Porky pooch Diesel up for national slimming award

A PORKY pooch has set tails and tongues wagging after being picked for a national slimming club.
DieselDiesel
Diesel

Colossal canine Diesel, who is 1st 9lbs overweight, has reached the finals of the the PDSA Pet Fit Club.

The supersized Staffie — who is 40 per cent above his ideal weight and currently tips the scales in a 5st 8lbs — has been selected to compete against six other fat pets from across the UK, including dogs, cats and even a giant rabbit.  

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His owner Teresa Gash (42) said her beloved pet hadn’t always been so obese but his love of food, reluctance for exercise and preference for lying on the sofa has meant the pounds have piled on gradually over the years. 

“We’ll go on a walk and after five minutes he just wants to plonk himself down,” she said.

“We’ve got another dog, Lexi, and she’s full of energy, but Diesel likes his creature comforts and much prefers sleeping to walking.

“I’ve also been in and out of hospital for the past two years so he’s not had as many walks as he should.”

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Teresa said she had tried to cut down on Diesel’s portions but “he eats anything he can get his paws on and much prefers our food”, and had a fondness for chips and pizza as well as vegetables.

Teresa added: “He even tries to pinch chocolate, so we have to be really careful to keep that out of reach.”

Losing weight was vital, the dog lover said, adding: “He’s a much-loved member of our family and we want to have him around for a long time, but with his weight this high we’re afraid he won’t be.

“We need to get him fit and healthy again.”

PDSA vets will put all the pets on a six-month diet and exercise programme in a competition to see who can be the star slimmer.

The overall champion will win a year’s supply of Dechra pet food and a £250 holiday voucher.

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