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Heartless Owner Demands Overweight Retriever Be Put Down, Vet Finds Him A New Loving Home
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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What do you think ?
Jo Choto 6 years ago
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.
Lisa Onitnelot 6 years ago
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.
Yettichild 6 years ago
Good Luck! Take it one day at a time and you'll get there!
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Lucas 6 years ago
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.
Carla Power 6 years ago
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.
Load More Replies...
Kimberly Young 6 years ago
The same thing happened with this cat, Ella. Her owners tried to put her down for being obese and the owner called the Odd Cat Sanctuary. We took her in, helped her start losing weight, and now she's in a perfect forever home! ella-5d518...be6862.jpg 
E A M 6 years ago
I love the Odd Cat Sanctuary! A friend and I are planning on coming to Salem for Witch City Kitty in September. <3
Load More Replies...
Mewton’s Third Paw 6 years ago
Dogs love us more than other people love us. Even the people who you care for the most will f**k you over before a dog does.
Load More Replies...
MissT 6 years ago
Sorry sometimes isn't as easy as people are overfeeding their dogs. My dog used to walk an hour and a half everyday (a maltese mix), run like crazy and all. Then I decided to spay her. And there it went downhill. She's getting fat and just can't lose the weight and it is becoming less active, even though I am feeding her less... I want her to do the long walks with her and see her running like crazy again. T_T and the dumb vet all he does is say "she's fat" yeah well. YOU ESTERILIZED HER, WHAT DID GO WRONG?" -.- sorry I had to vent. it is frustrating taking her out for her walks (now 20-30 mins before she starts to sit down because she gets tired) and people all they can say is "That's a fat dog" YEAH I KNOW, and I'm doing everything I can". T_T
María Hermida 6 years ago
But you are not trying to have her euthanised because she's obese. It can be frustrating, but you are looking after your dog. It's not the same situation. Don't blame yourself. You did what you thought was right.
Load More Replies...
Nicky OldfieldDesciple 6 years ago
This is an amaziong story. Kai is a truly beautiful dog. It's not his fault he became so big. Why should he have to die because his owner couldn't be bothered to look after him properly? I am so glad the vet could see past the owner's selfishness and into the dog's eyes and see what a wonderful dog he is and make sure he could get a second chance with someone who would love him and take care of him as he so richly deserves. I hope that Kai's 1st owner never has another animal again as he doesn't deserve to have any animal again ever. I hope Kai and Pam have a long and happy life together. She is so wonderful for all the love care and commitment she has given Kai. Loads of love and luck to both of them.
Samantha Comerford 6 years ago
Heartbreaking to see him like that, thank god for people like this lady and the vet. Well Done Kia
Monika Soffronow 6 years ago
While it is very easy to condemn the previous owner to hell and back, we know nothing about them. There are many different scenarios, but almost all of them involve serious health issues on behalf of the owner, probably both physical and mental. So, what do I want to say with this? Reach out to the people around you, both if you need help, as well as when you can clearly see that help is needed. This dog needed someone to walk him, his owner probably needed that as well. Be nice, when and if you can, and do the right thing.
John Louis 6 years ago
I had an aunt who over feed her dog until it died at a young age. She was one of the most mean spirited and selfish persons I have ever know. I think that is true for people who treat dogs this way.
Tammy Ralph 6 years ago
The world is full of hateful, selfish, heartless people, you got the poor dog into this state, so then you want to end his life because you're too lazy and selfish to be bothered with him. You don't deserve the air that you breath, maybe someone should put you down.
Kelly Grace 6 years ago
I hate stupid people. The jerk made him fat by not watching his diet and not giving him proper exercise and then decided he'd rather see him dead. Luckily there are Angel's like the vet and his adopted mom ❤❤
Glynis Lailann 6 years ago
We had a dog once who we gave to our friends to look after when we went on vacation. When we got back our pooch was almost twice the size - our friends showed him love by constantly feeding him treats. After a regimen of exercise and a diet he was back to his normal weight. We never asked our friends to dog-sit again.
Miguel Rosas 6 years ago
The owner is probably a fat bastard who doesn't care about the dog's health
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 6 years ago
Ugh i hate some people, i'm thankful he found a good human who took time to care for him properly.
