Health
Vet refuses to put down overweight Golden Retriever at owner’s request and saves him instead
Pets mirror their owner's health choices so it's a good thing Kai has a new owner.
Ma Fatima Garcia
03.04.21

It’s easy to say that you are an animal lover, but only actions will prove if it’s true or not. Some will say that they love dogs; that’s why they even go through great lengths to buy, adopt, or rescue dogs and give them their forever home.

As much as this act is admirable, there are “pet owners” who cannot commit all the way.

Let’s put it this way. There are two types of dog owners out there—those who plan on keeping their pet forever and those who give up when things get rough.

Imagine making a puppy feel loved only to give up on them when they become sick, old, or overweight.

This is Kai / Facebook
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This is Kai / Facebook

Having a pet doesn’t work that way.

Pets aren’t disposable so that when you change your mind, find them hard to train, or when they become sick, you just abandon them or put them down.

What makes you any different from animal abusers?

The Golden Retriever is a fantastic breed. These pups are beautiful but also loving, loyal, and protective when they need to be. They’re also amazing with children.

YouTube Screenshot/The Dodo
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YouTube Screenshot/The Dodo

Pets mirror their owner’s health choices.

A Golden Retriever needs daily exercise. Along with walks, they love to hike and swim. And of course, it’s important to keep them on a healthy diet.

YouTube Screenshot/BigDawsVlogs
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YouTube Screenshot/BigDawsVlogs

Kai is a gorgeous Golden Retriever. But unfortunately, after years of giving him table scraps, he’d ballooned up to 173 pounds.

That is roughly 100 pounds heavier than he should be.

Facebook/This is Kai
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Facebook/This is Kai

Putting him down would have been an “easy” way out! Rather than following a strict diet and daily exercise regimen, Kai’s owner wanted to have him euthanized.

It wasn’t the dog’s fault that he became overweight. Rather, it was the owner’s lack of discipline and proper care that led Kai to gain weight.

Instead of caring for Kai to get him fit, he asked for his dog to be put down.

The vet refused! Instead, he took Kai and he turned him over to Misfits of Alberta Animal Rescue.

Facebook/This is Kai
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Facebook/This is Kai

Another chance – a road to a healthier Kai

The first change for Kai…he was fostered by a wonderful woman named Pam Heggie. But she and the rest of her family fell in love with him, which led to this pup’s second change…they adopted him.

Facebook/This is Kai
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Facebook/This is Kai

Meeting Pam’s other pups

Pam brought Kai into a home with a four-year-old black Labrador and a 14-year-old Beagle cross. Abby, the Beagle, had a similar story.

She’d been returned to the shelter where Pam found her twice. But not only did her other animals welcome Kai they also encouraged him.

Facebook/This is Kai
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Facebook/This is Kai

Road to success

When Kai was adopted in December of 2018. he could barely get around. Pam stated,

“When I first met Kai, I honestly could not believe his size. He struggled to do everything and panted all the time.”

She explained that just to get him into their van, they had to remove some seats and it took two people to lift him inside.

Facebook/This is Kai
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Facebook/This is Kai

From the minute Kai was adopted, it was as though he knew Pam was trying to help him.

She changed his diet and enrolled him in water therapy.

Going once a week for roughly six months helped him lose weight and strengthen his joints. It wasn’t an easy goal, but together, they were able to change Kai’s life!

Facebook/This is Kai
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Facebook/This is Kai

Although the winters in Alberta are bitterly cold, Pam and her family took Kai to a local dog park every day. While it was hard at first, he loved being outdoors.

Slowly, they began to see progress.

Facebook/This is Kai
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Facebook/This is Kai

Age is just a number!

At the time Kai’s owner surrendered him, he was already 10 years old. But after bringing him home, Pam quickly realized this pup was super laid-back and had an amazing personality. Through hard work and determination, he continued to lose weight.

Facebook/This is Kai
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Facebook/This is Kai

The new Kai!

With weight-loss food, daily walks, and therapy, Kai went from 173 pounds down to 68 pounds! He’s once again healthy, energetic, and extremely happy.

This is Kai / Facebook
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This is Kai / Facebook

This is what unconditional love looks like. Today, at 12, he’s a completely different dog that weighs 68 pounds. It just shows that our pets will mirror our choices in life. If we know the importance of health, then our pets will be healthier as well.

A true animal lover will always want what’s best for their pets and not the easy way out.

Check out the video below of how active Kai is now.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Always workin’ the camera 🎥
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Posted by This is Kai on Sunday, August 16, 2020

Source: Bored Panda, Facebook

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