loss :) I've lost 35 lb since I adopted mine last year and she appointed herself as my medical alert dog.
You can do it. Diet and exercise. Just like Kai.
The swimming is also a good idea --- but sometimes hard for humans to dare, living through others' eyes and worrying about remarks and looks real or imagined. But live for yourself and your dearest, and good luck.
You can do it!
That poor dog! The previous owner should be banned from ever having any pets - totally their fault that the dog was overweight. Beautiful animal - so glad that he was given the opportunity at enjoying the rest of his life. ♥ Bless you Kai - be happy.
Not to be an alarmist but I'm pretty sure this counts as animal abuse. Pet owners are responsible for the health and well being of their pets. Over feeding your pet to the point the poor animal is obese is no different than being so negligent that your pet is underweight and malnourished. They should be reported to the local SPCA.
A dog doesn't get to be THAT weight without some SERIOUS over feeding.
Sadly the animal protection people are under resourced and this would be seen as Less-Urgent-than-worse cases.
I can hardly believe the degree of neglect on display here. Not just to let him get overweight, but then to try to have him put down because of it? I'm not usually quick to place blame, but yeah, absolutely this person should have a lifetime ban from pet ownership.