Would you say something about this overweight dog?

[ziggadee]

I love dogs, have one myself. have recently began dating someone who I have known for about a decade. We always got on well but recently admitted we have feelings beyond friendship. It's overall going very well, albeit we are quite long-distance, around 2 hours car journey.

I have rarely seen her dog over the years. My dog is just a little younger than hers. Both large breeds. When I've visited her she's had her friend look after her dog at her house and I have taken my dog with me-I have fewer options for 'dog-sittery'.

Anyway I spent the weekend at her house a couple of weeks ago and since then I can't help feeling so sorry for her dog. He is so, so fat. He struggles to move freely, constantly pants, struggles to get up and down stairs and can't get in and out of a car. Some of this could be age, both our dogs are in their 11th year. But mine is so much more sprightly and isn't showing many signs of age at all. I know all breeds are different.

I just feel so so sorry for him.

In the past, she's mentioned that a workman was at her house and said 'you're killing that dog!' regarding his weight and she was very angry. Another time a friend of hers said something similar and she rang me to rant about it, saying she wants her dog (who is a rescue) to be spoilt and have a good life and it isn't anyone else's business.

Is there no point, given the dog's age now? In saying anything? In fairness, he seems happy and is very well-loved.

She is very soppy with the dog, he's loved, always being cuddled and talked to and given attention. You may be right about the guilt. I've even done that with mine if (for example) I have been ill and she's not got her usual walk, or left her for longer than usual! I get it. But it doesn't matter so much as a now and again thing I guess

If you take him for a walk and someone says something to you, just say the dog is not yours, you’re well aware there’s a problem and you’re addressing it.

Years ago I used to regularly see an old lady walking a massively obese sausage dog. It could barely clear the ground and when I first saw her with it, it could only go a few steps before stopping to rest. She told me she’d inherited the dog from a dear friend who had died, and dog was now on a strict diet and exercise regime as she was desperate to help it. Over time, I saw the dog gradually lose weight and increase fitness. It was very sweet to see.

That's a nice story, and yes, I definitely will! I used to see a couple in my local pub with a very flat-faced dog that was always struggling to breathe, I felt so sorry for him. I will judge people who have those dogs, especially those with obvious poor breeding resulting in a situation like that, BUT this was a rescue, previous owner had abandoned him as couldn't afford the vet bills. They looked after him very well. Poor thing didn't live long though.

Agree with this & sorry for the essay - Sorry, but she appears to have already 'checked out' on this dog & kind of accepted it's fate, so wants to take the easy way & make it happy with feeding - of course it will eat any food & treats given - I did 'google' & check average lifespan, and agree that the doggie is around this breeds 'average' lifespan - but that's just an average, some can live much longer - worst thing is that it must be in pain all the time due to excess weight.
I know you already know this or you wouldn't have posted here - Some small changes could make a big difference, eg weighing food, not guessing amounts, healthy treats (apple / celery etc), obviously exercise - even around the home - playing & maybe even just taking it for car rides to raise it's interest in 'life' - you sound so nice to care so much, so maybe take the step to tell her that you have to help the dog if she won't.
Have you looked into doggie swimming, if its joints aren't up to much walking? Some Pet Insurances will cover this, but its not even that expensive (maybe £15 for half an hour in a pool with a trainer). Good luck, please follow your conscience, if she won't. Good luck, please update? (and maybe show her this thread??).