Shame on this dogs previous owner for trying to get the vets to put him down -- just because he was overweight! Truly disgusting.
Thankfully, when the previous owner brought the golden retriever, named Kai, to the vet, the vet immediately contacted the Misfits of Alberta Animal Rescue, which helped put Pam Heggie together with Kai. Their goal was to help Kai lose that dangerous weight and find him a home where Kai would be given the TLC he so clearly deserves.
Heggie, his new foster mother, has told Good Morning America that she didn't know much about Kai and his past, but knew he needed help. The vet told Heggie that Kai was the most overweight animal she has ever seen, and that "anything you do is gonna help that dog."
Kai first weighed a whopping 172 pounds before Heggie stepped in and helped him lose more than half of his body weight!
From there, Heggie began taking Kai for regular walks, three times day -- before work, right when she got home and in the evening. The walks were difficult at first, but became easier with Kai's relentless determination.
Heggie told GMA, "Literally, he went five to 10 steps, and then he would lay down and start panting. But they kept at it and each day he pushed a little harder. We went to the closest neighbor's driveway and then the next neighbor over."
Heggie also had him on a strict diet. According to Heggie, even at Kai's worst, he was filled with absolute joy and trusted her completely.
"He learned that I was gonna help him and we were gonna be OK," she said.
As the days went by, Kai was getting stronger and was about to reach small (but huge) goals, such as: walking to the end of the block, getting up on the bed, getting into the car on his own, climbing stairs, barreling to the front door and even running in the dog park.
Now, Heggie can't imagine her life without Kai and moved to adopt him.
We certainly can! Thank you Peggy Heggie for saving Kai!
Shop for the latest and greatest ICanHasCheezburger products in our brand new store!
For a weekly dose of animal-themed community challenges - Subscribe to our Newsletter!
Can't get enough of ICanHasCheezburger? Find us on Instagram!