Meredith Wille is a veterinary technician who decided to be a canine fitness trainer to help overweight dogs lose weight. When she saw the photo of an obese rescue dog, Bertha, whose condition appeared to be hopeless, she knew she needed to help her. The Puggle (Pug/Beagle mix) weighs 60 pounds, almost twice her healthy body weight.
Wille said that the photo of severely obese Bertha was horrifying. She knows she has a lot to offer to injured and overweight dogs, then more so to the poor pup.
Wille reached out to the Ohio shelter where Bertha is to inquire about fostering her. She also offered to cover Bertha’s rehabilitation expenses. In a week, Bertha joined Wille’s five other dogs in her Pittsburgh home.
Despite Wille’s expertise in canine fitness, she knew that slimming down Bertha would not be easy. She’s like Jabba the Hutt, who would take a rest for every three steps.
Fitness coach Meredith put Bertha on a high-protein and low-fat diet. She also started her underwater treadmill for muscle workouts. Unfortunately, Bertha’s bi-weekly sessions lasted for only 15 seconds each because she was so unfit.
Patience is the key in any weight loss program. After a while, Bertha can walk on the treadmill for 20 minutes. Weight training was also added to the pup’s fitness plan.
Bertha’s fitness was improving but, the tendons around her back ankles collapsed due to her excessive weight. It made Wille take her to surgery. After the successful operation and Bertha’s 20-pound weight loss, the slender puggle is energetic more than ever.
Wille considers the fitness plan a game-changer. She’s now capable of moving around after achieving her fitness goal of 29.5 pounds, half of her obese body weight.
She has found her forever home with her foster mom/fitness coach. She also served as an emotional support dog for other overweight pooches at Wille’s fitness clinic. Wille said that her clients feel sad when Bertha’s not at her clinic in Pittsburgh—Steel City Canine Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine. Bertha sometimes sits next to a pup while being treated, gives comfort, and says that everything’s going to be alright.
Now, Wille receives congratulatory messages for her efforts in helping Bertha take-off weight. People claim she did miracles for her. Wille said that all she did was to love the sweet puggle.
Source: bertha_gets_britty on Instagram