This Obese Golden Retriever Was on the Brink of Euthanasia — See Her Stunning 50-Pound Transformation - Rocky Kanaka (2024)

There are countless videos on the internet that inspire dog owners to take charge of their dog’s health and overall well-being. Still, none comes as close as Frannie’s story — a once dangerously obese, neglected Golden Retriever who was a few steps away from the grave.

When Rovers Retreat rescued Frannie from euthanasia back in December 2023, this poor Goldie weighed a staggering 125 pounds. This was roughly twice the ideal weight of a female Golden Retriever based on the American Kennel Club’s breed standards (the healthy weight range of an adult female Golden Retriever is between 55-65 pounds).

Nearly eight months later, sweet Frannie has shed a whopping 50 pounds, with her current weight estimated to be around 74.6 pounds. Her incredible weight loss journey has been documented in a series of short clips posted by her owner on TikTok account @franniesfight, and her progress is nothing short of inspiring.

Since her rescue, Frannie has been under the care of Annika Bram, a vet student who’s incredibly committed to rehabilitating this lovely pup so she can reach a healthy weight.

Recently, Annika shared a TikTok video of Frannie’s remarkable progress. “She has officially lost over 50 pounds!! Frannie was rescued by @rovers_retreat in December at 125 pounds and, over the last eight months, has been working on losing her weight and regaining her mobility. She weighed in at 74.6 pounds the other day, which officially marked her losing over 50 pounds. She is a completely different dog, and we do not even recognize her in her old videos!!”

As seen in the different TikTok clips, Frannie was extremely obese, so much so that she initially couldn’t stand on her own, let alone walk without support. Frannie fully relied on her owner’s support to get up, walk, stand during bath time, and go up and down the stairs, as the excess pounds put so much strain on her legs.

Today, Frannie has regained her mobility and is independent; she stands and moves around comfortably without needing support. Plus, the weight loss has done wonders for her overall personality. Frannie has gone from being a miserable, obese dog to a happy, full-of-life pup, and netizens can’t get enough of her transformation.

Dog Obesity: How Frannie Managed to Shed Over 50 Pounds

According to a 2022 report by the Association for Pet Obesity Prevention, dog obesity has been on the rise for the past couple of years, with 59% of dogs falling under the category of overweight or obese. As per the report, a dog is classified as overweight if they weigh 10-30% more than their ideal body weight. Obese dogs, on the other hand, are those that weigh 30% more than their ideal body weight.

Just like in humans, obesity in dogs contributes to a host of health problems. Fat dogs are at risk of shortened lifespans, as the excess weight makes them highly susceptible to life-threatening health conditions such as cardiovascular problems, diabetes, severe joint issues, and kidney failure.

“The saddest part is that overweight dogs can have up to two years shorter of a lifespan compared to dogs at a healthy weight,” shared Dr. Laura Robinson in an Instagram post.

Not to mention, if your dog is overweight, they’ll miss out on a chance to live life to the fullest due to persistent mobility issues. While any dog can become overweight, findings show that there are dog breeds prone to obesity compared to others. These‌ obese dog breeds include Labrador Retrievers, Pugs, Beagles, co*cker Spaniels, Golden Retrievers, Border Terriers, English Springer Spaniels, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels.

Through persistence and hard work, sweet Frannie is now off the obesity zone. Here are some of the top measures that have made her weight loss journey a mighty success, as shared on her TikTok account:

1 Strict Diet Plan

Since her rescue, Frannie has been on a customized, calorie-restricted diet plan to help her maintain a healthy weight.

In one of the TikTok videos, Frannie’s owner shared that this sweet-faced pup had, for years, been a consumer of table scraps (excess calorie intake) and a victim of a sedentary lifestyle while living with her previous owners. Today, nutritious, low-fat dog foodsare part of her lifestyle.

“Keeping an eye on your dog’s weight and monitoring it regularly is key to preventing obesity. Knowing your dog’s ideal weight and following vet-approved tips on diet can help you manage their weight safely and keep them healthy,” explain experts at the Adorable Pets Veterinary Center.

2. Non-vigorous Exercises

Keeping your dog active is one of the surest ways to keep obesity at bay. Frannie’s owner remained committed to taking this lovely pup on regular walks. Although she initially could only walk for short distances — due to the strain of the excess weight on her joints — her endurance for longer walks increased over time.

Frankie also engaged in regular playtime with her tennis balls, and these short but frequent play sessions did wonders in helping her get in shape.

“Regular exercise helps your dog burn calories, reduce stress, and stay fit. It also strengthens their muscles, bones, and joints, and prevents obesity-related diseases,” explain experts from HeartHealth Veterinary Cardiology.

3. Water Treadmill Workouts

For months now, Frannie has been doing underwater treadmill workouts, which have played a huge role in her weight management. Water treadmill workouts are often recommended for obese dogs, as these workouts help burn calories efficiently without straining a dog’s joints.

“The buoyancy of water reduces stress on joints, making it ideal for dogs with arthritis, joint pain, or recovering from surgery,” Dr. Lauren Anthony of the Anthony Vets explained in an Instagram post.

4. Addressing Underlying Conditions

When Frannie was rescued, she was suffering from hypothyroidism — a condition of the thyroid gland that can trigger unexplainable weight gain. Receiving treatment for this condition has helped keep her weight under control thus far.

This just goes to show how important it is to prioritize regular vet visits as a pet owner. In doing so, your vet can catch any underlying health issue that may make your dog prone to weight gain and address it accordingly, as was Frannie’s case.