Erin McManis and her husband Chad Schatz of Phoenix, Arizona, heard about an obese beagle named Wolfgang at a local shelter. The couple immediately knew the 90-pound dog was special when they laid eyes on him.
McManis and her husband have been fostering and rehabilitating obese dogs since 2009. So, they knew that if they took in Wolfgang, they could help him reach a healthy weight. When the couple brought the pup home, he could not fit through the dog door, and they had to get a bigger one for him.
Under the supervision of a veterinarian, McManis started to make low-calorie and high-protein meals for Wolfgang. His meals mainly consisted of vegetables and ground turkey meat. She said that although the pup was mobile, he could not walk for more than 20 feet without stopping for a break.
Schatz also started to take Wolfgang on walks to the mailbox at the end of their driveway. He slowly lengthened the distance over the following months. And since summers in Phoenix are hot, Schatz took the beagle on walks either before sunrise or sunset. Because it took extra effort for the pup’s heart and organs to support his weight, he could suffer from heatstroke if exposed to the sun for too long.
At first, the couple only planned on fostering Wolfgang, but the pup charmed them into adopting him. McManis said that the beagle is very friendly, sweet, and is not destructive. He also loves every toy they bring him.
After dropping 61 pounds, Wolfgang is now healthy. He has excess skin, but it is a non-issue for the couple, so they don’t want it removed. Also, the pup now fits through the original dog door. He was only allowed to get treats after getting in good shape. McManis said that the beagle’s favorite is a Puppucino from Starbucks.
Credit: Wolfgang’s Weight Loss Journey via Facebook
