7-year-old Strudel was severely obese when the Virginia Beach rescue group Hearts for Hounds pulled her from a local shelter. Once the pet of an elderly owner, she found herself homeless and hopeless when that person passed away.
On top of her poor diet and lack of activity, Strudel was diagnosed with a thyroid problem and joint inflammation. She needed some serious help if she was to regain her health.
Hearts for Hounds posted the pitiful pup to Facebook in hopes of finding her a foster home. Not only did a family agree to take in the pudgy pup, a local canine agility center also offered their services – absolutely free of charge!
Kristy and John Cotthaus are the owners of Zoom Room Virginia Beach. When they saw Strudel’s story, they knew they had to help. They worked hand-in-hand with a veterinarian to establish a diet plan, and even designed a custom agility course with her specific medical needs in mind.
At 81 pounds, the couple were concerned that motivating Strudel to begin an exercise regimen would be difficult, but the sweet Golden Retriever mix turned out to be a natural!
We motivate dogs with treats, toys and praise but Strudel was actually easy, it’s almost like she knew what she had to do,” Kristy Cotthaus told the Huffington Post. “We didn’t have to use any treats at all because she was motivated to do the agility [course] with just lots of praise.”
Since her weight loss journey began, Strudel has lost a remarkable 25 pounds. In fact, she feels so good that her first foster family had to return her for chasing their cat! She is now living with Kristen Horton, a Hearts for Hounds volunteer, while she awaits her forever home.
“Strudel is the sweetest animal we have ever met,” Horton said. “She is calm, friendly, loves to play, snuggle, and walk, and is well-trained … Think gentle giant (though not so giant anymore!!).”
Now that her love for antagonizing cats has been revealed, her friends at Hearts for Hounds say that her ideal home should not include feline residents! However, she loves kids and other dogs. Strudel would do best in a home without stairs due to her joint problems.
Update: Strudel was adopted not long after her story went viral! She joined a new family, and (last we heard) was in training to be a service dog for their small daughter!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10214490999858479&set=a.4456121770871&type=3&theater
H/T to The Huffington Post
Featured Image via Facebook/Zoom Room