Marnee DeRider 6 years ago
I think this is great for the dog & kudos to the vet & the woman who took him in, but I have mixed feelings about the criticism of the previous owner's role in the dog becoming obese. I had two cats once. One ate more than the other. The one that ate less became fat. They were my ex-husband's cats that I inherited and he didn't care about them. I took the chubby one to the vet who recommended a special food which I paid good money for. The chubbier cat was the livlier one & we played with her every day & tried to get her to move around as much as possible. Still chubby. I've never even seen a fat cat before. She didn't eat a lot and she played a lot. What I DIDN'T do was the extra effort of a pool, treadmill, etc. Do you expect most owners to do that sort of thing? We don't even do that sort of thing for OURSELVES, most of us. The chubby was found by ex abandoned % starving. Maybe related? Starving lowers the metabolism and the body starts storing everything.
kurisutofu 6 years ago
I don't have a dog but if someday I can, I'd like to get a golden retriever. How do you keep a dog on a diet? What do you do if he's still hungry?
Susan Gardner 6 years ago
This is not rocket science. Dogs do not and cannot feed themselves, so whose fault is it
Mewton’s Third Paw 6 years ago
Dogs are much better people than people. I’m not a dog person, or a bad person, or a great person. But I know this to be true. Humans are okay but we are filled with negative emotions and deeds. Dogs never are.
Bored Bitch 6 years ago
I like fat dogs or huge dogs I love them cuz they are so much more furry and fluffy lol
Priya 6 years ago
This brought back at time where I was at the vet with my one cat. At the end of the hall, I saw a terrified white greyhound. I asked my vet if he was sick. She said 'No. But, his owner wants him put down because he's too active. I told her I'd take him home right now. She asked the guy. He said 'No. I want his ashes.' I begged. He refused. That was 15 years ago, and I still cry about it.
Katinka Min 6 years ago
Amazing achievement for both, odg and new owner. Bless all the people involved for putting in so much work. (And a big cuddle for the pooch)
loading... 6 years ago
Why, hello there, troll! How's the trolling going? Oh, slow? 5 steps at a time? Well that's a shame, and such a burden... shall we euthanise YOU?
Load More Replies... Jo Choto 6 years ago
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.
Lisa Onitnelot 6 years ago
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.
Yettichild 6 years ago
Good Luck! Take it one day at a time and you'll get there!
Load More Replies... Lucas 6 years ago
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.
Carla Power 6 years ago
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.
Load More Replies... Kimberly Young 6 years ago
The same thing happened with this cat, Ella. Her owners tried to put her down for being obese and the owner called the Odd Cat Sanctuary. We took her in, helped her start losing weight, and now she's in a perfect forever home! ella-5d518...be6862.jpg
E A M 6 years ago
I love the Odd Cat Sanctuary! A friend and I are planning on coming to Salem for Witch City Kitty in September. <3
Load More Replies... Mewton’s Third Paw 6 years ago
Dogs love us more than other people love us. Even the people who you care for the most will f**k you over before a dog does.
Load More Replies... MissT 6 years ago
Sorry sometimes isn't as easy as people are overfeeding their dogs. My dog used to walk an hour and a half everyday (a maltese mix), run like crazy and all. Then I decided to spay her. And there it went downhill. She's getting fat and just can't lose the weight and it is becoming less active, even though I am feeding her less... I want her to do the long walks with her and see her running like crazy again. T_T and the dumb vet all he does is say "she's fat" yeah well. YOU ESTERILIZED HER, WHAT DID GO WRONG?" -.- sorry I had to vent. it is frustrating taking her out for her walks (now 20-30 mins before she starts to sit down because she gets tired) and people all they can say is "That's a fat dog" YEAH I KNOW, and I'm doing everything I can". T_T
María Hermida 6 years ago
But you are not trying to have her euthanised because she's obese. It can be frustrating, but you are looking after your dog. It's not the same situation. Don't blame yourself. You did what you thought was right.
