‘Most obese’ dog at rescue loses two-thirds of her body weight

VALLEJO, Calif. (KGO) - A Chihuahua mix who may be the “most obese” dog one San Francisco rescue has ever seen managed to lose two-thirds of her body weight, thanks to the hard work of employees and her new owner.

When Amanda Tull met Sox, a then-7-year-old Chihuahua mix, it was love at first sight, but little did Tull know, her precious pooch hadn’t always been a ball of energy.

“When I saw her pictures after I got her, I was really stunned,” Tull said.

When Sox arrived at Muttville, a senior dog rescue in San Francisco, she was more accustomed to being carted around in a stroller. Named Sweet Tomato at the time, she weighed in at a robust 30 pounds, putting her in the running for “most obese” dog at the rescue ever, an employee said.

“It was hard for her to get up,” said Jen Coudron, manager at Muttville. “She was a – we call them potatoes when they’re a little chunky.”

The dog’s senior owner, who fed her a steady diet of bacon and eggs, had fallen ill and could no longer take care of a pet.

So began Sox’s weight-loss journey: a combination of regular exercise, some tender loving care and a dedicated foster to keep her on track.

After about three months, the dog dropped 10 pounds, a whopping third of her body weight. By the time Tull adopted her a few months later, the stroller was long gone.

“Now, the world is her oyster,” Tull said. “She can run and jump. Her life has been given back.”

Things were challenging for Sox, who was not accustomed to her new healthy diet and did not eat for several days. But by day four, she was getting used to her new lifestyle and relishing her meals.

Now at 10 pounds, Sox has attained her weight loss goals and is right where she needs to be.

“I think what she provides is inspiration when you want to quit,” Tull said. “I hope for us that we have a long life together.”

The nonprofit Association of Pet Obesity Prevention reports dogs like Sox are not alone. Its 2022 Pet Obesity Prevalence Study showed nearly 60% of dogs are overweight and obese.

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