It only requires one individual to convince you that it’s achievable. For Buddy, that individual was Jalessa!
When this 140-pound pup first arrived at the veterinary clinic in Kansas, everyone froze in place. The personnel were utterly astonished by Buddy’s mass and how he no longer resembled a dog.
He was deemed a lost case, waiting for euthanasia, as no one had faith that he could ever bounce back from his state.
However, Jalessa never ceased believing.
An Extraordinary Weight Loss Journey
Buddy’s caretakers never recognized any issues with him. They continuously overfed the dog to the extent that he was unable to stand or walk properly anymore.
As a result of his excessive weight, his ankle bone was entirely broken.
“I was working at a veterinary clinic in Kansas when someone arrived with their dog. He weighed over 140 pounds. His ankle bone had shattered under the strain of his weight. At that moment, we believed there was no chance for this dog to recover,” Jalessa explained to Cuddle Buddies.
The reality was – Buddy was not perpetually hungry; he merely had consistent access to food and continued eating.
“He didn’t resemble any dog, he was entirely spherical. He carried so much weight. He would scoot around, unable to stand,” she added.
Yet, when Jalessa eventually encountered him, she chose to take action.
Despite others recommending that caring for Buddy would be futile, she remained determined. Jalessa adopted this large fellow in an instant, and the rest is, as they say, history!
The duo stepped into a new existence together, prepared to start a completely fresh recovery journey. All that was needed was to initiate somewhere!
To begin with, Jalessa restricted his access to food and devised a suitable meal plan for her new friend. Next, it was time to mend that fractured leg!
Buddy underwent surgery, after which he made a successful recovery. It was a lengthy and challenging path filled with affection and care around the clock, but he ultimately prevailed.
Months post-adoption, Buddy began to walk slowly. Initially, he couldn’t travel far, and he’d take long breaks between walking intervals. However, he was undoubtedly making strides… until, at last, he underwent a complete transformation!
A New and Improved Boi
With a little encouragement from his mother, not only did Buddy manage to shed some pounds, but he eliminated a remarkable 80 pounds!
Indeed!
This outstanding canine lost more than half of his weight in an incredible journey, all due to that one person who refused to surrender. And now, he’s more joyful than ever!
“I’m incredibly thankful Buddy chose me to share life with. Observing his growth (and shrinkage) has been a magnificent long journey for both of us,” Jalessa shared on Instagram.
Today, Buddy can’t help but run and embark on thrilling escapades with his momma.
He absolutely adores strolls in nature. One can easily perceive that he’s an outdoor enthusiast, even though he acts like a true lap dog at home. Buddy adjusted flawlessly to his new surroundings, and now he’s more content than ever.
He even makes for a wonderful companion to his feline brother and doesn’t mind sharing his dog bed with him.
You can follow Buddy’s extraordinary journey on his official Instagram.