Load More Replies... Nicky OldfieldDesciple 6 years ago
This is an amaziong story. Kai is a truly beautiful dog. It's not his fault he became so big. Why should he have to die because his owner couldn't be bothered to look after him properly? I am so glad the vet could see past the owner's selfishness and into the dog's eyes and see what a wonderful dog he is and make sure he could get a second chance with someone who would love him and take care of him as he so richly deserves. I hope that Kai's 1st owner never has another animal again as he doesn't deserve to have any animal again ever. I hope Kai and Pam have a long and happy life together. She is so wonderful for all the love care and commitment she has given Kai. Loads of love and luck to both of them.
Samantha Comerford 6 years ago
Heartbreaking to see him like that, thank god for people like this lady and the vet. Well Done Kia
Monika Soffronow 6 years ago
While it is very easy to condemn the previous owner to hell and back, we know nothing about them. There are many different scenarios, but almost all of them involve serious health issues on behalf of the owner, probably both physical and mental. So, what do I want to say with this? Reach out to the people around you, both if you need help, as well as when you can clearly see that help is needed. This dog needed someone to walk him, his owner probably needed that as well. Be nice, when and if you can, and do the right thing.
John Louis 6 years ago
I had an aunt who over feed her dog until it died at a young age. She was one of the most mean spirited and selfish persons I have ever know. I think that is true for people who treat dogs this way.
Tammy Ralph 6 years ago
The world is full of hateful, selfish, heartless people, you got the poor dog into this state, so then you want to end his life because you're too lazy and selfish to be bothered with him. You don't deserve the air that you breath, maybe someone should put you down.
Kelly Grace 6 years ago
I hate stupid people. The jerk made him fat by not watching his diet and not giving him proper exercise and then decided he'd rather see him dead. Luckily there are Angel's like the vet and his adopted mom ❤❤
Glynis Lailann 6 years ago
We had a dog once who we gave to our friends to look after when we went on vacation. When we got back our pooch was almost twice the size - our friends showed him love by constantly feeding him treats. After a regimen of exercise and a diet he was back to his normal weight. We never asked our friends to dog-sit again.
Miguel Rosas 6 years ago
The owner is probably a fat bastard who doesn't care about the dog's health
HoffLensMetalHedLovesAnimalsUK 6 years ago
Ugh i hate some people, i'm thankful he found a good human who took time to care for him properly.
Marnee DeRider 6 years ago
I think this is great for the dog & kudos to the vet & the woman who took him in, but I have mixed feelings about the criticism of the previous owner's role in the dog becoming obese. I had two cats once. One ate more than the other. The one that ate less became fat. They were my ex-husband's cats that I inherited and he didn't care about them. I took the chubby one to the vet who recommended a special food which I paid good money for. The chubbier cat was the livlier one & we played with her every day & tried to get her to move around as much as possible. Still chubby. I've never even seen a fat cat before. She didn't eat a lot and she played a lot. What I DIDN'T do was the extra effort of a pool, treadmill, etc. Do you expect most owners to do that sort of thing? We don't even do that sort of thing for OURSELVES, most of us. The chubby was found by ex abandoned % starving. Maybe related? Starving lowers the metabolism and the body starts storing everything.
kurisutofu 6 years ago
I don't have a dog but if someday I can, I'd like to get a golden retriever. How do you keep a dog on a diet? What do you do if he's still hungry?
Susan Gardner 6 years ago
This is not rocket science. Dogs do not and cannot feed themselves, so whose fault is it
Mewton’s Third Paw 6 years ago
Dogs are much better people than people. I’m not a dog person, or a bad person, or a great person. But I know this to be true. Humans are okay but we are filled with negative emotions and deeds. Dogs never are.
Bored Bitch 6 years ago
I like fat dogs or huge dogs I love them cuz they are so much more furry and fluffy lol
Priya 6 years ago
This brought back at time where I was at the vet with my one cat. At the end of the hall, I saw a terrified white greyhound. I asked my vet if he was sick. She said 'No. But, his owner wants him put down because he's too active. I told her I'd take him home right now. She asked the guy. He said 'No. I want his ashes.' I begged. He refused. That was 15 years ago, and I still cry about it.
Katinka Min 6 years ago
Amazing achievement for both, odg and new owner. Bless all the people involved for putting in so much work. (And a big cuddle for the pooch)
loading... 6 years ago
Why, hello there, troll! How's the trolling going? Oh, slow? 5 steps at a time? Well that's a shame, and such a burden... shall we euthanise YOU?
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