From a client: Amazing weight loss story!

Jade is a 10-year-old German Shepherd/Australian Shepherd mix.  She’s a big goof with a huge personality, very talkative and gives kisses to everything in sight.  Several years ago, she broke her hip, and from that point on her activity level declined and her weight crept higher and higher.  


A few months ago, she got off the couch wrong and hurt one of her back legs.  We feared this was the end, so our family prepared to say good-bye.  We brought Jade to Care Animal Hospital and saw Dr. Garnett.  After x-rays, blood-work, and a thorough examination, Dr. Garnett determined that Jade had not broken or fractured anything.  However, she stressed that we had to get Jade to lose weight (she weighed in at almost 90 pounds that day), or she would not recover.  She suggested a popcorn diet.  


Initially, I have to admit I scoffed at the idea.  Popcorn?  Really?!  Despite my skepticism, I bought an air-popper at Walmart for under $20 and a bag of yellow popping corn.  Much to my surprise, popcorn was a hit with the dogs!  We cut the amount of Jade’s dog food in half and supplemented with unlimited popcorn.  At first, Jade thought popcorn was great and refused to eat her dog food (as time has gone by she eats the popcorn grudgingly, to fill her belly).  


The weight started coming off fast…I think she lost 5 pounds in the first two weeks.  Now, three months later, Jade has lost almost 15 pounds, and she’s a different dog.  She’s much more active and even gallops around our back yard.  She is half-way to her goal weight of 60 pounds, and we’re determined to get her there.  


Our whole family takes part in the effort, and even though Jade sometimes acts like we’re starving her to death, we know we’re doing her a favor and making life easier on her.  She even loves going to the vet now for her bi-weekly weigh-ins.  The wonderful staff at Care Animal Hospital always gives her love and praise when we come in (and sometimes the occasional treat!).  I’m thankful to Dr. Garnett and her staff for giving us hope and a little more time with our old dog!


--Marcy, Jade's owner